<p>Hello,</p>
<p>I'm posting here because I really don't know what I should do, and I would like some advice. I've taken the MCAT but did not score as well as I wanted to. I got a 34.</p>
<p>Now, I know some will criticize me and say that it's a fine score, but it's extremely extremely disappointing when you've never scored below a 36 on any practice AAMC test and have been averaging 37 on AAMC tests. I've just never gotten a 34 before so this score was a huge shock. </p>
<p>I was wondering if should retake. I'm mainly interested in the Ivy League med schools (don't worry, I really, really do have good reasons why I want to go there), and their average is a 36. Considering I'm not a URM, I feel like my MCAT is too low and that I have to retake. If I retake, I would have to study during this school semester, which is extremely difficult to do. I do not want to take the new MCAT, so if I retake I will be taking the January one. </p>
<p>Do you guys have any suggestions or ideas of what I should do? Should I retake in this situation? </p>
<p>Thanks so much!</p>
<p>I believe a retake is inadvisable for several reasons.</p>
<p>1) An actual score that is 3 points below your practice score average is a pretty typical result of most test takers. You should not view a 34 as an anomaly, but a reasonably accurate reflection of your ability.</p>
<p>2) The likelihood of raising your score from a 34 to 36+ is pretty small. (AMCAS has a chart somewhere of the percent of test takers who earn higher score on a retake. I don’t have time to hunt it down but you ought to be able find easily.) Basically once you score a 33, your odds of getting a lower score are higher than your odds of getting a higher score upon retake.</p>
<p>3) Your current MCAT is high enough to earn a look from Ivies if the rest of your app is excellent. (And if it isn’t, then merely having a higher MCAT won’t help you.)</p>
<p>4) According to the adcomms posting over on SDN, retaking a strong MCAT score is sign of arrogance and/or immaturity and is not looked upon favorably by adcomms. </p>
<p>5) Most schools average multiple MCAT scores.</p>
<p>Thanks for responding! I appreciate your insight and perspective.</p>