Pre-Interview Request for Written Explanation

Hey everyone,


I wanted to see if I could get your input on the following:


I got a surprising email from the admissions office at one of the schools where I applied requesting additional information for my file. I’d sent several “update/still interested” queries their way, and for all intents and purposes had gone ignored. Judging by buzz in most forums about their class being nearly full, I’d given up already on them. The request is with regards to my MCAT study prep and an explanation for my first score, which was rather low. I’m a bit thrown off by the request altogether, since I don’t know how to take it. My husband says that it’s a good sign because I have been complete since early September, and they still have not outright rejected me.


Anyway, the facts are these: the first time I took the MCAT, I rushed to meet the timeline of doing so in the fall of junior year. I had only completed physics I and organic I parts of the pre-med requirements, and my gen chem coursework was way over 5 years old. Naturally, my score suffered from my insufficient knowledge base, and admittedly, I had an overloaded semester to vie for MCAT prep-time.


The second time I took the MCAT, I had set a better study schedule, I had completed the second half of Ochem and was in the middle of my second half of physics as well. However, about three weeks before my scheduled exam, my husband had to be hospitalized for chest pain and syncope. He spent about a week in hospital, and I had to literally put a halt to everything concerning academics to deal with his illness. I ended up having to reschedule MCAT, and work out some deals with my program’s faculty in order to complete work in an adjusted time-table.


Since that initial hospitalization, my husband has been back to the hospital twice, and has undergone several multi-specialist diagnostic tests to figure out the underlying cause of his symptoms to no avail. I retook my MCAT on the day after my husband’s second discharge from the hospital with a two points increase in BS, and two points increase in PS sections, as well as a three-level increase in the written section, however, the score ended up being simply not stellar.


Based on previous commentary, I am inclined to think that any explanation on my first low score is simply not going to help me at all, and that at this point in the admissions cycle, I’m just looking at a best-case scenario of competing for the bottom of the waiting list.


What are your thoughts?

  • Nine Said:
Hey everyone,

I wanted to see if I could get your input on the following:

I got a surprising email from the admissions office at one of the schools where I applied requesting additional information for my file. I'd sent several "update/still interested" queries their way, and for all intents and purposes had gone ignored. Judging by buzz in most forums about their class being nearly full, I'd given up already on them. The request is with regards to my MCAT study prep and an explanation for my first score, which was rather low. I'm a bit thrown off by the request altogether, since I don't know how to take it. My husband says that it's a good sign because I have been complete since early September, and they still have not outright rejected me.

Anyway, the facts are these: the first time I took the MCAT, I rushed to meet the timeline of doing so in the fall of junior year. I had only completed physics I and organic I parts of the pre-med requirements, and my gen chem coursework was way over 5 years old. Naturally, my score suffered from my insufficient knowledge base, and admittedly, I had an overloaded semester to vie for MCAT prep-time.

The second time I took the MCAT, I had set a better study schedule, I had completed the second half of Ochem and was in the middle of my second half of physics as well. However, about three weeks before my scheduled exam, my husband had to be hospitalized for chest pain and syncope. He spent about a week in hospital, and I had to literally put a halt to everything concerning academics to deal with his illness. I ended up having to reschedule MCAT, and work out some deals with my program's faculty in order to complete work in an adjusted time-table.

Since that initial hospitalization, my husband has been back to the hospital twice, and has undergone several multi-specialist diagnostic tests to figure out the underlying cause of his symptoms to no avail. I retook my MCAT on the day after my husband's second discharge from the hospital with a two points increase in BS, and two points increase in PS sections, as well as a three-level increase in the written section, however, the score ended up being simply not stellar.

Based on previous commentary, I am inclined to think that any explanation on my first low score is simply not going to help me at all, and that at this point in the admissions cycle, I'm just looking at a best-case scenario of competing for the bottom of the waiting list.

What are your thoughts?



Judy Colwell, always says if you don't ask, they can't say yes.

It would appear a corollary to this would be if a school offers you an opportunity to explain something on your application and you don't it to them, they can't say yes.

Your short explanation above was clear, concise and compelling. I would say that a school is considering you and is giving you a chance not to reject you. Take it as gift, send the above in, and blow away the interview.

This is not something you have time to contemplate and must be acted upon rather quickly

I totally agree with gonnif. Your explanation of your first score is very good. Go with it.

The practice of asking for explanations is pretty common, and should be taken as a sign of interest. I just finished up the interviewing season for incoming residents, and spent some time both in interviews and via email clarifying gaps, performance outliers, etc from some of our applicants. Stumbling a little along the way is more the norm, not the exception. The fact that you’re still in it despite the hardships (that were, by the way, out of your control) shows perserverance. Your’s is as good an explanation as I’ve seen – honest, concise, no excuses.

Thank you, everyone, for the advice. I am a bit more encouraged about this development, and I responded to the request earlier this afternoon. And exactly as has been said above, nothing ventured, nothing gained.


I am glad to have this resource for well thought out feedback.