Do you tell your mentors/professors what you scored on the MCAT?

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blomar

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My two examples right now are a doctor I interned for over the past two summers and one of my professors (non science), both of which I intend to ask for a letter soon.

Should I tell them the number or just tell them I did well? I don't want to come off as conceited and immediately reveal the number but they might not want to ask if they assume I want to keep it private. I have no problem telling them but I don't really want to offer it right away and seem overly proud of myself.

...but I also don't want to seem like I just did alright and was reluctant to give them my score.

What's the expected behavior here? One asked me how I did (as in, a week after the test before scores were out) and the other told me to let him know how it goes, by the way...


edit: also, it will probably help my letters if they know my score/percentile (definitely won't hurt, at least)
 
all the cool kids are telling their mentors what they got on the SAT.
 
you don't have to mention it. and if they ask how you did, you can just say "I did well! thanks".
When I found out my scores, I was still at work. After calling my brother, I went straight to my PI's office down the hall and told her. She gave me a big hug and she couldn't stop smiling. It was the sweetest thing.
 
blomar said:
My two examples right now are a doctor I interned for over the past two summers and one of my professors (non science), both of which I intend to ask for a letter soon.

Should I tell them the number or just tell them I did well? I don't want to come off as conceited and immediately reveal the number but they might not want to ask if they assume I want to keep it private. I have no problem telling them but I don't really want to offer it right away and seem overly proud of myself.

...but I also don't want to seem like I just did alright and was reluctant to give them my score.

What's the expected behavior here? One asked me how I did (as in, a week after the test before scores were out) and the other told me to let him know how it goes, by the way...


edit: also, it will probably help my letters if they know my score/percentile (definitely won't hurt, at least)
Click to expand...

They probably won't know what the score means even if you do tell them, esp the non-science prof. The physician I shadowed had no clue what a 34 meant because he took it back in a time when the test wasn't based on a 45 scale. In a few years we will have little idea what the scores for the latest pre-meds mean after they switch to the new system. Stick to percentiles if you are going to tell them. It's much more understandable.
 
ppfizenm said:
They probably won't know what the score means even if you do tell them, esp the non-science prof. The physician I shadowed had no clue what a 34 meant because he took it back in a time when the test wasn't based on a 45 scale. In a few years we will have little idea what the scores for the latest pre-meds mean after they switch to the new system. Stick to percentiles if you are going to tell them. It's much more understandable.
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haha percent sounds much better than the actual score, you can say you scored in the top 90%, but then your mcat score isn't necessarily high...it makes you sound like you did much better than you did =) lol
 
Definitely don't just walk up to them and tell them what you got. If they want to know, they'll ask, and you can tell them if you want.

My PI was in the room when I got my MCAT score and she was watching over my shoulder with me, freaking out as the page took forever to load! 🙂
 
I just said that I scored very well and was pleased about it. But if you tell them the score just say the percentile because for most tests a 33/45 isn't great lol
 
If they remember to ask you again how you did now that you have your score, go ahead and tell them. Otherwise, don't worry about it. It's not like it's going to affect how they write your letter anyway.
 
One of my Letter Writers asked for the MCAT score/percentiles, so I just included it in the Info Packet (CV, personal statement, etc) that I gave to all of my writers.
 
Yes, for letter of recommendation writers. At my school, it's common practice to provide letter writers with a packet of such info (transcript, MCAT score report, personal statement and resume or activities).
 
vandsocc91889 said:
Yes, for letter of recommendation writers. At my school, it's common practice to provide letter writers with a packet of such info (transcript, MCAT score report, personal statement and resume or activities).
Click to expand...

I agree. I asked each of my letter writers what information they wanted, and all but one said that they wanted the MCAT score, transcript, personal statement and summary of extracurricular activity.
 
Yeah it's just courtesy to provide your LOR writers with more information about you. I included my PS, MCAT score breakdown and percentiles, my resume, as well as a short one page bio of me. This was probably more information than they needed but it allows them to write a stronger letter.
 
It depends on your relationship with them. If you know them well and they're really supportive of your efforts, and you do well, I'm sure they'll be pleased to hear it. At that level they generally want (or are supposed to want) the students they are mentoring to succeed.
 
My LOR professors asked me afterwards how I did. I told each my score in their subject, i.e. a bio prof got my BS score, my gen chem prof got the PS score, etc.

They seemed satisfied with that answer. Only one professor then asked for the whole deal.
 
I suggest you tell If your score is less than expected. This way the LOR can focus more on your strengths
 
I agree, if they ask just tell them. If they don't, don't worry about it.

Although this might depend on the PI too. Make sure they know it's just for them to know. When I got my GRE scores back my PI asked me what I got so I told him. Later on at the lab meeting he decided to announce to the lab that I did really well and had a higher verbal score than anything he'd seen from any of the biology grad school applicants. To make things more awkward, he then told his master's student that if she wanted to get into a good PhD program she was going to have to get on retaking hers for a better score. :smack: I felt a lot of love after that. 🙁
 
I wear a shirt+hat that have my MCAT score on them. That way everyone knows.
 
tantacles said:
I prefer GPA because then it feels like they've been working harder and over a longer period of time for my friendship. Consistency is important.
Click to expand...

Why not by LizzyM score? That way we get the best of both worlds! 😀
 
tantacles said:
But then I'd have to reveal to them that I'm familiar with SDN, and I think that loses you 2 LizzyM points on the friendship scale with most people.
Click to expand...

Lol true, when people mention SDN I put on my poker face. "Yes please, tell me more!!" :laugh:
 
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