Well, writing is important if you want to eventually do research... or just be an effective written communicator in general (charting, op reports, general communication with patients + other medical staff, etc). I would agree that it's far and away the least important of the MCAT sections, though. MCAT is pretty far in my rear view mirror now, but I'd say that it's bio>phys>verb>>>writing at most MD/DO/DPM etc schools.
We all know the way to be a better writer is just to read books, have paid attention in writing grammar classes, and lifelong building of your vocab (read, play scrabble, etc etc). Like most stuff in life, it's not just something you can learn overnight. Some people write at a high level, and some are so bad that they routinely misuse homonyms which were taught in 3rd grade. I'd put at least a bit of effort into writing, and the reason for that is that poor grammar does make you look
very unintelligent in letters to other docs, hospital admins, etc. You can only use the "typo" excuse so many times... if you know what I mean.
I scored pretty well on MCAT writing (R aka 90-somethin percentile... not even sure if it's still scored that way... thinkin it was K-T when I took it?). The key to the MCAT writing test is to know the format they're looking for, and any Kaplan book will tell you that. If my memory serves me, it's something like rephrase the question, give example where it's true, give counterpoint, then give a compromise between the two sides? GL
