MCAT score letdown

[dslewis83]

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I need some advice from some fellow pre-MD/PhDers.
I just got my scores back from the May 31st exam - 34Q with a PS11/VR9/BS14. While a 34 is a decent score, I have to admit that I was a little bit dissappointed, especially with my PS score. My practice tests were consistently in the range of 36-39 and PS was always my best score (consistently 13-15). I am confident that I could get in somewhere with a 34, but I had my hopes set on a top notch school (i.e, UCSF, Baylor, WashU, Duke, Harvard, etc.) and I am afraid that a 34 will not be competitive enough at the top schools. So here is my question. Should I even reconsider taking it? Half of me says to screw that idea whild the other half says that I should give it a shot. I would really love to get a spot at a top 20 research school, but I just don't know if a 34 would cut it. Any advice???

Other stats:
B.S Chemical Engineering
SGPA: 4.00 Other GPA: 3.99
2 years of solid research, ultrasonic drug delivery, 1 poster, no publications
a lot of good ECs and strong LORs

P.S. I might just be feeling bad because I have two friends that got great scores - 41 and 42.

 

[Mountain Cow]

Same thing happened to me. PS was my lowest section although I was scoring higher on practice exams. I got a 34 and decided to stick with it, but if you don't have a lot going on this summer I guess you could retake, but I think you could still get into great/top schools with a 34. If I remember right its at the 92-94th percentile which is not bad.

I need some advice from some fellow pre-MD/PhDers.
I just got my scores back from the May 31st exam - 34Q with a PS11/VR9/BS14. While a 34 is a decent score, I have to admit that I was a little bit dissappointed, especially with my PS score. My practice tests were consistently in the range of 36-39 and PS was always my best score (consistently 13-15). I am confident that I could get in somewhere with a 34, but I had my hopes set on a top notch school (i.e, UCSF, Baylor, WashU, Duke, Harvard, etc.) and I am afraid that a 34 will not be competitive enough at the top schools. So here is my question. Should I even reconsider taking it? Half of me says to screw that idea whild the other half says that I should give it a shot. I would really love to get a spot at a top 20 research school, but I just don't know if a 34 would cut it. Any advice???

Other stats:
B.S Chemical Engineering
SGPA: 4.00 Other GPA: 3.99
2 years of solid research, ultrasonic drug delivery, 1 poster, no publications
a lot of good ECs and strong LORs

P.S. I might just be feeling bad because I have two friends that got great scores - 41 and 42.

 

[OncDoc19]

I need some advice from some fellow pre-MD/PhDers.
I just got my scores back from the May 31st exam - 34Q with a PS11/VR9/BS14. While a 34 is a decent score, I have to admit that I was a little bit dissappointed, especially with my PS score. My practice tests were consistently in the range of 36-39 and PS was always my best score (consistently 13-15). I am confident that I could get in somewhere with a 34, but I had my hopes set on a top notch school (i.e, UCSF, Baylor, WashU, Duke, Harvard, etc.) and I am afraid that a 34 will not be competitive enough at the top schools. So here is my question. Should I even reconsider taking it? Half of me says to screw that idea whild the other half says that I should give it a shot. I would really love to get a spot at a top 20 research school, but I just don't know if a 34 would cut it. Any advice???

Other stats:
B.S Chemical Engineering
SGPA: 4.00 Other GPA: 3.99
2 years of solid research, ultrasonic drug delivery, 1 poster, no publications
a lot of good ECs and strong LORs

P.S. I might just be feeling bad because I have two friends that got great scores - 41 and 42.

I don't think a 34 is something to worry about especially with your GPA. Although, I would be much more worried about your VR score than the PS score. I don't think the 9 is worth a retake though. The top schools average MCAT is a 36, so you are close. You need to submit your app ASAP though!

 

[marctam86]

hey, op, im in sort of the same boat (maybe even a worse boat, since i dont have as high a gpa!), but Id say apply to schools youd be happy at attending, and one of them is bound to come through with your scores. its what i plan on doing. best of luck!

 

[StereoSanctity]

Hi - I just wanted to through in my 2 cents, and maybe it'll make you feel better (though please keep in mind I'm applying myself, and am only relating what someone else told me).

I took the mcat last august, got a 34Q, and was a little dissappointed. Later that semester, my premed advisor set me up with an appointment to talk to one of the administrators of my school's MSTP program. Anyways, I was told that for MD/PhD programs, anything above a 34 showed the same thing - that you could handle medical school, and that's all they really care to use the mcat for. I was advised not to retake it, and told that they really care more about research than about numbers. So... take that as you will. I decided not to retake, but if you're really up for it, and have the time, I guess you could..

 

[QofQuimica]

OP, you have a perfect GPA, a top 10% MCAT, and a strong research background. I don't know what the MD/PhD program vets will say, but I can't imagine that much of anything will be gained by you retaking the test. I don't think you should do it, but maybe Neuro, Hard24Get, and some of the others could comment.

 

[mudphud2b]

My real concern would be the VR score, but I still wouldn't worry. I had a 33 and in a few short weeks, I will be starting the MSTP at one of the schools you listed as "top notch." Don't put your life on hold unless you scored below 30 or know there is something worthwhile you want to do before med school. Go for it!

 

[vector07]

If you are dead set on going to Harvard or Hopkins, then I would consider retaking. However, for just about any other school I wouldn't sweat it. If you get into any top 10-20 MSTP, you're set imo. If it were me I wouldn't retake. Also, I had a lower MCAT than most, almost identical to yours though my scores were tighter together. I also had a solid gpa in a non-trad major. You can see how I did on my mdapps profile, here: MD Applicants.

I would say that MST programs are seeking a good researcher, and any evidence that demonstrates your potential to be a critical thinker outweighs most other factors on your application.

 

[mdphd2b]

OP, you have a perfect GPA, a top 10% MCAT, and a strong research background. I don't know what the MD/PhD program vets will say, but I can't imagine that much of anything will be gained by you retaking the test. I don't think you should do it, but maybe Neuro, Hard24Get, and some of the others could comment.

Just wanted to chime in here and agree with y'all. Dslewis83, please do NOT retake the MCAT. I know my experience was from way back in '99, but I had very similar scores (9V, 11P, 13B, Q) and believe me with your stats, you'll do great! I served on our MSTP AdComm at Pitt for 2yrs, and I doubt anyone will fault your verbal MCAT score, when your other credentials are so stellar 👍

Retaking would jeapardize your excellent science scores, so please don't stress.

Good luck and focus on the plus side! Now get those app's complete ASAP

 

[dslewis83]

Hey everyone,
I appreciate all of the advice. Look forward to seeing some of you at some interviews.

 

[mdinatx]

VR - 6
PS - 12
BS - 13
Overall : 31T
GPA - 3.87 Physics
3 years research (+ Research fellowship award)
almost a publication
Science writer for school paper

What do you guys think? Is verbal that important for md/phd? This verbal score was 4 points lower than my average practices, so I'm definitely retaking it in 4 weeks or so.

I'm planning on applying to this MD/PhD stint;
what do you think my chances are / where should I go?

I was thinking Michigan/Dartmouth/UCLA/Keck/Pittsburgh.

Thanks

 

[marctam86]

since youve been scoring higher on practices, id say retaking is a good idea.

 

[jjmack]

VR - 6
PS - 12
BS - 13
Overall : 31T
GPA - 3.87 Physics
3 years research (+ Research fellowship award)
almost a publication
Science writer for school paper

What do you guys think? Is verbal that important for md/phd? This verbal score was 4 points lower than my average practices, so I'm definitely retaking it in 4 weeks or so.

I'm planning on applying to this MD/PhD stint;
what do you think my chances are / where should I go?

I was thinking Michigan/Dartmouth/UCLA/Keck/Pittsburgh.

Thanks

I think you have a strong app overall, but that verbal I think will really hurt because there are other applicants with similar apps yet better verbal scores. I would retake.

 

[mdinatx]

any other opinions? (esp. on where to apply..)

I think you have a strong app overall, but that verbal I think will really hurt because there are other applicants with similar apps yet better verbal scores. I would retake.

 

[QofQuimica]

any other opinions? (esp. on where to apply..)

Definitely retake. A six in VR is going to hurt even if you're applying MD-only. Apply wherever you think you'd be willing to go if you got accepted. Y'all are lucky not to have residency restrictions for MD/PhD, so look through all the schools that offer MD/PhD programs and pick out a good selection of them. What are your research interests? You might use that info to help you narrow down your list of schools if geography doesn't matter much to you.

 

[mdinatx]

Thanks for the advice. I'm planning on retaking it soon, but even as my practices are 10-11, just like last time, anything can happen, no?

I guess my question is, would a 7 decrease my chances of getting an interview? (even as everything else in my application seems pretty good... I did get T on the writing section....)

I'm a sucker for big city environments so here's the list I've come up with:

* Albert Einstein College of Medicine
* Boston University School of Medicine
* Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine
* Dartmouth Medical School
* David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA
* Georgetown University School of Medicine
* Keck Sch. of Med.University of Southern California
* Stanford University School of Medicine
* University of Alabama School of Medicine
* University of California, Irvine- College/Medicine
* University of Colorado School of Medicine
* University of Florida
* University of Maryland School of Medicine
* University of Michigan Medical School
* University of North Carolina School of Medicine
* University of Virginia School of Medicine
* University of Washington School of Medicine
* UT Southwestern (AMCAS)

Remove some? Add some? (I like biophysics..)

 

[QofQuimica]

Thanks for the advice. I'm planning on retaking it soon, but even as my practices are 10-11, just like last time, anything can happen, no?

I guess my question is, would a 7 decrease my chances of getting an interview? (even as everything else in my application seems pretty good... I did get T on the writing section....)

I'm a sucker for big city environments so here's the list I've come up with:

* Albert Einstein College of Medicine
* Boston University School of Medicine
* Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine
* Dartmouth Medical School
* David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA
* Georgetown University School of Medicine
* Keck Sch. of Med.University of Southern California
* Stanford University School of Medicine
* University of Alabama School of Medicine
* University of California, Irvine- College/Medicine
* University of Colorado School of Medicine
* University of Florida
* University of Maryland School of Medicine
* University of Michigan Medical School
* University of North Carolina School of Medicine
* University of Virginia School of Medicine
* University of Washington School of Medicine
* UT Southwestern (AMCAS)

Remove some? Add some? (I like biophysics..)

The two I've bolded aren't in big cities. Ann Arbor and Gainesville are small college towns. Granted, they're both fairly close to large cities (Detroit and Jacksonville, respectively), but the college towns themselves are far from being urban. Birmingham is a small city, but UAB is an urban campus, so that's a good choice for you as far as environment goes. AECOM is obviously in a very large city.

How about Baylor, Pritzker (U Chicago), or if you want to be down south in a big city, U Miami, Tulane, or Emory?

 

[Neuronix]

Remove some? Add some? (I like biophysics..)

I hate plugging my own school, but what about U of Pennsylvania? It's in the fifth biggest city in the country and is strong in biophysics.

Also your list is somewhat strange to me if you want big cities. CWRU is in Cleveland, but it's hardly what I would call a big city environment. The school is more or less in the burbs and Cleveland is pretty dead as a city. I also don't understand Dartmouth. But you're missing some of the great urban schools. I would consider:

NYC: Cornell, Columbia, NYU, Mt. Sinai are all in better locations than Einstein (tho Columbia is debatable).

Chicago: Northwestern has a fantastic location--far better than UChicago's.

Baylor was already mentioned. I guess you're ignoring UCSF/UCSD cause of the competitiveness.

 

[mdinatx]

Thanks for the suggestions.

What about the competitiveness of UPenn/Baylor/Columbia/Cornell/Northwestern? Are they not as competitive as the UC schools? (see stats above...)

University of Washington and Stanford are (probably) definite reaches for me.

 

[CCLCMer]

Also your list is somewhat strange to me if you want big cities. CWRU is in Cleveland, but it's hardly what I would call a big city environment. The school is more or less in the burbs and Cleveland is pretty dead as a city.

Just wanted to say that Case is not really in the suburbs. It's more like a midtown area I guess, right at the border between Cleveland and Cleveland Heights. And Cleveland gets a lot worse of a rap than it deserves. FWIW, I wound up liking it here a lot more than I expected to. Case is a great school, mdinatx, so I think you should still come check it out if you are interested in the MSTP here.