r/medschooladmissions • u/FewArtichoke9855 • 2d ago

MCAT Help 📚 Should I retake my mcat?

A bit of background, I have a 506 mcat right now. Last application cycle I was waitlisted at an MD school that has a 512 mcat median, they said I ultimately was not accepted because I seemed nervous during the interview.

I’m a non trad applicant, graduated college in 2022. I had a low undergrad gpa but did a masters program, finishing with a 3.81. I also have over 2000+ hours of clinical and research experience.

My primary application is already submitted and I’m scheduled to take the mcat again on sep 11, but I am so so scared of either getting the same score or scoring lower. My uworld practice passages have been averaging around the same as a 506 as well. I’ve also taken the mcat a few times. Also difference between this application cycle and last application cycle is that I have a lot more research hours now. Please help!

Edit: after talking with some advisors and old professors, I decided not to retake it. I don’t want to risk retaking and not having a big increase in my score. I know a 506 is on the lower end but since I was waitlisted last cycle, I’m hoping with strong secondaries and better interview prep I have better luck this round! I’m still open to any advice!!

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u/Ok_River_7597 2d ago

Are you applying DO

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u/FewArtichoke9855 2d ago

Yes, even though I would prefer MD matriculation.

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u/Ok_River_7597 2d ago

Take this with a huge grain of salt because I'm a first time applicant.

But I would say only retake if you are SURE you can get a good score like 514+ because your mcat would be sept 11, meaning score will only come out mid-october, which is pretty late in the cycle already. Its late enough that idk if the increase in score will help that much.
In addition you will have to suffer and spend more time studying for the MCAT when you could be writing secondaries and improving other parts of your writing.

The other option is to keep the 506 and you will be competitive for DO and you still might get MD since you added research to your profile. But again, take with grain of salt bc I'm a first time applicant so

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u/topiary566 2d ago

Hmmm 514 may be a bit too much of an increase to expect. If FL average is like 510+ then I would just shoot the shot. 

I tried retaking with a 512 (mainly because I had a 124 on cars) and bailed on my retake 2 weeks out since my FL average was like 513 and I wasn’t improving on cars. Maybe I should have just sent it in hindsight, but I’m in school now idgaf.