Should I retake MCAT (505)

[SeaWeeds]

I am new to SDN, I wasn't sure if this is the correct place to post. But, I needed some advice regarding mcat score retake. I unfortunately didn't do so well on my first mcat which I took the summer of my senior year 502 (125/123/127/127). It was a combo of weak topics and a lot of stress from home/being sick. Retake was 505 (128/124/129/124).

1. What are your previous MCAT Score(s) (with section wise breakdown): 502 (125/123/127/127), 505 (128/124/129/124).
2. What is your GPA (w/ Science GPA) (If relevant: trend, uGPA/grad GPA/postbacc GPA): Science major. GPA is 3.91 and science GPA 3.94 (I was ill last few semesters and things were getting difficult to keep up, so I ended up with B and A- in some non science classes).
3. State/Country of residence (optional):
4. Ethnicity (ORM/URM?):
5. Goal Med school (Tier/goal): Not very specific, but hoping for state school at least. Obviously not an option with my score.
6. Include ECs/Other Relevant Info if you would like:
7. Other Facts regarding your studying the first time:
8. Do you know/think you can do better? my health is more consistent right now. I think I can focus on cars more. I am not sure what happened with my ps score but maybe fatigue played a role. I am not sure if my current score would make the cut from certain schools. I needed advise if I should invest in applying right now with my second retake, because I do not have the money for another application. I don't have much guidance so I don't know what my next step should be. My major concern with a retake is to do it in jan and applying next year. That would require updating the letters, also not sure how some of my activities would be since that would mean 2 years far out from the actual application cycle. I am also concerned about doing worse in the science sections. However, a retake could mean a better shot at state school. Thoughts would be appreciated.

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[chilly_md]

What is your state of residence?

I would not recommend retaking it again. An improvement of even 5 points on the 3rd attempt will get averaged out by some schools, and others will not value it much even if they do not have a formal policy on averaging scores.

 

[SeaWeeds]

What is your state of residence?

I would not recommend retaking it again. An improvement of even 5 points on the 3rd attempt will get averaged out by some schools, and others will not value it much even if they do not have a formal policy on averaging scores.

Michigan..

 

[chilly_md]

You could try CMU, Michigan State, Oakland and Wayne State, but will need to apply to several DO schools.

For DO, I suggest:
MSUCOM
PCOM
DMU
LECOM
Marian
KCU
KCOM
Campbell
Touro NV
ACOM

 

[SeaWeeds]

You could try CMU, Michigan State, Oakland and Wayne State, but will need to apply to several DO schools.

For DO, I suggest:
MSUCOM
PCOM
DMU
LECOM
Marian
KCU
KCOM
Campbell
Touro NV
ACOM

Can you suggest OOS mds as well?

 

[gyngyn]

Can you suggest OOS mds as well?

If you are fluent in Spanish, I would recommend the 3 Puerto Rican schools that consider OOS.
Do you have any connection to that community?

 

[Goro]

I can't recommend a retake. You seem to have plateaued.

I suggest:
Temple (maybe)
Hackensack Meridian
Loyola
Tulane
Albany
MCW
Loma Linda (only if you are SDA or a very devout Christian)
Rosy Franklin
Uniformed Services University/Hebert (just be aware of the military service commitment)
Your state school(s).
Any DO program. I can't recommend LMU, SOMA, ARCOM, RVU, BCOM, ICOM and LUCOM, for different reasons. Avoid those new schools that haven't graduated a class yet, if at all possible.

 

[BerkReviewTeach]

Unless you can without a doubt push it to a 510-512 or higher, your time is better spent improving your application elsewhere and being very wise in choosing where you apply. Another sub 510 score, even with a small improvement, might actually hurt you.

You're lucky that an all star team of application experts have replied in this thread already. There is some absolutely solid advice being sent your way here, sop cherish it.

 

[SeaWeeds]

I can't recommend a retake. You seem to have plateaued.

I suggest:
Temple (maybe)
Hackensack Meridian
Loyola
Tulane
Albany
MCW
Loma Linda (only if you are SDA or a very devout Christian)
Rosy Franklin
Uniformed Services University/Hebert (just be aware of the military service commitment)
Your state school(s).
Any DO program. I can't recommend LMU, SOMA, ARCOM, RVU, BCOM, ICOM and LUCOM, for different reasons. Avoid those new schools that haven't graduated a class yet, if at all possible.

thank you very much for the list. Should I be concerned about my PS score section being screened out for any of the listed schools. That's my main concern about my using my second retake.

If you are fluent in Spanish, I would recommend the 3 Puerto Rican schools that consider OOS.
Do you have any connection to that community?

I do not unfortunately.