How do you address a low MCAT score in secondary application?

Medical School Personal Statement You can use your personal statement to briefly explain why your MCAT is not as great as the rest of your application components. If you have a reason other than “I just didn't study enough,” this extenuating circumstance can be incorporated into your medical school personal statement.

What happens if you score lower on your second MCAT?

While it's true that you can take the MCAT three times in the same year and seven times in a lifetime, medical schools can see how you scored on each attempt. If you score even lower on a second or third attempt, admissions committees will not see you as a worthwhile investment.

Can you get secondaries without MCAT scores?

Most schools don't require MCAT scores or letters of recommendation before issuing secondaries. The exceptions are schools that use any of these components as part of their initial screening process.

Should I still apply to med-school with a low MCAT?

There are many med schools across the United States that accept students with low MCAT scores. If you have a strong application otherwise, and if you can justify your low MCAT score in an essay or in an interview, you still have a good chance of getting in at most med schools in the US.

What is the lowest MCAT score accepted for do?

Medical institutions in the U.S. and Canada that necessitate the MCAT typically accept scores ranging from 490-495 at the minimum. Scores below 490 are rarely if ever, accepted. Interestingly, a vast majority of individuals score above this range. Recent data suggests that the average score hovers around 506.5.

How to Get Accepted into Medical School with a Low MCAT Score

What happens if you get a low MCAT score?

A score of 501 or lower is typically considered too low to be competitive, so you might want to retake the exam or apply to medical schools that do not require the MCAT.

Is 493 a bad MCAT score?

Is 493 a bad MCAT score? The answer depends on several factors including what type of medical school (MD vs DO vs Canadian) you're interested in, and most importantly, your individual section scores. Attaining a score of 493 on the MCAT means you performed in the 29% percentile.

How do I deal with a bad MCAT score?

Should I explain a low MCAT score?

If you are asked about your score, be honest and straightforward. Explain your low MCAT score results, highlight why you think your score is lower than it could be, and talk about the steps you're taking to address the issue. Remember that there are many traits that make a great medical school student.

How do you talk about a low MCAT score in an interview?

For example, instead of saying, “I could have gotten a good score if my orgo teacher was better,” you could say, “My MCAT score doesn't accurately reflect my ability and passion for medicine in the same way that my clinical experiences do.” The first example places blame on someone other than the applicant for a low ...

What is the 32 hour rule for medical school?

There are some medical schools where your postbac, graduate program, or last year or two of your undergraduate count as your official GPA for admissions purposes. Consider the “32-hour rule,” where certain medical schools only look at your most recent 32 credit hours to determine your GPA.

Do med schools reject before secondaries?

After reviewing your AMCAS file, the admissions committees at your med schools will either reject you or send you a secondary application . Some schools send all of their applicants a secondary. Others go through an initial cut that is usually based entirely on GPA and MCAT scores.

Can you submit primary without MCAT score?

Generally speaking, while most schools can receive your primary application without your MCAT scores, they will not look at it until your scores have been reported. As a result, make sure you keep in mind how your test date/score release will impact when your application is considered.

How bad does retaking the MCAT look?

1. Will It Look Bad On My Application If I Retake the MCAT? If you retake the MCAT only once, even twice, and improve your score each time, it won't impact your chances of admission. However, retaking the MCAT excessively or scoring lower each time you take it may negatively impact your application.

Does a bad first MCAT score matter?

Medical schools will see all scores -- As you will see from the above, most medical schools will have access to all your scores. They will take each into consideration, so even if your second or third score is better than your first, there's a chance that one bad score can still ruin your chances of getting accepted.

Should I retake a 502 MCAT?

Should I Retake The MCAT If My Score Is 502? If you want to maximize your chances of achieving medical school acceptance, and if your overall application is not strong, we recommend you retake the MCAT if your score is 502.

What is a bad first MCAT score?

A great score is 515 to 528 (the maximum possible score), while an average score is 502 to 508. In contrast, a poor score is 501 and below. This guide will go over what a good MCAT score is and how medical schools use your score to make their decision.

Is a 517 MCAT too low?

To get an excellent MCAT score means to score in the overall 90th percentile or higher, which currently means a score of 515 or greater. With an MCAT score of 515 or above, you have a significantly better chance of getting accepted. Anything above the score of 517 is considered outstanding.

What is a respectable MCAT score?

Our medical school admission experts recommend that you aim for a total score of 511 or above. This score places you in the 81 ^st percentile of MCAT scores, according to AAMC.

Is 491 a bad MCAT score?

Is 491 a bad MCAT score? in, and most importantly, your individual section scores. Attaining a score of 491 on the MCAT means you performed in the 23% percentile. An even distribution for the section scores is preferred.

What is the average MCAT score on the first attempt?

Your MCAT total score will be in the range of 472-528 with an average score of 500. Each of the four MCAT sections is scored between 118-132 with an average score of 125. Applicants accepted to allopathic (MD-granting) medical schools for the 2022-2023 year had an average MCAT score of 511.9.

Can I get into med-school with a 505 MCAT?

So, for students who are doing about average or a little above average on the MCAT, in the 502-505 range, that's good enough to get a look and probably good enough to get an interview—although you would have to knock it out of the park on everything else—it could get you an acceptance.

Can I get into med-school with a 482 MCAT?

The answer depends on several factors including what type of medical school (MD vs DO vs Canadian) you're interested in, and most importantly, your individual section scores. Attaining a score of 482 on the MCAT means you performed in the 5% percentile. An even distribution for the section scores is preferred.

Can I apply to med-school with a 493 MCAT?

Considering that a 493 is a below-average score, it is improbable to be competitive for med-school admission with that score. However, once you know which medical schools you aim to get into, you'll better understand whether a 493 will get you accepted.

Should I retake the MCAT if I scored 512?

For example, if you scored a 512 and the schools you want to apply to are top tier schools, you will most likely need to retake. However, if your goal is to get into any medical school, then there are many MD schools average MCAT score of matriculants is 512.