When should I retake the MCAT?

[SaturdayDwarf]

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So... I'm not going to get into medical school this application cycle. I've decided to re-take the MCAT, but I am trying to decide when to retake it. My options:

a) Take it this April, do about the same as last time b/c I didn't have time to study and write my senior thesis.

b) Take it in August. Be well prepared, but late in the application cycle (Can someone explain to me how the primary app works for August MCATers? Is there a benefit of submitting your application before your MCAT scores are released?)

c) Wait until next April. Be as well prepared as I was in August, earlier in the application cycle, and with a little more clinical experience under my belt. However, I will have to take two years off between graduation and medical school, which is sad.

Thoughts? 😕

 

[beanpole3]

I am in the same situation. After talking with admissions advisors and a professor who has sat on admissions committees, I decided to study hard for the April exam. If I do not feel prepared to take it in April, then I will wait until August.

The thing you have to ask yourself is, "Are three months going to make huge difference?" We usually put things off for a while, so you have to make sure you make full use of your time and acutally study (starting soon) if you decide to wait until August.

I have been advised that if I do not feel ready for the April exam, then take it in August, but still apply for this year. The only problem is that I will be competing for fewer seats. So, I may take another year off and wait to apply.

But remember, do what you feel most comfortable with. If you do not feel ready to take the MCAT in April, don't do it. Another year off will give you time to strenthen your application and increase your skills.

Good luck!

 

[PurpleHaze]

If you don't think you'd do any better this April than you did the last time, there's no point in spending the money and exerting the effort to get the same score. So I think you should take it in August, study hardcore during the summer months, and just accept the fact that your application will be a little later than others. There are many August MCATers who have done just fine in the application process. Also, you can still submit your AMCAS, do all those grade/transcript things and whatnot this summer as well. That way, when scores come out in October you're already set to go!

Good luck!

 

[SaturdayDwarf]

So, I am leaning towards taking the August MCAT. How does this affect my applications? Does it matter when I submit my primary application? I dont' have much clinical experience, which I was going to try and make up for it during my time off. But I only really have April (after my thesis is due) until I submit my primary application. Also my undergraduate GPA isn't great. Will schools wait to hear my August MCAT scores before deciding to send me a secondary application?

 

[PurpleHaze]

So, I am leaning towards taking the August MCAT. How does this affect my applications? Does it matter when I submit my primary application? I dont' have much clinical experience, which I was going to try and make up for it during my time off. But I only really have April (after my thesis is due) until I submit my primary application. Also my undergraduate GPA isn't great. Will schools wait to hear my August MCAT scores before deciding to send me a secondary application?

Some might wait to grant you a secondary application, but many will not, esp. since you have already taken the MCAT before. Taking the August MCAT will make your interviews later probably.... and in terms of a primary application, get it in as soon as you can. The earlier the better because it takes awhile for AAMC to process it and all that junk. Once you have that out of the way, life gets better for a little while... til the secondaries roll in.

 

[2DEG]

Schools will usually wait till your August MCAT score is available. I took April MCAT last year and hoping to get into one of my state schools. I am hoping for the best but preparing for the worst. So, I have decided to prepare for August MCAT.

Research on specific schools. For us in NC, I don't think taking August MCAT hurts at all for East Carolina Univ. and even for UNC I don't think it hurts too much.

I think a good improvement on the August MCAT is better than same or worse results in April. Because of my work schedule, I just cannot do any prep for April MCAT. And since my targets are my state schools, I am leaning towards August 06 MCAT.

So, I am leaning towards taking the August MCAT. How does this affect my applications? Does it matter when I submit my primary application? I dont' have much clinical experience, which I was going to try and make up for it during my time off. But I only really have April (after my thesis is due) until I submit my primary application. Also my undergraduate GPA isn't great. Will schools wait to hear my August MCAT scores before deciding to send me a secondary application?