Questions about my writing score

[Ts1991]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Ok, so I just got my score and got a 27L. My average was up around a 29 on the practice tests, but I never got a score on my practice writing of course. I bombed it, I paniced during the test and had put no emphasis on it when studying since I heard it will be done away with soon anyways. I really just want to get into an MD school anywhere, how badly do you think that L will hurt me? Also, my score was rather unbalanced, 9/7/11 (7 in verbal), but I have plenty of great extracorriculars to hopefully help my application and my GPA is a 3.8 ... I've considered retaking, I've scored higher (up to a 31) on the practices, but also lower (had a 26 once), so I'm rather afraid to retake it.. Please, some input??🙁

 

[Syfte3]

Ok, so I just got my score and got a 27L. My average was up around a 29 on the practice tests, but I never got a score on my practice writing of course. I bombed it, I paniced during the test and had put no emphasis on it when studying since I heard it will be done away with soon anyways. I really just want to get into an MD school anywhere, how badly do you think that L will hurt me? Also, my score was rather unbalanced, 9/7/11 (7 in verbal), but I have plenty of great extracorriculars to hopefully help my application and my GPA is a 3.8 ... I've considered retaking, I've scored higher (up to a 31) on the practices, but also lower (had a 26 once), so I'm rather afraid to retake it.. Please, some input??🙁

I think the 27 is a much bigger concern than the L. You should definitely retake.

 

[TheShaker]

Well, it looks like you're going to have to retake anyway since you have a 7 verbal which makes most MD programs out of the question. This time, actually do the writing section on the AAMC, it helps you manage your time, energy level, and nerves during the test.

 

[Ts1991]

Ah, not what I wanted to hear of course. Do you think that the L will not be considered since I am applying after the writing portion will be removed from the MCAT?

 

[darkjedi]

Ah, not what I wanted to hear of course. Do you think that the L will not be considered since I am applying after the writing portion will be removed from the MCAT?

Writing score kind of already doesn't matter now

 

[Ts1991]

I was thinking the same, if I were to retake to try and improve my writing, it wouldn't even matter since its removed now

 

[yuiness]

As others have said, the 27 is more your problem than the L. No one really cares about the writing score. However, a low verbal score coupled with a low writing score may raise eyebrows. I would focus on raising that verbal score. Also, I've heard that writing a good personal statement can also encourage people to give less weight to your writing score (not that it has much weight to begin with). When I was applying, my writing score was on the low side, but no one ever brought it up. My advisor even told me that she sits on the admissions committee for the med school associated with my undergrad, and she didn't even notice my writing score.

 

[Ts1991]

As others have said, the 27 is more your problem than the L. No one really cares about the writing score. However, a low verbal score coupled with a low writing score may raise eyebrows. I would focus on raising that verbal score. Also, I've heard that writing a good personal statement can also encourage people to give less weight to your writing score (not that it has much weight to begin with). When I was applying, my writing score was on the low side, but no one ever brought it up. My advisor even told me that she sits on the admissions committee for the med school associated with my undergrad, and she didn't even notice my writing score.

Ok thanks for your input! My average was 29 on the practice tests so I'm going to give it one more go and see if I can't raise my score a few points..
If not, I suppose I'll just apply a million different places and hope for the best!