low verbal score. need advise on applying.

[Premed103]

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Hi everyone,

I am concerned that my low verbal score will keep me from an acceptance this year.

3.63 overall GPA, 3.53 science GPA, strong upward trend
second MCAT attempt: 12PS, 7V, 11BS (30Q)
Attended a top UC
CA resident

ECs:
3 years as a volunteer in the ED of a Hospital (300 hours)
1 year surgery program; observed over 20 surgeries (75 hours)
2 years at a Free Clinic; significant clinical and patient exposure (150 hours)
1 semester as a TA for an upper division bio class
1 year of research (600 hours), no publications
4 years as an officer in a premed club

I also have 5 strong LORs

I am planning to submit my AMCAS and AACOMAS applications in about a week. I plan to apply to about 30 MD schools, targeting schools that won't screen me out due to a low verbal score and ones with lower GPA and MCAT averages. I will also apply to about 5 DO schools.

I would appreciate any advise on my chances of getting accepted into a med school this year. My largest concern is my low verbal score (7). I was averaging about a 9 on the verbal section during my practice tests. I however am not sure I'll be able to get much better than a 7 on the verbal section if I retake the exam because my verbal scores were not always consistent. The verbal section was definitely my weakest section during practice exams and I spent a good amount of time preparing for this section. I currently think it would be best to apply early and broadly with my low verbal score.

If anyone has a opinion on my chances of getting into med school, I'd greatly appreciate it. I also would like your opinion on whether or not I should retake the MCAT and apply later in the cycle (likely around August/September).

 

[yunakim]

I would suggest retake. You will be automatically screened out at some schools because of 7 verbal. It will hurt a lot especially if you are not URM.

If possible get 9 or above or at least 8.

 

[specialK32]

The dreaded verbal section...

I was in the same boat last year. My background:

*MCAT - 29Q (V7, B10, P12)
*Graduated in chemical engineering with a 3.87, worked 3 years as a process/project engineer for BP
*Left this job to prepare for applying for med school
*4.00 in post-bacc studies while working as a caregiver/med tech/supervisor at an assisted living home
*Applied to 18 schools since I was unsure of my V7
*Invited to 8 interviews, interviewed at 6 and accepted to all 6 (University of Washington, U of North Dakota, U of Arizona, OHSU, Penn State, U of Colorado). Keep in mind I am a Montana resident.

The best thing I did when I saw my verbal score was talk with my advisor -- have you done this? He/she should have a good feeling about where you stand in your application. My advisor gave me great advice and said I should be able to get in somewhere, so I went ahead and applied and got in. It is possible to get in with a V7 but this is dependent on your total application e.g LORs, GPA, etc.

Good luck!

 

[DoctorOfFortune]

most MD schools have 6-8 MCAT cuttoffs for verbal.


How do I know? I spoke to like 20 MD school reps.


Good luck! Do NOT spend money on applying though, try to use the fee waiver.

 

[Premed103]

SpecialK32: I unfortunately don't have the opportunity to talk to my college adviser anymore, but do feel I have strong ECs and LORs.

Thank you for the input everyone!

Anyone know of specific schools that have a verbal cutoff of 7 or less? Or know a school that accepted a person with a 7 or less in verbal?

Also, do you think it would be wise to retake the MCAT at the end of July, meaning by application wouldn't be complete until the end of August if I raised my verbal score to a 9 (around a 32 overall score) or if it would be just as wise to apply within the next week with my low score, taking advantage of applying early? As I mentioned earlier, though I was averaging a 9 on the verbal during my practice tests, I'm not sure I'll be able to score a 9 on the test since my verbal scores weren't always consistent.

 

[irrandom]

hi premed 103,

i actually was in the same boat as you. i took MCAT twice, the first time i got 10 PS, 8 VR, and 12 BS. a year later i took it again and got 14 PS, 7 VR, and 14 PS. i do believe getting a verbal of 7 prevents anyone from being considered at a lot of schools. so if you think you will improve by taking the test again, then i would almost strongly recommend you do it, given that you have time and etc.

this year i was invited to 5 places - UIC, buffalo, USC, mayo and stanford. many admissions people/interviewer asked me about the 7, but they mostly said they would overlook it because of my science scores. but in order for that to happen, you do need to have a pretty stellar science score to balance it out.

you can PM if you'd like more info.