Chances? 3.96 GPA, 37R MCAT

[Recalcitrant]

So I'm a long time lurker, but a first time poster. I just recently took the MCAT and received my score, 37R. But the thing is that my score is extremely unbalanced!

PS15, BS15, and VR7

I go to a top 10 university (BS chemistry major - sGPA 4.00)and have multiple/extensive extracurriculars and I'm looking to apply to a few top 10 medical schools; however I will apply to around 5-7 safety schools due to my uneven MCAT score. My question is will I be ruled out for the top schools due to my 7 in verbal? (heard cutoffs for subscores below 8) I really want to go to a top 10 for residency factors/connections with some world renowned professors.

thoughts? English is also my second language, but I dont know how much of a factor this will hold in screening applicants. This section of the test is so stupid imo and doesn't assess your ability to do well on the board exams. Frustrated Ahhhh!!

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[Recalcitrant]

So I'm a long time lurker, but a first time poster. I just recently took the MCAT and received my score, 37R. But the thing is that my score is extremely unbalanced!

PS15, BS15, and VR7

I go to a top 10 university (BS chemistry major - sGPA 4.00)and have multiple/extensive extracurriculars and I'm looking to apply to a few top 10 medical schools; however I will apply to around 5-7 safety schools due to my uneven MCAT score. My question is will I be ruled out for the top schools due to my 7 in verbal? (heard cutoffs for subscores below 8) I really want to go to a top 10 for residency factors/connections with some world renowned professors.

thoughts? English is also my second language, but I dont know how much of a factor this will hold in screening applicants. This section of the test is so stupid imo and doesn't assess your ability to do well on the board exams. Frustrated Ahhhh!!

 

[ILOVECAPSLOCK]

I thinks it's time to consider the Caribbean

 

[pfaction]

He has a valid argument about the verbal, otherwise I'd call you a troll.

 

[mmmcdowe]

Moving to WAMC.

 

[Recalcitrant]

Pretty constructive comments so far. How true is this cuttoff for subscores? Or is it just some arbitrary thing that SDN users developed from the extensive neuroticism?

 

[BetrayingChopin]

So I'm a long time lurker, but a first time poster. I just recently took the MCAT and received my score, 37R. But the thing is that my score is extremely unbalanced!

PS15, BS15, and VR7

I go to a top 10 university (BS chemistry major - sGPA 4.00)and have multiple/extensive extracurriculars and I'm looking to apply to a few top 10 medical schools; however I will apply to around 5-7 safety schools due to my uneven MCAT score. My question is will I be ruled out for the top schools due to my 7 in verbal? (heard cutoffs for subscores below 8) I really want to go to a top 10 for residency factors/connections with some world renowned professors.

thoughts? English is also my second language, but I dont know how much of a factor this will hold in screening applicants. This section of the test is so stupid imo and doesn't assess your ability to do well on the board exams. Frustrated Ahhhh!!

7 VR is a huge red flag. You seem to have a solid background in the sciences, so why not retake the MCAT? Even a 13-13-9 (35) would look better than a 15-15-7 (37). My first MCAT was 14-12-8 so I decided to retake, and managed a 9 VR on the second try. While this suggestion doesn't apply to anyone, I think it's a good idea for science people like you.

I'd suggest that you add in a few more mid-tier schools as well.

 

[CodeRedDew]

7 VR is a huge red flag. You seem to have a solid background in the sciences, so why not retake the MCAT? Even a 13-13-9 (35) would look better than a 15-15-7 (37). My first MCAT was 14-12-8 so I decided to retake, and managed a 9 VR on the second try. While this suggestion doesn't apply to anyone, I think it's a good idea for science people like you.

I'd suggest that you add in a few more mid-tier schools as well.

Retake a 37? While scoring in the 99+th percentile on two/three sections of the exam? That's completely absurd.

OP, if I were you I would apply to the schools you wanted to with a few safeties just in case. Don't let the neurotic students of SDN steer you in the wrong direction by retaking a score that's in the 97th percentile. I'm sort of in the same situation as you, albeit my scores are not 15's in the sciences lol but I did receive a 7 in VR (33 overall).

 

[Tots]

Yes, you may be screened out at many top schools. The best way to find out which schools will pre-screen your application for that low verbal score is to purchase the MSAR and look at the 10th percentile scores of accepted applicants. If your score is lower than the 10th percentile, chances are you'll be screened out. Apply broadly with nearer to 10 safety schools if you don't want to be left empty handed come next August.



Adcoms usually have clues from the rest of your application that English may not be your first language, such as prior international addresses, an ethnic surname, etc. If you make it past the pre-screen, adcoms will consider this in their evaluation. However, your spoken English will have to be clear and understandable to perform well at interview.



Verbal reasoning is one of the most important sections of the MCAT for screening applicants. Board exams are also in English, making your VR performance predictive of your success on the boards. Don't underestimate the importance of the VR section in predicting your future success in medicine.

The BS score is the most predictive of board scores.

 

[CodeRedDew]

Yes, you may be screened out at many top schools. The best way to find out which schools will pre-screen your application for that low verbal score is to purchase the MSAR and look at the 10th percentile scores of accepted applicants. If your score is lower than the 10th percentile, chances are you'll be screened out.

If someone used this logic then they'd practically be screened out at nearly every school. Out of all of the schools I've looked at, the lowest 10th percentile subscore for verbal that I've seen was an 8 and I've looked at a ton of schools (80+). OP, apply early to lots of top schools and safeties and I'm sure you'll get in somewhere granted the fact that your interpersonal skills are up to par.

 

[DoctorLacrosse]

English is your second language, do you classify as a URM? If so, I don't think there's a school out there that wouldn't want you regardless. If not, I would call a few schools and ask about the 7, but I wouldn't retake that score without some thorough research into it.