I called South University and asked if they had a preference for GRE or MCAT, or if a strong MCAT score held more weight than a strong GRE score. The lady I spoke with gave me a firm "no" on both. She assured me that a strong score in either would hold the same weight, and reinforced that "the GRE is fine." It felt like she was pushing me to take the GRE. I told her I only wanted to dedicate my time to one, so that I could ensure my success in whichever I took, and again, it felt as if she were encouraging me to take the GRE.
Perhaps this is because if a school accepts both, then it can't admit preference to one test over the other - even though there may inherently be a bias to a strong MCAT score (as it is known to be a more difficult test, and a better indicator of how the student will perform in the program, etc.) Or, perhaps it is because it is as simple as she put it - either one works - why not take the easier one, slam it, and get accepted?
So I'm back to the drawing board on this one. I have next summer off to take my entrance exam(s). My current tentative plan is to take the MCAT, put all the focus on that, and ignore the GRE completely, since the MCAT is accepted at all 5 schools and is the superior test. I'm tempted, though, by taking that time to study for the GRE instead -- knowing that I could do extremely well with probably less effort -- and apply to only the 3 schools that take the GRE.
Hmm... any thoughts? My other option is to do both. Though that would leave me studying for the GRE over this winter break, and taking it in February or so, then still using the following summer to study for the MCAT. The only problem with this is I was going to try to start slowing studying for the MCAT now (and through winter break) with just reading classics, familiarizing myself with the test format, etc. AND, I'm kind of worried that I'm underestimating the GRE and that 1 month of studying wouldn't be quite enough to perform on the level I'm hoping to.
