Low MCAT scores

[Podizre]

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I'm called for interviews at multiple schools, but I'm not sure how to account/answer my low MCAT scores. I took it twice. First time around in 2011. Score was 18N (6/4/8) and in 2012 with a score of 17M (7/2/8). I have a fairly good GPA (3.7), but I'm concerned about the MCAT scores.. Any feedback/suggestions are welcomed. Thank you.

 

[Shelby81]

I'm called for interviews at multiple schools, but I'm not sure how to account/answer my low MCAT scores. I took it twice. First time around in 2011. Score was 18N (6/4/8) and in 2012 with a score of 17M (7/2/8). I have a fairly good GPA (3.7), but I'm concerned about the MCAT scores.. Any feedback/suggestions are welcomed. Thank you.

What section did you receive a 4 and 2 on?

 

[Podizre]

Unfortunately on verbal.

 

[rushrhees]

What were your practice scores? I have to ask and mean no offense I have seen people tripped up because of these reasons.
1. Is english your primary language, if not how is your mastery of it
2. Test anxiety. I would think this if you practice scores are good.
In all honesty with your GPA you will probably be fine somewhere, but truly look at what you are getting right and wrong on your practice tests so you know which areas to focus on more. Also check out the MCAT forum on this site. Best of luck, PM me for any other ideas. I got a 23 on first practice being out of school for 6 years and through practice and studying got a 31 on the real thing, so if I can do it I think anyone can.

 

[heybrother]

I'm called for interviews at multiple schools, but I'm not sure how to account/answer my low MCAT scores. I took it twice. First time around in 2011. Score was 18N (6/4/8) and in 2012 with a score of 17M (7/2/8). I have a fairly good GPA (3.7), but I'm concerned about the MCAT scores.. Any feedback/suggestions are welcomed. Thank you.

Could you please describe the method of studying you used and the amount of time you devoted to preparing?

 

[bubblegum123]

I was scoring pretty much the same. English is not my primary language, but it is the only language I could read or write..I feel I have a had a lot a educational gaps while I was growing up and maybe I was not well taught critical thinking or standardized testing plus I recieved my secondary education in another country. Idk.. I'm hoping for a third try but not too optimistic about it given the fact I have taken it two times. I'm just afraid of the interviewers bringing this up and am seeking advice on how I can account for a high GPA with a low MCAT. Thank you.

 

[Shelby81]

If English is not your primary language, then I could see how the Verbal section of the test is tripping you up. What schools do you have interviews at?

 

[SRM36963]

Does the verbal section carry more weight than the other two? I am just wondering because he said that it was unfortunately the verbal section that he scored low in. Of course it is important to do well in all the sections but do they look at the verbal with more consideration?

 

[Shelby81]

I believe that the Physical Sciences and Biological Sciences carry much more weight than the Verbal Section.

 

[pacpod]

If you are getting into the nitty gritty of which section a school may weigh more on the MCAT, you will need to contact the actual admissions office at the school to find that out. No one on here actually knows what the adcom thinks when they look at scores.

 

[Podizre]

I am invited for interviews at Scholls, Kent State and NYCPM.. Temple unfortunately wants all applicants scoring above a 5 on the verbal and I am denied from there as a result. I am however, seeking advise on how I can address this to the adcoms on my interviews. Any suggestions please..

 

[Shelby81]

Congrats on receiving interviews! As far as explaining your low Verbal scores, you need to determine what you think went wrong.

 

[XCdpm02259]

I am invited for interviews at Scholls, Kent State and NYCPM.. Temple unfortunately wants all applicants scoring above a 5 on the verbal and I am denied from there as a result. I am however, seeking advise on how I can address this to the adcoms on my interviews. Any suggestions please..

When you get to your interview and they ask you about it, just be honest. You already got the interview, so they see your potential, they only ask about the low MCAT score because they are concerned how you might preform on the boards. They don't want you to waste thousands of dollars on Pod school and never pass your boards. If you did worst because English is not your first language, tell them that. If it is something else just explain it as truthfully as you can. But do not try to make it sound like it was not your fault, because it was in one way or another. My score was only slightly higher than yours and I explained to them that I had an extremely high credit load on top of working three jobs for the three preceding semesters and did not leave enough time to study for the MCAT (I started studying 5 days before I took it). They understood and I got in to all the schools I applied to with scholarships. So it is possible, just be honest and have a good reason for the discrepancy.

 

[Podizre]

When you get to your interview and they ask you about it, just be honest. You already got the interview, so they see your potential, they only ask about the low MCAT score because they are concerned how you might preform on the boards. They don't want you to waste thousands of dollars on Pod school and never pass your boards. If you did worst because English is not your first language, tell them that. If it is something else just explain it as truthfully as you can. But do not try to make it sound like it was not your fault, because it was in one way or another. My score was only slightly higher than yours and I explained to them that I had an extremely high credit load on top of working three jobs for the three preceding semesters and did not leave enough time to study for the MCAT (I started studying 5 days before I took it). They understood and I got in to all the schools I applied to with scholarships. So it is possible, just be honest and have a good reason for the discrepancy.

Thank you so much for the advice!!! I'm just nervous, and I will own upto my scores.

 

[Podizre]

I have done everything like you suggested but i turn out with the same score range. I'm going for a third try in March but ill see what I have to do.

 

[XCdpm02259]

I have done everything like you suggested but i turn out with the same score range. I'm going for a third try in March but ill see what I have to do.

Have you gone to any interviews yet? Good luck! I'm sure you will do fine, like I said just be honest and I am sure they will see through the low score.

 

[calibaby1212]

Has anyone this year gotten into any schools with an 18 mcat score??

 

[nikkisorous]

Has anyone this year gotten into any schools with an 18 mcat score??

Yup.

 

[calibaby1212]

Do uk what their gpa was? And have a lot of people gotten in with an 18 mcat?

 

[nikkisorous]

I know of 4, they had GPA's ranging from 3.4-3.8

 

[calibaby1212]

Ok thats good to hear because my gpa is around a 3.3. Thanks.