Lopsided 35 on my MCAT; need some advice

[MDPhDGuy]

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Today I received a 35 on my MCAT (9-VR 12-BS 14-PS). My averages for the AAMC practice tests were ~37.5, with me normally getting 2 or 3 pts higher on VR.

I have a 3.9+ GPA, 2+ years of research, and strong research recommendations. I am planning to apply this cycle.

I was hoping for some realistic advice: To be competitive for MSTP programs at UCSF, Stanford, Penn, and other top 10s, would it be better for me to spend my time restudying and retaking (given that my previous average was 37.5), or would it be better for me to focus that time on research/essays/grades?

How effective would a new score of 37+ would be, given that it would be a retake score?

I've done some research, and I think MCAT averages for these schools are generally around ~37, but I'm not sure how large of a barrier a low score like mine will be. Would it be better for me to apply to some top schools MD-only to be more competitive? I have very limited clinical experience and much more research experience, so I'm not sure if I would be competitive in MD-only.

Thanks!

 

[byaaaaaaah23]

I would say don't bother retaking, since a 35 is still a fine score-- I don't think you would get weeded out anywhere based on that and I don't think it's worth the risk of scoring lower (even though your average was a bit higher). You probably already know that a significant portion of retakers end up scoring worse the second time.

However, I only applied this year, so I can't claim any kind of authority!

 

[Fencer]

I agree with the previous poster. You will be looked upon even by high MSTPs based upon your high GPA. However, you might get questioned as to whether you have difficulty writing, which is what we do for living. Killer essays should pre-empt this concern. Continue your research and publish if you can. You might have to broaden your scope of MSTPs.

 

[StIGMA]

You have a chance at interviewing at those programs, but your score is not ideal for the two reasons that you articulated- it is slightly below average, and the verbal is well below those entire schools' averages (around 11). Your score is not lopsided, but the verbal will in combination with a total score of 35 screen you out of some programs. With a higher score, you still might not get an interview, though.

If you are dead-set on getting into a top program, you have the other standards met (research, GPA, heart), have the time and energy, and you definitely can score higher, then retake it. If not, don't do it- you will get in somewhere if you apply broadly enough.

Continue to do research part-time if you can manage it, and hopefully it won't take you more than 4-6 weeks to prepare to take the test again.

Also, if you have a competitive MD/PhD application for a top program, then you also have a competitive MD application. The top programs are research institutes, and they want some of their MD class to have a research bent. Don't do MD/PhD just because you think you have a better shot at getting into a top program. The MD/PhD application cycle is actually more competitive (not to mention that it takes 3-5 years longer to pursue).

 

[debateg]

I too had a lopsided MCAT with the verbal score being significantly lower than the others. I was asked once about that score during all my interviews by an interviewer who seemed to just be teasing me about it. That program ended up making me an offer.

Almost everyone has deficiencies in their application. It's not worth your time and money to retake it. If you're concerned that people will worry about your writing skills, get a letter of recommendation from a professor who can vouch that you are an excellent writer.

Do not count on getting into a top program. You must apply broadly to top, middle, and low tier schools. The offers of acceptance are seemingly random. I knew people who got offers from Harvard but were rejected from Penn. How does that make any sense? FYI, when I applied (albeit 8 years ago), rumors were that UCSF was rejecting anyone who applied to the MSTP who was not a California resident without looking at the rest of their application. Stanford also was rumored to have a bias but not an outright policy.

 

[TheDarkKnight]

I'd concur with others in this thread. 35 is a solid score, but even if you were to have a 37, it's still smart to apply broadly. There is an element of randomness to the procedure like others have noted above. I don't really think it's safe for anyone to assume they'll be admitted to a top 10 program.

 

[uniqenam]

I'd concur with others in this thread. 35 is a solid score, but even if you were to have a 37, it's still smart to apply broadly. There is an element of randomness to the procedure like others have noted above. I don't really think it's safe for anyone to assume they'll be admitted to a top 10 program.

+1. If you want, check out the "What are my chances" threads that some of the current applicants have previously made, where they state their stats/ECs, and then compare that to their interviews/offers from those respective threads. It's hard to overstate, from the applicant's perspective, how random the process is.