3.97 GPA. "Unique" MCAT situation. Help would be appreciated

[Voltaic]

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[Sorry for the long post, in advance]

I received my MCAT scores yesterday, and I'm not too thrilled.

I got a 31Q:
12 PS
14 BS
Q WS

and the kicker... 5 in VR. Yea I know it's really really low (9th to 14th percentile). I am absolutely shocked at receiving a 5. My AAMC average was a 35 with a 10 in verbal so I have absolutely no idea what happened other than accidentally skipping a passage!

My cGPA is currently a 3.97 with a sGPA of 3.99 at a decent public school.
My activities and awards include:
2 years research and continuing (2 poster presentations).
1 Summer SURF program.
1 year clinical volunteering (4 hrs/week) at local hospital in home town.
1 year clinical volunteering (5 hrs/week) at university hospital. Approx 200 hours total.
10 hours shadowing (intend to do more next year)
1 quarter Cell Bio Undergraduate TA.
1 year math tutor at academically under performing elementary schools.
Somewhat prestigious scholarship holder at my university.
Dean's list all 9 quarters.
Phi Beta Kappa (one of 8 juniors inducted to my university chapter)

Next year (1) I plan on continuing tutoring for at the elementary school (2) continuing research. (3) possibly write my research thesis (4) tutor biology or chemistry in my university and (5) continue clinical volunteering.

I am rescheduled for an MCAT at the end of July, but I may possibly take it in August. I was not able to start my application as I am out of the country for personal reasons so I know I am pretty behind. I return to the US in a week.

Just a few notes: I just turned 20, so taking a year off doing a masters or working will not be a big deal. I was born and raised in a 3rd world country for 12 years (hence an explanation for the low verbal).

I have a few questions that I would greatly appreciate if anybody could answer (hopefully Catalystik or LizzyM).
1) With the 5 in VR, do I still have a shot at mid-tier medical schools?
2) If I improve my VR to at least an 8 on my next MCAT, how much better would my chances be?
3) Should I take an year off?
4) Can I still submit my AMCAS with my current score and update my retake (score would be released mid september at the latest)?
5) How screwed am I???

Thanks! Any help would be much appreciated =)

 

[V5RED]

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=827618

 

[Voltaic]

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=827618

Gee, thanks...

 

[Whatyousay]

A 31 with a 5 in VR.... that's actually kind of impressive.

(1) Even if the schools don't hard screen for section scores, that VR score will raise all sorts of red flags. That could very well be a deal-breaker.
(2) An 8 in VR (which is at or above the 10th percentile at many schools) would bring your score to the mid-30s, assuming you maintain your other section scores, . Combined with your GPA, that would make you a very attractive candidate in terms of stats.
(3) Depends on your reasons for delaying. If you submit your AMCAS within the next two weeks or so, you should presumably get verified by the time you receive your MCAT scores, which would make you would be complete in late August, assuming a July MCVAT (not early, but not terribly late). That being said, taking another year to strengthen your application is never a bad thing.
(4) Yes, there is an area where you can indicate future test dates on the AMCAS.
(5) Depends. A bad MCAT score is easy to remedy, while a bad GPA is not. Since your problem is the former, as long as you can pull off a decent VR score the second time around, you should be competitive (the time that your application would be complete would be less than ideal, but I would have a hard time imagining that a person with a ~4.0 GPA, 30+ MCAT, and your set of ECs would be unable to obtain an acceptance to medical school).

 

[Tapepsi]

Retake it and try to apply this cycle. A 5 isn't acceptable for MD or DO schools. Practice VR passages and try and get it to at least an 8 and you'll be good. 👍

 

[mcm628]

If you think you can retake quickly and raise your score DOOOOO IT. I promise, it will make your application cycle that much more enjoyable. I too had a series of low verbal scores, and we have very comparable GPA/EC's. My verbal scores were caused by a learning disability but it sounds like you could have a real shot at rocking that section (GREAT JOB BTW ON THE OTHER SECTIONS). Even if you end up getting in, the 5 will make you significantly compromise on your school choice compared to getting above an 8 on that section with your same breakdown. Check out my MDapps and see what happens with sub 7 scores haha. Either way good luck! 🙂

 

[Geekchick921]

I think you need to retake that. Like What You Say said, a 5 in VR, despite an otherwise very promising application, will be a deal breaker for many schools.

Also, please keep in mind the sticky at the top of the forums regarding not addressing other users in your thread title. http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=827618

 

[LizzyM]

Your application is perfect and having lived abroad for so many years does go far in explaining the VR score but that 5 is going to raise some big questions. Although you are risking the B and P scores, you really need to retake and go from there. I think you have a good shot at a 36 or better on retake and then your application will rise like cream when anyone sorts their stack of applications by gpa and MCAT. It might be early 2012 before you get any interviews but with an MCAT retake you should be fine.

 

[Voltaic]

Thanks for the advice everybody. Much appreciated!

 

[Catalystik]

There are a few schools that only look at the composite score and not subscores. You might consider applying to those initially, and add others when the new score comes back with a higher VS. Those I've heard of are SIU, Commonwealth in Pa, and EVMS.

Some that give the most emphasis to composite score and have no minimum subscore are FIU, Oakland, Colorado, and UKMC. You may not be eligible for all these schools depending on your state residency.

I'd bet that there are more that you might ferret out with some phone calls. If you are able to add to the list, let us know. You might start with your state school and then call others that you'd hoped to target.

 

[kautionwirez]

you should definitely apply and retake it. im pretty sure you will do well.

my range of VR scores were 5-8 on practice and i got a 9 on the real deal.

 

[LizzyM]

There are a few schools that only look at the composite score and not subscores. You might consider applying to those initially, and add others when the new score comes back with a higher VS. Those I've heard of are SIU, ...

SIU is an option if you are an Illinois resident who lives in or has ties to downstate Illinois. OOS applicants don't get interviewed ... see the MSAR for more details.

 

[Voltaic]

SIU is an option if you are an Illinois resident who lives in or has ties to downstate Illinois. OOS applicants don't get interviewed ... see the MSAR for more details.

Unfortunately, I'm an Ohio resident. Regardless, I am still going to retake. I feel I may have skipped a passage on the exam as I was running out of time. Not a big deal.

If I do improve, say from a 5 to a 10 in VR while keeping my sciences +/- 1 point from on my retake, how will medical schools interpret this? As a bad fluke the first time around?

 

[LizzyM]

Unfortunately, I'm an Ohio resident. Regardless, I am still going to retake. I feel I may have skipped a passage on the exam as I was running out of time. Not a big deal.

If I do improve, say from a 5 to a 10 in VR while keeping my sciences +/- 1 point from on my retake, how will medical schools interpret this? As a bad fluke the first time around?

If you can pull a 34-38 the next time with a 10 on the VR, in all likelihood you'll be golden.