accepted with <20 MCAT???

[FutureDocDO]

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I have read several threads where others mentioned that there are people accepted with a 20 MCAT or lower. Is that true and how are their GPA?

 

[Fermata]

It's more of an exception than the rule.

Besides...if you can't get a 20 on the MCAT....you shouldn't plan on being accepted to any school. Sorry.

 

[Amy B]

I do find it very hard to believe that people have been accepted with below 20 MCATs. They must have stellar GPAs and ECs. I am not being negative, but an applicant really needs to get above 20 to have any real chances of getting in.

 

[Halaljello]

there's a guy on sdn that got an 18 on the mcat and scored above the mean on the USMLE step 1. MCAT don't mean $hit.

 

[IndyZX]

there's a guy on sdn that got an 18 on the mcat and scored above the mean on the USMLE step 1. MCAT don't mean $hit.

Using an exception to disprove the rule? Sounds like you're well on your way! 👍

 

[ChantillyLace]

It's more of an exception than the rule.

Besides...if you can't get a 20 on the MCAT....you shouldn't plan on being accepted to any school. Sorry.

A friend of mine got accepted to med school with a 19.

 

[Fermata]

A friend of mine got accepted to med school with a 19.

Ugh. Why'd you have to pick that username. Now that song is stuck in my head.

😀

I've also heard reports of people getting into Bradenton with scores that low.

 

[Amy B]

there's a guy on sdn that got an 18 on the mcat and scored above the mean on the USMLE step 1. MCAT don't mean $hit.

I will personally agree with you that the MCAT doesn't always work as an indicator of success in med school. I personally HATE the MCAT and thank God that I won't ever have to face it again. At least Step 1 will be testing what we should know that will be important as a doctor.

I mean come on, why did the MCAT have questions about spaceships and the speed of them as they fly past a stationary person who is sitting on a train going a certain speed per sec. And who cares about the buoyancy of a ship except for maybe the sailors on board that ship. 🙄

 

[Halaljello]

Using an exception to disprove the rule? Sounds like you're well on your way! 👍

listen son, you should mabey start thinking for yourself and realize that "rule" is bs. Its not even a rule to begin with! It's some bs correlation and when you grow up one day and get the opp. to take medstats in medschool, you too will realize that correlations really don't hold any weight. I know many peeps who werent so hot on the mcat and then rocked their boards, and calling them all exceptions is just plain ignorant

 

[IndyZX]

listen son, you should mabey start thinking for yourself and realize that "rule" is bs. Its not even a rule to begin with! It's some bs correlation and when you grow up one day and get the opp. to take medstats in medschool, you too will realize that correlations really don't hold any weight. I know many peeps who werent so hot on the mcat and then rocked their boards, and calling them all exceptions is just plain ignorant

Oh, golly, I hope I get the opportunity the take medstats in medschool! That'll change everything!

I've taken a statistics course, I understand what a correlation is.

 

[Dave81]

In the MSAR (2004-2005) it says that in 2002 the number of accepted applicants with total scores of 17 or below was just under 60.

I'm not sure what their gpa was. MSAR also says about 220 people were accepted with gpas of 2.75 or lower. I really doubt those are the same people that got the 17 or below MCAT scores though.

 

[raptor5]

Using an exception to disprove the rule?

What Rule. Did I miss this during my application process. Is something the Adcom at each school has that says with this GPA, MCAT, ECs, LORs, Undergrad school, Height, Weight, Race, Ethnic Origin, eye color, hair color, they should make this score on the COMLEX/USMLE.

Back to the OP. I will reassure you that people do get accepted with an MCAT under 20. It is rare but it happens. Depends really on the rest of your application. If you are applying to a DO school, I would say forget the numbers (in a way) and focus on the 1? and 2? Essays. It is really going to depend on what type of person you are and what type of person a particular school wants.

 

[bobo]

At least Step 1 will be testing what we should know that will be important as a doctor. QUOTE]

I disagree vehemently with this statement, and I think that you will too once you take it. Step I is an incredible test of minutiae, NOT what you "need" to know. I picked up a biochem review book that was laying around the other day. I quickly realized I knew the answer to virtually none of the questions. Doesn't really matter when you are on the wards either.

bobo

 

[futuredo32]

A friend of mine got in with a 19, average grades(3.3), and worked in the medical field for a year of two. MCAT scores do NOT correlate with success in medical school. Another friend of mine got in with a 21 and has gotten straight A's in every class during the first year.

 

[daisygirl]

At least Step 1 will be testing what we should know that will be important as a doctor. QUOTE]

I disagree vehemently with this statement, and I think that you will too once you take it. Step I is an incredible test of minutiae, NOT what you "need" to know. I picked up a biochem review book that was laying around the other day. I quickly realized I knew the answer to virtually none of the questions. Doesn't really matter when you are on the wards either.

bobo

You took the words right out of my mouth.

Amy B, I hate to tell you this, but Step one isn't only testing you on what is "important as a doctor". The loads of useless minutae are bountiful, and the minutae is quickly forgotten. I'm studying for step one right now, and it is a bitch. 😡

 

[medic170]

there's a guy on sdn that got an 18 on the mcat and scored above the mean on the USMLE step 1. MCAT don't mean $hit.

Yeah, the MCAT does not mean Shi...oh wait a minute, the MCAT is one of the main deciding factors ADCOMS use to decide whether or not to accept you to medical school. I guess it does mean something after all.

Its strange how everybody seems to "know a guy" or "have a friend" who got in with a sub 20 score (no I am NOT calling you guys liars). I don't believe in fluff, so here is the straight truth. Yes, it IS possible to get in with a sub 20 score, and yes it IS possible to win the lottery, just as it is possible to beat Ken Jennings on Jeopardy. However, the chances of it happening are pretty remote. Don't plan on getting in to medical school with a sub 20 MCAT score, its just almost surely not going to happen.

 

[Giving My .02]

When I was at MS0 day some of the students were talking to me during lunch, because one of their classmates that went to my undergrad aced everything and never took one note. While we were talking about this we got on the subject of GPA's & MCATS, and one of the faculty was sitting at our table said their was someone that graduated a couple of years ago, that would not have been accepted with this year's class because their MCAT was very low, but ended up graduating in the top ten. So, it is true MCAT's don't mean too much, and the faculty knows not everyone is a test taker. However, this is when they look for a solid GPA, research, experience, etc. However below 20 is pushing it I believe. I would try to take it again.

 

[BKYLE22]

I got a 18 the first time, and a 19 the second time I took the MCAT. I had a 3.97 GPA and many excellect EC's. Even though I had poor MCAT scores, I received two invitations to interview and got accepted to one of the schools (I did not go to the second interview). Also, all of this happened at the last minute of the application process. I guess I feel somewhat lucky, but at the same time I knew I had the personally and determination to be an excellent physician, which is probably why I am still starting medical school this year. In my opinion, the MCAT does a poor job of determining who will and who will not become a successful physician, but I also understand that there has to be some kind of competitive factor to choose new medical students since, in my opinion, anyone can receive an excellent GPA if they apply themselves. The people that interviewed me (LECOM) said they have excepted many applicants with the same MCAT scores and those poelpe have done excellent on both the USMLE and the COMPLEX. Believe it or not, many people get accepted with MCAT scores lower than a 20, and do very well as a student and a physician.

 

[potential]

how can anyone with a science background get <20 ? i mean come on.

 

[Pinkertinkle]

Come on, getting a 20 is like scratching together a few correct answers.

 

[velo]

I have read several threads where others mentioned that there are people accepted with a 20 MCAT or lower.

god i hope not

 

[fullefect1]

A friend of mine got in with a 19, average grades(3.3), and worked in the medical field for a year of two. MCAT scores do NOT correlate with success in medical school. Another friend of mine got in with a 21 and has gotten straight A's in every class during the first year.

Wow, I wonder what they will get on the Complex. Do grades in pre-clinical usually reflect your score, or does test taking skills have alot to do with complex/usmle scores?

 

[Amy B]

COMLEX, not COMPLEX.

It is funny, for some reason lots of people like to put the P in the word. I find myself doing it as well sometimes.

 

[Indebt4Life]

I have a friend that is very bright. She applied 2003 as a traditional applicant and got into Nova with a 19 on the MCAT and a stellar GPA. She will make a great doctor someday.