Would you retake the MCAT/ school list

[forestgump]

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Graduating senior from UCF. Looking at my list of school to apply to and if I should retake the MCAT. Being that I will be taking the year off after graduation I do feel that I can prepare myself better for the MCAT that I did this last time around. As a florida resident I will be applying to florida schools primarily but need some good out of state options. Should I be looking at DO schools? Do I have a shot at any tops schools?

Degree - biology
Minor - Psychology

GPA - 3.86
sGPA - 3.85

MCAT - 30 (9ps/11vr/10bs)

EC -1.5 years of research, 1 publication as a second author
- Internship shadowing a general surgeon as well as 100 additional hours of shadowing
- Past member of leadership organization
- Planned and participated in international medical mission trips
- Volunteer in HS for VA hospital system
- Undergraduate Teaching Assistant
- Active as a captain of IM sports as well as endurance race events.

List of School Choices:
UF
FSU
UCF
USF
Miami
USC -cali

 

[flip26]

Did you already go through a cycle (this cycle?) without success?

What leads you to believe you can do better on the MCAT?

That score should not keep you out of med school. Having said that, don't set your heart on "top" schools.

 

[mdeast]

Graduating senior from UCF. Looking at my list of school to apply to and if I should retake the MCAT. Being that I will be taking the year off after graduation I do feel that I can prepare myself better for the MCAT that I did this last time around. As a florida resident I will be applying to florida schools primarily but need some good out of state options. Should I be looking at DO schools? Do I have a shot at any tops schools?

Degree - biology
Minor - Psychology

GPA - 3.86
sGPA - 3.85

MCAT - 30 (9ps/11vr/10bs)

EC -1.5 years of research, 1 publication as a second author
- Internship shadowing a general surgeon as well as 100 additional hours of shadowing
- Past member of leadership organization
- Planned and participated in international medical mission trips
- Volunteer in HS for VA hospital system
- Undergraduate Teaching Assistant
- Active as a captain of IM sports as well as endurance race events.

List of School Choices:
UF
FSU
UCF
USF
Miami
USC -cali

Your MCAT score is fine for the schools you listed. It's above the 10% percent tile in all sections. And considering you're a Florida resident, with a good GPA, I'm sure you'll do fine. I wouldn't re-take.

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

For a Florida state resident, your in good shape.

 

[longhornpremed]

Your mcat score is fine as it is. With your current stats, you should be highly competitive at all the schools on your list. Only take it again if your practice scores are way higher than 30 and you are absolutely sure that you can do better. If you do worse, it will definitely hurt you.

 

[MiniMoo]

High school activities don't belong on your AMCAS. Just fyi.

 

[Catalystik]

I would not retake. Your subscores are nicely balanced.

Don't aim too high for dream schools though. Be practical.

You could also consider MSU, Tulane, GWU, EVMS, UVermont, USCarolina, Drexel, Toledo, NYMC, Albany, Rush, MCW, Virginia Commonwealth, Temple, Penn State, and Jefferson, UBuffalo, Rosalind Franklin, Loyola, Creighton, SLU and Boston.

 

[forestgump]

I do feel like I was under prepared taking the exam last time. I was taking a full course load and working over while trying to prepare. In my year off I would have ample time to prepare and feel much more confident retaking.

Also, is there any way of judging what you would need to have as credentials to qualify for scholarship to an medical school programs? Would I have a shot at that if I were to apply to less competitive schools?

Thanks for your list of schools, that helps tremendously!

 

[Sillyshoes]

I do feel like I was under prepared taking the exam last time. I was taking a full course load and working over while trying to prepare. In my year off I would have ample time to prepare and feel much more confident retaking.

Also, is there any way of judging what you would need to have as credentials to qualify for scholarship to an medical school programs? Would I have a shot at that if I were to apply to less competitive schools?

Thanks for your list of schools, that helps tremendously!

Are you aiming for top tier schools? If not, you do not need to retake the MCAT.

I agree with the above posters. As a Fl resident you are in good shape. If you do retake, you want to make sure that you can actually improve your score.

I am assuming you have not applied this past cycle. My big advice is submit/apply early. Take your year off to do something more productive than studying for the MCAT. Good luck!

 

[J ROD]

I would suggest building up on the clinical experience.


The rest of your app looks good. I would not retake but if you think you can get 3+ points higher then maybe go for it.

 

[Catalystik]

Also, is there any way of judging what you would need to have as credentials to qualify for scholarship to an medical school programs? Would I have a shot at that if I were to apply to less competitive schools?

These days schools have less to offer in the scholarship arena due to shrinking endowment funds in these difficult economic times. Even students with 3.9/40s/sterling ECs will have a harder time attracting economic support. Military scholarships are still easily available and come with a stipend. MD/PhD can get free tuition plus a stipend. There are also loan forgiveness programs if you practice in a rural/underserved area after completing residency.

 

[forestgump]

Thanks for the heads up. Looks like ive got some nonbook work to do. Thanks for all the ideas everyone!

 

[J ROD]

Thanks for the heads up. Looks like ive got some nonbook work to do. Thanks for all the ideas everyone!

welcome....

 

[Claud05]

Pardon my ignorance, but what does being a Florida resident have to do with anything??!

 

[J ROD]

Pardon my ignorance, but what does being a Florida resident have to do with anything??!

OP is instate in FL and applying to FL MD schools.

Instate you have a much better chance.