Is the MCAT writing sample really worthless?

[FizbanZymogen]

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Hello all,

I've read numerous times that most schools don't really even look at the letter score assigned on the MCAT. Is there any truth to this? The reason I ask is becuase I scored a 29S and wanted to know if that "S" will really mean anything (since it falls in the 94-99%)? Could it potentially boost my overall MCAT score? Thanks everyone

 

[HunterGatherer]

You can put that in your in Awards/achievements if you did not finish your primary application or include it in secondaries if applicable.

I had an "M" which is 30th percentile or something. Only time my MCAT was brought up was to discuss my scores and there was no mention of the writing sample. With a 29 the focus will be on your very nice composite score.

I don't think it helps much since most of the folks in admissions have an easy to understand verbal score. There are some cutoffs for the writing sample at some schools.

 

[NewNick]

I think writing score is for tie breaker. You have a good score. Don't worry about writing.

 

[MossPoh]

I've heard people mentioning that it is something that more tips the scales in one direction or the other. If you have an absolutley miserable score then perhaps they will lean away a little bit more and if you absolutley blasted it then perhaps they'll lean a little more in your favor versus an otherwise similiar candidate..

 

[FizbanZymogen]

Thanks for the replys everyone. It has proved usefull.

 

[KeyLime]

My Princeton Review verbal/writting instructor said that a poor verbal score can hurt you but a great verbal score won't do a whole lot to make up for other iffy scores. You should be proud of your 29. It is above average for DO schools.
Congrats on your S though, I only got an O....

 

[Vox Animo]

The whole MCAT is worthless

 

[Kuba]

You can put that in your in Awards/achievements if you did not finish your primary application or include it in secondaries if applicable.

I had an "M" which is 30th percentile or something. Only time my MCAT was brought up was to discuss my scores and there was no mention of the writing sample. With a 29 the focus will be on your very nice composite score.

I don't think it helps much since most of the folks in admissions have an easy to understand verbal score. There are some cutoffs for the writing sample at some schools.

Good to know, hunter. I also got an M on the writing sample. I got a 11 11 10M overall.

 

[scpod]

I've read numerous times that most schools don't really even look at the letter score assigned on the MCAT... Could it potentially boost my overall MCAT score? Thanks everyone

As someone who spent the last two years reading hundreds of college papers, let me tell you that your "S" is something to be proud of. However, it probably won't give you too many advantages in your pursuit of med school. Physical sciences and Math majors tend to score really high on the MCAT-- except for the writing sample. I've had some of the most brilliant young minds sitting in front of me (Physics majors) who couldn't write in complete sentences. I once asked the director of recruiting for one of our in-state MD schools if they even looked at the MCAT writing sample. He told me, "No. They don't write any papers while they're here, so we don't really even look at it." It might be different in some places...but think about it-- when people give you their MCAT score, most of them leave that little letter off at the end. Why? Because it really doesn't make that much of a difference.