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Can you get into a UC med school with a 7 on verbal? has anyone gotten in with that or is best that i just retake the MCAT? I got a 30 so its just my verbal.
HOw does a 7 on verbal look?
- Thread starter shkaun
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It's worth a true, but I would rewrite with a 7.
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8 and higher is always better.
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your probably need higher for a UC school. But with a relatively above average GPA (3.7+) and applying early you are good to go at a OOS school...
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tricky, but i will say apply
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Do yourself a favor and retake it. That's what I would do. You might get in, but it will be very hard and frustrating. good luck👍
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The rumor is that the verbal score is the best predictor of future medical school standardized testing. So a 7, to be blunt, looks sh*tty (you asked).
But if you are not a native English speaker and your written score is okay, maybe you can explain it away in the interviews. But for the schools that have a verbal of 10 or 11 or more, that will stick out like a sore thumb.
dc
But if you are not a native English speaker and your written score is okay, maybe you can explain it away in the interviews. But for the schools that have a verbal of 10 or 11 or more, that will stick out like a sore thumb.
dc
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Rumor has it that the UCs screen for 8+ in all categories. Can anyone confirm this?
I have a friend who has an 8V and has gotten several UC interviews though. So, don't be shocked if you are slow to get secondaries if at all. And, being so late in the cycle, I have another friends with a 36 including 12V that is still waiting for secondaries from the UCs. If the rest of your app is solid, you can still get in some where. Cast that net wide all over the country.
I have a friend who has an 8V and has gotten several UC interviews though. So, don't be shocked if you are slow to get secondaries if at all. And, being so late in the cycle, I have another friends with a 36 including 12V that is still waiting for secondaries from the UCs. If the rest of your app is solid, you can still get in some where. Cast that net wide all over the country.
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Don't bother applying until you rewrite. Most likely you won't get in, and the next year they'll ask you why you are a reapplicant. 🙄
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Disagree. It's always a crapshoot.
OP- I have an 8 in Bio and received an interview from UCSF. Anything is possible...
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I think that as long as you can explain to Adcom's why you made a 7, you're in ok shape. Of course, it's better if you made 10+, but no med school* has cut offs.
*Except for those snobs at Wash U😉
*Except for those snobs at Wash U😉
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I would retake with a 7 in verbal. Cali schools are very competitive to get in, even with 30+ and 11 or higher in each section. A 7 would not get you very far.... even in other medical schools outside of Cali. I know for UVA, if you are out of state, you need at least a 11 or higher in each section to be considered. (the average for the UVA 2006 incoming class was 10.8 on verbal, 11.8 on Bio and 11.7 on Phys) The only exception to the rule is that if you have something amazing in your app that can offset the 7 in the verbal section.
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7 in verbal is bad. There is no nice way to say this. If you have an explanation like english as a second language, it might help but you are much better off the higher it is.
If you can retake it, I would. I assume you are applying next year? In which case, there is June and I believe the MCAT is being offered more frequently now. If you are thinking about applying this year, it is way late in the process to be asking this now and it really will be bad.
If you can retake it, I would. I assume you are applying next year? In which case, there is June and I believe the MCAT is being offered more frequently now. If you are thinking about applying this year, it is way late in the process to be asking this now and it really will be bad.
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While the 7 might not look great, it is still possible to get into a school with it. I have a 30 on the MCAT as well with a 7 on verbal, and I received six interviews, a few waitlists, and (as of now) one acceptance during this cycle. Only one interview ever brought the seven up: after I answered an ethics question at one school, he sad "wow you sure don't sound like a 7 on verbal. What happened?" You just have to prove through the other areas in your application that the 7 is an inaccurate representation of your reasoning abilities and communication skills.
Another piece of evidence: a friend of mine with the same MCAT score (i.e. a 30 overall with a seven on verbal) has gotten into UCI, Chicago Med @ RFU, and waitlisted at UCSF. Don't lose hope!
Another piece of evidence: a friend of mine with the same MCAT score (i.e. a 30 overall with a seven on verbal) has gotten into UCI, Chicago Med @ RFU, and waitlisted at UCSF. Don't lose hope!
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Ummm.... higher is always better.
Verbal is typically viewed as the best predictor of med school performance, because ad-coms perceive it as the closest simulation to med school- read a whole lot of crap quickly, comprehend, and analyze under pressure. Science you can teach. A 30 though is a solid score, but if you have the chance, work hard, do passages every day, read, read, read- can't emphasize this enough... most premeds undervalue the importance of reading broadly- and take the MCAT again. You might get in on the 30 alone, but the 7 is going to stick out. The good science scores show that you're probably capable of doing well on verbal, just need to brush up. Good luck. More advice- don't use isolated anecdotes of others friends to guide your decision making. Of course people get in with 7's on verbals into med school. But I'd wage my 4th grade allowance that the majority don't.
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does everyone need to be reminded that practically everything in the physical and biological sciences sections require a lot of reading and processing. in other words, as long as you score above an 11 or a 12 in BS or PS then your verbal reasoning skills are good. But the cause of a low VR section score may be due to something else, probably a lack of interest in the given topics.
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"Lack of interest" is a pretty weak excuse for doing poorly on an MCAT section. I mean, it's the *MCAT*, not the tax code or something; you'd think you could muster some interest for the hour or so the verbal section lasts.
It's possible for people to do well on the science sections but not the verbal because 1). the verbal section expects you to draw a lot more inferences from the text itself, requiring much closer and subtler reading, and 2). relatedly, you can do decently on the science sections by having a large story of knowledge in those subjects beforehand.
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I don't know about UC schools, but I got a 7V, 11PS, 11BS, (29!) with a P in writing and I got into SUNY Downstate (New York). But I'm a NY resident, and grew up with another language, although english is technically my first. I also applied in late July/early August.
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Well
Let's say this...I applied really late (October) and submitted all my secondaries by November/December.
I have 3 interviews with a 6 on VR but not in CA. However, I got pretty much all the UC secondaries.
I will definitely rewrite if I don't get in this cycle.
Let's say this...I applied really late (October) and submitted all my secondaries by November/December.
I have 3 interviews with a 6 on VR but not in CA. However, I got pretty much all the UC secondaries.
I will definitely rewrite if I don't get in this cycle.
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True to an extent. Clearly you need to read and process quickly for the sciences as well, but they're more predicated on how extensive your knowledge base is in those fields- and how readily you control it. They're a little less intense in terms of on the spot analysis and comprehension of new data- at least thats how I viewed it when I took it. As for generating interest... true the history of celery might not be riveting... but who are you kidding... neither is the histopathology of the vestibularchochlear system. You better generate interest.
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i'm not sure about your stance on the VR predicting step 1 scores, but I would assume that step 1 scores fall your lines of "they're more predicated on how extensive your knowledge base is in those fields- and how readily you control it" (aka just like the PS or BS sections).
if you're not interested in the histopathology of vestibularcochlear systems, then i don't know what to tell you. Right now i'm interested in just about everything in medicine.
What i typically hate about VR is topics on politics, sociology, humanities, art, music, literature, etc. That's partly because i went to a public school and didn't learn anything (and still don't know anything on these subjects) about these topics so i find them extremely boring.
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if the VR has passages on topics that are completely new and foreign to everyone, then I'd think it would be fair (bringing up my previous post, I was at a disadvantage for not being exposed to any of those mentioned topics. I could just cram all those topics by using the internet for a month or two and it would become much easier).
4
45408
It's not always a crapshoot - it's usually a pretty clear-cut process. There are occasional anomalies, but they're definitely the exception. A 7 in VR is a poor score, and it will get you screened from a lot of schools. I agree with the person you disagreed with - retake the MCAT and apply then.
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The difference is in the curve, for one. Besides, the PS/BS passages are written pretty clearly (you're not wondering what the author wanted you to envision as you read the passage - there's probably a dang illustration next to the BS/PS passages) - the VR section is intended to draw out your reading ability and critical thinking. They're apples and oranges, and the VR is graded on a much harsher scale than the other two.
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no, it's NEVER a crapshoot. medical school admissions is based on a formula - except that the variables in this formula are calculated and weighted based on a variety of factors; it's much more complex than the formulas used by fair issac or reinsurers.
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This always confused me. Now I know there are correlations with MCAT and Step 1 boards but to me they seem like two completely different type of exams. Things I struggled with on the MCAT was timing, having to read through all those passages, and spending time trying to uncover what exactly was being asked of me (except for discretes). Now to my understanding, there is no strict time limit on the Step 1 boards ( i heard you get hours upon hours to complete it), no passages ( just question and multiple choice answers like discretes). Please correct me if i'm wrong. So for me, although the step 1 boards is probably a more difficult exam in principle, I think it will be easier for me to get a higher score since most of it will be more along the lines of what you were able to memorize and internalize.
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A 7 on anything looks pretty crappy. I guess the only exception for your 7 on a verbal would be if you blew away both physical sciences and biological sciences-I mean like, 13+ on both.-AND you happen to have learned English pretty recently. In that case it wouldn't be quite as bad I think.
Otherwise I'd get working on bringing that up.
Otherwise I'd get working on bringing that up.
D
deleted106503
Pick up the MSAR. A lot of schools have accepted people with even a 6 in VR. Some even a 5. I'm not saying you have to retake because I don't know the rest of your application, but those saying you must retake because you dont' have a shot should go eat ****.
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According to the USMLE website:
Step 1 has approximately 350 multiple-choice test items, divided into seven 60-minute blocks, administered in one eight-hour testing session.
http://www.usmle.org/bulletin/2007/preparing.htm
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in other words, the questions are like physics problems, right?
-list all the known factors (symptoms)
-list all the unknown factors (symptoms not listed that could change what the problem is)
etc, etc.
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Will it be tougher? Yes. Does it mean they have no choice but to retake? No. There are at least 2 people on SDN that got in this year with a 7 in VR. Haemulon and Rajad10 come to mind. So take that for what its worth.
Also, it depends on where they are applying. Now for the UCs I'd say its probably might not cut it because the UCs are some of the hardest schools to get into even if you live in the state.
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well ill tell you this, i got a 5 in verbal and i got into a U.S. med school.
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Thanks for the info. However, for the last part of your post, I would think that for students training to become physicians that type of "passage" would be much more entertaining then a mcat passage about the British Navy in the 1890's since it is Much more relevant (probably a huge understatement). But I guess different strokes for different folks.
Its not a matter of interest that makes the verbal difficult.
What makes the verbal difficult is that the passages are often ambiguous and the answer choices are even more confusing. You can always knock 2 of 4 out straight away but then picking the better of 2 remaining answers is often times difficult for many people. The Verbal is also a bit more subjective to a certain degree. If you really dissect the passage you could probably find a way to justify at least one other anwer choice besides the actual answer given in the solutions.
Furthermore, the verbal deals with a variety of abstract topics that don't require any outside knowledge. While I agree that the sciences have passages that are required to be interpreted it isn't the same as doing a verbal passage by any means because with a great amount of knowledge you can often skim a science passage and just look at the data charts and graphs and get the relevant info rather quickly. On the other hand, the Verbal section of the MCAT requires you to read the actual passage in full before answering the questions because you essentially have no knowledge besides that which is presented to you to work with.
What makes the verbal difficult is that the passages are often ambiguous and the answer choices are even more confusing. You can always knock 2 of 4 out straight away but then picking the better of 2 remaining answers is often times difficult for many people. The Verbal is also a bit more subjective to a certain degree. If you really dissect the passage you could probably find a way to justify at least one other anwer choice besides the actual answer given in the solutions.
Furthermore, the verbal deals with a variety of abstract topics that don't require any outside knowledge. While I agree that the sciences have passages that are required to be interpreted it isn't the same as doing a verbal passage by any means because with a great amount of knowledge you can often skim a science passage and just look at the data charts and graphs and get the relevant info rather quickly. On the other hand, the Verbal section of the MCAT requires you to read the actual passage in full before answering the questions because you essentially have no knowledge besides that which is presented to you to work with.
Amen! I know that one of the to cases I posted about down below had gotten in a school via EDP and the school was fine with his 7 because of the higher scores in other sections leading to a great overall score.
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7 is fine as long as you aren't only applying to the UCs or other top 30 schools. You can`get into schools like Temple and Drexel.
Also, you do have chance with some UCs if you have 3.85+ GPA and literally saved many african babies
It isn't the best but it doesn't completely throw them out of the running. I know some of your classmates and at least 2 of your classmates I know had a 6 in the VR and at least one I know had a 7. Additionally persons in the upcoming class had a 7 in Verbal. So don't assume it will completely throw them out of the running. Also, judging from the username, I'd venture to guess English isn't the first language here.
That said, I'd probably retake if you've only taken the test once or twice since you have up to 3 tries to get it right.
yeah that's what I was saying.
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28 with a 7 in verbal here...
White male
6 interviews (VCU, RFU, Penn State, OHSU, USUHS, and UVM)
3 Acceptances (VCU, Penn State, and UVM) Waiting on the others...
If you have a 7 in verbal, you need to be realistic about schools you apply to, and have something else in your application making the 7 look like an abnormality. I like to think that the 7 was a fluke and that I had some bubbling error, but maybe I am just ******ed. I guess we will never know. And to tell you the truth, now that I am accepted, it really doesn't matter.
A 7 will not kill you, but it will knock you out of the running at top schools (I am sure someone has an anecdote to refute this) and it will limit your chances of success. If you have a solid application otherwise you can get in somewhere though.
So bottom line is this: If you want to be sure of getting in somewhere, then retake and score better. If you want CA schools, then definitely retake.
My story is anecdotal as are other stories of 7's getting accepted. Take these all with a grain of salt. They are not the typical.
Good luck,
Nubs
White male
6 interviews (VCU, RFU, Penn State, OHSU, USUHS, and UVM)
3 Acceptances (VCU, Penn State, and UVM) Waiting on the others...
If you have a 7 in verbal, you need to be realistic about schools you apply to, and have something else in your application making the 7 look like an abnormality. I like to think that the 7 was a fluke and that I had some bubbling error, but maybe I am just ******ed. I guess we will never know. And to tell you the truth, now that I am accepted, it really doesn't matter.
A 7 will not kill you, but it will knock you out of the running at top schools (I am sure someone has an anecdote to refute this) and it will limit your chances of success. If you have a solid application otherwise you can get in somewhere though.
So bottom line is this: If you want to be sure of getting in somewhere, then retake and score better. If you want CA schools, then definitely retake.
My story is anecdotal as are other stories of 7's getting accepted. Take these all with a grain of salt. They are not the typical.
Good luck,
Nubs
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He asked how it looked, and he's being told. Chill out.
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duh it looks bad. even the OP knows it. But he/she was probably trying to look for support. I wonder how you even got into medschool without even being able to maturely giving advice.
what i really mean to say is that i hope you don't treat your patients this way.
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