- Joined
- Jun 5, 2003
- Messages
- 20,375
- Reaction score
- 30
So I'm sure that everyone has noticed the proliferation of "What are my chances?" threads here in Pre-Allo. It's understandable that people are asking themselves this question in the wake of the recent score release.
HOWEVER.
That does NOT mean that pre-allo needs/can handle 30+ threads asking the same thing. So let me clear up a couple of things:
1. Read the MSAR!! It has so much data on each school's acceptance numbers, whether they take the most recent MCAT or combine/average/cherry pick scores that it's a crime not to look there. The information there will, for the most part, be MUCH more accurate than the anecdotal evidence from your peers here on SDN.
2. If you scored a 30 or greater, no matter what the combo, don't post questions which ask if you have a chance at med school. You have an excellent score for 95% of med schools and thus are way ahead of the game. Go ahead and apply. Or don't, and re-take. Because no one here can tell you what your chances are without looking at your application in toto.
3. If you scored 25 or lower: This is the inflection point for the MCAT total score graph (MSAR 2005-2006, p. 27), where numbers of accepted applicants begins a solid, upward trend.
However, please note that of the ~2200 applicants with this score in last year's app cycle, only ~750 made it. The other 1500+ failed to get in. AND it gets much uglier as you go each point lower than 25.
It's probably best to re-take the MCAT and/or delay your application if you haven't submitted yet. This score is well below the scores historically necessary for acceptance to medical school. Yes, there may be that rare exception who makes it, but face it: schools can only take a handful of these exceptional cases. You are not a unique and beautiful snowflake in this regard. TRUST me on this one.
4. For those of you with 26-29: You are solidly in the range for acceptance to med school. If you have a good gpa (3.45+) in both overall and BPCM then you are good to go. Apply, stop whining, and see what happens. IF you fail to gain an acceptance, then contact the schools and ask for a (probably painful) assessment of what your application was lacking.
5. If for some reason you have a low gpa, then you WILL need an outstanding MCAT score. At least in the 88th percentile for that administration (usually ~31+). The higher the better. AND you'll likely need to do either a post-bacc or a Master's degree to show adcoms you can hack med school. And if you have a low MCAT then you'll need an outstanding GPA to compensate for it.
Finally, I'm not trying to lay down the Iron Fist of Doom, people. What I AM trying to do is to get y'all to do the research and assessment on your own, and then make an informed decision with regard to YOUR OWN PARTICULAR SITUATION. You want to be a physician someday? Learn to think, assess, and plan now.
Peace and good luck to all.
HOWEVER.
That does NOT mean that pre-allo needs/can handle 30+ threads asking the same thing. So let me clear up a couple of things:
1. Read the MSAR!! It has so much data on each school's acceptance numbers, whether they take the most recent MCAT or combine/average/cherry pick scores that it's a crime not to look there. The information there will, for the most part, be MUCH more accurate than the anecdotal evidence from your peers here on SDN.
2. If you scored a 30 or greater, no matter what the combo, don't post questions which ask if you have a chance at med school. You have an excellent score for 95% of med schools and thus are way ahead of the game. Go ahead and apply. Or don't, and re-take. Because no one here can tell you what your chances are without looking at your application in toto.
3. If you scored 25 or lower: This is the inflection point for the MCAT total score graph (MSAR 2005-2006, p. 27), where numbers of accepted applicants begins a solid, upward trend.
However, please note that of the ~2200 applicants with this score in last year's app cycle, only ~750 made it. The other 1500+ failed to get in. AND it gets much uglier as you go each point lower than 25.
It's probably best to re-take the MCAT and/or delay your application if you haven't submitted yet. This score is well below the scores historically necessary for acceptance to medical school. Yes, there may be that rare exception who makes it, but face it: schools can only take a handful of these exceptional cases. You are not a unique and beautiful snowflake in this regard. TRUST me on this one.
4. For those of you with 26-29: You are solidly in the range for acceptance to med school. If you have a good gpa (3.45+) in both overall and BPCM then you are good to go. Apply, stop whining, and see what happens. IF you fail to gain an acceptance, then contact the schools and ask for a (probably painful) assessment of what your application was lacking.
5. If for some reason you have a low gpa, then you WILL need an outstanding MCAT score. At least in the 88th percentile for that administration (usually ~31+). The higher the better. AND you'll likely need to do either a post-bacc or a Master's degree to show adcoms you can hack med school. And if you have a low MCAT then you'll need an outstanding GPA to compensate for it.
Finally, I'm not trying to lay down the Iron Fist of Doom, people. What I AM trying to do is to get y'all to do the research and assessment on your own, and then make an informed decision with regard to YOUR OWN PARTICULAR SITUATION. You want to be a physician someday? Learn to think, assess, and plan now.
Peace and good luck to all.
