A good MCAT score for D.O

[Columbia09]

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What's a good MCAT score for D.O school ? How heavily is it weighted ? I was told that D.O schools put a little less weight on it compared to M.D schools. True statement? What's the lowest MCAT score you know of that got the person into a D.O school? And will a high GPA and good e.cs balance a bad MCAT score?

 

[docmayer]

What's a good MCAT score for D.O school ? How heavily is it weighted ? I was told that D.O schools put a little less weight on it compared to M.D schools. True statement? What's the lowest MCAT score you know of that got the person into a D.O school? And will a high GPA and good e.cs balance a bad MCAT score?

The higher the better. 29+ I would say is "good" for D.O. school. Average is 27. They do put less weight on it compared to MD schools (or so I assume since D.O. MCAT average is lower). Lowest MCAT? I don't know...look at the under dog thread. Yes, a high GPA and good ECs will balance a poor MCAT.

 

[oms2]

look at this thread which should be at the bottom of your window right now:
Schools and their avg. MCAT
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=958982

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

The higher the better. 29+ I would say is "good" for D.O. school. Average is 27. They do put less weight on it compared to MD schools (or so I assume since D.O. MCAT average is lower). Lowest MCAT? I don't know...look at the under dog thread. Yes, a high GPA and good ECs will balance a poor MCAT.

29+ is an MD score, but it depends on your gpa and if your LizzyM is higher than a 61 i.e 3.45/26.5 you'll be fine.

 

[411309]

The higher the better. 29+ I would say is "good" for D.O. school. Average is 27. They do put less weight on it compared to MD schools (or so I assume since D.O. MCAT average is lower). Lowest MCAT? I don't know...look at the under dog thread. Yes, a high GPA and good ECs will balance a poor MCAT.

29 is good for the most competitive DO schools. I would say a good MCAT score for DO school starts at around 26 and 29 is usually MD territory. And there are people with 23/24 MCAT scores that get into DO. The average for matriculants is 26.5. Assuming your gpa isnt far off.

 

[Columbia09]

Is it possible for someone to have a 3.6 - 3.7 GPA with a 21 MCAT and get into a D.O school?

 

[TriagePreMed]

Is it possible for someone to have a 3.6 - 3.7 GPA with a 21 MCAT and get into a D.O school?

Very unlikely and definitely not the older, better known programs.

 

[Capltd29]

Aim for a 45 and see what happens

 

[DrMeows]

Is it possible for someone to have a 3.6 - 3.7 GPA with a 21 MCAT and get into a D.O school?

Possible? Yes, Probable? Definitely not. A person with a 21, even if they have a good GPA, should not be applying. It can happen, but it's honestly not a good shot. Retake and aim for the average (26.5). A lot of schools, especially established ones, have that general cutoff of a 24 MCAT so that needs to at least be achieved.

 

[Jas1360]

I heard one DO adcom say they do not look at any applicants with a 20 or below, automatic rejection for that particular school. But DO schools seem to accept more students in the 25-29 range than MD programs.

 

[Dr Yiot]

reapply and with that gpa if you get a 24 or above you have a good shot if you apply broadly to DO schools. obviously a 26+ would be better for the most established ones and would save you some money on applications cause you wouldnt have to apply to as many. 28+ and i would venture to say apply to some MD programs as well. but a 21 is low probablity. with that gpa though you stand a very good shot at a lot of schools. its a lot easier to improve an mcat. gpa is much more difficult so your in good shape

 

[FrkyBgStok]

Is it possible for someone to have a 3.6 - 3.7 GPA with a 21 MCAT and get into a D.O school?

it almost seems that there is a line between 23 and 24. With various GPAs it seems that people with a 24 mcat seem to end up with an acceptance, whereas i have seen very few with 23 mcats get an acceptance. now that being said, that is on here and not looking within schools threads, just using the number based off the more "public" threads. also it could also mean the people with 23s aren't very vocal. it is also apparent that a 27 or higher can make you feel confident about good schools. you probably aren't going to get in with a 21 and anything 23 or less, I would recommend retaking regardless of the rest of their app. they may get lucky but it isn't likely.

 

[Dr.TurkandJD]

With a good GPA, +3.3 sGPA, +3.5cGPA, a 26 is enough with good EC.

 

[user3]

http://mdapplicants.com/profile.php?id=18235

Somebody with a 22 and 21, but 3.65/3.67 that actually wound up turning down interviews...applied back in 09-10 cycle

 

[abolt18]

In my opinion, 28+ is a solid school for DO. It's just above average, making you better than average on paper.

 

[Columbia09]

how hard is it to get a 24 to a 26 on the MCAT since that appears to be an optimal range for people with a 3.6ish GPA ?

 

[cliquesh]

how hard is it to get a 24 to a 26 on the MCAT since that appears to be an optimal range for people with a 3.6ish GPA ?

25 is average nationally. It should be pretty easy if you study. Best way to study for any standardized test is to do as many practice questions you can.

 

[411309]

Definitely not an optimal range. I would say a balanced 28-29 is a good MCAT to have with a 3.6, depending on the school. I have around that gpa with 30ish on my MCAT and I got into every school I've interviewed with so far.

With a 3.6 and 29 mcat you would prob get into MD.

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

Definitely not an optimal range. I would say a balanced 28-29 is a good MCAT to have with a 3.6, depending on the school. I have around that gpa with 30ish on my MCAT and I got into every school I've interviewed with so far.

If you have a 3.6/29 you should be applying primarily to MD tbh.

 

[Columbia09]

Does it look bad if you have a high GPA and a low MCAT ? My GPA so far is around a 3.6 but idk how I will do on the MCAT. I'm aiming realistically since I'm not a standardize test taker. Oh and there was somebody who said that if you have a high GPA and good E.Cs it could balance a bad MCAT score.

 

[Mosonik]

Does it look bad if you have a high GPA and a low MCAT ? My GPA so far is around a 3.6 but idk how I will do on the MCAT. I'm aiming realistically since I'm not a standardize test taker. Oh and there was somebody who said that if you have a high GPA and good E.Cs it could balance a bad MCAT score.

Well, I would say that "somebody" was telling the truth since I am a living testament to that fact (had 7+ interviews when I withdrew my apps) and while it may not have gotten me an acceptance at all those places the high GPA in particular is the most important and the ECs help them pick you out of the 3000+ other borderline candidates. Also rock the personal statement, it should not be underestimated in significance

Also, not to be a critic but unfortunately a 3.6 is not considered a high GPA anymore for DO schools. Some even have that as an average cGPA or sGPA. I think that is true of KCUMB, DMU, CCOM and probably others

 

[Machine33]

Well, I would say that "somebody" was telling the truth since I am a living testament to that fact (had 7+ interviews when I withdrew my apps) and while it may not have gotten me an acceptance at all those places the high GPA in particular is the most important and the ECs help them pick you out of the 3000+ other borderline candidates. Also rock the personal statement, it should not be underestimated in significance

Also, not to be a critic but unfortunately a 3.6 is not considered a high GPA anymore for DO schools. Some even have that as an average cGPA or sGPA. I think that is true of KCUMB, DMU, CCOM and probably others

Yeah, I'd have to agree. I was pretty fortunate to get an interview let alone an acceptance to KCUMB with an MCAT of 24. I had almost a 3.8, though, so that definitely helped. My buddy got into WVSOM last year and he had a 23 with almost a 3.95 or something ridiculous like that. A lot of schools are more MCAT heavy and some are more GPA heavy. OP,you should be in good shape if you hit a 25, but with each point higher you get, the stress level of the application cycle will decrease substantially lol

 

[TwinsFan]

If you have a 3.6/29 you should be applying primarily to MD tbh.

A 65 Lizzy score is not "primarily MD" material if you are counting on an acceptance, even if you have solid state school options. I would say it puts you in decent shape for allo and solid shape for osteo schools. Of course timing, ECs, LORs, and the PS/secondaries will also have a noticeable impact on how many interviews are granted.

MCAT scores (Decent/Good/Great ranges):
DO: 24-26/27-29/30+
Top DO: 26-27/28-30/31+
IS MD (non top40): 27-29/30-32/33+
OOS MD (non top40): 29-30/31-34/35+
Top MD: 30-32/33-35/36+

 

[ValentineLissar]

If you have a 3.6/29 you should be applying primarily to MD tbh.

I don't know. Even applying early will not get you much success with MD schools unless you're an applicant in a state that has that MCAT range.




To answer the OP's question, I think that a competitive MCAT is from 27-30. You will still get interviews with a 24+ if you apply early and have a great GPA and other EC's.

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

Well, that would assume that one favors the MD, but ignoring that... Tell it to the MD schools. I only have 1 MD interview so far.

You only applied to 26 MD and of those you only finished about 20 of them and of those about 10-15 of them your chances are almost Lim -> 0. Sucks to be Californian I suppose, but yah, why do people apply to Rush... seriously.

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

A 65 Lizzy score is not "primarily MD" material if you are counting on an acceptance, even if you have solid state school options. I would say it puts you in decent shape for allo and solid shape for osteo schools. Of course timing, ECs, LORs, and the PS/secondaries will also have a noticeable impact on how many interviews are granted.

MCAT scores (Decent/Good/Great ranges):
DO: 24-26/27-29/30+
Top DO: 26-27/28-30/31+
IS MD (non top40): 27-29/30-32/33+
OOS MD (non top40): 29-30/31-34/35+
Top MD: 30-32/33-35/36+

A lot of applicants apply badly. Apply smart, early, and broadly and a 3.6/29 will be enough.

 

[TwinsFan]

Yeah, I'd have to agree. I was pretty fortunate to get an interview let alone an acceptance to KCUMB with an MCAT of 24. I had almost a 3.8, though, so that definitely helped. My buddy got into WVSOM last year and he had a 23 with almost a 3.95 or something ridiculous like that. A lot of schools are more MCAT heavy and some are more GPA heavy. OP,you should be in good shape if you hit a 25, but with each point higher you get, the stress level of the application cycle will decrease substantially lol

I don't think it is GPA vs MCAT heavy but more like 22-24ish is the basement for acceptable MCAT scores. This may be based off of AAMC data for 1st time USMLE board pass rates; which are ~99% for 33+, ~95% for 27-29, then they start to drop off for 24-26 (~85-90%) and really drop off for 23-21 (<80%).

It doesn't make sense to admit students who won't pass the COMLEX (or STEPs).

 

[Charlie Hustle]

Do your best, go where you get accepted, and if you're lucky enough to get accepted to more than one school, go to the one at which you feel most comfortable (or the cheapest one). Don't stress about the MCAT; there isn't a magic number that will make you a good doctor (or even a good medical student). A recent graduate at my school scored in the 700s on all 3 steps of COMLEX and he scored a 20 on his MCAT.

Work hard, apply broadly, don't be a jerk out on the interview trail, and you'll be fine.

 

[TwinsFan]

A lot of applicants apply badly. Apply smart, early, and broadly and a 3.6/29 will be enough.

For nearly 50% of ORMs it was not enough from 2009-2011. And a good number of them applied smart, early, and broadly.

 

[DrBumblebee]

A lot of applicants apply badly. Apply smart, early, and broadly and a 3.6/29 will be enough.

I'd really like to learn what these terms mean to SDNers. They must have some side meanings than those of I've already known of.

 

[Charlie Hustle]

I'd really like to learn what these terms mean to SDNers. They must have some side meanings than those of I've already known of.

Smart - if you don't have a rockstar application, don't waste your money applying to Harvard (use your time and resources wisely)

Broadly - there are a bunch of medical schools in America; apply to a bunch of them (read: all the ones that you have a realistic shot of attending - see "smart")

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

For nearly 50% of ORMs it was not enough from 2009-2011. And a good number of them applied smart, early, and broadly.

the average applicant only applied to 14 schools, had 100 hours of ECs and a crap ton of unadvisable things.

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

Smart - if you don't have a rockstar application, don't waste your money applying to Harvard (use your time and resources wisely)

Broadly - there are a bunch of medical schools in America; apply to a bunch of them (read: all the ones that you have a realistic shot of attending - see "smart")

Agreed. I mean for example U of Iowa, Creighnton, are schools that you should have on your application because they accept a good amount of OOS students and aren't too high up. Likewise schools like Loyola, Rush, and RFU have so many applicants, and interview so few OOS ( Wouldn't think this based off of their class being over 50% OOS right) that it's a waste of money. Likewise you need to apply to schools that you fit, i.e fitting the mission of Gtown and schools you have a direct connection to, i.e your entire family lives in the city of the school or etc.

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

I've lived in Illinois before. I don't know why you think my chances would be so low. You think I need a better school list for MD? I think my list was very solid and I applied first day.

University of California, Los Angeles - ( California sucks
Eastern Virginia Medical School - Why would a school interested in making PCP's for VA want a Cali boy?
Marshall University -You don't live in state nor are you near it like MD
University of Illinois - " " Good choice, but tuition is a deterrent)
University of California, San Diego - - Cali sucks
Application Complete
SUNY Buffalo - Somewhat of an ok choice, but they were unlikely to take you without real connections
Hofstra University -Class is 40 students?
Jefferson Medical College -Eh, ok choice, but it's the state school of Delaware and you're not even east coast
Loyola University Chicago -No shot
Ohio State University -No clue tbh
Virginia Commonwealth University -Ok, but they get too many apps
Virginia Tech Carilion -No clue
University of Southern California -California sucks
University of California, Davis -California sucks
New York Medical College -Why you out of 20million apps?
Tufts University -ok
Temple University -Pretty sure they're big on their mission, but ok
Rush Medical College - See Loyola
George Washington University - "ON HOLD" -See NYMC
University of Arizona - "Phoenix" -few OOS interviewed
Rosalind Franklin University - "Small Pooled" -See loyola
Drexel University -See NYMC
Application Complete, Rejected
Boston University -See NYMC
Tulane University - See NYMC

So yah, you being a California applicant really got screwed. Why not Creighton? No UMD? No upstate? PSU? MCW? Louisvile? Iowa? St. Louis? Commonwealth? Toledo? UVA? Vermont?

 

[Postictal Raiden]

Do your best, go where you get accepted, and if you're lucky enough to get accepted to more than one school, go to the one at which you feel most comfortable (or the cheapest one). Don't stress about the MCAT; there isn't a magic number that will make you a good doctor (or even a good medical student). A recent graduate at my school scored in the 700s on all 3 steps of COMLEX and he scored a 20 on his MCAT.

Work hard, apply broadly, don't be a jerk out on the interview trail, and you'll be fine.

How high is 700 on comlex? what would be the equivalent in usmle?

 

[TwinsFan]

the average applicant only applied to 14 schools, had 100 hours of ECs and a crap ton of unadvisable things.

And you can be sure that a sizable percentage of them (hundreds of them) applied early to 25+ "smart" schools, had solid ECs, interviewed well (if they even got one) and still came up with nothing.

It is completely unrealistic to think that everyone who doesn't get in just didn't "do it right." It is ridiculously competitive, and every year tons of people who are very qualified don't get in. I've met some of them.

 

[Postictal Raiden]

how hard is it to get a 24 to a 26 on the MCAT since that appears to be an optimal range for people with a 3.6ish GPA ?

Very obtainable............unless, you suck at verbal.

I got 20 because of 3 on verbal. If my verbal skills were on par with my science skills, I would have scored 26-27, with one month of preparation.

 

[Charlie Hustle]

How high is 700 on comlex? what would be the equivalent in usmle?

I can't say for certain, but I think it's in the ballpark of 95th-97th percentile. So I guess in terms of the USMLE, it would be the equivalent of ~260 (someone correct me if I'm wrong).

The point I was trying to make is that, while it is obviously important, the MCAT is not the only determinant of success in medical school. People who didn't score a 45T on the MCAT are awesome, competent physicians in spite of their MCAT scores. Get the highest score you can, apply "smart" and "broadly" (see above), and see how things play out. You might be surprised.

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

And you can be sure that a sizable percentage of them (hundreds of them) applied early to 25+ "smart" schools, had solid ECs, interviewed well (if they even got one) and still came up with nothing.

It is completely unrealistic to think that everyone who doesn't get in just didn't "do it right." It is ridiculously competitive, and every year tons of people who are very qualified don't get in. I've met some of them.

And by that logic a sizable amount applied to under 10 dumb schools.... Plenty of people are driven by idiot advisers, plenty apply in sept, and etc. And I'm not saying everyone applied wrong, but chances are enough of the competition is.

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

Why me? 4.0 in SMP program. Also, I have specific interests that aligned with a good amount of those schools. I guess I'll have to forward your post to my professional advisors. They messed up.

Eh, don't listen too much to me. I'm probably wrong and might have misread statistics, but regardless at least in my opinion your list could have probably been better. Also a 4.0 in an SMP and a 32 seems like you should be getting some love.

 

[Columbia09]

What's the advantage of applying early? Also do D.O schools have early decision just like some colleges do? How much of an edge does applying early/early decision give you? When is it considered to apply early?

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

What's the advantage of applying early? Also do D.O schools have early decision just like some colleges do? How much of an edge does applying early/early decision give you? When is it considered to apply early?

Because when you apply early you're processed early and thus interview early and thus are competing for class spots and not waitlist spots. ED is available for DO, but generally it's not the best strategy because you're putting all your eggs in one basket. Also june first.

 

[Columbia09]

June first ?!?! So when should one take the MCAT if he wants to apply early? And I know ED is binding, if accepted you have to attend, but if you aren't accepted can't you just apply to other schools? And if accepted you just go to that school?

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

June first ?!?! So when should one take the MCAT if he wants to apply early? And I know ED is binding, if accepted you have to attend, but if you aren't accepted can't you just apply to other schools? And if accepted you just go to that school?

Jan to April. Also ED is binding, but it also has a conditional requirement, you cannot apply to any other schools until they reject you, which might mean your application for other schools might be delayed all the way till October.

 

[Columbia09]

When do the applications go up? Also I have a question about sending transcripts out. I took classes at 4 different schools so does that mean that I have to pay 40$ (lets say that to send a transcript out is 10 $ at each school) for each med school I apply to? Or does it go to a main processor and they send the out ?

 

[gc91]

And this thread is exactly why my pre-health adviser told me to delete my SDN account.

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

When do the applications go up? Also I have a question about sending transcripts out. I took classes at 4 different schools so does that mean that I have to pay 40$ (lets say that to send a transcript out is 10 $ at each school) for each med school I apply to? Or does it go to a main processor and they send the out ?

I think there's a program called interfolio where you send in all of your LOR's, Transcripts, etc once and it's in the system and can be sent out to all medical schools you apply to.

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

And this thread is exactly why my pre-health adviser told me to delete my SDN account.

A lot of prehealth advisers like to pretend SDN is a bad and neurotic source of information, mostly because it is more effective and threatens their jobs.

 

[411309]

yea sdn is bad sometimes but you think this is bad? my prehealth council told me not to even apply this year that I was wasting my time and my stats were too low for DO, that I should retake the MCAT and take a year of upper division bio courses. And they refused to write me a letter. Five interviews later....

 

[NekoBeats]

yea sdn is bad sometimes but you think this is bad? my prehealth council told me not to even apply this year that I was wasting my time and my stats were too low for DO, that I should retake the MCAT and take a year of upper division bio courses. And they refused to write me a letter. Five interviews later....

I recently made a post about this here