Personal Statement: Discuss my Weakness?

[rejectedhardcor]

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[Cambino]

I have a fairly strong application outside of my MCAT score, which is a low
25Q (7PS, 9VR, 9BS). Surprisingly, I did quite well in undergraduate statistics (up to 400 level), algebra, trigonometry, physics, and even a graduate level math course in complexity. I did not feel my physical science grade reflected my mathematical ability at all, should I address my MCAT score in my personal statement?

I do not intend to make it a theme, but a sentence or two maybe discussing that I did not feel it was representative given my success in my coursework; however, owning up to the mistake that I did not study effectively or long enough for the MCAT (did formulas not passage based practice).

Should I explain what happened and point out my coursework as evidence that I am capable in physics and chemistry since I received A's in all those courses and their labs?




Sidenote:
I am applying MD, while continuing to improve my application for next cycle. I understand my MCAT score lowers my chances of acceptance and I am not looking for advice to sway me from my decision as I have discussed my situation with ALL the admission offices of the schools to which I am applying and was told my GPA and experiences make me competitive for their program. Furthermore, the offices also told me that none of their programs view reapplicants any different than first time applicants.

Despite your persistence, I'm confident that your MCAT score will actually make it impossible to be accepted into a MD program.
If you feel like you should apply regardless, which you seemingly will, I wouldn't bring up your MCAT, unless VERY briefly, in your PS unless you have perhaps a learning disability, e.g., ADD. Focusing on a weakness in your PS is viable if only it's imbues some positivity within your application.
For example, delineating how your weakness was over-came, or perhaps how it positively affected other facets in your application.

Best of luck.

 

[KLycos]

It is critical that you retake the MCAT. You will not make it into any MD programs with a 25.

 

[dippindots]

It is critical that you retake the MCAT. You will not make it into any MD programs with a 25.

+1. It sounds like you are capable of a much higher score. On another note, many schools give you the opportunity to explain weaknesses in your application on their secondary. I think you should use the PS only to explain "why medicine" and your path towards choosing it as a career.

 

[FattySlug]

I have a fairly strong application outside of my MCAT score, which is a low
25Q (7PS, 9VR, 9BS). Surprisingly, I did quite well in undergraduate statistics (up to 400 level), algebra, trigonometry, physics, and even a graduate level math course in complexity. I did not feel my physical science grade reflected my mathematical ability at all, should I address my MCAT score in my personal statement?

I do not intend to make it a theme, but a sentence or two maybe discussing that I did not feel it was representative given my success in my coursework; however, owning up to the mistake that I did not study effectively or long enough for the MCAT (did formulas not passage based practice).

Should I explain what happened and point out my coursework as evidence that I am capable in physics and chemistry since I received A's in all those courses and their labs?

Whether to talk about it in PS I don't know but take the MCAT again and apply next year if you want any shot at MD at all. They do view reapplicants differently in the sense that they expect you to make solid improvements on your app, so unless you already have a very good plan of doing that during the application year please don't be a reapplicant. Your first shot is your best shot.

What are your practice scores? If they are well above 25 then definitely take it again. All the math courses you said you did well in don't really help you in the MCAT so maybe the 7 really reflects your ability in that section. The physical science section does not test your mathematical ability so you have to look at your approach to the test and improve your study plan.

 

[Scherbatsky]

I have a fairly strong application outside of my MCAT score, which is a low
25Q (7PS, 9VR, 9BS). Surprisingly, I did quite well in undergraduate statistics (up to 400 level), algebra, trigonometry, physics, and even a graduate level math course in complexity. I did not feel my physical science grade reflected my mathematical ability at all, should I address my MCAT score in my personal statement?

I do not intend to make it a theme, but a sentence or two maybe discussing that I did not feel it was representative given my success in my coursework; however, owning up to the mistake that I did not study effectively or long enough for the MCAT (did formulas not passage based practice).

Should I explain what happened and point out my coursework as evidence that I am capable in physics and chemistry since I received A's in all those courses and their labs?

I think your best bet at showing the adcoms you can do better is to actually do better. Let the MCAT scores speak for themselves if you are able to improve them.

Explaining your low score could come off as poor excuses and just show that you did not adequately prepare for the MCAT (which is not a valid excuse, as many people do adequately prepare for the exam).

I hope this doesn't come off as harsh, but the MCAT is a standardized test that is valued by adcoms. You could try DO this cycle, retake the MCAT and apply MD next if it doesnt work out. Good luck!

 

[RookTookIt]

It is critical that you retake the MCAT. You will not make it into any MD programs with a 25.

You can make it into MD programs with a 25, but I wouldn't talk about it in the personal statement. And you need to apply like right now. You're applying too late for somebody with low scores.

 

[werd]

i agree with the above advice - don't explain your poor MCAT score in your PS, stay with positives.

while 25 doesn't guarantee that you won't get in, it will make things pretty difficult. i'd strongly consider retaking your MCAT.

 

[rockafella12]

YOU CAN GET IN WITH A 25. It wont be easy, but it can be done, and I know several medical students that have matriculated with lower scores than that.

You will just have to be very careful about what schools you apply to, and try to exemplify the other facets of your application.

Good luck, I wish you the best!!

 

[Propylene]

YOU CAN GET IN WITH A 25. It wont be easy, but it can be done, and I know several medical students that have matriculated with lower scores than that.

You will just have to be very careful about what schools you apply to, and try to exemplify the other facets of your application.

Good luck, I wish you the best!!

Possible, but much harder! You can make your life a lot easier by boosting the score.

 

[rockafella12]

YOU CAN GET IN WITH A 25. It wont be easy, but it can be done, and I know several medical students that have matriculated with lower scores than that.

You will just have to be very careful about what schools you apply to, and try to exemplify the other facets of your application.

Good luck, I wish you the best!!

Sorry, should've emphasized it more...