Would higher MCAT make a huge difference?

[drdude21]

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I just got my 1/30 score back:
31R (9PS / 11 VR / 11 BS)

I'm a GA resident and will definitely be applying to MCG and Emory (long shot) and maybe Mercer. However, I plan on applying broadly and want to have out of state options, mainly because I just don't want to be in Georgia for 4 years. They don't have to be top tier. I'd love to be in NY (Mayo? Einstein? NYMC?) or Oregon (OHSU) but will definitely take what I can get in this hellish process... I went to a good college in Ohio but am not a resident, not sure if that will make any difference with those schools.

I'm already registered for the 4/18 MCAT-- would a higher score make a significant difference here? I'm worried about the 9 in PS (the section I felt most confident by far about coming out of the test 😕) and of course please let me know if other aspects of my app look weak.

Overall GPA 3.77
BCPM 3.81 (respectable undergrad liberal arts school)

English major/pre-med; Completed English honors thesis, received honors at graduation, plus English departmental award

Research: currently an NIH IRTA (will be for 2 yrs); one winter break, one summer at lab at JHU

EC: Active in college student life (worked 3 years as band booker/promoter/managing bartender, super unique position)

Volunteering: 2 yrs with free clinic (syringe exchange, lab tech); Currently volunteering with Health Dept (syringe exchange, education; will have logged ~100 hrs by app time)

Around 50 hours shadowing (more soon)

Other stuff: traveled abroad to Peru for a semester, worked one summer on Wall Street

Thanks.

 

[NotAndrew]

I just got my 1/30 score back:
31R (9PS / 11 VR / 11 BS)

I'm a GA resident and will definitely be applying to MCG and Emory (long shot) and maybe Mercer. However, I plan on applying broadly and want to have out of state options, mainly because I just don't want to be in Georgia for 4 years. They don't have to be top tier. I'd love to be in NY (Mayo? Einstein? NYMC?) or Oregon (OHSU) but will definitely take what I can get in this hellish process... I went to a good college in Ohio but am not a resident, not sure if that will make any difference with those schools.

I'm already registered for the 4/18 MCAT-- would a higher score make a significant difference here? I'm worried about the 9 in PS (the section I felt most confident by far about coming out of the test 😕) and of course please let me know if other aspects of my app look weak.

Overall GPA 3.77
BCPM 3.81 (respectable undergrad liberal arts school)

English major/pre-med; Completed English honors thesis, received honors at graduation, plus English departmental award

Research: currently an NIH IRTA (will be for 2 yrs); one winter break, one summer at lab at JHU

EC: Active in college student life (worked 3 years as band booker/promoter/managing bartender, super unique position)

Volunteering: 2 yrs with free clinic (syringe exchange, lab tech); Currently volunteering with Health Dept (syringe exchange, education; will have logged ~100 hrs by app time)

Around 50 hours shadowing (more soon)

Other stuff: traveled abroad to Peru for a semester, worked one summer on Wall Street

Thanks.

Don't bother retaking, your MCAT will not hold you back. Go ahead and apply to Ohio schools just not northeaster Ohio or Wright state. Also Mayo is in Minnesota.

 

[WhitJord85]

You can retake the MCAT if you really want, but remember your score could always go down too. Increasing your MCAT score will make you competitive at the top tier and upper-mid tier schools, so it really depends on what schools you want to go to most. Your MCAT score is fine though, especially when you consider the rest of your app.

 

[Mobius1985]

Your MCAT is average for acceptees, your GPA is above average, but your extracurriculars are great and likely to provide a moderating factor that will improve your candidacy above the expected. I still agree with you that Emory is a long shot, but you can dream. A lot of out-of-state, private schools will like you. But when it's all said and done, your in-state, low tuition med school might end up being the most appealing after all.