Hey everybody!
Soooo… the first time I did my MCAT I really should have just voided it. I didn’t feel ready but I had put it off because it kept getting buried in life and working to pay the bills, and I felt I would never get it done if I didn’t take it. Bad idea. This time around I want to be ready for sure when I take the MCAT and I’m determined to apply this round, I really miss the sciences and I really want this dream to happen.
This said… have there been any retakers that have submitted their app early and the schools know you were retaking to hopefully change the mcat score significantly? or is it better to wait and find out what the score is and submit it later? Thoughts?
I did the latter. I thought was OK to take the MCAT twice (although not ideal), and I didn’t want to apply twice. So I decided to delay 1 year until my retake, so that I could apply early. It worked like a charm. FYI, My MCATs are:
Attempt 1 (12,12,6)
Attempt 2 (14,13,9)
Verbal is the lowest score for each of my attempts.
I must also add that my first MCAT attempt happened in very difficult circumstances with my wife going through surgery and leaving me little time to prepare. Not that I would have done better (especially in verbal), but my point is that you should set “your life around the MCAT”. Everything has to converge toward creating the best environment possible. That’s what I learned. I still think that content-wise I was better prepared for the 1st attempt. Environment wise, the second attempt was just awesome.
Anyway, to answer your question, I personally believe it is better to apply once if possible. So if you can delay, biff up the resume, prepare MCAT and so on, it might be better. But of course, you will “loose” a year.
I did the former. I wasn’t happy with my first score (28, and not representative of my practice scores), but I applied anyway and re-took early May/June. My adviser suggested that I apply only to a few schools initially, and then add more based upon my 2nd score when I got it. I was happy with my 2nd score - 32 and balanced, so I added more schools. In the end, I had 10 interviews and 4 acceptances. I definitely took a gamble, but it paid off. I could have been accepted somewhere with a 28 so I figured it was worth the risk.
So now you have one story from each side of the coin haha - probably doesn’t help you decide what to do, but good luck with whatever you decide!
I think it’s best to wait to apply to med school with a score that’s very competitive (>30) and that you’re happy with.
So, I took the April 27th MCAT and got an over 30 score with a 13VR and 12BS but the PS wasn’t exceptional. I have been on the fence about a retake, but today decided I am going to retake. Some may say retaking an over 30 score is crazy, but I have to do what is best to make myself competitive for the programs I am interested in. So, it’s a personal decision. I contacted a school that told me to submit my application as-is indicating that I am retaking the MCAT and what date (AMCAS has a section for this anyway). So long as I have everything in (secondary, letters, transcripts, all MCAT scores) by their deadline of Sept. 1st I am okay.
I’m retaking as well. I need at least one point in PS to get a look-see at my top school and three points to be truly competitive (my opinion). I’m planning a late July retake so I have time to truly study and gear up for it (work is claiming my attention this week so June was out.)
The school recommended I hold my application until the new score came in so I, unfortunately, will be a later applicant but I’m plugging away at getting all the parts of the application done so it is flawless and ready by that time.
I just couldn’t change the craziness that came our way this spring, but the stress load has finally diminished and I’m able to pick things back up again. I read with interest your PS post, shanport. I ordered that math book, too, as I need to pick up speed in my calculations as well.
Deb
Thanks everyone for your reply’s. Yeah I think my gut is telling me to wait to submit until I get my score where I want it. Let’s just hope that is ends up better than last time!
Hi Deb,
I am also retaking the MCAT soon i wanted to know what materials and books you are studying with. Used kaplan the first time and my score wasnt good.
Thanks
I have an old Kaplan book that I am using for content review, the CliffNotes Basic Math and Pre-Algebra, The MCAT Physics book by Biehle and the ExamKrackers 1001 questions for all subject areas. I’m also working my way through the AAMC old MCAT exams. I’ve also reviewed items online through the WikiPremed course. The biggest thing for me is to pay attention to something I struggle to remember how to do and to drill on that until it comes automatically, particularly calculations. I really needed to speed up my calculation speed. Hope this helps a little! Most of my purchases are more financially driven than anything (only have so much to go around).
Deb
I’m debating on retaking mine. I took it on May 23 with a minimum of prep and got a 29 (10BS, 8PS, and 11VR). I’m looking at DO programs almost exclusively, especially ones that give preference to people wanting to stay in the Northwest (my home). My academics aren’t stellar, but I do have 14 years of health care experience and volunteer hours.
I would look directly at the schools you want to attend and check out their average MCAT score. For me, I have a particular school in mind and I contacted the admission office directly to find out if my MCAT score was competitive.
Here is a link to all the DO schools:
http://www.aacom.org/about/colleges/Pages/ default…
The school webpages often have a listing of the last year’s class MCAT score average and it will give you a good idea if you are in their range or not. Same with GPA.
I’m sure the currently admitted students could weigh in on this but that is just the route I took. 
Deb
Yes it sure does help. I will look into those books and the wikipremed as well. Thanks alot.
If you get 8 or better in each section…you apply!!! Stay away from private programs (Stanford, Harvard, Yale)…it is a small gamble, but when you are accepted…the time, money and energy expended will be immaterial. I know people with MCAT score of 24 who graduated number 2 of 254 in his class…he tells people he was number 1 but I saw his class standing.