Re-Write Mcat Or Apply Early With Old Mcat?

[lpg3]

Hi there, 

 

I am applying to US med schools for the first time. From the research that I have done, I see that applying early (June) can be quite advantageous and that Hispanic people, such as myself, generally receive more lenient MCAT/GPA thresholds. 

However, I am unhappy with my current MCAT score: 509 (Phys/Chem: 125, Bio: 126, CARS: 127, Psyc: 131). 

 

My question is would it be better for me to apply early with my current MCAT or to apply in late August with a (hopefully) better/more rounded MCAT score?

[PeterPatting]

Hi there, 

 

I am applying to US med schools for the first time. From the research that I have done, I see that applying early (June) can be quite advantageous and that Hispanic people, such as myself, generally receive more lenient MCAT/GPA thresholds. 

However, I am unhappy with my current MCAT score: 509 (Phys/Chem: 125, Bio: 126, CARS: 127, Psyc: 131). 

 

My question is would it be better for me to apply early with my current MCAT or to apply in late August with a (hopefully) better/more rounded MCAT score?

My understanding is that you can apply early June with your first score and still write the August MCAT which the schools will see when your score is released. Just make sure your score is higher!! (I'm doing the same thing tbh but with a 506)

[yych208]

My understanding is that you can apply early June with your first score and still write the August MCAT which the schools will see when your score is released. Just make sure your score is higher!! (I'm doing the same thing tbh but with a 506)

 

could you elaborate more on that. I'm also thinking about doing the same. 

Say I retake my MCAT in August, does that mean they won't really start assessing me until my score is released in September?

[PeterPatting]

could you elaborate more on that. I'm also thinking about doing the same. 

Say I retake my MCAT in August, does that mean they won't really start assessing me until my score is released in September?

Yes sorry - so I've been doing a bit more research since I made my last post. If you indicate on your app when you submit in early June that you will be rewriting the MCAT they will verify your app but NOT evaluate it for rejection/invite until they receive your rewritten MCAT score in september - which is very late. My understanding is that you can simply not indicate that you are rewriting your MCAT (although you are) and schools that you apply to in early June will evaluate you based on your previous MCAT attempts. When you get your MCAT score back it will automatically update on AAMC so naturally the schools that you applied to will see it (sounds a bit sketchy but apparently there have been no problems encountered with people using this method). Additionally when you get your MCAT score back in september you can continue to apply to schools with your new score (although this is probably very very late to get in anywhere unless your new MCAT +  app is stellar) 

^Information provided above is not verified - just what I've gathered by browsing through SDN. If anyone with more experience could confirm that would be greatly appreciated!!!

[bearpuppy]

What's been said here is accurate. It's a bit of a tricky gamble. I had a previous relatively unsuccessful round of applications and had to rewrite the MCAT anyhow for the Canadian schools. You are in a bit of a tough situation, because essentially the decision is between the following:

(1) Apply as early as possible, make sure you get verified quickly (this can take more than a month in the peak of the season, so an important consideration), and indicate that you are rewriting the MCAT, with the goal that everything will happen as soon as possible and hopefully you will still have some early application advantage by the time your new score comes in, or;

(2) Apply as early as possible, do not indicate you are rewriting the MCAT, and hope that you do not get eliminated from interview consideration until the new score arrives. Chances are you will be okay at most institutes, but you certainly *will* lose out at some, based on this approach. One way you can try to "extend" it is to hold onto secondaries until you get closer to the score release date, before submitting it. You are essentially giving up a bit of time in order to make sure they fully consider you with the new score, but not as long as it would take to GET the new score in the system. 

 

Either way, I think you are correct in thinking that your current score is not really competitive, and you would definitely benefit from a rewrite (aim to ace it!).

[PeterPatting]

What's been said here is accurate. It's a bit of a tricky gamble. I had a previous relatively unsuccessful round of applications and had to rewrite the MCAT anyhow for the Canadian schools. You are in a bit of a tough situation, because essentially the decision is between the following:

(1) Apply as early as possible, make sure you get verified quickly (this can take more than a month in the peak of the season, so an important consideration), and indicate that you are rewriting the MCAT, with the goal that everything will happen as soon as possible and hopefully you will still have some early application advantage by the time your new score comes in, or;

(2) Apply as early as possible, do not indicate you are rewriting the MCAT, and hope that you do not get eliminated from interview consideration until the new score arrives. Chances are you will be okay at most institutes, but you certainly *will* lose out at some, based on this approach. One way you can try to "extend" it is to hold onto secondaries until you get closer to the score release date, before submitting it. You are essentially giving up a bit of time in order to make sure they fully consider you with the new score, but not as long as it would take to GET the new score in the system. 

 

Either way, I think you are correct in thinking that your current score is not really competitive, and you would definitely benefit from a rewrite (aim to ace it!).

Thanks for verifying bearpuppy. Quick question though - with OP's 509 and decent GPA (say 3.8ish) + clinical experience/good Ecs I'd say they have a pretty decent shot at some lower tier USMD schools or am I wrong? (OP may not be aiming for such schools though - just being hypothetical here 

[JohnGrisham]

Thanks for verifying bearpuppy. Quick question though - with OP's 509 and decent GPA (say 3.8ish) + clinical experience/good Ecs I'd say they have a pretty decent shot at some lower tier USMD schools or am I wrong? (OP may not be aiming for such schools though - just being hypothetical here 

You have to remember as internationals you need to be better than locals. 509 MCAT isn't bad, but is comparatively low to other internationals.

 

Every USMD school is going to be "high" tier for internationals.  Lower tier USMD schools aren't suddenly any easier, as it may relatively be for locals.

 

509/3.8+ should still apply of course, because non-academics matter too, but no gaurantees as an international, even if OP had 4.0 and 515+,  numbers aren't always indicative.

[bearpuppy]

Thanks for verifying bearpuppy. Quick question though - with OP's 509 and decent GPA (say 3.8ish) + clinical experience/good Ecs I'd say they have a pretty decent shot at some lower tier USMD schools or am I wrong? (OP may not be aiming for such schools though - just being hypothetical here 

 

 

I think part of the challenge as a Canadian is that many of the schools we are eligible to apply to, also tend to be at least mid tier. So, it is comparatively difficult to apply because there aren't that many low tiers. That said, there are some mid-tier ish schools that have been very Canadian friendly, and wholistic in their assessment of candidates (SUNY Upstate comes to mind).