Disclosure of a first sub-par test score?

[Hmmrstrength]

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I took the April 2000 MCAT and scored a 29.
(8VR, 10PS, 11BS, L)
I did not release my scores for that test.
I took the August 2000 MCAT and scored a 36.
(11VR, 13PS, 12BS, R)
I released these scores.
People have been giving me conflicting advice. Some say leave the other score undisclosed, because it is so much worse.
Others say disclose it because you improved 7 points. My goal is a top dual degree program for MD and MB (Duke, Penn, Vanderbilt, Tufts). Does anyone know how Med schools view disclosure in this situation? Is it a positive or negative to disclose my sub-par score in this situation?

 

[Ian Wong]

Hi,

My opinion: Don't release them. Right now, the med schools will see an applicant with a stellar MCAT score, who clearly can handle taking a standardized test that covers a great deal of material.

Why show them that you can do much, much worse? Especially the L in the writing sample.

There's no advantage to be gained by that, so just let that first MCAT score, which is much worse on a relative scale, (many people would kill for a 29), dwindle away quietly.

Ian, MS2
Premed Advice Page
www.geocities.com/mdpremie

 

[Hmmrstrength]

Thanks for the advice, I tend to agree with you, but I posted this on the 'everyone' board and recieved a contrasting view. He/she said med schools look negatively on unreleased scores. I am still unsure what to do, but am leaning towards your suggestion.
Thanks.

 

[imtiaz]

Hey,

The last time I checked, most US Allopathic schools were affiliated with the AAMC. Who also administers the MCAT. Keep in mind that the schools *WILL* see that you took an MCAT, but will not be able to see the score. You can't just send one MCAT score and think that they won't know you took it more than once. The AAMC sends the last TWO scores to each school. Even if you don't release the scores, they *WILL* see that you sat for the exam. I think now you'll see that this it is wise to disclose.

Imtiaz

 

[Hmmrstrength]

I know they will see I took it, but please explain the benefits verses disadvantages of disclosure and nondisclosure. I don't see it as a huge negative that they see an undisclosed score, but I do see it as negative if they see a score 7 points less than my current one. Please set me straight.

 

[imtiaz]

Well, here's where the decision becomes yours. Not all ADCOMs are the same, and what you decide depends on you. Lots of people will give you varying opinions, but as far as I know, ADCOMs don't like to have stuff hidden from them. The way I look at it, it shows how much you've improved. You boosted your score 7 points. I personally disclosed both my scores. I scored a 21 in April, and a 31 in August. But you do what you think is right, no one has the definitive answer on this topic.

Imtiaz

 

[lilycat]

I don't think you are hurting yourself by releasing the score. By not doing anything, the AdComms will probably assume the worst case scenario (whatever that is, maybe that you couldn't even complete the test the first time around). Seven points improvement is worth a lot, so I would say be upfront and release your score. If that is the only "blip" on your application, I hardly think it will cost you in the long run, and by not disclosing, my guess is that decision will be viewed negatively, as if you have something to decide. Do you have any good premed advisors at your school that you can talk to?

 

[Hmmrstrength]

I appreciate the help and suggestion Lilycat, but I graduated June 2000 from UCLA and am now inelligible to talk with a counselor. Sux, but that is why I'm trying to pick everyone's brain on the forum.

Thanks again.

 

[lilycat]

Ask a friend who is still a student to ask for you, hypothetically of course. I'm sure there are other students you know who would be interested for themselves.

 

[premedmijo]

Imtiaz I'm curious to know what you did to improve your score 10 pts. WOW! Any suggestions?

 

[imtiaz]

Well, even though its not an acceptable excuse, I was rather ill during the April exam. I had one too many slices of pizza the night before and as a result I ended up with some pretty disgusting and agonizing indigestion. Although I will say that I wasn't significantly prepared for the April exam, I took a review course (PR) and didn't study much on my own aside from the classes. My score on the AAMC-IV test they administer just prior to the MCAT was 7 11 10. So, I was expecting a better score in April, around my AAMC-IV mark, but it just didn't work out like that. In August, I wasn't taking any chances, I kept imagining myself not being in medical school, and that was enough for me to keep me devoted and sitting in that chair for hours on end reading the big science review book. If you want it bad enough, you will do it. That's all there is to it. Good luck!

Imtiaz

 

[njac]

[YOUTUBE]http://youtu.be/yvadw0gjuaM[/YOUTUBE]

 

[NickNaylor]

[YOUTUBE]http://youtu.be/yvadw0gjuaM[/YOUTUBE]

11 year-old thread + incorrectly applied YouTube tag = fail

 

[gettheleadout]

11 year-old thread + incorrectly applied YouTube tag = fail

lol for real