What do you believe is enough to warrant reapplying? (should I retake the MCAT?)

[ipodtouch]

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This is not a perfect question by any means, but I was wondering what you would think is enough to to help a re-applicant.

-I applied sort of late (middle-August)
-My Personal Statement was average (I worked very hard on it, but it didn't blow anyone away)
-I had an MCAT score of 31
-I had above average extracurriculars (no extended research)


I was wondering if an earlier application (~June), better personal statement, and a year working as a Research Specialist at a lab (no publications) were improvements enough to warrant a re-application without a retake on the MCAT.

Honestly, I have so many things going on in my life right now with a full-time job that a MCAT retake would be difficult.


I was wondering, should I hold it out and retake the MCAT before I apply? Or would the above listed improvements be enough for me to have a considerably better shot?
(again, not a perfect question as you do not know the specifics of my situation, but asking for a response for the general applicant)

 

[Barcu]

Unless you can score at least 3 points better, never retake the MCAT.

A 31 will get you in a bunch of places.

APPLY EARLY!

 

[slatermd]

where are you reapplying?

are you willing to apply to other places you didn't consider the first time around?

 

[obscurehero]

where are you reapplying?

are you willing to apply to other places you didn't consider the first time around?

^^ Good points.

Also, what were you scoring on practice tests. For me, I considered retaking if I didn't get in this year as my actual score was 2-3 points below what I was getting for practice tests.

You should apply to schools that better fit your qualifications. People with your stats get accepted all the time (I don't know what your GPA is, but I'm assuming it was fine too). They might not get accepted to Penn or Harvard, but they get accepted to plenty fine allopathic schools.

 

[ipodtouch]

Definitely, I am very open to applying to new places!
I'm applying very broadly to mid-low tier schools~ Almost all the schools I applied to were on the east coast, so I guess I have half a country to explore~


My chances are not yet over~
I'm waiting on a completed interview from Hofstra (but at 40 acceptances out of 4000 applicants, I'm not sure about that)
I have a SUNY downstate interview next week
I have a Albert Einstein interview in March
-and I still have not heard back from ~10 schools

But considering the lateness, I understand that the chances are overwhelmingly against me... and have to start preparing for a FANTASTIC reapplication
I'm willing to volunteer~ Shadow~ attending personal statement help sessions~ anything to help my application

I'm just nervous about applying without a MCAT retake and would like some more feedback on my situation


Thanks Guys!!

 

[ipodtouch]

I was averaging slightly above a 33~ so I know I can hit it (but I am also aware I can get unlucky 🙁 )

I subscores were
31Q (10P 10V 11B)

 

[slatermd]

Definitely, I am very open to applying to new places!
I'm applying very broadly to mid-low tier schools~ Almost all the schools I applied to were on the east coast, so I guess I have half a country to explore~


I'm just nervous about applying without a MCAT retake and would like some more feedback on my situation


Thanks Guys!!

I am sitting right next to a friend who got into Loyola's med school (stritch) with a 31 MCAT and certainly not a 4.0. He also got in at Wayne State in MI.

Give Loyola a look. They are very interested in the "whole applicant," not just numbers. They are a Jesuit school; they value service and people who care about people.

I also know one of their two Deans of admissions (not Gamelli, who is on the website), and the head of admissions (Muraskas, who delivered the worlds smallest surviving baby...8 oz but it lived!). Muraskas has a great personality and looks for the same in applicants. This draws some weirdos to the school, but mainly upstanding people with average numbers.

The dean I mentioned has an excellent read on people, even just from their secondaries (ie he will know a lot about you before he meets you). He looks for commitment, service, and exposure to medicine. So yes, volunteer. Yes shadow. It would be best if you did these things for a long amount of time, so it shows that you are committed to them. If you are not, he will know, and you will know that he knows, and he will know that you know that he knows and then you'll have skid marks in your drawers.

Your 31 will not only get you in, but will get you in to good schools provided the rest of your app doesn't make you seem like a major choad. This may not be true for the east coast, which I have heard is redonk competitive. In the midwest, your MCAT won't be what holds you back.

 

[Tappinfool66]

Unless you can score at least 3 points better, never retake the MCAT.

A 31 will get you in a bunch of places.

APPLY EARLY!

+1

They say if you retake and don't score at least 3 points better, it takes away a lot from your application. Only retake if you feel you need to and that you've prepared enough to score significantly higher.

Otherwise, I think what you listed is enough to improve your application and get you accepted. It depends on your gpa though.

 

[ipodtouch]

Thank you everyone~


My GPA is not stellar (~3.55 cGPA, 3.5 sGPA)

the the important note is trend
I ended my sophomore year with a 3.08, but averaged a 3.85 for the next two years while taking loaded difficult course loads. My GPA improved every semester until I ended with a 4.0

 

[slatermd]

Thank you everyone~


My GPA is not stellar (~3.55 cGPA, 3.5 sGPA)

the the important note is trend
I ended my sophomore year with a 3.08, but averaged a 3.85 for the next two years while taking loaded difficult course loads. My GPA improved every semester until I ended with a 4.0

You could get into Loyola with this, provided your EC's are in line with the school's mission and you interview well if given the chance.

I don't personally know about other schools, but get a copy of the MSAR and see where your stats match up with the average admitted student. There are plenty of places where 3.5's and a 31 are the average admit. Your case is going to depend on what kind of person you are beyond the numbers.

 

[aggie08]

I was averaging slightly above a 33~ so I know I can hit it (but I am also aware I can get unlucky 🙁 )

I subscores were
31Q (10P 10V 11B)

Do NOT retake that. Not only do you run the chance of getting a lower score, but that score is perfectly balanced and it will get you in some where.

Apply EARLY and apply BROADLY. Do a post-bacc program if you want, there are definitely some geared towards getting into med school that will help your chances.

I was a reapplicant. I can tell you the most important thing is to take an honest look at your application and figure out where you're missing. If you got a bunch of interviews and no acceptances you need to seriously evaluate your choice of school, as well as your interview skills.

But the best advice is APPLY EARLY!

Try again, don't give up yet.

 

[Silverfalcon]

Honestly, this cycle isn't done yet. Do well on your interviews and then, if nothing goes well, come back to think about what you should do.

I don't frankly get why people have to remain neurotic even when they get interviews. There are people in worse situations than you - who do not even get interviews. Even if it's later in the cycle, if you have interviews, aim to do well on that first BEFORE re-applying.

 

[Swagster]

I wouldn't retake a 31. A 30 or lower, yes, but 31 seems okay.

 

[ipodtouch]

Thanks everyone,
I'm definitely going to buckle down for these interviews and see what happens...

hopefully I don't have to reapply, but I'll be ready if I do.