3.78 cGPA, 3.65 bcmpGPA, 33M (PS 13, VR 8, BS 12) MCAT

[Marjan Islam]

I copied and pasted by resume below. I took the MCAT once before and made a 27Q and recently took it and made a 33M, both times however with an 8 in my VR. Will this hurt me? I hear the 8 in anything raises a red flag, but will my science scores and GPA and everything else make the 8 in VR obsolete somewhat? I also didn't rock the essay section the second time but did very well the first, and my personal statement is solid. What do you guys think?

Education
University of Alabama at Birmingham, Graduating Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor's Degree in Biology with University Honors and Departmental Honors in Biology

Cumulative GPA: 3.79/4.00
BCMP GPA: 3.66/4.00
Non-BCMP GPA: 4.00/4.00
Year: Senior
Major: Biology
Minor: Chemistry

MCAT
July 2nd 2009
Overall: 33 M
Physical Science: 13
Biological Science: 12
Verbal Reasoning: 8
Writing: M

March 28th 2009
Overall: 27 Q
Physical Science: 9
Biological Science: 10
Verbal Reasoning: 8
Writing: Q


Honors and Awards
Honors:
International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) Diploma Recipient
UAB University Scholars Award Recipient
Graduating with University Honors (Honors Program)
Graduating with Departmental Honors (Biology Honors Research)
Graduating Magna Cum Laude
UAB Biology Honors Research Student
Presidential Honors Honor Roll (Fall 07', 08'; Spring 08')
Dean's List Honor Roll (Fall 06'; Spring 06')
Honor Society Memberships:
Phi Kappa Phi – National Honor Society Member
Phi Sigma – Biological Sciences Honor Society Member
Sigma Alpha Lambda – National Leadership and Honors Organization Member
National Society of Collegiate Scholars – Scholarship, Leadership, and Service Member
Golden Key International Honor Society Member

Research and Lab Experience
UAB Pathology Lab Assistant (Summer 2007 – Winter 2008):
UAB Neuroscience Alzheimer's Research Lab Assistant: (Winter 2007 – Present)
Community Service
Voluntary Work at the Hoover Public Library (Spring 2005 – 1 Month):
Voluntary Work at Birmingham Children's Hospital (Summer 2008 - 4 Months)
Habitat for Humanity (Fall 2005)
Clean-Up Team at Ronald McDonald House for Relocation (Spring 2006)
CMA Clean-Up at Epic Elementary School (2009)
Landscaping-work for UAB Recycling Center (2009)

Leadership Positions
Lab Facilitator for McWane Center of Community Outreach (Spring 2007)

Shadowing Experience
Shadowed Pediatrician at the Birmingham Health Care Clinic (Summer 2007 – 2 months)
Shadowed Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist at Cullman Mental Health Center (Winter 2008)

Employment History
Hoover City Public Library (Summer 2005-2006):
Lab Facilitator for McWane Center of Community Outreach (Spring 2007):
UAB Pathology Lab Assistant (Summer 2007 – Winter 2008):

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[Stratego]

Congratulations on the MCAT score improvement. When choosing schools to apply to, keep an eye on their bottom tenth percentile for verbal, and don't pick one with a 9 or 10. That leaves plenty of schools to try.

My bigger concern would be that you have only four months of clinical experience (and that it's from a year ago), though the shadowing looks fine. Do you have a plan to address this weakness?