Will my MCAT be good if I wait until the next cycle?

[SliceNDice]

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I took my MCAT in March 2017. If I wait to apply until the next cycle (not the one that's going to open in a few months but the one after), will my MCAT be too old? I've had an advisor tell me that I might need to retake it if I don't apply this cycle

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[HomeSkool]

Your advisor is misinformed. Your MCAT should be good at most schools for three years. To be sure about its lifespan at specific schools, consult the MSAR.

 

[Robin-jay]

I took my MCAT in March 2017. If I wait to apply until the next cycle (not the one that's going to open in a few months but the one after), will my MCAT be too old? I've had an advisor tell me that I might need to retake it if I don't apply this cycle

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Pre-med adviser has one job.

Can't do it.

 

[LoveBeingHuman:)]

@HomeSkool OP will apply in 2019 and will therefore (hopefully) start medical school in August of 2020. Minus 3 years would be August 2017. So wouldn't that cross the 3 year mark?

 

[HomeSkool]

No. Right now in the 2017-18 application cycle, many schools are accepting MCAT scores from early 2014 (i.e., just over three years old at the time AMCAS opened). Fast forward to 2019 and those same schools will be taking scores from early 2016. For most schools, the OP's score should be fine. The MSAR will list the oldest MCAT score accepted by each school.

 

[Ms Procrastinator]

@HomeSkool OP will apply in 2019 and will therefore (hopefully) start medical school in August of 2020. Minus 3 years would be August 2017. So wouldn't that cross the 3 year mark?

No, I don't think so. OP's scores will probably still be good by the time he/she's accepted. The scores are good as long as he/she applies and gets accepted before the 3 years are up and not when he/she starts med school.

 

[Goro]

I took my MCAT in March 2017. If I wait to apply until the next cycle (not the one that's going to open in a few months but the one after), will my MCAT be too old? I've had an advisor tell me that I might need to retake it if I don't apply this cycle

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Data point 35539976488665 that most premed advisors are *****s

 

[SliceNDice]

A word of caution to all. The AAMC website reports that Some schools may only take MCAT 2 years prior to application cycle. Applicants are well advised to check via MSAR or websites for each school may apply to

How Long Are MCAT Scores Valid?

Medical schools generally accept scores dating back two or three years. If you have taken the exam previously, we recommend that you consult the Medical School Admission Requirements to check the application policies of each school to which you intend to apply.

Just to be clear though, for the schools that are three years, I'll be ok even though I'd technically start med school a few months beyond three years from when my exam was taken?

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[SliceNDice]

It is school specific so there is NO general rule that you can apply to ALL schools. you must research each school individually

Well that's annoying

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[infectiousdisease101]

I noticed you said "advisor", not a "pre-med advisor". What kind of advisor were they? Career? Academic?

 

[Donna Moss]

.

 

[glovespurple]

When does MSAR update for the 2018-2019 cycle? I took my mcat in August 2016, would I be okay?

I would like to know this too.

 

[Lucca]

When does MSAR update for the 2018-2019 cycle? I took my mcat in August 2016, would I be okay?

As a general rule, add 1 year to the dates posted on the msar.

Around March/April is usually when new msar drops.

Baylor, for example, accepted mcats as old as September 2014 this cycle. So next cycle it’ll probably be September 2015 (3 years from app)

 

[Microbug]

Well that's annoying

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The whole process is annoying...