Will re-taking MCAT in September help me for THIS MD cycle?

[PsychoPass987]

---

Members do not see this ad.

So I am currently applying MD for Fall 2015, and recently received my MCAT scores (listed below).

8/9/2013 (PS:10/VR: 7/BS:9)
7/24/2014 (PS:12/VR:6/BS:11)

I already have a verified AMCAS application and completed most of the secondaries, but have not sent the secondaries out to schools yet. I recently added a new MCAT date in September on AMCAS application for the retake. If I submit my secondaries now, will schools still look at the application while they wait for the new score? Or will they actually wait for the scores before actually looking at the application?

If I re-take the MCAT again in September, would I still be in the running for MD II's if I get a 35+? Since my verbal score is much lower than what I have gotten on practice exams (average:9-11), I am confident I can do better on verbal and pull my scores into the 30s.

Sorry for the convoluted post. I have been feeling despondent lately since I have good amount of ECs, clinical volunteering, research, and strong LORs, and a high GPA (~3.9), but I feel the verbal score is the only factor holding me back.

 

[Holmwood]

So I am currently applying MD for Fall 2015, and recently received my MCAT scores (listed below).

8/9/2013 (PS:10/VR: 7/BS:9)
7/24/2014 (PS:12/VR:6/BS:11)

I already have a verified AMCAS application and completed most of the secondaries, but have not sent the secondaries out to schools yet. I recently added a new MCAT date in September on AMCAS application for the retake. If I submit my secondaries now, will schools still look at the application while they wait for the new score? Or will they actually wait for the scores before actually looking at the application?

If I re-take the MCAT again in September, would I still be in the running for MD II's if I get a 35+? Since my verbal score is much lower than what I have gotten on practice exams (average:9-11), I am confident I can do better on verbal and pull my scores into the 30s.

Sorry for the convoluted post. I have been feeling despondent lately since I have good amount of ECs, clinical volunteering, research, and strong LORs, and a high GPA (~3.9), but I feel the verbal score is the only factor holding me back.

You can submit it now, but they won't look at your secondary application until that new MCAT score is submitted.
If you were to take the MCAT this september, you will receive the score by October. Essentially, your secondaries will be considered in October which is late in the application cycle.

 

[darklabel]

So I am currently applying MD for Fall 2015, and recently received my MCAT scores (listed below).

8/9/2013 (PS:10/VR: 7/BS:9)
7/24/2014 (PS:12/VR:6/BS:11)

I already have a verified AMCAS application and completed most of the secondaries, but have not sent the secondaries out to schools yet. I recently added a new MCAT date in September on AMCAS application for the retake. If I submit my secondaries now, will schools still look at the application while they wait for the new score? Or will they actually wait for the scores before actually looking at the application?

If I re-take the MCAT again in September, would I still be in the running for MD II's if I get a 35+? Since my verbal score is much lower than what I have gotten on practice exams (average:9-11), I am confident I can do better on verbal and pull my scores into the 30s.

Sorry for the convoluted post. I have been feeling despondent lately since I have good amount of ECs, clinical volunteering, research, and strong LORs, and a high GPA (~3.9), but I feel the verbal score is the only factor holding me back.

I don't say this so that you can be offended, but if you didn't crack 30 the first 2 times, what makes you think that you will the third time and so soon? Most people want a 35+ but it's a difficult test and verbal is one of those sections that is very difficult to straight up study for. I would just sit this cycle out and retake it when you're confident of taking the MCAT. Of course you'll be in the running with a 35/3.9, but it's kind of foolish to assume you'll get such a good score when you haven't gotten close the first 2 times. Also as noted above, you'll be very late in the cycle with a September test. This year a lot of people submitted early and interview slots are getting filled, so it is in your best interest to wait it out.

 

[Person0715]

Remember, even if you get a 35+, the first two scores don't just disappear.

 

[gyngyn]

You can submit it now, but they won't look at your secondary application until that new MCAT score is submitted.
If you were to take the MCAT this september, you will receive the score by October. Essentially, your secondaries will be considered in October which is late in the application cycle.

You have to look at each school's policy on that. Many will consider a complete application without regard to planned MCAT dates. This results in both negative as well as positive decisions.

 

[PsychoPass987]

I don't say this so that you can be offended, but if you didn't crack 30 the first 2 times, what makes you think that you will the third time and so soon? Most people want a 35+ but it's a difficult test and verbal is one of those sections that is very difficult to straight up study for. I would just sit this cycle out and retake it when you're confident of taking the MCAT. Of course you'll be in the running with a 35/3.9, but it's kind of foolish to assume you'll get such a good score when you haven't gotten close the first 2 times. Also as noted above, you'll be very late in the cycle with a September test. This year a lot of people submitted early and interview slots are getting filled, so it is in your best interest to wait it out.

Totally understand where you're coming from. However, from the last 3-4 practice exams that I have taken prior to the second exam date, I consistently hit 32-34 and was averaging around 9-10s on the actual verbal section. I also did all the verbal exams from EK 1001 and averaged 9-10 on those exams. On the actual exam, I actually felt good about that section and was actually expecting a VR score around 9-10. As you can imagine, I was shocked when I received a 6. (The worst feeling is that I felt "good" about the VR section, but received a low score).

AAMC #5 (PS: 13/VR:9/BS:10) = 32
AAMC #10(PS:14/VR:9/BS: 11) = 34
AAMC #11 (PS: 12/VR:10/BS:11) = 33
GS #1 (PS: 12/VR: 10/BS: 12) = 34

I'm pretty confident about my science skills, so I'm spending these 3 weeks to drill myself in verbal, and analyze where I'm making errors. I will also take 4-5 more GS exams to assess where I'm at.

 

[PsychoPass987]

You can submit it now, but they won't look at your secondary application until that new MCAT score is submitted.
If you were to take the MCAT this september, you will receive the score by October. Essentially, your secondaries will be considered in October which is late in the application cycle.

I kind of figured it would be late, but I really just want the MD II's at this point. I applied last cycle, did not receive any interviews, and have worked diligently in all areas of my application since then to prepare for this cycle. I just couldn't believe that I got a 6 on VR. Even if it was a 9-10, the MCAT score would still be acceptable.

 

[PsychoPass987]

Remember, even if you get a 35+, the first two scores don't just disappear.

I totally agree, but I don't really have a choice if I apply to any MD schools. I'm drilling myself for pretty much 3-4 hours a day just on verbal (1 hr. verbal exam, 2-3 hours spent just on analysis), just because the MCAT score struck a nerve with me!

 

[PsychoPass987]

You have to look at each school's policy on that. Many will consider a complete application without regard to planned MCAT dates.

I have a couple of question regarding this. Are you saying that some schools will still review the application (reading personal statement, looking at ECs, etc.) even if not all the MCAT score arrive? Would that mean if I submit the secondaries ahead of time to those schools, I would be better off than waiting until the re-take scores arrive? I'm assuming that they would have spent the time to review the application, but will not finalize their decision for an interview until the re-take MCAT comes back?

 

[gyngyn]

I have a couple of question regarding this. Are you saying that some schools will still review the application (reading personal statement, looking at ECs, etc.) even if not all the MCAT score arrive? Would that mean if I submit the secondaries ahead of time to those schools, I would be better off than waiting until the re-take scores arrive? I'm assuming that they would have spent the time to review the application, but will not finalize their decision for an interview until the re-take MCAT comes back?

This would be an incorrect assumption. If you have a complete application it will be sent for screening and disposition unless the school has indicated that it will wait for for planned scores. Many schools don't have the software that would even permit a precisely timed evaluation pending a future event.

If you really want your application reviewed after an MCAT re-take, do not send in the secondary until you are ready to be reviewed.

 

[idkididk]

Are your most recent practice exams (5, 10, 11) retakes? Because I retook a few Kaplan exams when I was studying for my retake and my scores were 37-40, whereas with practice exams that I haven't taken before my scores were averaging 33.

 

[PsychoPass987]

Are your most recent practice exams (5, 10, 11) retakes? Because I retook a few Kaplan exams when I was studying for my retake and my scores were 37-40, whereas with practice exams that I haven't taken before my scores were averaging 33.

No. For the first MCAT, I took it after doing 4-5 TPR exams and 2-3 weeks of content review since I was doing full time research during the summer. In hindsight, I should have taken AAMC practice exams prior to the first MCAT. For the second MCAT, I did content prep, and took only AAMC exams (with the exception of one GS diagnostic exam) within a span of 1.5 months. - I even did 15-20 verbal exams from EK and TPR. All exams were taken once and only once.

I'm retaking only because I can't see myself getting any lower than 6 on verbal. I have been doing 1 verbal exam a day for the past few days and have been hitting consistent 10s on them. Hopefully, that's a sign that I can nail my third MCAT. 🙂