How would you answer this?

[Dreamin]

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I'm going to a very important interview next week at a school that I thought would reject me. I have had very good stats as far as gpa and mcat for all the schools that I've interviewed at so far.

My question is if an interviewer asked "So why was your mcat so low?" (Because this school has ridiculously high mcat averages)...what do you think they want to hear? I would want to say that I tried my hardest...but I don't know if that's a good answer.

Has anyone had to answer this question? How would you answer it?

 

[isidella]

I had to answer a similar question, "why were your first set of scores so poor?"

"Well, I just had a bad day. I underestimated the test. . . I learned from that mistake."

If they invited you for an interview, your score is probably not too terrible. Just be honest and don't get physically jarred if the question comes your way.


If they don't like the honest answer, tell them that you forgot to take your crack that morning, but you learned your lesson, you'll never forget again! 😀

 

[tBw]

I don't think that will come up, or at least not in that form, but it's always easier to talk about your strengths than your weaknesses so I would say that "I did my best but at the end of the day it was just a reflection of my best and my luck on that one day - a better measure of me as a candidate I feel would be my consistent GPA, my blah blah blah".

ie I wouldn't attempt to make up excuses, just redirect. If they pushed me back to the same subject (which again I soubt) I would say I was disappointed that it didn't more accurately reflect my abilities but that was my MCAT score at the end of the day.

 

[lola]

i had a 9,9,9 M and have not been asked that question at any of my 5 interviews (2 of which have mcat averages well into the 30's). at one of my interviews they asked about a red flag on my app, so i said my mcat. he then said something like "what, did you just not study?". 🙄 🙄 🙄

anyway, you will most likely not be asked the question. if you are, i would suggest being honest and saying something like you studied hard but had a bad day (or whatever is the real reason you did poorly).

 

[PMED99]

Let me say my MCAT is nothing great either, and in my three interviews it has never come up. But, I will say this, schools love to see someone who is willing to improve upon themselves. A good answer would be "I did ok, but if I have the opportunity I believe I will retake the MCAT and hopefully improve upon it". But, I would not just say this, but actually plan on doing so.
If I dont get accepted this year, I plan on retaking it for the third time in August.

 

[heelshmeel]

I agree with the other posters... there is a very good chance that they wont bring it up.

also another thing... if this mystery school has high mcats and you arent near their averages, then they are showing interest in you! so... run with it and show them that you are worth it.

PS - if you ask about your MCAT, do what isidella has said... with the "Well, I just had a bad day. I underestimated the test. . . I learned from that mistake." that'll pull you through!

 

[Albah]

Ooooh, my favorite question!! lol In my interviews I was asked that, but unlike you guys, my MCAT was much lower.
They asked me "why was your MCAT low?" or "Why did you score low in the Bio section being a bio major?" or "why didn't you retake it?" and "Did you take a prep course?". I was basically drilled!! But you just have to remain calm and answer their questions as best you can. All they want is to see how you react...because once at the interview the MCAT is not going to be the biggest factor anyway. If they would not consider accepting you with a lower MCAT, they wouldn't have invited you to interview to begin with. lol

If anyone wants to know more, PM me. 😉

Good luck!

 

[Desdemona]

I agree with what everyone else says--I doubt that they will ask that. My experience has been that they are generally very courteous and not trying to grill you. That being said, I would be prepared to discuss what you think your greatest strength in your application is. I was asked that at one of my interviews, and it caught me off guard, because I had never thought about what I would say to that.

 

[Dreamin]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I think my score is good...but compared to all those other smarties...I'm just an average girl.

Concentrating on my strengths if they ask that question is a good idea I never thought about. So thanks for all your replies and I'll let you know how the interview goes (hopefully that never comes up)!😉