What if you took the August MCAT?

[EReze]

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I just took my MCAT for the first time in August 2003. We won't get scores till around October. I am a strong applicant everywhere else, but the MCATs are a mystery. I already applied to all my schools and sent back some of my secondaries. Could I still get an interview without MCAT scores????? My biggest fear is spending so much time and money applying, and finding out late that my MCAT score sucks.

 

[DocKwi]

Whats up? I actually took the MCAT in August 2003 as well. It was my first time and I felt kind of BLAH about it. Everyone else I know does too. I have everything I need to get into a great medical school, except that MCAT score. I have applied to 12 schools and already received 4 secondaries. I plan on continuing through the process even though I have no clue as to what my scores are. Just hope that if you don't do as well as you like, the passion and dedication that you have to become a physician will show in your application packet. Hope to hear from ya soon!
😳)

 

[Robz]

I know that a lot of school automatically send a secondary while some other screen their applicants. Of those that automatically send secondary applications I think some of those wait on those application till the MCAT scores are turned in. Kudos for being on top of the ball and applying early and good luck. I hated the MCAT but there are much tougher tests in medical school. I got a secondary back from every osteopathic school I applied so I am unsure which ones screen or not. Anyone else knows who screens?

 

[ez073323]

The admissions office of Touro University definitely screens each and every application that is submitted...

Happy Friday everyone!

Brian

 

[EReze]

Everyone I know felt really BLAH about the August MCAT too. the Verbal was pretty kick ass, but the sciences had some hard questions and some easy questions that were too straight forward to be true. I honestly have no clue how I did. I hope some schools are forgiving... yeah right. 🙄

 

[jgrieco]

I think that you all will be pleasantly surprised with regard to how forgiving the medical schools are when considering your MCAT scores. My suggestion as one with a competitive a transcript, a lot of experience and with not so good MCAT scores is that the schools seem to be looking for that well rounded, all American type of student. If you have shown a desire to be a physician by volunteering, working or anything else as well as maintained a strong academic standing, you should be fine. I know that it is easy for me to say now that I am a first year, but try to sit back, relax and above all have fun through this process. I met a ton of great people at my interviews and honestly, that is all I remember of them! Just have fun! Good luck. Feel free to ask me any questions any time.

Oh! Yeah, about the MCATS and receiving an interview. Not likely that you would receive and invitation for an interview with out the scores being in. The school can do whatever they want so I cant say that you definitely wont receive an interview, but probably not. What happens is, your application and information is transmitted by the application service to the schools once all is verified. The school makes a file for you and sends the secondary. The file sits and waits until the MCAT scores come in (for me, and AUG. test and Sept. they were in). When your application is complete then you will receive a letter inviting you for an interview. Again, good luck!

 

[raspberry swirl]

i was in the same situation last year, but i went ahead with everything anyway, even though i was petrified that i bombed the MCAT . . . you're better off just going ahead with everything. you never know what will happen, and even if you waste some money, in the end, trust me, its not that much. it would suck if you waited, and the reason you didn't get in was because they filled up spots quickly. keep on sending in your stuff while keeping your fingers crossed . . .you're making the right decision to get your stuff in early.

 

[Goofyone]

I agree with jgrieco.

If you're application is good in all other areas, you're not going to get turned down for lower MCATs, assuming you meet the minimum score. Most schools won't tell you this, but they have a formula for your MCATs and GPA. If you have a great GPA (>3.75), you can probably get a 21 on your MCAT and still be okay. If you did some solid work in undergrad, you should probably get a 21 without even studying.

I can almost guarantee that you won't get an interview without the final scores. Most schools won't officially review your app until scores come in.

Good luck and relax.

 

[bigdreamer#1]

This thread is interesting to me, although, my question is this. I'm in a similar situation, except I already have a April score from the MCAT in 2003---needless to say it was pretty bad! Failure to prepare. So i took it in August after Kaplin review and drastic improvement based on practice tests. I predict that i did just as well as the practice test which put me in that competetive status.

The question is this? Do I go ahead and send in my primary application when schools will first see my automatic reported lousy April MCAT score before the updated and likely much improved competetive August score gets there? Should I send app in or not yet before new scores?

Thanks, I'm very stressed about this. My app is very competetive except the lousy first attempt of MCAT. Please...advice?

 

[StudentDoc]

Even a lower MCAT score than you would have hoped for will not keep you out of Osteopathic Medical school as long as everything else is ok. You need to have a good GPA, extracurricular activities, medical experiences such as medical related volunteer work, and research is a major plus. Don't forget the letter from an Osteopathic Physician that you know well. This is crucial. That is your most important letter of recommendation in my opinion. Have strong letters of recommendation from faculty and your preHealth advisor. Write a solid personal statement for your 2ndary applications and answer those what seem to be never ending amounts of essays for some schools. Present yourself well on your interviews.
As long as you have checked off these, the MCAT score won't determine if you get into A school, but it may determine THE school. Even so, depending on how good your other factors are it may not even come to that. Students have gotten into top osteopathic schools with lower MCAT scores just because of one or two of those kick butt factors that really tipped the scales. This has been my observation.

 

[Amy B]

I agree. A low MCAT score can be slightly ignored if you have everything else going for you and your application. I have a lower MCAT then I should but my grandmother was dying and I couldn't focus on anything, let alone the monsterous MCAT. She died two weeks after the MCAT and during my final exams. That was the worst semester I have ever had.

 

[Amy B]

Originally posted by bigdreamer#1
This thread is interesting to me, although, my question is this. I'm in a similar situation, except I already have a April score from the MCAT in 2003---needless to say it was pretty bad! Failure to prepare. So i took it in August after Kaplin review and drastic improvement based on practice tests. I predict that i did just as well as the practice test which put me in that competetive status.

The question is this? Do I go ahead and send in my primary application when schools will first see my automatic reported lousy April MCAT score before the updated and likely much improved competetive August score gets there? Should I send app in or not yet before new scores?

Thanks, I'm very stressed about this. My app is very competetive except the lousy first attempt of MCAT. Please...advice?

Schools usually put your application on hold until your new august score comes in. Did you let AACOM know you were taking the AUgust MCAT? If the schools know, they won't judge you until your new scores come in.

Send it in, your losing time in the process by not submitting your application.