Can someone with a 21 mcat still get into a do school?

[memsak00]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Im staring down the barrel of a 21 on the aamc practice tests, 3.4 cgpa and sgpa, do and md letters, volunteering, ecs, good ecs and work experiance, documented disability, strong letters. Any opinions?

 

[ALF85]

IMO, it would not be a very good chance, if any at all. I know some schools have a required score for the MCAT (Liberty requires a 22 according to their admissions site).

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

Nope, retake or consider podiatry.

 

[BestDoctorEver]

24+...

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

24+...

I mean. 3.4/24 would be barebones. But seriously, how do people maintain 21st on their Mcat? I mean you've got to massively change your approach at that point.

 

[bionerd89]

Not sure if any school would but even if they did I don't think anyone with a 21 MCAT should attend medical school unless they had some really good reason why they couldn't score higher. Med school is all about testing. Tbh I don't think you should worry too much about the practice test. I think your scaring yourself too much.

 

[memsak00]

I mean. 3.4/24 would be barebones. But seriously, how do people maintain 21st on their Mcat? I mean you've got to massively change your approach at that point.

Well highest score was on an aamc. It was a 27. My average is a 23.5.

 

[touchpause13]

Study more

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

Well highest score was on an aamc. It was a 27. My average is a 23.5.

Push back your test to July or something and study till your eyes bleed Mcat.

 

[celica0015]

my buddy is a ms2 and was accepted off wait list with a 21 after applying to only 2 schools, he did have a 3.9 gpa though. Crazy things can happen, but its rare. He is now at the top of his class and recently scored the highest on their practice board exam.

 

[gaeko25]

There are also Caribbean MD schools...

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

my buddy is a ms2 and was accepted off wait list with a 21 after applying to only 2 schools, he did have a 3.9 gpa though. Crazy things can happen, but its rare. He is now at the top of his class and recently scored the highest on their practice board exam.

For every anecdote there are millions of pit falls and traps.

 

[BestDoctorEver]

I mean. 3.4/24 would be barebones. But seriously, how do people maintain 21st on their Mcat? I mean you've got to massively change your approach at that point.

Don't know... I did not do that well on the test either due to VR; therefore, I am not in a position to judge. But I scored above 21....

 

[user3]

For every anecdote there are millions of pit falls and traps.

I've seen too many people with low 20's get in this year to agree with this completely. It does hurt the application, but is NOT a death sentence.

 

[MrWonderful]

Not trying to scare you but my average was a 33 on practice and I ended up with a 27. Test day anxiety gets the better of many people, so expect some wiggle room from your average. That said, doing thousands of verbal passages almost guarentees you'll raise your score to at least an 8 or 9 so cement that first

 

[da Vincis World]

I don't have any comments on your specific application. But to answer your original question.....yes, a 21 MCAT CAN get into DO school, they do every year. I'd say almost every DO school has someone enrolled with a 21 or less, regardless of what their "requirements" say.

 

[bcurtis]

A general trend I have seen in the past is that people score less on the real thing than on the practice tests; and for obvious reasons Of course. Self analyze your studying tech quotes and find out what is wrong. If you've made it this far, don't let the MCAT stop you. Consider a MCAT prep course or better study material +. More time

 

[Makati2008]

I don't have any comments on your specific application. But to answer your original question.....yes, a 21 MCAT CAN get into DO school, they do every year. I'd say almost every DO school has someone enrolled with a 21 or less, regardless of what their "requirements" say.

Agreed. I know of one DO school that took a person with a 15 and another one that took an applicant with a 16. The person with a 16 is doing gen surg I hear. I don't know what became of the 15 though

 

[IslandStyle808]

For every anecdote there are millions of pit falls and traps.

I agree, if you are talking about getting into medical school with a 21 (there are rare exceptions that do, I admit). I disagree, if you mean that a high mcat correlates with a high step I/level I. These are two very different tests that should be treated as such.

 

[Goro]

Maybe LUCOM, but definitely not mine and a bucketload of others. Poor MCAT performance I or related with a risk of failing out of me school or failing boards.

Im staring down the barrel of a 21 on the aamc practice tests, 3.4 cgpa and sgpa, do and md letters, volunteering, ecs, good ecs and work experiance, documented disability, strong letters. Any opinions?

 

[memsak00]

A general trend I have seen in the past is that people score less on the real thing than on the practice tests; and for obvious reasons Of course. Self analyze your studying tech quotes and find out what is wrong. If you've made it this far, don't let the MCAT stop you. Consider a MCAT prep course or better study material +. More time

Which test prep company? Kaplan comes to mind with their higher score guarantee but there are others like examkrackers and princeton review. Which do i choose and what kind of increase can i expect as seen by others who have taken these classes in the past?

 

[gaeko25]

Agreed. I know of one DO school that took a person with a 15 and another one that took an applicant with a 16. The person with a 16 is doing gen surg I hear. I don't know what became of the 15 though

How does one actually score a 15 on the MCAT and still get into medical school? That's 7th percentile.

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

How does one actually score a 15 on the MCAT and still get into medical school? That's 7th percentile.

Being good with your mouth. Or having a parent that's good with their words.

Legitimately though, is essentially akin to walking into the SAT and just writing your name down. I mean, guessing the answers will likely amount to higher.

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

Which test prep company? Kaplan comes to mind with their higher score guarantee but there are others like examkrackers and princeton review. Which do i choose and what kind of increase can i expect as seen by others who have taken these classes in the past?

Princeton review all the way if you're not living in CA and have access to BR.

 

[DreamingDoc]

I don't have any comments on your specific application. But to answer your original question.....yes, a 21 MCAT CAN get into DO school, they do every year. I'd say almost every DO school has someone enrolled with a 21 or less, regardless of what their "requirements" say.

^^^^This, and I speak from personal experience.

 

[Mehd School]

It happens, but it probably shouldn't. I know that seems harsh.

 

[Makati2008]

It happens, but it probably shouldn't. I know that seems harsh.

Agreed

 

[Escape_Goat]

There are also Caribbean MD schools...

No. Seriously, no.

 

[BestDoctorEver]

MCAT seems to have very low correlation with step 1. I am at US school that has low average MCAT score, but has over 90% step 1 passing rate. In fact, there are two students in the class of 2015 who scored <24 in the MCAT, but killed step 1 (260+).

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

MCAT seems to have very low correlation with step 1. I am at US school that has low average MCAT score, but has over 90% step 1 passing rate. In fact, there are two students in the class of 2015 who scored <24 in the MCAT, but killed step 1 (260+).

It's low to moderate, like .2-.3. Which is significant to mention, but not significant enough to be a primary predictor. So... It can't be helped.

 

[IslandStyle808]

It's low to moderate, like .2-.3. Which is significant to mention, but not significant enough to be a primary predictor. So... It can't be helped.

Well, it is the adcoms' choice as to how much faith they want to put into MCAT scores.

 

[NekoBeats]

Im staring down the barrel of a 21 on the aamc practice tests, 3.4 cgpa and sgpa, do and md letters, volunteering, ecs, good ecs and work experiance, documented disability, strong letters. Any opinions?

Is there a chance? Yes. It it likely? No.

You haven't taken the MCAT yet then, correct? Your GPA is alright. There really isn't anything to do except buckle down, study hard, and score as high as possible on the MCAT. Easier said than done, I know, but don't let the 21 on a practice test phase you.

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

Well, it is the adcoms' choice as to how much faith they want to put into MCAT scores.

Indeed, and in the end the colleges also had similar views on the SAT. But the point being is that a poor and flawed metric is not the best option to evaluate if other options become available. I mean for what it is worth, most standardized tests like IQ tests are probably at best nominal evaluations that can determine yes or no but with some exceptions. I.e how for example no psychologist or psychiatrist would call someone ******ed just based off a IQ test nor mentally ill because a test shows they have bipolar.

 

[IslandStyle808]

Indeed, and in the end the colleges also had similar views on the SAT. But the point being is that a poor and flawed metric is not the best option to evaluate if other options become available. I mean for what it is worth, most standardized tests like IQ tests are probably at best nominal evaluations that can determine yes or no but with some exceptions. I.e how for example no psychologist or psychiatrist would call someone ******ed just based off a IQ test nor mentally ill because a test shows they have bipolar.

I agree with you. The problem here really is that a good chunk of members on admissions committees don't even see it as a poor and flawed metric. Heck even evaluations done on the MCAT are flawed. These journal studies don't use confidence interval or ranges when looking at score comparisons between the step I and MCAT. I just don't like how academic medicine just takes decades to change an exam or another evaluation technique. It should be a more proactive process, but I think they are stuck in the belief that this system is good enough.

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

I agree with you. The problem here really is that a good chunk of members on admissions committees don't even see it as a poor and flawed metric. Heck even evaluations done on the MCAT are flawed. These journal studies don't use confidence interval or ranges when looking at score comparisons between the step I and MCAT. I just don't like how academic medicine just takes decades to change an exam or another evaluation technique. It should be a more proactive process, but I think they are stuck in the belief that this system is good enough.

Surprise surprise that biologists and doctors don't know how to do or read research on testing. Hell if they did they wouldn't come up with this abortion of an exam that is mcat2015.

 

[Mehd School]

Surprise surprise that biologists and doctors don't know how to do or read research on testing. Hell if they did they wouldn't come up with this abortion of an exam that is mcat2015.

How are you so sure that a test that hasn't been admitted yet will be a failure?

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

How are you so sure that a test that hasn't been admitted yet will be a failure?

Because I don't see the connection between a test that tests human behavior and it's proposed connection of more humanistic physicians. I mean I'm a psych major and half of my major by 4th year were still meat heads who held horribly simplistic and conservative beliefs about human behavior.

Largely to say people are quite prone to sticking with the prejudices they've acquired by age 18.

 

[Mehd School]

Because I don't see the connection between a test that tests human behavior and it's proposed connection of more humanistic physicians. I mean I'm a psych major and half of my major by 4th year were still meat heads who held horribly simplistic and conservative beliefs about human behavior.

Largely to say people are quite prone to sticking with the prejudices they've acquired by age 18.

Do you think the individuals responsible for creating and implementing the new test probably have a little better insight on the subject compared to you and me?

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

Do you think the individuals responsible for creating and implementing the new test probably have a little better insight on the subject compared to you and me?

I'm a pessimist, I don't believe in standardized tests. I think the ideal will occur when we can preform behavioral tests cheaply and chiefly.


But anywho, I think the test will be as effective as the last.

 

[Awesome Sauceome]

Which test prep company? Kaplan comes to mind with their higher score guarantee but there are others like examkrackers and princeton review. Which do i choose and what kind of increase can i expect as seen by others who have taken these classes in the past?

do NOT use Kaplan. Princeton review is the better choice for sure





Sent from my RM-917_nam_usa_100 using Tapatalk

 

[Awesome Sauceome]

Consider podiatry as well. You can get in with a 21. You go through 4 years of podiatry medical school, then do a 3-4 year surgical residency. Then you practice as an interesting mix of primary care, Ortho surgeon (of the foot and ankle) and you see some interesting derm and vascular pathology. You can make 140-300k a year depending on your practice type and location. The tuition is half the cost of DO school... Its not that bad of a deal.

Personally I am more sold on the DO route, because I appreciate the option of having choices later on. But if it means not being able to become a physician and have a fulfilling career, I would definitely think about pod. Maybe shadow one or two and see for yourself. If you can get it to a comfortable 24 mcat though, then I would feel more confident pushing DO on you.

Sent from my RM-917_nam_usa_100 using Tapatalk

 

[dutchie000]

I know someone who got in with a 21, but he was an URM and the school has a regional bias. I would retake if I were you. I have thought a lot about what I'll do if I get a bad score, and the answer was just to apply when I'm ready, whether this year or next. Do you feel ready with a 21 MCAT score? I definitely wouldn't. I would invest your time and money into bumping it up. Then you will have more choices and won't have to settle for somewhere you don't like 🙂 Not to mention waste 1000s of dollars and discourage yourself even more if you don't get in. Good luck and whatever you do don't give up!

 

[dutchie000]

I know someone who got in with a 21, but he was an URM and the school has a regional bias. I would retake if I were you. I have thought a lot about what I'll do if I get a bad score, and the answer was just to apply when I'm ready, whether this year or next. Do you feel ready with a 21 MCAT score? I definitely wouldn't. I would invest your time and money into bumping it up. Then you will have more choices and won't have to settle for somewhere you don't like 🙂 Not to mention waste 1000s of dollars and discourage yourself even more if you don't get in. Good luck and whatever you do don't give up!

Oh, just reread this. 21 on your practice tests. I'm in the same boat. I realized a little too late I was approaching studying wrong, but I will still take on May 31 and if my gut says heck no I'll void and reschedule. But yeah, actually getting in with a 21 would be a challenge

 

[bcurtis]

This is a highly subjective question, and I think I gave you a very subjective answer. You're right in that there are MANY companies to go with, but it ultimately depends on which company you want to spend your money on. I've heard tons of good stuff on Kaplan (especially their summer intensive classes), and I have heard many good things on Princeton. I cannot comment on Examkarackers. Unless you're going to be taking the 2015 MCAT, I would trust the mainstream companies.

It will be interesting to see how fast the adapt to the new MCAT in 2015.

Which test prep company? Kaplan comes to mind with their higher score guarantee but there are others like examkrackers and princeton review. Which do i choose and what kind of increase can i expect as seen by others who have taken these classes in the past?