Higher verbal Vs. sciences on MCAT

[Iceageheatwave]

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I was just wondering if a higher verbal score is looked down upon in relation to lower science scores? In my example, i have a 20M with a 9 in verbal and 5PS 6BS. I cant help but feel that im at a disadvantage.

 

[Jamers]

I was just wondering if a higher verbal score is looked down upon in relation to lower science scores? In my example, i have a 20M with a 9 in verbal and 5PS 6BS. I cant help but feel that im at a disadvantage.

9VR, 7 BS, 6PS. The low MCAT is what is looked down upon, not the individual scores, at least that was how they came off to me.

 

[kahoo99]

13v 11 10

In some cases a high verbal, provided your other scores are above 8 for osteo schools and above 10 for allo schools, can be viewed as an indicator of how well you assimilate info-an ideal quality in med school. However with a 5 and a 6 in the sciences my guess is you need to do better in order to demonstrate you have a baseline ability in the sciences.

 

[nerdgrrl]

I was just wondering if a higher verbal score is looked down upon in relation to lower science scores? In my example, i have a 20M with a 9 in verbal and 5PS 6BS. I cant help but feel that im at a disadvantage.

You're at a disadvantage because of the 5 and 6, not the 9. that's what, 30th percentile? take it again. take it again. take it again.

my usual disclaimer: we're premeds, with the occasional med student thrown in. we're not adcoms.

 

[dr.z]

You're at a disadvantage because of the 5 and 6, not the 9. that's what, 30th percentile? take it again. take it again. take it again.

my usual disclaimer: we're premeds, with the occasional med student thrown in. we're not adcoms.

I suggest on re-taking the MCAT as well.

 

[HunterGatherer]

You definitely are. Scoring a 9 in one section is not really looked down upon for DO schools. Problem is you have 2 scores well below 8. The last thing they are going to ask is "why didn't you score 10+ in verbal". Prepare to retake if you have not already.


good luck this cycle.

I cant help but feel that im at a disadvantage.

 

[OSUdoc08]

I was just wondering if a higher verbal score is looked down upon in relation to lower science scores? In my example, i have a 20M with a 9 in verbal and 5PS 6BS. I cant help but feel that im at a disadvantage.

Your MCAT is too low. Retake it.

Verbal is the most important section, however, so a high verbal is good.

You need to get at least a 7 in each section to have much of a chance of getting in.

This is unless you have a 3.8 or higher GPA, of course.

 

[BobBarker]

At my one, open file interview they mentioned my high verbal score (12), but didn't mention my lowish scores on the sciences (8,8). With your pretty good verbal, and not terrible sciences, it shows me that you could do much better with more time studying the the actual science content. You probably have pretty good intuition, just not a strong enough science basis to put you where you need to be.

 

[Raven Feather]

I was just wondering if a higher verbal score is looked down upon in relation to lower science scores? In my example, i have a 20M with a 9 in verbal and 5PS 6BS. I cant help but feel that im at a disadvantage.

Apply and see what happens, worse comes to worse, you retake it. I agree with the other poster you need to raise those sciences up to at least 7s---but you never know in the admissions game!

 

[cfdavid]

One of the very best science courses I've taken was a cell biology class. I credit it to helping me do pretty well in BIO on the MCAT.

I had the basic, freshmen level bio courses 12 years ago, as an undergrad. They were kind of a joke (kingdom, phylum, class, order........ this is an arthropod........look at the little amoeba.....) That stuff's simply not on the MCAT. The other class was called cells and molecules, but it wasn't really hard core enough.

But, a SOLID cell bio course (200 or 300 level)is where it's at. It REALLY helped me.

 

[DD214_DOC]

It probably depends upon who looks at your file if the VR is given more weight or not.

Personally, I think VR is a better indicator than BS or PS, as anyone can memorize stuff. It is the VR skills that demonstrate critical thinking and reasoning.

But that's just me.

 

[scpod]

Personally, I think VR is a better indicator than BS or PS, as anyone can memorize stuff. It is the VR skills that demonstrate critical thinking and reasoning.

I've talked to a couple of admissions officers who look at VR pretty carefully, but was told that they usually give a break to ESL students, who often perform poorly on VR.

 

[Iceageheatwave]

well yes, im incredibly aware that i am already at a huge disadvantage, that much didnt need to be stated. i was just wondering if i should fret even more on top of that because of the higher score being in a non science section.

 

[nerdgrrl]

well yes, im incredibly aware that i am already at a huge disadvantage, that much didnt need to be stated. i was just wondering if i should fret even more on top of that because of the higher score being in a non science section.

I think the consensus is: don't fret about the one good score you got, but rather, fret about the other two.

 

[Jamers]

I think the consensus is: don't fret about the one good score you got, but rather, fret about the other two.

Our scores differ by two points and I was still able to recieve seven interviews and the top school of my choice. I have a lot of extra things for them to look at aside from the MCAT, a lot of EC's and a 3.92 GPA with three majors. If you have a lot more going for you, the MCAT wont keep you from the interview, you just need to sell it when you actually get there.

 

[johnny5]

Your MCAT is too low. Retake it.

Verbal is the most important section, however, so a high verbal is good.

You need to get at least a 7 in each section to have much of a chance of getting in.

This is unless you have a 3.8 or higher GPA, of course.

According to who? just curious...

 

[hooperg]

From my experience, biochemistry and cell biology were two essential courses for the MCAT. Biochemistry in particular assisted in raising my verbal score significantly, mainly due to the multiple scientific journal papers we were required to read.

Also, I have been told directly by admission's personnel that the verbal portion of the MCAT carries substantially greater weight than the other two sections, because verbal reasoning ability is a "better indicator of concept uptake and synthesis abilities."

I hope this helps, but I agree with the consensus that a high verbal score cannot offset low scores in both BS and PS.

Respectfully,
Gray

One of the very best science courses I've taken was a cell biology class. I credit it to helping me do pretty well in BIO on the MCAT.

I had the basic, freshmen level bio courses 12 years ago, as an undergrad. They were kind of a joke (kingdom, phylum, class, order........ this is an arthropod........look at the little amoeba.....) That stuff's simply not on the MCAT. The other class was called cells and molecules, but it wasn't really hard core enough.

But, a SOLID cell bio course (200 or 300 level)is where it's at. It REALLY helped me.

 

[OSUdoc08]

According to who? just curious...

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