I have US citizenship but..

[brood910]

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Hello everyone.
I have a very complicated/special life compared to most people here.
I was born in the US but I moved to Korea when I was 5. Then, I came back here when I was 15.

Should I mention about this fact to explain about my MCAT verbal score?
I havent taken MCAT yet, but I know that I wont score higher than 8 on it..
My PS and BS scores are fine.. It's just THE VERBAL............gawd..

 

[frosted_flake]

Don't give up before you take it!
There are some excellent books for verbal... Like EK 101 and TPRH verbal.
They help me a ton.

 

[SunsFun]

They might cut you some slack but I wouldn't expect much. There are plenty of applicants who moved to America older than you not speaking a word of English and did fine on verbal.

 

[brood910]

They might cut you some slack but I wouldn't expect much. There are plenty of applicants who moved to America older than you not speaking a word of English and did fine on verbal.

Sigh..
Only if I was raised here, dude.. Everything would have been so much easier.

 

[kyamh]

Sigh..
Only if I was raised here, dude.. Everything would have been so much easier.

Lol, buck up. You have early English exposure and have been in the country for at least the last five years. Honestly, your English will be just fine for understanding the passages. The critical thinking skills that the section tests are pretty universal. I learned English when I was a teen, it was fine. In all honesty, I don't think that the verbal section would have been easier had I been born here. If you find the passages difficult, it is likely because you have not exposed yourself to a variety of English prose that challenges you. I would say that the average high school class tackles literature that is much denser than the verbal passages on the MCAT and you went to high school in America.

 

[brood910]

Lol, buck up. You have early English exposure and have been in the country for at least the last five years. Honestly, your English will be just fine for understanding the passages. The critical thinking skills that the section tests are pretty universal. I learned English when I was a teen, it was fine. In all honesty, I don't think that the verbal section would have been easier had I been born here. If you find the passages difficult, it is likely because you have not exposed yourself to a variety of English prose that challenges you. I would say that the average high school class tackles literature that is much denser than the verbal passages on the MCAT and you went to high school in America.

You do not understand what I am talking about as you do not know what it is like.
There are some words that I've never been exposed to. And they are the big reason why I am struggling with verbal.

Besides, I read Korean way way faster than English. This makes another big difference as well.

About English classes, I never got a grade below an A for them.. even at college. Ironic.
Also, if my critical thinking is the problem, then I shouldnt have been scoring 13+ on PS and BS.

 

[LabratABQ]

You do not understand what I am talking about as you do not know what it is like.
There are some words that I've never been exposed to. And they are the big reason why I am struggling with verbal.

Besides, I read Korean way way faster than English. This makes another big difference as well.

About English classes, I never got a grade below an A for them.. even at college. Ironic.

I dont think it is just an ASL thing, my friends who are native English speakers and still struggle with this portion of the test. We aren't used to this or perhaps havent figured out a way to master the skills and increase the score. I myself do 3 languages, fluently. Sadly I dont have a first language. I do struggle a great deal with this as well. But I have been practicing and I do notice an increase in score.

But I do share the frustration with you. The other two languages that I know aren't the same as English. The structure of the sentence, grammar...

One down side about being able to speak more than one language is that your vocabulary banks aren't that desirable.

 

[SunsFun]

I understand where you're coming from regarding reading speed. I would get at least 2 points higher on my verbal practice test that wasn't timed. Regardless, they will not care for the most part.

 

[kyamh]

You do not understand what I am talking about as you do not know what it is like.
There are some words that I've never been exposed to.

Well, I think I do know what it is like since I came from a foreign country and learned English as a teenager, like you said you had to.

Your argument about not being a exposed to a wide vocabulary is totally on your shoulders. What words you you really think 5-15 year olds get exposed to that you have not had a chance to get exposure to during three years of high school and at least two years of undergrad? If your vocabulary is poor, you should read difficult literature - tackle the classics, read philosophy, read primary literature like the federalist papers...they are dense but I had to read them in high school so you should be able to tackle those. Expose is your responsibility. I read faster in my native language too, but that doesn't mean I cannot read fast enough in English.

Edit:I get that adult language learning is really hard. Since you were exposed to English up until you were five, however, and you have been here since sophomore year of high school, you should be equally well prepared as an English speaking student.

 

[brood910]

Well, I think I do know what it is like since I came from a foreign country and learned English as a teenager, like you said you had to.

Your argument about not being a exposed to a wide vocabulary is totally on your shoulders. What words you you really think 5-15 year olds get exposed to that you have not had a chance to get exposure to during three years of high school and at least two years of undergrad? If your vocabulary is poor, you should read difficult literature - tackle the classics, read philosophy, read primary literature like the federalist papers...they are dense but I had to read them in high school so you should be able to tackle those. Expose is your responsibility. I read faster in my native language too, but that doesn't mean I cannot read fast enough in English.

Edit:I get that adult language learning is really hard. Since you were exposed to English up until you were five, however, and you have been here since sophomore year of high school, you should be equally well prepared as an English speaking student.

Apparently you do not know how our brains develop for languages.

You are saying if something works for you, then it should work for others as well when everyone has different abilities/experiences.

you should be equally well prepared as an English speaking student.

Funniest comment I've ever read for the past years on SDN.

 

[LabratABQ]

Well, I think I do know what it is like since I came from a foreign country and learned English as a teenager, like you said you had to.

Your argument about not being a exposed to a wide vocabulary is totally on your shoulders. What words you you really think 5-15 year olds get exposed to that you have not had a chance to get exposure to during three years of high school and at least two years of undergrad? If your vocabulary is poor, you should read difficult literature - tackle the classics, read philosophy, read primary literature like the federalist papers...they are dense but I had to read them in high school so you should be able to tackle those. Expose is your responsibility. I read faster in my native language too, but that doesn't mean I cannot read fast enough in English.

Edit:I get that adult language learning is really hard. Since you were exposed to English up until you were five, however, and you have been here since sophomore year of high school, you should be equally well prepared as an English speaking student.

I agree. It is about you and how badly you want to learn English. I remember when I first came to this country, my teacher asked me "How are you doing?", now keep in mind i was never exposed to such question prior to that, I learned English from a British system so we dont say "how are you doing" we say it the original way " how are you today?", I thought she was asking me "what i was doing" i answered "i am reading". The confused look on her face was precious.

But the MCAT passages are condensed with bunch of garbages and distractors, they arent easy. You cant change the past, however you do have control over your future, by practicing more and hope for the best.

 

[kyamh]

Apparently you do not know how our brains develop for languages.

You are saying if something works for you, then it should work for others as well when everyone has different abilities/experiences.

I do, in fact understand how the brain develops language and processes it.

No, you said I don't understand you situation and I told you that I 100% do. My entire family had to learn English, at a much later age than you.

Please do not blame your lack of exposure to high caliber vocabulary on your upbringing, you just sound lazy. I think your excuses will also sound hollow to adcoms as soon as they realize that you have been in the country for the last 7 years and went through the high school and college education system with success in English and literature. That said, you are welcome to write about your disadvantages in your essays.

 

[GIRLmeetsMED]

but I know that I wont score higher than 8 on it..

And this negative mentality won't help a bit! The power of positive thinking can go a long way. Keep practicing and you shall see results!

 

[Cmdr_Shepard]

I was born in the US but I moved to Korea when I was 5. Then, I came back here when I was 15.

Ah! Now your avatar makes sense.

 

[brood910]

I do, in fact understand how the brain develops language and processes it.

No, you said I don't understand you situation and I told you that I 100% do. My entire family had to learn English, at a much later age than you.

Please do not blame your lack of exposure to high caliber vocabulary on your upbringing, you just sound lazy. I think your excuses will also sound hollow to adcoms as soon as they realize that you have been in the country for the last 7 years and went through the high school and college education system with success in English and literature. That said, you are welcome to write about your disadvantages in your essays.

I sound lazy when I have worked for 100+ hours per week since I was in middle school to support my family while keeping my GPA 4.0?

You will be a great doctor who can understand things from other people's perspectives.

 

[kyamh]

I have a very complicated/special life compared to most people here.

I don't know, OP...

 

[LabratABQ]

Op, what is it that you are trying to accomplish? What is your goal? If your goal is to gain empathies and sympathies, sure no problem at all. If your goal is to do better on the MCAT, specifically the VR part, I say stop wasting time and listen to the ones who have been or are still in your shoes and find what works best for you. Now I cannot tell you what to do, I can only suggest, and that is my suggestion.

 

[jeghaber]

Like @kyamh has said, reading more and consistently is the only thing that can really help with Verbal -- for foreign and native speakers alike. It's not only second language learners who struggle with the verbal section. I don't think you need to be as instigative as you're being towards her -- the brain is, generally, able to fluently learn languages into early childhood (your case, I assume) and many who learn it in their early teens can also gain outward fluency (their brains may functionally process their second language differently, but no one would be able to tell).

I was born in the States, moved back to Korea when I was 6 and returned when I was 13. I was "fluent" (as fluent as you are as a six year old) in English by the time I left despite growing up in a completely Korean-speaking family, and, as I've mentioned above, I assume you were also more or less fluent when you left as well. I did however, continue reading English books and watched all my American movies/TV shows in English, so that might have helped. I still had some gaps when I came back (for example, having never actually heard the word "pronunciation" pronounced, I always assumed it was pronounced as "pronounciation"), but quickly caught up. Obviously, you're not to blame for how much English exposure you were able to maintain in Korea, but there's no use crying over spilt milk. You clearly have good critical thinking skills if you're able to get 13+s on the other section, so just try to read as much and as widely as you can before you tackle the test. Best of luck.

 

[DirtyJustice]

Apparently you do not know how our brains develop for languages.

You are saying if something works for you, then it should work for others as well when everyone has different abilities/experiences.



Funniest comment I've ever read for the past years on SDN.

What do you want people to say? We feel bad for you? You have it worse off than everyone else? You should be a doctor because of pitty?

People here are in similar situations as you being ASL and you are shrugging off a lot of their advice because they are not YOU! Honestly, the world doesn't revolve around you, you are probably not the special snowflake that deserves extra consideration because YOUR situation is very different than everyone elses. In the long run, you are like a lot of other people here (and even with people I go to school with). Take a step back and realize that you're no different than a lot of other people who have faced similar stories as yours - and have done so quite successfully.

Want to make yourself feel better? Well, I am a native English speaker and scored a 9 on the verbal. Guess what...I'm still going to be a doctor in 100 days. Its possible.

 

[brood910]

What do you want people to say? We feel bad for you? You have it worse off than everyone else? You should be a doctor because of pitty?

People here are in similar situations as you being ASL and you are shrugging off a lot of their advice because they are not YOU! Honestly, the world doesn't revolve around you, you are probably not the special snowflake that deserves extra consideration because YOUR situation is very different than everyone elses. In the long run, you are like a lot of other people here (and even with people I go to school with). Take a step back and realize that you're no different than a lot of other people who have faced similar stories as yours - and have done so quite successfully.

Want to make yourself feel better? Well, I am a native English speaker and scored a 9 on the verbal. Guess what...I'm still going to be a doctor in 100 days. Its possible.

No, I just did not like the fact that she thinks I am "lazy" just because I cant do what she can do.

Thanks for the kind words.

 

[LabratABQ]

What do you want people to say? We feel bad for you? You have it worse off than everyone else? You should be a doctor because of pitty?

People here are in similar situations as you being ASL and you are shrugging off a lot of their advice because they are not YOU! Honestly, the world doesn't revolve around you, you are probably not the special snowflake that deserves extra consideration because YOUR situation is very different than everyone elses. In the long run, you are like a lot of other people here (and even with people I go to school with). Take a step back and realize that you're no different than a lot of other people who have faced similar stories as yours - and have done so quite successfully.

Want to make yourself feel better? Well, I am a native English speaker and scored a 9 on the verbal. Guess what...I'm still going to be a doctor in 100 days. Its possible.

congrats! i like what you said here. My preceptor speaks 5 languages fluently and guess what English was her 4th language. She is the head of a relatively huge cancer center...she has done quite well for herself.

 

[kyamh]

No, I just did not like the fact that she thinks I am "lazy" just because I cant do what she can do.

Thanks for the kind words.

I said that blaming your lack of vocabulary on immigrating seven years ago comes off lazy, since you are not taking ownership of your MCAT score. I stand by my comment, but notice how I never said you personally were lazy in general. You asked how your situation would come across in essays, I told you my opinion.

 

[buttercup12]

No, I just did not like the fact that she thinks I am "lazy" just because I cant do what she can do.

Thanks for the kind words.

I don't think she's saying you're lazy because of the reason you're saying, I think she's saying that you just sound like you're making excuses. My dad came to this country back in the 70s and he still has a heavy African accent that will never go away but he just owns it which you should do to. Growing up to help with my pronunciation of words I checked out big books from the library and practiced saying them out loud to myself. If this is something important to you and you think it'll be an issue, I'm sure you'll find a way to fix it to be the best applicant possible.

 

[rainbow girl]

Hello everyone.
I have a very complicated/special life compared to most people here.
I was born in the US but I moved to Korea when I was 5. Then, I came back here when I was 15.

Should I mention about this fact to explain about my MCAT verbal score?
I havent taken MCAT yet, but I know that I wont score higher than 8 on it..
My PS and BS scores are fine.. It's just THE VERBAL............gawd..

I came to the US when I was 17 (wasn't born here to expose to English during my early childhood). I understand that it is much harder to tackle the verbal as a foreign speaker, but like everyone here says, practice is important. Seem to me that you're stressed out too much. Just focus on working those passages.
If this makes you feel any better, in your application there is a section where you can pick the primary language spoken at home during your childhood. In your personal statement, You can talk about your experience growing up in 2 different countries and what obstacles you overcome to achieve academic excellence.

 

[rainbow girl]

I agree. It is about you and how badly you want to learn English. I remember when I first came to this country, my teacher asked me "How are you doing?", now keep in mind i was never exposed to such question prior to that, I learned English from a British system so we dont say "how are you doing" we say it the original way " how are you today?", I thought she was asking me "what i was doing" i answered "i am reading". The confused look on her face was precious.

But the MCAT passages are condensed with bunch of garbages and distractors, they arent easy. You cant change the past, however you do have control over your future, by practicing more and hope for the best.

Lol. I remember when people asked me "sup?" and I was like what. After their explanation, I asked 'so how should I answer?'

 

[brood910]

Lol. I remember when people asked me "sup?" and I was like what. After their explanation, I asked 'so how should I answer?'

ROFL me too!!

 

[LabratABQ]

Lol. I remember when people asked me "sup?" and I was like what. After their explanation, I asked 'so how should I answer?'

i thought they said "soup" for the longest time and I asked my cousins, why does everyone here say "Soup" they busted out laughing...I tell you the spoken English of Britain and this country aint the same.

 

[brood910]

Also, in Korea (probably all Asian countries), students are supposed to bow to teachers, so I did that when I came here, and everyone was like "wtf are you doing?" Teachers liked me though as they felt "respected".

 

[rainbow girl]

i thought they said "soup" for the longest time and I asked my cousins, why does everyone here say "Soup" they busted out laughing...I tell you the spoken English of Britain and this country aint the same.

Because they all like soup j/k

 

[LabratABQ]

Because they all like soup j/k

hahahaha, I called them mates and loves, they were so surprised...

 

[LuciusVorenus]

On your primary application you're asked to list out where you've lived for most of your childhood (which in your case would be Korea). This is in addition to the questions that ask where you were born + where you currently reside. It'll be easy for them to realize you were born here (and are a citizen) but grew up in Korea.

You can mention immigrating in your personal statement if you want to draw even more attention to it, but I would NOT use it to explain your MCAT VR score. It'll sound like you're just making excuses (there are plenty of people who immigrate here in their teens and get 10+ on VR). Just mention that you're an immigrant - if you were going to get any empathy/sympathy from an adcom you'll get it that way anyways, so there's no need to explicitly mention the MCAT in your personal statement.

If you have the time though, I really suggest reading some philosophy or art history papers. It'll be quicker than reading novels and those papers are DENSE. You'll be surprised how much you'll learn in a short amount of time. One of the passages may even end up on your test 😉

 

[Goro]

This is OK to talk about. It's part of the raod you've travelled.

I have a very complicated/special life compared to most people here.
I was born in the US but I moved to Korea when I was 5. Then, I came back here when I was 15.


No, because that's just making excuses.


Should I mention about this fact to explain about my MCAT verbal score?
I havent taken MCAT yet, but I know that I wont score higher than 8 on it..
My PS and BS scores are fine.. It's just THE VERBAL............gawd..[/quote]