***Official June 20th 2006 MCAT Score Release Thread***

[QofQuimica]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hi April 2006 MCATers,

Some posters have requested that we have one serious thread where only announcements and information about the April 2006 MCAT score release are posted. This thread is it. After the scores are released (on JUNE 20TH!!!), y'all can post your scores in here as well. But in the meantime, please while away the time in the Official April 2006 thread so that we can avoid cluttering this one up with unrelated posts. As always, please remember that false score release posts and threads are a no-no, and good luck to everyone waiting. 🙂

 

[Johnny_one_eye]

Ok so this is my first post. Last year my score was a 26P (8PS/10VR/8BS) with little studying. This year I got a 28M (9PS/9VR/10BS). I'm not as concerned with the 28 as I think there's more to my app than the MCAT, but the M is killing me. I don't know what the hell happened, so here's my question. When I left the exam, I felt like if there was 1 thing I might have improved, it was my writing section. I know there's a disclaimer on the test about not being able to read things and they won't grade it. I have kinda bad handwriting although I tried to do my best to make it neat when I wrote my essays. I had no problems last year and I felt like my essays this year were definitely superior to last year.

Does anyone know the writing re-grade proceure? For example I read on their site how it can take up to 4 months to regrade. After that they resubmit your score to AMCAS. Does this hold-up my application or pull it out of line when my scores are updated by AMCAS to the schools, meaning I will have my secondaries in already, but they'll get pulled out and moved to the end of the line when my updated scores come in?

Or do you even think the M matters enough to go through with it. I've seen a lot of people act like the writing doesn't matter, but an M sucks horribly for me. I've got 3.5 GPA as a recent biochem grad. Here's my mdapplicant profile. Let me know if you have feedback. I'd appreaciate it.

J

 

[gujuDoc]

This is my first post, but I've been reading SDN for quite awhile now (long enough to wait for MCAT scores on June 7, thanks to TPR). Anyhow, I'm also having mixed emotions about my score. I got a 33R, which I'm happy with, but the breakdown:

PS: 13
VR: 8
BS: 12

That's pretty much the worst I've ever done on verbal, but also the best I've done on PS and BS. I was making about 33 on my practices, but the breakdown is shocking. I'm a little worried about the verbal score, especially because I wanted to to get into a top 20 school. I'm a Master's student in Biomedical Engineering with a 3.9 gpa, but I had only a 3.2 undergrad (3.0 BCPM undergrad) as a Physics major at a top 10 university. Any thoughts?

Last april a lot of people with a 33 or 34 had an 8 in VR. There are a few who come to mind but I can't remember their exact usernnames, just the avatars they used in their profile.

All of them have been accepted somewhere or another who applied.

It won't hurt you unless its less then 8

 

[gujuDoc]

Always and forever, SDN buddies!! 😍 😍

Yes remember to keep everyone sane through the application process. You'll find that as you guys go over to preallo now, many of the people you are applying with on SDN may be present at your interviews and become real life friends too. Just ask Q and the others from the last cycle and they will tell you.

This is just the beginning. Next you wait for secondaries and then for interview invites and then for acceptance notifications and then for financial aid and scholarship offers.

 

[Scottish Chap]

Do not waste your time and money asking for a rescore. An N is not a problem. All this tells you is that whoever graded your essays didn't like them as much as your Kaplan grader did.

..........unless you are applying to medical school in Canada where many of the schools adopt a strict verbal score cutoffs. I was horrifed when I learned of someone retaking it because they had a 35L.

 

[Haemulon]

Last april a lot of people with a 33 or 34 had an 8 in VR. There are a few who come to mind but I can't remember their exact usernnames, just the avatars they used in their profile.

All of them have been accepted somewhere or another who applied.

It won't hurt you unless its less then 8

I just found out from one adcom that they (this particular school) uses VR of 8 as a minimum cut off. So 8 is ok. Did not mention minimums on other sections. Just one little piece of info for what it is worth.

 

[Haemulon]

Thanks, now I feel much better! 🙂
29 is great and I'm happy with it, but if I have one more shot to give it my all - I'll do it!

GO USA!!! And GO UKRAINE!!! (my country of birth, although I was 4 when I left and it was still called the USSR 😀 )

Hey, I want to be an SDN bud too!!!! I have been posting tons with you all during the wait 🙁

 

[gujuDoc]

I just found out from one adcom that they (this particular school) uses VR of 8 as a minimum cut off. So 8 is ok. Did not mention minimums on other sections. Just one little piece of info for what it is worth.

Yeah that's what I was trying to get at. It is when it is below 8 that it becomes confusing on whether you should retake or not.

 

[Haemulon]

Yeah that's what I was trying to get at. It is when it is below 8 that it becomes confusing on whether you should retake or not.

Now, I got a 13 on verbal, but a 7 on PS (bummer, i know). 10 on BS. I still don't know if that 7 will hurt too badly. The same adcom I talked to about the 8 cutoff for verbal also said that my scores were "OK". They suggested to proceed with my app.

 

[PBandJ]

Hey, I want to be an SDN bud too!!!! I have been posting tons with you all during the wait 🙁

Haemulon, you're also one of our countdown buds! 😍

I think you should go ahead with your app, even with that PS score. Definitely call and ask if a 7 PS is too low, even with your high overall score, but I think you will be ok. Good !

 

[zimmie256]

You are definitely a SDN bud! That goes without mentioning, you are my only World Cup fanatic! I read on another thread that you might retake? 29 is solid man.

Edit: With engineering and since you are still pretty young you are looking pretty good. Just a good story for you if you decide to retake, friend of mine in a similar situation a few years back scored a 28, but not matriculating for another two falls...so he retakes the test the next date by just practicing more---bam 35! You are solid man, good luck!

Hey, another World Cup fanatic here! And a Countdown thread compadre! The wait for scores is over guys, we did it... Cross that one off a long checklist. Every checkmark you put on the page still feels damn good, despite knowing how many more unchecked boxes we still have... Good luck applying!

 

[KeyLime]

Hey, I'm a buddy too, right? 🙁 I was there for the whole countdown!!!

I'll be your buddy, EddieIndy 😀

 

[DALAS4MD]

A lot of people are posting their MCAT scores on here and that's great. But it seems like noone got less than a 30, but don't like 80 percent of the people get less than 30? Is there something wrong here?

 

[Anastasis]

A lot of people are posting their MCAT scores on here and that's great. But it seems like noone got less than a 30, but don't like 80 percent of the people get less than 30? Is there something wrong here?

Yes, SDN is really not representative of the population of premeds as a whole. You got a ton of really motivated people here so you'll see a curve of scores that is much heavier in the upper 20s and 30s

 

[Anastasis]

A heads up for Pemberly: My dad just called Iowa (cause he's a freak) and no one got a 43. So you got the highest score for our administration. They wouldn't tell him how many people got a 42 but you can kinda do the math. (31000 took the exam according to Iowa)

 

[PBandJ]

A lot of people are posting their MCAT scores on here and that's great. But it seems like noone got less than a 30, but don't like 80 percent of the people get less than 30? Is there something wrong here?

um, go back and read my post back on page 4! 😀

 

[PBandJ]

Yes, SDN is really not representative of the population of premeds as a whole. You got a ton of really motivated people here so you'll see a curve of scores that is much heavier in the upper 20s and 30s

wow, go pemberley!! and ana!! you guys are insanely awesome 😛

PS: did you see that person who posted on the unbalanced scores thread who got a 15-9-15? I don't know anyone who has had a pair of 15s on one exam.

 

[Anastasis]

wow, go pemberley!! and ana!! you guys are insanely awesome 😛

PS: did you see that person who posted on the unbalanced scores thread who got a 15-9-15? I don't know anyone who has had a pair of 15s on one exam.

WHOA - please tell me they weren't retaking!

 

[Pemberley]

Yes remember to keep everyone sane through the application process. You'll find that as you guys go over to preallo now, many of the people you are applying with on SDN may be present at your interviews and become real life friends too. Just ask Q and the others from the last cycle and they will tell you.

This is just the beginning. Next you wait for secondaries and then for interview invites and then for acceptance notifications and then for financial aid and scholarship offers.

Wierd to think the confident-looking lady & gentleman sitting next to me at interviews in Dallas or San Antonio might be Anastasis & Jota... who else from our countdown thread is from TX? I've lost track.

Who is your avatar, Anastasis, I've been meaning to ask? Odd how it's possible to associate that image with somebody female.

 

[PBandJ]

WHOA - please tell me they weren't retaking!

i highly suggested for that person to NOT retake. i'd take a 39 even if it were as unbalanced as that!! jeebus!

 

[EddieIndy]

Wierd to think the confident-looking lady & gentleman sitting next to me at interviews in Dallas or San Antonio might be Anastasis & Jota... who else from our countdown thread is from TX? I've lost track.

Who is your avatar, Anastasis, I've been meaning to ask? Odd how it's possible to associate that image with somebody female.

It's Vin Diesel of course! 🙂

 

[PBandJ]

Wierd to think the confident-looking lady & gentleman sitting next to me at interviews in Dallas or San Antonio might be Anastasis & Jota... who else from our countdown thread is from TX? I've lost track.

Who is your avatar, Anastasis, I've been meaning to ask? Odd how it's possible to associate that image with somebody female.

lol, it's vin diesel! that's why we sometimes refer to her as VD (not b/c she's got any VDs!! 😀)

 

[Pemberley]

lol, it's vin diesel! that's why we sometimes refer to her as VD (not b/c she's got any VDs!! 😀)

See, now, I was wondering about that, but was REALLY NOT going to ask...

 

[EddieIndy]

See, now, I was wondering about that, but was REALLY NOT going to ask...

 

[EddieIndy]

Btw, scentimint, I just talked with one of my TPR teachers who is an Md/Phd at IU (Third Year). He said he knows people with 29 and 30 from his year who got into the program. So there is hope for us! He said that having extensive research is most important.

 

[So...Paradox]

Thanks to those of you who have responded about my relatively low verbal score.

GujuDoc, do you remember any of the schools these people got into? Seems like I should maybe target places who have set a precedent for accepting 8s.

Haemulon, which school did you ask about the verbal of 8?

 

[So...Paradox]

Btw, scentimint, I just talked with one of my TPR teachers who is an Md/Phd at IU (Third Year). He said he knows people with 29 and 30 from his year who got into the program. So there is hope for us! He said that having extensive research is the most important.

I've also considered the MD/PhD (I'm actually already in a PhD program in Biomedical Engineering). EddieIndy, I don't know what your breakdown was. I think I remember Scentimint having a lower verbal score. I was told by a family friend who used to be a med school administrator that MD/PhD programs often give much more weight to the science sections than the verbal. He actually said that is true for just the MD also (a recent shift from the trend to give all three sections similar importance). But, sounded like with the MD/PhD, it is an even greater disparity. Good luck, guys. Oh, and let me know if you have any general questions about PhD programs.

 

[PBandJ]

Btw, scentimint, I just talked with one of my TPR teachers who is an Md/Phd at IU (Third Year). He said he knows people with 29 and 30 from his year who got into the program. So there is hope for us! He said that having extensive research is the most important.

good good! That's what I thought...it's not going to be easy, but it certainly is possible. I'm going for it all the way!

And so....Paradox, my breakdown was 10 in both PS and BS and 8 in VR. so if you're right about that, then I might be ok. Sorry if you mentioned it already, but where are you doing BME for your PhD right now?

 

[PBandJ]

See, now, I was wondering about that, but was REALLY NOT going to ask...

we do it just to freak people out! 🙂

 

[So...Paradox]

good good! That's what I thought...it's not going to be easy, but it certainly is possible. I'm going for it all the way!

And so....Paradox, my breakdown was 10 in both PS and BS and 8 in VR. so if you're right about that, then I might be ok. Sorry if you mentioned it already, but where are you doing BME for your PhD right now?

U. of Florida, but I'm deciding between stopping at the Master's and doing Med school, or trying to do MD/PhD.

 

[EddieIndy]

U. of Florida, but I'm deciding between stopping at the Master's and doing Med school, or trying to do MD/PhD.

I would try the Md/Phd. Worst case you can go MD and then complete your PhD and still be an Md/Phd, right? 🙂

The only thing that scares me is that if I get rejected from the Md/Phd program, my Md application will be pushed to the end of the queue and endanger my acceptance...

 

[PacoFan]

Hey SDN,

I am in one of those premed programs where I have a guarnteed spot into medical school already. I ended up scoring a 38Q on the MCATs, and I was wondering if I should apply to cheaper, better medical schools and forgo my guaranteed admission. Any thoughts?

 

[DrVanNostran]

Hey, I want to be an SDN bud too!!!! I have been posting tons with you all during the wait 🙁

You are definitely an SDB bud 😀 You kept the countdown livin in its final stages hehe 😉

I am glad that 8 will be ok in verbal, I have been stressing it a little bit.

 

[DrVanNostran]

Hey, another World Cup fanatic here! And a Countdown thread compadre! The wait for scores is over guys, we did it... Cross that one off a long checklist. Every checkmark you put on the page still feels damn good, despite knowing how many more unchecked boxes we still have... Good luck applying!

I just hope that we don't become one of the people with 5 waitlist letters and 0 acceptances

Anyways, who is you pick? I think Brazil might be a little overrated this cup, I think we will have a surprise winner 👍

 

[Anastasis]

See, now, I was wondering about that, but was REALLY NOT going to ask...

You, Jota and I will have to share interview dates so we could possibly meet in real life. How cool would it be to end up at the same school?

 

[R.P. McMurphy]

Hey SDN,

I am in one of those premed programs where I have a guarnteed spot into medical school already. I ended up scoring a 38Q on the MCATs, and I was wondering if I should apply to cheaper, better medical schools and forgo my guaranteed admission. Any thoughts?

Heck yea, I don't get those early BS/MD programs......why would you want to give up 1 or 2 of the best years of your life (college) so you can start studying medicine early......you have your whole life! People get into med school in their 30's and 40's......and with that MCAT, i'm sure you will have no problem getting into another school.....live it up a little!

with that said, when adcoms ask you why you opted out of your program, I would tell them that you either wanted to experience all of college (something like that) or that you felt you would be better prepared by waiting a little longer (something like that) .....I don't know if I would mention things like prices or "better" schools as they won't like that excuse...

 

[makingmd]

Congrats to all of those that met and surpassed their goal. I wish you all the best.

Since SDN is supposed to be a supportive network I was wondering if there was anyone out there that did poorly? I have been sitting silent allowing those to claim their glory, but now it is starting to set in and I am wondering what to do. Anyone not get anywhere close to goal and what next? I already took this beast twice. Went up 1 point from an already shabby score. I would like to think I can do better, but studied my butt off. 10 years out of bio, recently took chem, ochem and physics (over the past 4 years). Just need some encouragement. Sequential R's on writing...I would give up multiple letters for some numbers....anyone want to trade?? 😕

 

[FullTiltMD]

i posted this yesterday on one of the threads but didnt really get a definitive response....
in the august 2005 mcat i got a 29P: PS-10 V-9 BS-10

in the april 2006 mcat i got a 31N: PS-12 V-7 BS-12

people have been saying that 8 is the cutoff in verbal for many schools. do you think the 9 that i got in verbal the first time will offset the 7 from this april??? also, with a 3.7 gpa and 3.75 bcpm, research, volunteering, etc. will my file be competitive in top 25 schools? im an economics major out of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
thanks for any help i can get.

 

[PBandJ]

i posted this yesterday on one of the threads but didnt really get a definitive response....
in the august 2005 mcat i got a 29P: PS-10 V-9 BS-10

in the april 2006 mcat i got a 31N: PS-12 V-7 BS-12

people have been saying that 8 is the cutoff in verbal for many schools. do you think the 9 that i got in verbal the first time will offset the 7 from this april??? also, with a 3.7 gpa and 3.75 bcpm, research, volunteering, etc. will my file be competitive in top 25 schools? im an economics major out of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
thanks for any help i can get.

I think you'll have to contact individual schools that you're interested in to figure out which score they will take. From what I've read, I think many schools pay attention to all scores but to pay the most attention to the most recent score, others take the highest score in each section, and still others average all your scores. If they decide to assume the 9 is more indicative of your ability, you might have to explain the 7 in an interview.

It sounds like with your GPA and ECs that you will be set in other areas. So I would definitely call/email/etc. to find out what those schools' policies are. Good

 

[Sol Rosenberg]

You, Jota and I will have to share interview dates so we could possibly meet in real life. How cool would it be to end up at the same school?

Very cool and very possible! I have no problem sharing my interview dates, so LMK.

Because the three of us applied early I'm sure that we will have some of the same interview dates (Although others give a choice, I think some of the schools just say, "This is your interview date, take it or leave it.")

 

[Caristra]

Hey SDN,

I am in one of those premed programs where I have a guarnteed spot into medical school already. I ended up scoring a 38Q on the MCATs, and I was wondering if I should apply to cheaper, better medical schools and forgo my guaranteed admission. Any thoughts?

it's never easy to give up a sure thing. I would first find out exactly what the policy is at your school for withdrawing from the program. Some will not let you apply to that med school as a regular applicant. It might also be a good idea to seak out others who have withdrawn in the passt, that way you can assess whether or not your school blacklists people who withdraw from the program. When all that is done I think you need to ask yourself the two questions: Will I always wonder if I could have done better? Will I regret it if I don't get in anywhere this cycle (because no matter how fabulous your stats it's always a possibility, although it seems very very unlikely in your case.) It's the answer to those two questions that will tell you what you need to do.

best of luck, and keep us posted on how you do

 

[shantster]

A little late in my post here...

12VR 13PS 13BS = 38Q

Sooooooo happy with this. My practice scores for the most part had been stable at 34 with 9s (and the occasional 7 or 8) on the VR.

 

[DwyaneWade]

A little late in my post here...

12VR 13PS 13BS = 38Q

Sooooooo happy with this. My practice scores for the most part had been stable at 34 with 9s (and the occasional 7 or 8) on the VR.

nice pic of me shantster

 

[Haemulon]

👍 Just got back from a meeting with a pre-med committee. I asked about my low score in PS (7) and the response was pretty much this: "Sure, it stands out as being low, but you did really well in other sections, so it will probably not be a problem." They emphasized that my background and experiences (graduate work, employment, ...) would really stand out and not to worry. Also that many schools just like to see a competitive composite number (as long as a low score in a particular section isn't really extreme). Anyway, thats my update. 🙂

 

[Bubblehead-to-MD]

lol, it's vin diesel! that's why we sometimes refer to her as VD (not b/c she's got any VDs!! 😀)

My wife is obsessed with VD! I mean Vin Diesel! Wait...as an OB/GYN, she's probably obsessed with VDs too! OMG!

Anyways, she is always excited to see an Ana post!

BTW...I know I'm a late bloomer here...but do I get to join the club? 👍 or 👎

 

[Bubblehead-to-MD]

👍 Just got back from a meeting with a pre-med committee. I asked about my low score in PS (7) and the response was pretty much this: "Sure, it stands out as being low, but you did really well in other sections, so it will probably not be a problem." They emphasized that my background and experiences (graduate work, employment, ...) would really stand out and not to worry. Also that many schools just like to see a competitive composite number (as long as a low score in a particular section isn't really extreme). Anyway, thats my update. 🙂

Thanks for the update! It's great to hear that they recommend proceeding...that should boost your confidence level going into the app season!

 

[Pemberley]

Very cool and very possible! I have no problem sharing my interview dates, so LMK.

Because the three of us applied early I'm sure that we will have some of the same interview dates (Although others give a choice, I think some of the schools just say, "This is your interview date, take it or leave it.")

That would be great! A little moral support before we go in separately and get grilled. I've got a good friend at UTHSCSA, which she describes as much more student-friendly and nontrad-friendly than most, especially UTSW, about which she has nothing good to say at all... we'll find out, I guess.

 

[Sol Rosenberg]

That would be great! A little moral support before we go in separately and get grilled. I've got a good friend at UTHSCSA, which she describes as much more student-friendly and nontrad-friendly than most, especially UTSW, about which she has nothing good to say at all... we'll find out, I guess.

I, too, have heard that UTHSCSA is non-trad friendly and laid back. What everyone tells me about UTSW is that it is VERY research oriented. "Dedicated to turning out Nobel Laureates," is how one of my Professors described it. <shrug> I'm taking a "we'll see" attitude right now, as well.

 

[Anastasis]

I, too, have heard that UTHSCSA is non-trad friendly and laid back. What everyone tells me about UTSW is that it is VERY research oriented. "Dedicated to turning out Nobel Laureates," is how one of my Professors described it. <shrug> I'm taking a "we'll see" attitude right now, as well.

Yuck - I have no desire to go to SW. I would love for them to offer me an acceptance just so I can turn their asses down (assuming I get another acceptance too). I have two friends at Baylor who love it and friends at TAMU whose only complaint is that Temple doesn't get a ton of Zebras.

 

[Dr Durden]

Wow, people say SDN stats are above average, but amongst you regulars, there's an unusually high interest in being a Dr. Dr. You MD/PhDs have way more stamina than I do. Still looking forward to meeting some of you on tours though. I for one will be passing on the extra AMCAS essays and reasearch grilling interviews. 🙂

 

[Anastasis]

Wow, people say SDN stats are above average, but amongst you regulars, there's an unusually high interest in being a Dr. Dr. You MD/PhDs have way more stamina than I do. Still looking forward to meeting some of you on tours though. I for one will be passing on the extra AMCAS essays and reasearch grilling interviews. 🙂

No kidding!! I admit you guys and your work ethic! 😀