MCAT Blues

[Austen]

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I think I did something really dumb. I took the April '00 MCAT, and was really shook up by the verbal section. So, on the 10 minute break, I seriously considered voiding the test. Well, I didn't, but my one concession was that I witheld my scores. Now I'm doubting this decision - and wonder if I should just go ahead and have them released (i.e. contact the MCAT office about it now rather than waiting until June).I honestly don't know what to do. I'm also really tired about hearing how "med schools don't like it" if you don't release your scores right away. I don't have much to hide - I just think that if I did as horribly as I believe I did, then I don't want that to be on my record. Has anyone else been in this type of situation? Its actually ironic that I was so shaken by the verbal section - because I was scoring 12's and 13-15 on the practice tests. I really don't believe I will get anything higher than a 6 this time around. Any help/feedback/suggestions/support would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

[nicolette]

Hi Austen,
If your primary concern about witholding scores is how it will affect your application, I would advise you not to waste too much of your energy on this. IMHO, I think the score release policy is way overblown. I know of two applicants who both decided to withold their scores and they were not even asked about it during interviews. I think books promising the "inside track" on each schools' policy perpetuates the idea that the score release is such a crucial part of your application.

However, if you're planning on applying this summer, I would seriously consider the impact that the delay in releasing your score at a later time would have.

Best of luck!

 

[Austen]

Thanks for the feedback. I am considering just going ahead with releasing them, no matter how horrible they might be. Maybe I got lucky...I don't know. I'll have to contact the MCAT office about my options. I think they may make me wait until the scores actually come out before I can release them. If they are decent, this will seriously delay my app's - and this is what I am most worried about. Again, thanks for your reply.