How do you explain bad MCAT Scores to Admissions

[mtrose]

Help! How do you possibly explain BAD (a 16 and a 17) MCAT scores to admissions? I have an interview and I can't find anyway to put a positive spin on my scores. I don't want to say that I am a bad test taker and I don't want to say that I was unprepared...so how do I answer? My grades are great, I was an EMT for a year and I have have done loads of volunteer work, including three out of country missions trips. Any advice would be great! Thanks!

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[HunterGatherer]

your highest MCAT score is a 17 or you have other scores?

 

[medhacker]

let's start with telling us the actual reason and we will try to help you euphemize it.

 

[Static Line]

Help! How do you possibly explain BAD (a 16 and a 17) MCAT scores to admissions? I have an interview and I can't find anyway to put a positive spin on my scores. I don't want to say that I am a bad test taker and I don't want to say that I was unprepared...so how do I answer? My grades are great, I was an EMT for a year and I have have done loads of volunteer work, including three out of country missions trips. Any advice would be great! Thanks!

When asked about it, because you will be asked about it, you tell them you have no excuse. You tell them you understand it is a poor score, and if you know in your mind that it doesn't reflect your true potential, you tell them that also.

It's just an over rated test used to weed people out of the process. We have people in our school who were accepted with <20 MCAT scores who scored in the >94th percentile on the COMLEX boards, and those with >30 MCAT scores that failed their boards. It all depends on how well and how hard you decide to study while in med school.

 

[mtrose]

your highest MCAT score is a 17 or you have other scores?

My highest score was a 17, I also got a 16, I have taken the test twice.

 

[mtrose]

let's start with telling us the actual reason and we will try to help you euphemize it.

The first time I took it in April of 02 and I had not even taken Chem 2, I was at the time taking Organic 2 and Physics. I did not know anything about the MCAT and just did not study. That was my 16.

After that I signed up to take it three more times, took the Kaplan class and chickened out all three times.

I just took it again August of 05 out of desperation and I got a 17, I did study for the August test, but I have been out of school for two years and obviously did not study enough. So, what do I say?

 

[QuantumMechanic]

The first time I took it in April of 02 and I had not even taken Chem 2, I was at the time taking Organic 2 and Physics. I did not know anything about the MCAT and just did not study. That was my 16.

After that I signed up to take it three more times, took the Kaplan class and chickened out all three times.

I just took it again August of 05 out of desperation and I got a 17, I did study for the August test, but I have been out of school for two years and obviously did not study enough. So, what do I say?

Don't mention this in your interview, a lack of confidence is a bad trait for a physician.

 

[HunterGatherer]

I felt the OP described the best possible answer. It was honest and did not contain lame excuses like "I did not sleep well", "I think I misbubbled on 3 sections on 2 seperate exams", etc.

After the OP explains this in the interview the most likely questions that follow would be:

"Why didn't you take it again?"
"Are you going to take the MCAT again if you don't get in this cycle?"
"Are you preparing to take the April 2006 MCAT?"
"What are going to do to prepare differently?"
"How do you explain that you are a student capable of succeeding in medical school?"

Be prepared to answer what may appear to be the same question or have the issue of the MCAT come up again in the interview. Don't be defensive. Hope that was clear.

 

[medhacker]

HG

do you mind explaining all of this differently, for some reason I am not sure what you are trying to say. Thanks.

This is all you have to say really. keep it short and to the point. No BS execuses were in your answer here.

The next question they will ask is:
"Why didn't you take it again?"
"Are you going to take the MCAT again if you don't get in this cycle?"

 

[mj1878]

Where did you get an interview with that score?

 

[kahoo99]

The first time I took it in April of 02 and I had not even taken Chem 2, I was at the time taking Organic 2 and Physics. I did not know anything about the MCAT and just did not study. That was my 16.

After that I signed up to take it three more times, took the Kaplan class and chickened out all three times.

I just took it again August of 05 out of desperation and I got a 17, I did study for the August test, but I have been out of school for two years and obviously did not study enough. So, what do I say?

In your OP you mentioned that you didn't want to say you were unprepared or that you were a bad test taker, but it sounds like you were unprepared and quite possibly that you are a poor test taker.
So...I would focus on your understanding that you did horribly but that you believe your true ability is...what.

This is your chance to describe why the test is not an accurate indicator of your capabilities.

 

[rack]

twice with scores that are pretty consistent is tough. id prolly just go for the truth also and be prepared to retake it.

 

[HunterGatherer]

HG

do you mind explaining all of this differently, for some reason I am not sure what you are trying to say. Thanks.

I edited the post.

 

[Raven Feather]

Do you have to release your first score from 2002 or are you a reapplicant so that wouldn't even be an option?

 

[eanisis78]

where are you interviewing???
i did bad too, so no worries, if you are interviewing you are doing just great. they say when you interview you are on equal territory@@

 

[ghostchild]

It's just an over rated test used to weed people out of the process. We have people in our school who were accepted with <20 MCAT scores who scored in the >94th percentile on the COMLEX boards, and those with >30 MCAT scores that failed their boards. It all depends on how well and how hard you decide to study while in med school.

Could the reason that you are in this situation be that you honestly weren't fully prepared for the test. I know I spent 4 months studying hard for it to realize that I should've spent twice as long. A lot of people think they're prepared when they really aren't.

 

[MoosePilot]

In your OP you mentioned that you didn't want to say you were unprepared or that you were a bad test taker, but it sounds like you were unprepared and quite possibly that you are a poor test taker.
So...I would focus on your understanding that you did horribly but that you believe your true ability is...what.

This is your chance to describe why the test is not an accurate indicator of your capabilities.

People are always ready to dismiss the MCAT, but schools apparently think it means something or they wouldn't waste your time asking for it. You're going to have to tell them something. Why would you get a score that's about 10 points below average, yet have great grades otherwise? That's the question you're going to have to handle before getting into school.

 

[MikeyLu2010]

yea..from your story..it seems like you half assed it both times..why would you do that? medical colleges can see your grade...so why would you take it if your going to do that bad...i know people in highschool that have gotten higher then that score without any knowledge of orgo/or upper bio...

my advice...if you get in. your lucky and you should attend..if not..just focus 6 months to studying..maybe more...

 

[Jamers]

Help! How do you possibly explain BAD (a 16 and a 17) MCAT scores to admissions? I have an interview and I can't find anyway to put a positive spin on my scores. I don't want to say that I am a bad test taker and I don't want to say that I was unprepared...so how do I answer? My grades are great, I was an EMT for a year and I have have done loads of volunteer work, including three out of country missions trips. Any advice would be great! Thanks!

From one bad MCAT taker to the next (I got a 22), this is what I said when asked the question:

"Yes it was low, I had a heavy load that semester, was planning my study abroad and could not afford the class. However, that being said, I would like to say that I believe that I am MORE than my numbers predict. Yes, the MCAT may measure how I will perform on the boards and my high GPA shows what I did for four years. None of my scores, however, can ever predict compassion or empathy. I may not be able to retake my MCATs now, but, I can assure you that I WILL be the type of physician that puts my hand on the patients shoulder and treats them as not a patient, but, rather, a person. I would ask that you look beyond my scores and at me, here. This interview is WHO I am and WHO I will be."


I was asked that low MCAT question at two interviews and, so far, I have three acceptances, the biggest being to my top school (DMU). Just remember, your scores or only as low as you sell them. You an interview, now show them why those numbers aren't worth the paper they are written on! 👍

 

[jbone]

From one bad MCAT taker to the next (I got a 22), this is what I said when asked the question:

"Yes it was low, I had a heavy load that semester, was planning my study abroad and could not afford the class. However, that being said, I would like to say that I believe that I am MORE than my numbers predict. Yes, the MCAT may measure how I will perform on the boards and my high GPA shows what I did for four years. None of my scores, however, can ever predict compassion or empathy. I may not be able to retake my MCATs now, but, I can assure you that I WILL be the type of physician that puts my hand on the patients shoulder and treats them as not a patient, but, rather, a person. I would ask that you look beyond my scores and at me, here. This interview is WHO I am and WHO I will be."


I was asked that low MCAT question at two interviews and, so far, I have three acceptances, the biggest being to my top school (DMU). Just remember, your scores or only as low as you sell them. You an interview, now show them why those numbers aren't worth the paper they are written on! 👍

You smooth talker. Nice job. I think a valid answer is the best answer. As long as it's honest.
By the way, why the hell are you up so late? 😴 <<<no?

 

[Jamers]

You smooth talker. Nice job. I think a valid answer is the best answer. As long as it's honest.
By the way, why the hell are you up so late? 😴 <<<no?

Eh, I have to go back to college Thursday for RA training (why the hell I have to "train" after doing the job for nearly three years I cannot determine) and, as a result, have taken off work until next week. Also, I am an insomniac of sorts 😀 . So, a combination of being lazy and not being able to sleep...plus, this forum seems to call to me... 😱

 

[jbone]

Eh, I have to go back to college Thursday for RA training (why the hell I have to "train" after doing the job for nearly three years I cannot determine) and, as a result, have taken off work until next week. Also, I am an insomniac of sorts 😀 . So, a combination of being lazy and not being able to sleep...plus, this forum seems to call to me... 😱

I know...freakin addictive. I work nights at a hospital, so it's keeps me company when times are slow.
Gets some rest... 😴 and maybe I'll see you at DMU. 😉

 

[Jamers]

I know...freakin addictive. I work nights at a hospital, so it's keeps me company when times are slow.
Gets some rest... 😴 and maybe I'll see you at DMU. 😉

Maybe Ill give it a shot...

For sure, real name is Jamey and, since I am, most likely, going to be the only male Jamey, or at least the only Jamey who spells his name with an EY (I think my parents were bored), I shouldn't be hard to find 😀