How do D.O. schools view MCAT sections below an 8?

[Dreamstoo]

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Taking the exam in mid-January and was just curious what the views are on this.

I've heard it is recommended to retake anything below an 8 in a section especially if it's in a science section.

What do you guys think?

 

[MiaMia14]

I got in with a PS of 6. I know a lot of people that have gotten in with sub scores that are lower than 8...but it's going to depend on the rest of the test. A 9/6/8 is very different than a 12/6/12 obviously.

 

[ananasmed]

Got in with PS of 7. I think for DO schools a sub-8 score in PS is perhaps treated more gently than a sub-8 in BS. For MD schools, a sub-8 in any category is pretty lethal I think.

 

[Dreamstoo]

Got in with PS of 7. I think for DO schools a sub-8 score in PS is perhaps treated more gently than a sub-8 in BS. For MD schools, a sub-8 in any category is pretty lethal I think.

For M.D., yes. Even an 8VR can hurt for some schools from what I've heard from people who have applied with it.

 

[Dreamstoo]

I got in with a PS of 6. I know a lot of people that have gotten in with sub scores that are lower than 8...but it's going to depend on the rest of the test. A 9/6/8 is very different than a 12/6/12 obviously.

Congrats. I guess I had the misconception that it was the kiss of death to get lower than an 8 on any section.

 

[67552931811]

For M.D., yes. Even an 8VR can hurt for some schools from what I've heard from people who have applied with it.

I know multiple people who got into US MD schools with subsections below an 8. Their overall wasn't exactly breath taking either.

 

[Dreamstoo]

I know multiple people who got into US MD schools with subsections below an 8. Their overall wasn't exactly breath taking either.

Interesting.

 

[JeBrAs]

I have received many interviews and have 1 acceptance so far with a VR6. Yes it can hinder you but it won't kill your app. You may just have to be more patient with wait list movement later on with more desirable schools.

 

[addieu345]

I have received many interviews and have 1 acceptance so far with a VR6. Yes it can hinder you but it won't kill your app. You may just have to be more patient with wait list movement later on with more desirable schools.

Completely agree, had a 7 VR, had several interviews and one acceptance so far.

 

[DocWinter]

It happens. But what happens a whole lot more is people getting in with 8+. I mean a whole lot.

It wouldn't stop me from trying, but preparation (I.e not taking the MCAT until you are consistently no longer getting 6s or 7s) should be your goal, not squeezing through on hopeful, unnecessarily narrow odds.

 

[butternutsquash]

I was accepted to both MD and DO programs this cycle with a VR of 6. It's certainly not the end if you score below an 8, but it's definitely an uphill battle.

Congrats. I guess I had the misconception that it was the kiss of death to get lower than an 8 on any section.

^It all depends on the schools that you apply to. Some will reject your application automatically if you have any subsection below a 7 or 8. For the programs who are more holistic in their review process, it all depends on the rest of your application and how strong of a medical school candidate you are.

 

[Deranged Medic]

Completely agree, had a 7 VR, had several interviews and one acceptance so far.

I had a 7 in VR as well, and I was fortunate to receive multiple interview invites and acceptances. For what it's worth, I had 2x as many DO interview invites than MD, so I think the DO schools didn't mind my 7 that much.

 

[veryborderlineapplicant]

How do DO schools view declining mcat trends? I took the mcat and got a 31, left the test knowing I could do better and I'm in a very competitive state, then retook and got a 28. Would I be out of the running for DOs?

 

[Dreamstoo]

How do DO schools view declining mcat trends? I took the mcat and got a 31, left the test knowing I could do better and I'm in a very competitive state, then retook and got a 28. Would I be out of the running for DOs?

Breakdown? It does hurt a bit. Also retaking a 31 IMO is never really worth it unless you were targeting top MDs. I do know of a few people who got 35+ and would probably retake a 31.

 

[DetectiveAlonzo]

How do DO schools view declining mcat trends? I took the mcat and got a 31, left the test knowing I could do better and I'm in a very competitive state, then retook and got a 28. Would I be out of the running for DOs?

FWIW... buddy of mine took MCAT 3 times. Highest and first score was a 28/29... and his third retake was a 26 I believe. He got 4-5 interviews and 2 acceptances.

Not saying it's the case for everybody, but you never know vato.

 

[Dreamstoo]

FWIW... buddy of mine took MCAT 3 times. Highest and first score was a 28/29... and his third retake was a 26 I believe. He got 4-5 interviews and 2 acceptances.

Not saying it's the case for everybody, but you never know vato.

Also I know someone who got a 28-30 on 3-4 retakes. The person is in a MD school right now. Got 4 MD acceptances, granted I knew they had great ECs and outstanding letters.

 

[AlteredScale]

6VR for me. 4 II's and 1 acceptance (declined all 3 II's after getting into my first choice early on in the cycle). It's not a position you want to be in by any means but if you play your cards right and make sure other areas of your application are in tip top shape then you may have a fighting chance.

 

[asdf123g]

@AlteredScale : did you have like a stellar GPA, awesome EC's, or are you a really likeable person (plays into interviews) or something to make up for the VR in 6??

 

[AlteredScale]

@AlteredScale : did you have like a stellar GPA, awesome EC's, or are you a really likeable person (plays into interviews) or something to make up for the VR in 6??

GPA was a 3.6 ish for both science and cumulative. Had some pretty unique ECs (PM for the details)

I also had the requisite shadowing, clinical experience and research exp.

I don't think anything in my app really specifically made up for the 6VR but having the rest of my app on point while having a strong theme that allowed me to standout a bit helped tremendously.

 

[Mad Jack]

Poorly. Many screen out sub-8 scores. Not that it's impossible to get in with one- the screen usually drops as the season goes on- but getting admitted will be more challenging.

 

[JeBrAs]

I have a 3.4 cGPA 3.2 sGPA 26 MCAT with a 6VR. Good ECs with lots of clinical experience, applied early, and spent a lot of time on my application and have had success. I have received early interviews but some of them have only led to waitlists. I feel that having an 8 or better on VR would have made a much bigger difference on those post interview decisions. If you can achieve getting atleast an 8 on each subsection, it makes just enough of a difference from being a waitlisted applicant and being an accepted one.

 

[redman93]

Poorly. Many screen out sub-8 scores. Not that it's impossible to get in with one- the screen usually drops as the season goes on- but getting admitted will be more challenging.

Could you name some specific schools that you know screen?

Someone else also mentioned that getting a sub 8 in PS might be better for a DO school than in BS, is that true at all?

 

[keels99]

Taking the exam in mid-January and was just curious what the views are on this.

I've heard it is recommended to retake anything below an 8 in a section especially if it's in a science section.

What do you guys think?

I got a 7 in physics (took the MCAT before I took any physics courses.) I was never asked about it, but it was pretty obvious from my transcript when I had taken the MCAT in 2012 and physics in 2013. My bio and verbal were good, though.

 

[Goro]

A Bio score of < 8 is pretty much a rejection at my school. We're more lenient with VR and we argue over PS.

Taking the exam in mid-January and was just curious what the views are on this.

I've heard it is recommended to retake anything below an 8 in a section especially if it's in a science section.

What do you guys think?

 

[blah12346497]

@Goro Can you please explain to us why a higher bio or ps score is favored over verbal?

 

[67552931811]

@Goro Can you please explain to us why a higher bio or ps score is favored over verbal?

Because medicine is clinical biology???

 

[chizledfrmstone]

I had a 7 VR and got interviews at many good schools. It isn't a big problem. Just don't get lower than 8 in bio.


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[AlteredScale]

@Goro Can you please explain to us why a higher bio or ps score is favored over verbal?

A 6 in BS means you cannot comprehend or apply basic science knowledge to second:third order level questions aka board style questions. It's a huge red flag that says "this applicant may fail USMLE or COMLEX".

 

[Goro]

This!

Because medicine is clinical biology???