4.0GPA and problematic question?

[BoneMental]

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I really want to get into California schools or some of the well known medical schools (ie, Hopkins).

What should I aim for on the MCAT? I have a bit of difficulty with standardized tests. (My grades in high school were good, but my SAT was horrible.)

I've heard anything from needing a 30 to a 40 with my GPA to get in to those schools. I am fine in terms of extracurricular and all that stuff, I think.

Thoughts?

I really appreciate it. Thanks, everyone.

 

[Robinson Crusoe]

I really want to get into California schools or some of the well known medical schools (ie, Hopkins).

What should I aim for on the MCAT? I have a bit of difficulty with standardized tests. (My grades in high school were good, but my SAT was horrible.)

I've heard anything from needing a 30 to a 40 with my GPA to get in to those schools. I am fine in terms of extracurricular and all that stuff, I think.

Thoughts?

I really appreciate it. Thanks, everyone.

Aim for above the average of the school you want to go to with the highest average MCAT. This process is so hard to predict that it isn't worth risking your goal by assuming you can compensate for one part of your application with another.

 

[JustMeditate]

Obviously, aim for the highest score you can get. The average MCAT score for accepted med students at each institution is different, and the information is readily available, so look that up. You'll want around the average, or above it, for each med school you'd like to try applying to.

Keep in mind that even if you get a high MCAT, have a 4.0 GPA, and strong EC's, at the Johns Hopkins level of competition, getting in is very much based on luck. Each med school has very few slots available (100-150), and there are a surprisingly high number of students with a 4.0 GPA and amazing EC's. The message being this: You look like you have what it takes to get into a top school but apply broadly anyway. Recently, I believe an individual with a 3.9 GPA and killer EC's (can't remember his MCAT, but it was good) was wondering why he hadn't received any interviews by January. Turns out he only applied to the top schools.

 

[Catalystik]

All else being excellent, a 35+ is a good MCAT goal. Get a 40 and you'll get more notice.