Schools that don't look at MCAT subscores

[unhappytnt]

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Here and here Catalystik mentions that there are schools that do not look at individual MCAT sections but rather take the composite score as a whole. Anyone know of other schools other than Commonwealth and Eastern Virginia that do this? As the "proud owner" of a lopsided MCAT score (8, 12, 12) I'd really appreciate any info about this

 

[Catalystik]

This is a great idea to compile a list.

Reportedly, SIU can be added to the list as well: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?p=10890361&highlight=meticulous#post10890361 (which only helps Illinoisans.)

 

[unhappytnt]

This is a great idea to compile a list.

Reportedly, SIU can be added to the list as well: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?p=10890361&highlight=meticulous#post10890361 (which only helps Illinoisans.)

Ah, well it's a shame that I am not an IL resident 😀

So these three are the only schools that practice this? Because the poster on that thread (who decided to delete all his posts later...) claimed that there wasn't any other.

I also looked at the admission's pages of those three schools and they don't mention anything about taking the composite score. But he could have e-mailed them and asked

 

[MT Headed]

Are there any schools that combine the science, verbal, and writing scores into one uber-score so they can't see the writing individual score?

Or just ignore the writing score completely?

 

[crazyasian]

Here and here Catalystik mentions that there are schools that do not look at individual MCAT sections but rather take the composite score as a whole. Anyone know of other schools other than Commonwealth and Eastern Virginia that do this? As the "proud owner" of a lopsided MCAT score (8, 12, 12) I'd really appreciate any info about this

Didn't know schools did this. Interesting

 

[unhappytnt]

Are there any schools that combine the science, verbal, and writing scores into one uber-score so they can't see the writing individual score?

Or just ignore the writing score completely?

Most schools don't really care about the writing score, I heard.

 

[Catalystik]

So these three are the only schools that practice this? Because the poster on that thread (who decided to delete all his posts later...) claimed that there wasn't any other.

I also looked at the admission's pages of those three schools and they don't mention anything about taking the composite score. But he could have e-mailed them and asked

As I recall, he called and asked each school that he was interested in attending, rather than every possible school. I checked the SIU page about that time, which used to list a 7 cutoff for each score and it no longer said anything about a minimum.

 

[Ismet]

Most schools don't really care about the writing score, I heard.

Most schools don't care, but I've heard that a score of J, K, or L raises red flags because you either completely blew it off or you really can't write.

 

[unhappytnt]

As I recall, he called and asked each school that he was interested in attending, rather than every possible school. I checked the SIU page about that time, which used to list a 7 cutoff for each score and it no longer said anything about a minimum.

Ah that explains. I guess I have no choice but to e-mail the schools that I am considering applying to, which is gonna be a daunting task because I have around 40 on my list

Most schools don't care, but I've heard that a score of J, K, or L raises red flags because you either completely blew it off or you really can't write.

I can imagine some people using the writing section as an hour-long break 😀

 

[equinsu ocha]

Here and here Catalystik mentions that there are schools that do not look at individual MCAT sections but rather take the composite score as a whole. Anyone know of other schools other than Commonwealth and Eastern Virginia that do this? As the "proud owner" of a lopsided MCAT score (8, 12, 12) I'd really appreciate any info about this

OP - I had a very similar breakdown and I can tell you from first hand experience out of state schools will likely screen you out based on that 8. I got secondaries from just about all the out of state schools but no interviews. However, I was fortunate enough to interview at my state schools and receive a few acceptances. The only logical (I know this process isn't logical) explanation is that out of state schools get so many apps that they have to screen based on something, i.e. a standardized test score. Keep this in mind when applying to those schools that get like 10,000 applications and only offer 500 interviews. Remember to medical schools giving out secondaries and doing a quick screen means profit.

 

[unhappytnt]

I wouldn't be surprised if what you said is true. They probably have higher requirements for OOS applicants.

I did some research and found this. Credits to Raryn for the list. I am just gonna go ahead and copy his post here:

According to the MSAR:

Schools that screen all applicants:

U of Alabama
U of S. Alabama
U of Arizona
UC Davis
UC Irvine
UCLA
UCSD
UCSF
U of Central Florida
Florida International
U of Florida
Florida State
U of S. Florida
Mercer
Morehouse
U of Hawai'i
Loyola
S. Illinois
Indiana U
U of Iowa
U of Kentucky
U of Louisville
Wayne State
U of Nebraska
U of Nevada
U of New Mexico
U of N. Carolina
Wake Forest
U of Toledo
Northeastern Ohio
OHSU
U of S. Dakota
E. Tennessee State
U of Tennessee
Vanderbilt
U of Utah
EVMS
Virginia Commonwealth
U of Washington
W. Virginia
U of Wisconsin


Schools that only Screen out of state applicants:

MC Georgia
U of Kansas
LSU Shreveport
U of Missouri Columbia
East Carolina
Marshall

Guess I now know where I am not applying to 😀

 

[equinsu ocha]

I wouldn't be surprised if what you said is true. They probably have higher requirements for OOS applicants.

I did some research and found this. Credits to Raryn for the list. I am just gonna go ahead and copy his post here:



Guess I now know where I am not applying to 😀

This is likely a screen to give out a secondary. Again, in my experience you will get secondaries from most schools you apply to. However, I believe the 8 will keep you from getting interviews. If you have the money and time then of course cast a wide net, but you may not hear a peep from out of state schools. These same schools will send you a secondary and take your money in a heartbeat, and then screen you out of the interview competition based on the 8. With 10,000 applicants, I would charge $100 too and then look at your subscore. Easiest 100 bucks I ever made.

 

[unhappytnt]

This is likely a screen to give out a secondary. Again, in my experience you will get secondaries from most schools you apply to. However, I believe the 8 will keep you from getting interviews. If you have the money and time then of course cast a wide net, but you may not hear a peep from out of state schools. These same schools will send you a secondary and take your money in a heartbeat, and then screen you out of the interview competition based on the 8. With 10,000 applicants, I would charge $100 too and then look at your subscore. Easiest 100 bucks I ever made.

I agree. I am not expecting much love from OOS schools anyway, but I am applying broadly so a few interview invites would be nice.

Before I got my scores back I would have never thought that I would be discontent with a 32... Darn lopsided MCAT score 😡

 

[TheWeeIceMan]

This is likely a screen to give out a secondary. Again, in my experience you will get secondaries from most schools you apply to. However, I believe the 8 will keep you from getting interviews. If you have the money and time then of course cast a wide net, but you may not hear a peep from out of state schools. These same schools will send you a secondary and take your money in a heartbeat, and then screen you out of the interview competition based on the 8. With 10,000 applicants, I would charge $100 too and then look at your subscore. Easiest 100 bucks I ever made.

Okay, as someone who has been blessed with an 8 subscore, I've done a bit of searching on this topic. I have to say, I seriously doubt the majority of OOS schools have hard screens of below 9 (not including T20 schools). It sure as hell isn't going to help your app, but I've seen and heard of too many people that have gotten multiple OOS interviews with an 8 to believe this theory. Maybe I'm being overly optimistic, but I don't belive an 8 is the kiss of death assuming everthing else is in order.

 

[unhappytnt]

Okay, as someone who has been blessed with an 8 subscore, I've done a bit of searching on this topic. I have to say, I seriously doubt the majority of OOS schools have hard screens of below 9 (not including T20 schools). It sure as hell isn't going to help your app, but I've seen and heard of too many people that have gotten multiple OOS interviews with an 8 to believe this theory. Maybe I'm being overly optimistic, but I don't belive an 8 is the kiss of death assuming everthing else is in order.

I know of two people who got interviews with a subscore below 8: One had a 6 in VR, got an interview at one school but was rejected. One had 7 in VR as well, got multiple interviews and was subsequently accepted. Not sure if this person got any OOS interviews though.

I am pretty sure it's not a kiss of death, especially if you have mitigating factors (high scores on other sections, high GPA, well-rounded app).

Are you applying this cycle? Best of luck fellow 8-er 🙂

 

[TheWeeIceMan]

I know of two people who got interviews with a subscore below 8: One had a 6 in VR, got an interview at one school but was rejected. One had 7 in VR as well, got multiple interviews and was subsequently accepted. Not sure if this person got any OOS interviews though.

I am pretty sure it's not a kiss of death, especially if you have mitigating factors (high scores on other sections, high GPA, well-rounded app).

Are you applying this cycle? Best of luck fellow 8-er 🙂

Yep, I'm applying this cycle. Good luck to you as well.

I just felt the need to throw in my 2 cents since it seemed like we had similar reactions to getting 8s and the subsequent scrambling to see if we are screwed.🙂 Ultimately, I've decided that I won't rule out any school that I would like to attend unless they have a bottom 10th percentile score of 9, which isn't that many schools.

 

[ccfman1991]

Case western just visited my school, Duke, and said that as long as the composite score was high and the letters and GPA were good, he could care less if you get a 7 or 8 on verbal. He said it'd be a damn shame to dismiss an otherwise amazing student based on one 60 minute portion of his life. This was their director of admissions, Christian essman or something like that. Just fyi.

 

[unhappytnt]

Case western just visited my school, Duke, and said that as long as the composite score was high and the letters and GPA were good, he could care less if you get a 7 or 8 on verbal. He said it'd be a damn shame to dismiss an otherwise amazing student based on one 60 minute portion of his life. This was their director of admissions, Christian essman or something like that. Just fyi.

That's encouraging to hear 👍

 

[CaribbeanBlue]

Bumping this thread, but what do you guys think about a 31Q (14/6/11)?

It was my third exam. There is just something about that verbal I can't improve on. I think it's a short term memory issue.

 

[5lippy]

Bumping this thread, but what do you guys think about a 31Q (14/6/11)?

It was my third exam. There is just something about that verbal I can't improve on. I think it's a short term memory issue.

unfortunately that 6 will probably get you screened out of most places.

 

[MedPR]

Bumping this thread, but what do you guys think about a 31Q (14/6/11)?

It was my third exam. There is just something about that verbal I can't improve on. I think it's a short term memory issue.

Are you ESL?

 

[LaughingMan]

CB,

I strongly recommend you contact Cat--who posted earlier in this thread.

She should be able to offer concrete advise.

 

[Jas1360]

University of Kentucky is in the wrong list. They only screen out of state applicants.