Retake or apply?

Question

So I got my score back yesterday and got a 498. Obviously I was really upset and disappointed in my self. I took the MCAT once in 2017 and got a 494. Tested a second time in Jan 2019 and got the 498. Percentile wise it was a jump but clearly not enough, (29-42%) I’m in that point where I’m so TIRED of studying for the MCAT. But clearly what I have been doing hasn’t been working. I recently got a full time job that will take up a good portion of my time. (7-3 or 8-4 pm Monday-Friday). with an hour commute each way. I have a cGPA of 3.49 as well. My extracurricular are pretty extensive in my opinion. Had a lot of leadership roles and research. I want to apply this June to both MD and DO programs. What do you think my shot of getting in is? And do you think I should retake my MCAT? I just don’t know how I should even approach studying this time around without going absolutely insane and into an abyss of depression.

Answer 1

Hi! I am sorry you are not satisfied with your score. I completely get that! My best advice would be retaking the exam. You can still apply now since applications are opened and luckily, you cannot turn in applications until early June. They will not allow you to submit your app during May.

Plan:

1. Therefore, I would work on apps. Put on your app you are retaking the exam some time in June or July.
2. Then once your score comes back, then you can submit your app. They need everything on the app before you submit it. So if you are waiting for a score, med schools will not see your app until you submit that score. So if you get your score back in July, that is still considered early to apply compared to September.
3. In your case, I would not submit the app any later than early August. So see if you can take the MCAT, again. Because that score is not going to work for even D.O. schools. But if you can really at least a 503-507, then that would be great for D.O.
4. Your cGPA is not too bad either for those schools. Some MD schools do accept your cGPA; however, you should look into that.

Best of luck!

Answer 2

Hey Keesha,

Though it was not the score you were looking for, I applaud you for taking the MCAT twice. Considering you are thinking about taking the test for a third time is even more proof of dedication in my book! I will start by answering your questions flat out. Yes, I think you should strongly consider taking the MCAT a third (and final) time. No, I do not think you should apply this cycle, EXCEPT to a few DO schools (preferably in-state) and any in-state MD schools. In other words, if you have some spare cash and desperately want to test your luck, go for it--but don't waste thousands of dollars applying to 30+ schools. Your chances of getting in, even with "great" extracurriculars, research, leadership roles, and a full-time job are low because of your GPA and MCAT score. I will explain my position.

You listed your cGPA, but not your sGPA, which is more important to med schools. Your cGPA is low for MD schools and okay/good for DO schools. If your sGPA is below your listed cGPA, I do not recommend applying to any MD schools whatsoever--you will likely be wasting your money. If your sGPA is in the range of 3.3-3.5 then consider applying to a few DO schools this cycle--even with your current MCAT, but do not get your hopes up. If you retook the MCAT and scored above 70% percentile (507), you would be in a tremendously better position to apply to schools and may even be competitive for MD, depending on your extracurriculars.

How to prepare:

The MCAT, as you know, is a really tough exam if you do not study for it correctly. Yes, there is absolutely a right and wrong way to study for the MCAT. I am glad you had some improvement over the first time you took the test, that sounds like you are heading in the right direction, though you just have not quite gotten there yet. If you are going to take the MCAT again, invest in a few resources. Either purchase or find Kaplan or Princeton Review textbooks online. Watch free Khan academy videos. Purchase a 3-month subscription to Uworld in your last three months and crank away at passages and REVIEW your incorrect/guessed answers. Purchase ALL of the official AAMC MCAT practice material, including their four full-length exams and all of the question-banks. Once you have those tools, use them in this order:

1) Review content (go through Kaplan books/online notes/Khan videos) (2 months)

2) Begin answering questions on Uworld, or NextStep, or Kaplan's Qbank every day and REVIEW (for the latter month during your review content block)

3) Take one AAMC test per week until your actual test and review every question. Also complete more questions every day than you were previously doing in step 2.

And be sure to read a CARS passage every day: Jack Westin (a website and a person) will email you a daily CARS passage that I strongly suggest you do.

I hope this helps! If you want to discuss this further, just let me know--I am happy to help!

Best,

Jean-Marc