Dyslexic and Applying to take MCAT untimed..Suggestions?

[PhDtoDO]

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I am just about to finish my PhD and have to retake the MCAT for the 4th time...I got a 24-26-28 then got waitlisted for two years in a row even with a masters. I was diagnosed with dyslexia and had intensive tutoring when I was 7-8 but my parents felt it best to keep it out of my academic record and I had some trouble with the verbal SAT and science on ACT because it was reading passages.

I just found out it could cost up to 1100 to get an official IQ and learning disabilities testing. Or I could do something called a Woodcock-Johnson Battery test for 450$ if they'll accept it. But I called MCAT and the lady said it 'might be sufficient' if my tester says it is sufficient. What does that mean? Should I drop 500 dollars on a 'might be ok?'

Has anyone used this before or done anything remotely like this?

Thanks,

Sarah

 

[C.P. Jones]

if you're about to get a phd on its own, i don't see why you wouldn't get into med school...and a 28 shouldn't be too bad. But if you mention how a health problem gets in the way of your schooling/mcat, i think it would seem as if you did really great regarding the circumstances.

if they see a bad verbal score on the mcat, for example, and you can easily explain why that is, i think it would be to your advantage.

and if you don't get in this time and you're on your way to a phd, i think i'm going to cry

 

[brodaiga]

if you're about to get a phd on its own, i don't see why you wouldn't get into med school...and a 28 shouldn't be too bad. But if you mention how a health problem gets in the way of your schooling/mcat, i think it would seem as if you did really great regarding the circumstances.

if they see a bad verbal score on the mcat, for example, and you can easily explain why that is, i think it would be to your advantage.

and if you don't get in this time and you're on your way to a phd, i think i'm going to cry

I heard they are extemely strict with granting special allowances for the MCAT. Their reasoning goes by way of the person needs to compete at a certain level to be a competent doctor for the safety of the patient. Getting this done might make you look unqualified to be a physician and raise questions about how you were able to get a PHD and are now requesting special circumstances. I would do a lot of research before committing to a decision.

 

[lynnier79]

Hi Sarah,

I just came upon your post. I am the only person I know who has recieved accommodation on the MCAT, and I will tell you that it was VERY difficult for me to get it. That said, I am NOT dyslexic, nor is my problem strictly "learning related." It's more medical. But anyway, I thought I would give you my 2 cents in terms of how to address it with the AMCAS people.

1) Get as much definitive testing as you can by qualified medical professionals.My inital psychoeducational evaluation was turned down but a report from an audiologist and definitive diagnosis was accepted. They seem to see the diagnosis as the most important thing
2) provide as much documentation as you can referring to OTHER accommodations that you have recieved. If you had them in college and/ot grad school that does help set the precedent for what happens after, but i will tell you for sure that it is not enough. if there was someone you worked with in the disabilities office in college and/or grad school then have them write a letter of support, too. you need to show that this is not the first time -- they want to see that this has been a problem for years and years and that you have dealt with it at every stage of your education.
3) Dont be afraid to appeal. I had to do that and it ended up working in my favor. I had only a psycheducational evalusation (the expensive thing you are talking about) and they shut me down. But in the refusal they did hint at what they would accept. So i got on the ball and went to see someone else who could provide what I needed.
4) address each point in the disabilities handout specifically. i tried to make it as easy as possible for them to read and understand my materials (and there were a lot of materials)

that said, again, i dont know anyone else who has been granted an accommodation besides me, and i have tried to help a few folks in the past couple of years. its really tough, because of MCAT lets you do it, it sets the rpecedent for the USMLE to have to let you do it, too.

good luck -- let me know if i can help you any way more.

lynnie

 

[PhDtoDO]

I know I might be sort of waisting my time, but I would always doubt if I didn't finally do this. I also got an email from a lady from GW that's going to the UofC in the fall (my alma mater!) for med school who got time and a half and did very very well! I'm going to take it for what it is. Also, one of my professors, a professor at Tulane Medical School told me that they don't grant accomodations for dyslexia on the USMLE..not to say that there are no other types of accomodations.

I have to try, but its good to hear from people about this. I think it holds too many well qualified people from what they could accomplish if they set their mind to something.

-sarah

Hi Sarah,

I just came upon your post. I am the only person I know who has recieved accommodation on the MCAT, and I will tell you that it was VERY difficult for me to get it. That said, I am NOT dyslexic, nor is my problem strictly "learning related." It's more medical. But anyway, I thought I would give you my 2 cents in terms of how to address it with the AMCAS people.

1) Get as much definitive testing as you can by qualified medical professionals.My inital psychoeducational evaluation was turned down but a report from an audiologist and definitive diagnosis was accepted. They seem to see the diagnosis as the most important thing
2) provide as much documentation as you can referring to OTHER accommodations that you have recieved. If you had them in college and/ot grad school that does help set the precedent for what happens after, but i will tell you for sure that it is not enough. if there was someone you worked with in the disabilities office in college and/or grad school then have them write a letter of support, too. you need to show that this is not the first time -- they want to see that this has been a problem for years and years and that you have dealt with it at every stage of your education.
3) Dont be afraid to appeal. I had to do that and it ended up working in my favor. I had only a psycheducational evalusation (the expensive thing you are talking about) and they shut me down. But in the refusal they did hint at what they would accept. So i got on the ball and went to see someone else who could provide what I needed.
4) address each point in the disabilities handout specifically. i tried to make it as easy as possible for them to read and understand my materials (and there were a lot of materials)

that said, again, i dont know anyone else who has been granted an accommodation besides me, and i have tried to help a few folks in the past couple of years. its really tough, because of MCAT lets you do it, it sets the rpecedent for the USMLE to have to let you do it, too.

good luck -- let me know if i can help you any way more.

lynnie

 

[riceman04]

I am just about to finish my PhD and have to retake the MCAT for the 4th time...I got a 24-26-28 then got waitlisted for two years in a row even with a masters. I was diagnosed with dyslexia and had intensive tutoring when I was 7-8 but my parents felt it best to keep it out of my academic record and I had some trouble with the verbal SAT and science on ACT because it was reading passages.

I just found out it could cost up to 1100 to get an official IQ and learning disabilities testing. Or I could do something called a Woodcock-Johnson Battery test for 450$ if they'll accept it. But I called MCAT and the lady said it 'might be sufficient' if my tester says it is sufficient. What does that mean? Should I drop 500 dollars on a 'might be ok?'

Has anyone used this before or done anything remotely like this?

Thanks,

Sarah

Heyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy....................I might be dyslexic too then......no joke. I have always had trouble with timed tests. But my dad never wanted to address it b/c he did not want to think there was something wrong with his child.

How do ya get tested?