<p>Will good letters of recommendation trump a low GPA? No.</p>
<p>The GPA is an issue that must be addressed in the personal statement. I hope there is clear upward trend in GPA–in which case a strong PS, better-than-average MCAT, outstanding LoRs, and strong clinical experience will help mitigate a low GPA.</p>
<p>That MCAT score can’t be right. </p>
<p>Each section is worth up to 15 points (Biological Sciences, Physical Sciences, Verbal Reasoning- each section worth 15 points for a possible total score of 45) That 11.7 has to be for just one section. If the overall MCAT really is an 11.7, there is no hope whatsoever… </p>
<p>The R is the writing score (which how it’s arrived at is one of life’s mysteries…) and not a make or break thing.</p>
<p>And remember that your friend has a very limited amount of time for “bringing up her scores”, assuming she will be applying next cycle (for admission in 2012). Transcripts will need to be sent for verification next summer so schools will not see any grades for courses taken beyond spring 2011.</p>