Can a great writing score help make up for a 'low' verbal?

[linusp]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hi everyone,

I just got my MCAT score back and I'm very happy with my overall score (especially considering how bad I felt walking out), but I got a 9 in VR supplemented with good science scores.

I did, however, score a T in writing. I know writing doesn't count for much at all and I'm a bit disappointed with a 9 since I averaged around 11 for AAMCs. Will there be *any* merit to my writing score? I'm looking at top schools (I have a great GPA and well-rounded ECs which includes a fair amount of research experience). I can provide more details if needed

Thank you for your input!

 

[themetalhawk]

I'm in a fairly similar position. I got a 9 on my VR, after scoring mostly 10s and some 11s on my practice exams. The strange thing is that I left the MCAT feeling fairly good about verbal and terrible about the BS section. I still did better than I thought. Wondering what replies there will be to this myself.

 

[DrBowtie]

No. Writing is largely ignored.

 

[linusp]

No. Writing is largely ignored.

Thanks for the input. Do you think a 9VR is a red flag that will bar me from certain schools (US only), even though my overall is a 36?

 

[reca12]

Yeah, I'm in the same position. I got a 9 on the verbal and a 13, 12, and a Q on the other sections (34 total). The 9 is kind of a bummer, especially since I've never gotten below 11 on the practice tests. I've done well in my humanities/English classes. Hopefully, those grades would offset the 9? Or is a low verbal score reason enough to retake?

 

[SN2ed]

You're perfectly fine with a 9. That won't hold you back.

 

[Pons Asinorum]

You're perfectly fine with a 9. That won't hold you back.

This. The 9 won't hold you back, and the writing doesn't "make up" for it. However, the "T" will get some appreciative looks. Pretty rare, statistically.

 

[linusp]

Pons and SN2ed,

Thanks for the reassuring advice. Hopefully my 15BS will garner some appreciation as well! Time to stop worrying about this and figure out exactly where I'm going to apply!

I noticed from the 2011-12 MSAR that from 2009, only WashU, Columbia, Mt. Sinai, and UPenn have the bottom 10% as a 10VR (with all other schools at 9 or lower). Is it safe to still include these on my list, assuming everything else is competitive?

 

[Pons Asinorum]

Pons and SN2ed,

Thanks for the reassuring advice. Hopefully my 15BS will garner some appreciation as well! Time to stop worrying about this and figure out exactly where I'm going to apply!

I noticed from the 2011-12 MSAR that from 2009, only WashU, Columbia, Mt. Sinai, and UPenn have the bottom 10% as a 10VR (with all other schools at 9 or lower). Is it safe to still include these on my list, assuming everything else is competitive?

Yes. If you don't get into those schools, it won't be because of anything MCAT related. You'll get much more mileage out of spending what time you would devote to studying for and retaking the MCAT to expanding and/or deepening your volunteer and clinical experience.

 

[NJMD2016]

.

 

[PiBond]

Pons and SN2ed,

Thanks for the reassuring advice. Hopefully my 15BS will garner some appreciation as well! Time to stop worrying about this and figure out exactly where I'm going to apply!

I noticed from the 2011-12 MSAR that from 2009, only WashU, Columbia, Mt. Sinai, and UPenn have the bottom 10% as a 10VR (with all other schools at 9 or lower). Is it safe to still include these on my list, assuming everything else is competitive?

Just to reiterate, I think you'll be fine. I had the following breakdown and had no trouble getting interviews: 14PS/8VR/15BS, T writing.

Oddly enough, not one interviewer mentioned my 8VR or T writing! Moral of the story, I think my high science scores more than made up for my subpar verbal. Adcoms will probably see yours that way too.

 

[SN2ed]

Pons and SN2ed,

Thanks for the reassuring advice. Hopefully my 15BS will garner some appreciation as well! Time to stop worrying about this and figure out exactly where I'm going to apply!

I noticed from the 2011-12 MSAR that from 2009, only WashU, Columbia, Mt. Sinai, and UPenn have the bottom 10% as a 10VR (with all other schools at 9 or lower). Is it safe to still include these on my list, assuming everything else is competitive?

As long as you apply broadly, it wouldn't hurt to throw them in as well.

 

[linusp]

Awesome, thanks. I'm glad to hear that the 9VR is not going to kill my chances a top 20. When I pick my school list, I'll definitely be sure to apply a bit more broadly.

 

[SN2ed]

Awesome, thanks. I'm glad to hear that the 9VR is not going to kill my chances a top 20. When I pick my school list, I'll definitely be sure to apply a bit more broadly.

It shouldn't, but let me repeat, apply broadly. Also, by broadly, I don't mean schools ranging from Harvard to Stanford. Yes, I've seen a poster consider that applying broadly.

 

[peanut11]

Hi everyone,

I am kind of on the same boat, except my verbal is lower. 13PS, 13BS, 7V.... and a decent R in WS. Total = 33R.

Do you guys think I should retake? (4.00 GPA and good EC's).
I am not shooting for any top 20 - I would be ecstatic to get into my state school.

-Thanks,

Nope. Like someone else else advised previously, do something else with your time that will fill out a different part of your CV.