As an ADCOM: What would you thinK?

[bostampa2007]

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-Science GPA: about 3.6 from cornell
-Applying for the 2nd time
-English as a second language
-MCAT Score:

PS VR BS W
April '06 10 7 9 Q : 26
Aug '06 9 6 8 P : 23
July '07 13 6 11 Q : 30

I would like to think, overall my VR score is 7. I know every school recognizes multiple MCAT scores differently, but they ALL look at all of your scores. Given my special situation (multiple tries and immigrant), is it safe to assume that an ADCOM will look at my application, and say...this is a guy with 3.60 gpa, 30 in MCAT and 7 in VR?

 

[Inuranic]

I doubt someone will think "7 in VR", they'll probably take into consideration all three of your scores (sans the mental average).

That's an impressive improvement regardless. As long as you apply wisely, there should be some prospects for you.

 

[artaxerxes]

-Science GPA: about 3.6 from cornell
-Applying for the 2nd time
-English as a second language
-MCAT Score:

PS VR BS W
April '06 10 7 9 Q : 26
Aug '06 9 6 8 P : 23
July '07 13 6 11 Q : 30

I would like to think, overall my VR score is 7. I know every school recognizes multiple MCAT scores differently, but they ALL look at all of your scores. Given my special situation (multiple tries and immigrant), is it safe to assume that an ADCOM will look at my application, and say...this is a guy with 3.60 gpa, 30 in MCAT and 7 in VR?

depends on what school, someone will see you as a person with a 6 in verbal as some place more emphasis on your most recent mcat. The troubling thing is that you have demonstrated that you are not able to improve on your verbal, so its going to be hard for you to deflect that point. You certainly have a chance, but be prepared to address that verbal question since you can't claim that it was a fluke or doesn't reflect your actual abilities. On the upside your writing sample is solid.

 

[ChubbyChaser]

Apply widely to low and mid tier, and you just may havea shot

 

[illixir]

Depending on your extracurriculars/essays/LORS, and also maybe to the state you live in, you should have a shot at a low-tier private or your state school, apply broadly to at least 15-20 schools. I'd also suggest adding some DO schools. This is your second shot so you prob don't want to have to do it a third time.

 

[postbacker]

You definitely improved your composite MCAT and it should help, but your Verbal is a 6, and for most if not all allo schools that is below their "cut" line...for some schools they want nothing below a 9 on any one section, and I think that they may be especially tough on the Verbal score cut offs...

Any personal statements and essays you write should take away any doubts an ADCOM might have about your ability to use English - and if you get to the interview stage, another opportunity to prove that V score is "wrong" about you...

Good luck.

 

[Karen12345]

MCAT is a very difficult test for anyone whose first language isn't English. I think that you did very well given your background. I tend to worry that many ADCOMS, as well as those who never experienced living in a foreign country and speaking a second language on an advanced level (I don't mean conversational, tourist "Where is the museum" sort of level) fail to realize how challenging certain things can be. Non-native speakers have a disadvantage when it comes to verbal reasoning tests, there is no doubt. More perceptive ADCOMS will certainly give you some understanding and I think they should. I don't think that your less than average performance on the verbal section can be a good predictor of your success as a medical student and a physician. Good luck and I hope everything goes well for you. Don't let people put you down. Most have no clue what it is to be in your shoes and how hard you have worked all these years.

 

[Meatwad]

MCAT is a very difficult test for anyone whose first language isn't English. I think that you did very well given your background. I tend to worry that many ADCOMS, as well as those who never experienced living in a foreign country and speaking a second language on an advanced level (I don't mean conversational, tourist "Where is the museum" sort of level) fail to realize how challenging certain things can be. Non-native speakers have a disadvantage when it comes to verbal reasoning tests, there is no doubt. More perceptive ADCOMS will certainly give you some understanding and I think they should. I don't think that your less than average performance on the verbal section can be a good predictor of your success as a medical student and a physician. Good luck and I hope everything goes well for you. Don't let people put you down. Most have no clue what it is to be in your shoes and how hard you have worked all these years.

Funny, most studies seem to say the VR section of the MCAT hold the most correlation to success in medical school.

 

[njbmd]

-Science GPA: about 3.6 from cornell
-Applying for the 2nd time
-English as a second language
-MCAT Score:

PS VR BS W
April '06 10 7 9 Q : 26
Aug '06 9 6 8 P : 23
July '07 13 6 11 Q : 30

I would like to think, overall my VR score is 7. I know every school recognizes multiple MCAT scores differently, but they ALL look at all of your scores. Given my special situation (multiple tries and immigrant), is it safe to assume that an ADCOM will look at my application, and say...this is a guy with 3.60 gpa, 30 in MCAT and 7 in VR?

I would likely invite you for an interview and evaluate your English as a second language based on your interview. If the rest of your application is as competitive as your science GPA/MCAT PS/BS, you should be fine if you apply to enough schools and apply to a broad range (your state schools and private schools too). Since you only posted your science GPA (and not overall GPA), it is difficult to gage your ability to navigate a medical school curriculum. Certainly you are good in science and your PS/BS scores would be evidence of that but medicine is more than "just science" and thus you would need to have the rest of your application just as good as your work in undergraduate science.

 

[Karen12345]

Funny, most studies seem to say the VR section of the MCAT hold the most correlation to success in medical school.

Do these studies control for cases in which English is a second language?

 

[mordounhas]

You'd have to find the study to be sure, but most likely not.

 

[inaminute]

Do these studies control for cases in which English is a second language?

if the study is looking at whether communicating well in English is indicative of success in med school, why would they leave out those who don't communicate well in English?

 

[artaxerxes]

if the study is looking at whether communicating well in English is indicative of success in med school, why would they leave out those who don't communicate well in English?

I think he/she's trying to say that VR is not a good indicator of MD success for only non-native speakers.

 

[Karen12345]

if the study is looking at whether communicating well in English is indicative of success in med school, why would they leave out those who don't communicate well in English?

Perhaps how well non-native speakers of English can communicate in English isn't measured best by the MCAT VR. Perhaps success in medical school can be predicted by one's ability to learn a foreign language well? What if schools required that all successful applicants demonstrate fluency in at least two languages?

 

[Karen12345]

I think he/she's trying to say that VR is not a good indicator of MD success for only non-native speakers.

You got my point. Thank you.

 

[inaminute]

Perhaps how well non-native speakers of English can communicate in English isn't measured best by the MCAT VR. Perhaps success in medical school can be predicted by one's ability to learn a foreign language well? What if schools required that all successful applicants demonstrate fluency in at least two languages?

and what if Hillary Clinton were feminine?

 

[surfstarj]

and what if Hillary Clinton were feminine?

AHA👍