Postbac Application & GRE Scores

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[eurozo]

Hello,

I just took the GRE test today and my unofficial scores were less than I hoped they would be (V=620, Q=590). Can anyone suggest if it would be better to not include these scores with my postbac premed apps? I've already sent in my Bryn Mawr app without the GRE scores but still have to send JHU and UPenn and Goucher. I don't want to be doing myself a disservice either way. My SAT scores were not amazing either (1220), but have a 3.7 gpa (art & design undergrad) and am going on 2 years of volunteer experience at a psych ward in NYC.

Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.


Thank you,
Bradley

Hmm. That is an ethical question, so in the end it is your call. Personally, I'm not a big fan of hiding those kinds of things: not only is it slightly sketchy, but it makes me feel as if I am holding back during interviews, and that is a big no no. Interviews, in my mind, are about expressing your passion and addressing their concerns, in a professional manner. I think the mentality that goes with avoiding sending in scores might leak over into your interviews. Just my take though. I will say that these schools look at standardized tests as good predictors for the MCAT, so I would address this issue during interviews. Something along the lines of "I know my scores are slightly low, but I am willing to work as hard as it takes to succeed on the MCAT and in the more math-based sciences..." Schools use the quantitative scores in particular, along with any college or high school courses, to try and predict whether you will struggle in physics, which is often the toughest adjustment for postbacs.

So anyway, my advice is full disclosure, but address the issue in your interviews, and in doing so demonstrate that you understand the process from their perspective and that you are driven. More than anything, these schools are looking for drive, motivation for medicine, and the ability to communicate well (key for med interviews). Scores are predictors but if you are strong in other areas, you will be fine.

Just my two cents. Best of luck with the app process.

 

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[eurozo]

Thanks for the advice.

The ethical side of it did not occur to me since submission of the scores is optional for all the programs I am applying. But good idea to prepare for addressing it if it does come up.

If these numbers will significantly handicap me, I might just retake it. I didn't have a PC to practice with the Powerprep software, so I was totally in Pencil and Paper test mode when taking the real thing. Now I know what to expect, I'm almost positive I could raise my score.

Has anyone out there been accepted to BM, JHU, Goucher, or Penn with these numbers?

Thanks again!
Bradley

Ah, ok. I wasn't aware that those scores were optional. I thought you were talking about sliding by on a technicality, but that isn't the case. My mistake. I went to Goucher, but I only did the SATs, so it never came up in my case. I will ask around to get a sense for what they are looking for score-wise. As I mentioned they tend to look at the math portion of the score a bit more closely as generally postbacs don't have much evidence of how they will respond to math-based classes. I do know that they take people with relatively low scores each year, but these people need to be stronger in other areas to compensate.

Anyway, I'll get back to you about the typical range for scores. Feel free to PM me with Goucher questions or questions about decisions between schools (I chose Goucher over Bryn Mawr, never really considered Penn, and didn't think Hopkins was a good fit for me).