Through the MCAT Writing Sample, the American Association of Medical Colleges measures a candidate's proficiencies in four areas: communication skills, critical thinking, problem-solving techniques and knowledge of the basic sciences. The score of the writing sample affects your MCAT score, because all four MCAT sections are taken into consideration. Better MCAT scores open the doors to prestigious, higher-ranked medical schools. And it goes without saying that brand name colleges provides a mammoth boost to medical careers.
The MCAT writing sample requires a candidate to write two essays within two 30-minute periods in response to two questions. Among other abilities, it tests a candidate's analytical reasoning abilities, and a candidate cannot pass with average writing abilities. Candidates are expected to compose two reasoned discussions of a given statement, policy, philosophy or opinion. Candidates have to do the following: explain the general statement, identify possible exceptions to the statement and to resolve the contradictions between the exceptions and the general statement.
Previously, the writing sample section was not considered as important when compared to the other sections, such as the biological or physical sciences sections. But most medical schools now look for balanced scores across all four sections. Lopsided scores create an unfavorable impression. In some universities, such as the University of Western Ohio, scores in verbal reasoning carry more weight than do scores in other sections. The University of Manitoba, on the other hand, translates the writing sample score into a numerical figure and takes it into consideration during the calculation of a candidate's average score. If you get a very high score in the writing sample section, it will have a positive bearing on your medical school prospects. An extremely poor score will be viewed negatively, while average scores hardly have any telling effect, as such.
When two medical school applicants with the same MCAT score vie for the last remaining seat in their coveted college, the admissions committee will favor the candidate with a higher writing score. In addition, the MCAT writing sample essays are sometimes compared with the formal essays required as part of the application process -- and glaring inconsistencies between the two may dim your prospects of getting into medical school.