First off,
Of the many people I have talked to who thought they "bombed verbal"--most ended up with >10 when the scores arrived. Unless you filled in 20 bubbles at the end, you really shouldn't try to "guess" at all what your verbal score will be. I felt very confident about my verbal after the august test, but was shelled out a 9 in the mail. I did well enough in the sciences to keep my cum at a 33--which is still low for MSTP applicants.
I would say that MSTP is probably the most lenient on verbal, considering that you are looking to do research in the sciences. This doesn't mean a 7 will look favorable on your app! The fact that the average MSTP'er is near a 36 says that they are probably doing well in verbal as well.
However, you probably are granted the most leeway in the sense that phenomenal research and lab experiences (w/solid letters of recc and an overall good app) can make up for a subpar verbal score. This is all just speculation from my viewpoint bc I still have to apply this cycle! However, what I have said is synthesized from random info I glean off this horribly addictive site!
