How DO you explain low MCAT score in secondary application?

Highlight extenuating circumstances. You can explain these circumstances in your personal statement and secondary applications. Even if you had a busy semester while you were studying for the MCAT, you may explain that you overcommitted and did not perform as well.

How do you talk about a low MCAT score in secondaries?

Start by acknowledging the low score, then briefly discuss what you did to improve your score if you decided to retake the test or why you chose not to retake the MCAT.

How do you justify 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.

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.

Will schools send secondaries without MCAT score?

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.

How To Get Into Medical School With a LOW MCAT!!

Is it bad to submit secondaries after 2 weeks?

Just like the primary application, the earlier you submit your secondaries, the better. Most schools are on rolling admissions, so the sooner you complete your primary and secondary, the sooner you are eligible for an interview. You should submit your secondary applications within 1-2 weeks of receiving them.

How do med schools decide who to send secondaries to?

Some medical schools will send out secondaries to every applicant who has successfully submitted a primary application to their school. Other schools will only send secondaries to applicants who have “made it to the next round,” so to speak. This typically means selecting students based on MCAT and GPA cutoffs.

What is the lowest acceptable MCAT score?

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.

What is a bad first MCAT score?

A poor MCAT score is any score that doesn't get you into a medical school, but statistically this would be a score below the overall mean or average, so a score of 505 or less. A poor MCAT score could also be considered anything below the 50th percentile for recent test-takers, which is approximately 501.

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.

Should I retake a 508 MCAT?

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 508.

Is 510 MCAT too low?

However, if you want to get accepted into a top medical school, you will probably need to aim for a score significantly higher than this. 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.

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.

How do you address low MCAT in secondary application?

Highlight extenuating circumstances.

You can explain these circumstances in your personal statement and secondary applications. Even if you had a busy semester while you were studying for the MCAT, you may explain that you overcommitted and did not perform as well.

How do you explain bad grades in medical school secondary?

Do med-schools reject before secondaries?

Many application are rejected from medical school because of their grades. Some schools (such as the University of California system's medical schools) screen applicants based on minimum GPA and MCAT scores during the primary application, before secondary applications are ever sent.

Does retaking the MCAT look bad?

Does retaking the MCAT look bad? Like reapplying to medical school, retaking the MCAT does not inherently look bad. That said, you should strive to take the MCAT as few times as possible.

Should I retake the MCAT if I got a 511?

Should I Retake The MCAT If My Score Is 511? You should retake a 511 MCAT score if your score is not balanced among the 4 sections, or if your target med-school(s) require a higher score for you to be competitive.

What is a respectable MCAT score?

A good MCAT score is generally considered to be 511 or higher, with no section score below 127. The MCAT, also known as the Medical College Admission Test, is a computer-based standardized exam designed to assess your potential as a medical student and doctor.

Should I apply with a low MCAT score?

There are few medical schools who accept students with an MCAT of lower than 490. If your MCAT score is dangerously low, you may be better off retaking the test or applying to no-MCAT medical schools.

Is a 517 MCAT too low?

Medical schools have different minimum score requirements for students based on being in-state, out-of-state, in particular programs, socioeconomic backgrounds, and more. Considering that a 517 is far ahead of the average MCAT score of a 501, it's very competitive for med-school admission.

How I got into med-school with a low MCAT?

You can offset a low MCAT score with a competitive GPA and an otherwise strong application. Even medical schools that accept low MCAT scores want to see that you've put thought, time and consideration into applying there.

What are med schools looking for in secondaries?

Unlike primary applications, secondary applications ask specific questions about your goals, experiences, and your personal views on a range of topics, including your decision to go to medical school. Your secondaries will be read to see how they complement what you have said in your primary application.

Is it OK to submit secondaries after 3 weeks?

We recommend students submit their secondary within two weeks of invitation. The final deadline is 11/15/2023.

How strict is the two week rule for secondaries?

The rule of thumb is to send back within two weeks of receipt of a secondary. Schools date stamp everything in your file, and if you take longer than that, we have heard that it can cause concern that you're either not that interested in the school, or that you're managing your time poorly in the application cycle.