Has anyone been asked by adcom to explain a poor verbal scores (<=6)?

[jennifer1585]

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Sorry for my question being very specific...

For those of you, who scored low (<=6) in MCAT verbal reasoning and made it through the application process, have you ever been asked by the admissions committee why you got a low score, or questions like "how can you think that you can succeed in medical school with a poor verbal reasoning performance?" If given a chance to explain any deficiency in your app, would you take the advantage to explain it?

I am an ESL and got solid scores in other two sections (>10). My 2nd MCAT is my highest total score, however, with a lower verbal score. One thing I don't want to mention to Adcom is that I had an accident a month before that exam and I was sick and miserable. I want to keep this accident private because I don't want to be asked for details and causes of this accident which I feel uncomfortable to talk about... I just want to keep it personal if possible. I am also unsure if my poor performance in verbal section is caused by my accident. I did improve scores in all science sections.

Anyone here has experience with answering low MCAT score question? I think they may ask me because it does not make sense that I took additional half a year to study but ended up with a lower score in verbal. But if they ask me, should I bring up my accident....or just say something like I was not performing well in the exam?

Thanks in advance!

 

[burritowithgreensauce]

dont make excuses for yourself. just do it.

 

[mathnerd88]

Sorry for my question being very specific...

For those of you, who scored low (<=6) in MCAT verbal reasoning and made it through the application process, have you ever been asked by the admissions committee why you got a low score, or questions like "how can you think that you can succeed in medical school with a poor verbal reasoning performance?" If given a chance to explain any deficiency in your app, would you take the advantage to explain it?

I am an ESL and got solid scores in other two sections (>10). My 2nd MCAT is my highest total score, however, with a lower verbal score. One thing I don't want to mention to Adcom is that I had an accident a month before that exam and I was sick and miserable. I want to keep this accident private because I don't want to be asked for details and causes of this accident which I feel uncomfortable to talk about... I just want to keep it personal if possible. I am also unsure if my poor performance in verbal section is caused by my accident. I did improve scores in all science sections.

Anyone here has experience with answering low MCAT score question? I think they may ask me because it does not make sense that I took additional half a year to study but ended up with a lower score in verbal. But if they ask me, should I bring up my accident....or just say something like I was not performing well in the exam?

Thanks in advance!

It honestly sounds like you are trying to divert deficiencies in your app by blaming on other things. Anytime you make an excuse, it is a red flag for the adcom. Just admit that you understand verbal isn't something you're good at.

One thing that adcoms like is self-awareness and maturity. Don't try to make excuses for yourself. Just admit your own faults but don't go too much into it. You can try to explain what you're doing to try to improve it.

You also mentioned that your accident may have caused you to score low on the verbal section. While they may be true, it is of your own volition you took that exam without feeling healthy emotionally and physically. You were not forced to take it on that date, so any excuse you make is partially your fault. You could've delayed your MCAT until you felt better.

 

[oOKawaiiOo]

I had an accident a month before that exam and I was sick and miserable. I want to keep this accident private because I don't want to be asked for details and causes of this accident which I feel uncomfortable to talk about... I just want to keep it personal if possible. I am also unsure if my poor performance in verbal section is caused by my accident.

Listen to @mathnerd88. He is right. Dont find excuses to explain your inadequate performance. Were you scoring higher on your practice tests? Be honest. I will just say Verbal was never my cup of tea. Is it the end of the world? No. Can you improve? Of course, but at your own will. For every weakness I found, I sought out answer and improvement.

As long as other sections of your application are strong, they will compensate for your verbal. Otherwise, good luck.

 

[jennifer1585]

It honestly sounds like you are trying to divert deficiencies in your app by blaming on other things. Anytime you make an excuse, it is a red flag for the adcom. Just admit that you understand verbal isn't something you're good at.

One thing that adcoms like is self-awareness and maturity. Don't try to make excuses for yourself. Just admit your own faults but don't go too much into it. You can try to explain what you're doing to try to improve it.

You also mentioned that your accident may have caused you to score low on the verbal section. While they may be true, it is of your own volition you took that exam without feeling healthy emotionally and physically. You were not forced to take it on that date, so any excuse you make is partially your fault. You could've delayed your MCAT until you felt better.

Thanks for your advice! I will not try to make excuses.
There is one thing I do want to point out... I know I always have the choice to retake the MCAT, but I cannot delay taking that one because my test date was last January, the very last date they offered the old version of MCAT. After that, MCAT was changed to the new version and the next date is this April. I don't want to quite the last opportunity of taking old MCAT and I am not sure how much shots I have on this new MCAT... that is why I did not delay taking my MCAT at that moment...

 

[jennifer1585]

Listen to @mathnerd88. He is right. Dont find excuses to explain your inadequate performance. Were you scoring higher on your practice tests? Be honest. I will just say Verbal was never my cup of tea. Is it the end of the world? No. Can you improve? Of course, but at your own will. For every weakness I found, I sought out answer and improvement.

As long as other sections of your application are strong, they will compensate for your verbal. Otherwise, good luck.

Thank you very much. Without taking the new MCAT, is there any way to show them that I am working on improving my verbal? What should I study at?

 

[ahawke100]

Thanks for your advice! I will not try to make excuses.
There is one thing I do want to point out... I know I always have the choice to retake the MCAT, but I cannot delay taking that one because my test date was last January, the very last date they offered the old version of MCAT. After that, MCAT was changed to the new version and the next date is this April. I don't want to quite the last opportunity of taking old MCAT and I am not sure how much shots I have on this new MCAT... that is why I did not delay taking my MCAT at that moment...

I was in the exact same situation. Took the old MCAT on January 23rd and scored low in verbal. Don't make this excuse to schools. We both have the option to study for the new test. Excuses aren't wise in an interview. There are other applicants who won't have the need to make any in the first place. Highlight your strengths.

 

[mathnerd88]

Thanks for your advice! I will not try to make excuses.
There is one thing I do want to point out... I know I always have the choice to retake the MCAT, but I cannot delay taking that one because my test date was last January, the very last date they offered the old version of MCAT. After that, MCAT was changed to the new version and the next date is this April. I don't want to quite the last opportunity of taking old MCAT and I am not sure how much shots I have on this new MCAT... that is why I did not delay taking my MCAT at that moment...

Again...that's just an excuse. Yes, the new MCAT is harder and I understand your concern, but would you have taken a new one and maybe got a better score than 4 on verbal than take the old one and got the bad verbal score? There are many applicants who also took the new MCAT and are fine, and the material is pretty much similar between the old and new MCAT except the introduction of sociology and psych. April MCAT was 3 months later than the old MCAT, so it wasn't like there was no time to actually study for it.

You need to dig deep within and find ways to improve yourself in verbal. I would suggest reading more books or read more news articles. Maybe even join a book club or something, I don't know.

With a 4 in verbal, you better have the other stats to make up for it, like a lot of EC's, research, volunteer, etc.

I noticed you're from Boston. I am too! What part of Boston are you from?

 

[jennifer1585]

Thank you again, guys!
@mathnerd88 yes I am at Boston.... close to Harvard. where are you from? Are you applying this year?

 

[mathnerd88]

Thank you again, guys!
@mathnerd88 yes I am at Boston.... close to Harvard. where are you from? Are you applying this year?

Yes I am applying this year. Currently I'm in Beacon Hill but planning to move to Everett soon. I'm originally from NJ and moved to Boston to do some research and gain some work experience.

 

[Goro]

I actually have a few interview questions specifically for interviewees with this issue (no, I'm not going to share).

One of the things I seek to find out is if you can speak English clearly. We will reject ESLs whose command of spoken English is poor.

The bold is of concern. Did you take the MCAT while you were not ready for it? This points at poor choice making. We're allergic to this.

Sorry for my question being very specific...

For those of you, who scored low (<=6) in MCAT verbal reasoning and made it through the application process, have you ever been asked by the admissions committee why you got a low score, or questions like "how can you think that you can succeed in medical school with a poor verbal reasoning performance?" If given a chance to explain any deficiency in your app, would you take the advantage to explain it?

I am an ESL and got solid scores in other two sections (>10). My 2nd MCAT is my highest total score, however, with a lower verbal score. One thing I don't want to mention to Adcom is that I had an accident a month before that exam and I was sick and miserable. I want to keep this accident private because I don't want to be asked for details and causes of this accident which I feel uncomfortable to talk about... I just want to keep it personal if possible. I am also unsure if my poor performance in verbal section is caused by my accident. I did improve scores in all science sections.

Anyone here has experience with answering low MCAT score question? I think they may ask me because it does not make sense that I took additional half a year to study but ended up with a lower score in verbal. But if they ask me, should I bring up my accident....or just say something like I was not performing well in the exam?

Thanks in advance!

 

[blah12346497]

@Goro What constitutes as ESL? English was my not my first language learned however, I was born in the US and can now speak fluently. What pans out in your thought process if you see an applicant speaking fluent English but has a low verbal score (less than 6)?

 

[JeBrAs]

I had a low V score but made up for it in the two science sections as well. I took the MCAT twice but greatly improved at my second attempt. The main thing that I was asked about was not really V itself just about what happened with my two attempts in general, why I scored so bad and then how I managed to improve so much. I was however asked an indirect question about my V section, I was asked questions about my reading habits. At one of my interviews I asked the people interviewing me if they had any concern with my V section, they said I made up for it in other areas so it was not so much of a concern. I think each school puts different values on each section.

 

[Goro]

Google is your friend.

1. Definition of an ESL student: ➢ A student whose primary language or languages of the home, is other than English and would require additional English language support to develop reading, writing, listening and speaking skills.

I can't sugar coat this: we tend to be leery of native English speakers who score low on VR section. Communication skills are important for doctors.

@Goro What constitutes as ESL? English was my not my first language learned however, I was born in the US and can now speak fluently. What pans out in your thought process if you see an applicant speaking fluent English but has a low verbal score (less than 6)?

 

[becomingdoctor]

I have >30 total score with 5 on VR, I dont want to explain it in my essays, but will definitely bring it up to the interviewer. I am ESL as well

 

[Iridescent]

Yea I had a similar issue with verbal reasoning. For allopathic schools, anything less than a 8 is an issue. I mentioned that it could be due to my English as a second language nature or English not being my primary language in my household. But then I continued to talk about other areas that involve English in which I excelled at. By leaving on a positive, I was able to show how I will not be limited by my written and spoken skills. That's worked and I was accepted. I also had a good other section scores and other parts of my app were good.