please help!

[starryeyed36]

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I took the mcat this past september for the first time and was a little diasappointed with the results...

physics-11
bio-10
verbal- 7
writing- S
total- 28S

gpa is 3.8 overal, 3.7 in sciences
molecular biology major

two years research experience working in two different labs, clinical volunteer experience shadowing doctors, also volunteering in a clinic for the homeless, plus some other stuff i just like to do for fun.

the 7 in verbal is whats really diasapointing, ive never gotten anything lower than a 9 on my aamc practices. i studied for the mcat the whole summer for 2.5 months straight.

any suggestions? is this one a retake? suggestions for second time around (esp. in verbal)? i'm hoping to get into a uc applying next cycle. ucla is my top choice.

 

[MilkmanAl]

That 7 hurts. It'll keep you out of a lot of places. It's hard to wholeheartedly suggest a retake without knowing your practice section averages. Your science scores are good, and if they're right on your average, you run a decent risk of them decreasing. Since it sounds like the rest of your application is solid, I'd lean towards a retake.

I hear reading a lot helps for verbal and that the Examkrackers verbal book is excellent. The folks over in the MCAT forum would know more about that.

 

[starryeyed36]

That 7 hurts. It'll keep you out of a lot of places. It's hard to wholeheartedly suggest a retake without knowing your practice section averages. Your science scores are good, and if they're right on your average, you run a decent risk of them decreasing. Since it sounds like the rest of your application is solid, I'd lean towards a retake.

I hear reading a lot helps for verbal and that the Examkrackers verbal book is excellent. The folks over in the MCAT forum would know more about that.

Thanks for the advice MilkmanAl.
My practice section averages were around what I got.
Physics was around 11-12, Bio also around there (usually 11), verbal was always a solid 9.
I guess I'll start on some hardcore verbal studying soon and see where that takes me...

 

[Mobius1985]

If your goal is a UC, you have no choice but to retake. There are midwest schools that will consider you, but even there you'd have a better shot with a slightly higher MCAT, considering all the California students applying due to high expectations by their state schools. Your S writing score is great and will help allay schools fears about your English skills, as would high grades on the AMCAS transcript for any English/writing classes you've taken.