MCAT below 24

[driven]

Hey guys,

I know the national avg is 24 and most med schools don't look at scores below 30's, but I need to know if there is ANY shot, even a 5% chance of getting in with 21-24. Please advice.. or else, major dose of depression

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[DesiMDHopeful]

There may be a slim chance if you're other credentials are really really good or if the right person in an admissions office reads your app and loves your essays. However, Id advise retaking. Sorry <img border="0" title="" alt="[Frown]" src="frown.gif" />

 

[DesiMDHopeful]

Or actually let me take some of that back. You can I think still get into some DO schools with that or your other option is to try a post bac masters program where your MCAT score wont matter as much as your performance in the program (ie at Goergetown, Finch/CMS, BU, etc). See some of the other threads for info on these

 

[relatively prime]

Unless you are a URM, your chances with a score &lt;24 are very poor. I would suggest you retake. Don't be too depressed... look at the retakers threads... one person improoved their score by 11 points!!

Good luck

 

[relatively prime]

•••quote:•••Originally posted by DesiMDHopeful:
•Or actually let me take some of that back. You can I think still get into some DO schools with that or your other option is to try a post bac masters program where your MCAT score wont matter as much as your performance in the program (ie at Goergetown, Finch/CMS, BU, etc). See some of the other threads for info on these•••••Even D.O. schools have averages of around 26-28. So maybe a 24 would get you into a DO school, but most likely not a 21.

 

[Aggiemaj]

I was in the same boat last year (&lt;24 MCAT). However, of the 6 schools I applied to, I got 4 interviews. I was not initially matched and am now on waiting lists. I am getting ready to retake the MCAT in August and hopefully will get in for Aug 2003.

I've seen people get in with less than 25, but they have to have WAY high GPRs and outstanding extra-curricular/experience.

 

[Explosivo]

Forget the whole URM business for moment.

An acceptance with an MCAT score less than 24 is exceedingly rare. Applying is a big investment so you need to make sure you invest wisely. Investing in an MCAT score that is less than a 24 is not a good move since it will yield very few interviews if any. Aggimaj's case is the exception not the rule and even his/her exception isn't all that appealing since you'll probably be buried on wait-lists anyway.

As for D.O., I'm kind of sick and tired of people suggesting that applicants with low MCAT scores apply to D.O. schools. People should go to D.O. schools if they want to become osteopathic physicians, not because they can't get in anywhere else.

Botttom line...study hard, retake it, and in the end, you'll be glad you did. Don't get depressed, get pissed instead and study your ass off for it with a "I'm gonna kick this ****ing test's ass" attitude next time. I promise you will score higher. I'm speaking from my own personal experience with this since I went through the same thing.

Also, if you are still in college, remember that you are still young and have plenty of time. Don't feel rushed into going straight from college to med school. It's not as important as it seems.

Good Luck.

 

[driven]

This is so upsetting. I got a 23, and have decent EC's and GPA. I guess my chances are shot

 

[DrBlueDevil]

•••quote:•••Originally posted by Explosivo:
•As for D.O., I'm kind of sick and tired of people suggesting that applicants with low MCAT scores apply to D.O. schools. People should go to D.O. schools if they want to become osteopathic physicians, not because they can't get in anywhere else.•••••I'm sick and tired of hearing people whine about those who consider osteopathic schools as less-competitive than allopathic schools. The fact is that osteopathic schools currently accept candidates with significantly lower MCAT/GPA scores than allopathic schools do. If you want to be a doctor but don't have the scores for an allopathic program, then WHY SHOULDN'T you apply to DO programs?

 

[Doctora Foxy]

•••quote:•••Originally posted by driven:
•This is so upsetting. I got a 23, and have decent EC's and GPA. I guess my chances are shot•••••Your chances aren't shot! The MCAT score is the easiest thing to fix! Be happy you don't have to increase your GPA, since that is much more time consuming.....just retake the MCATS whenever you feel confident to improve your score, and apply to med school then.

 

[Explosivo]

•••quote:•••Originally posted by DrBlueDevil:
•I'm sick and tired of hearing people whine about those who consider osteopathic schools as less-competitive than allopathic schools. The fact is that osteopathic schools currently accept candidates with significantly lower MCAT/GPA scores than osteopathic schools do. If you want to be a doctor but don't have the scores for an allopathic program, then WHY SHOULDN'T you apply to DO programs?•••••Because DO programs and MD programs although sharing many similarities, do differ. Otherwise, what's the point of calling one a D.O. and another M.D. Both schools produce competent physicians but there are differences in philosophy. I believe D.O. schools have a stronger emphasis in primary care among other things. Maybe people with low MCATs/GPAs don't want to do primary care. Does it make sense then for them to apply to D.O. schools simply b/c of low scores?

If you agree with the D.O. philosophy and approach to medicine then I'm all for those that wish to go that route. I do not like people that as a "knee-jerk" reflex decide to apply to D.O. schools based solely on their MCAT and GPA score. That's like people that go into medicine only for the money, both are shallow reasons by themselves IMHO. However, opinions are like bellybuttons, everyone's got one and this one's mine so don't get your panties in a bunch over it.

Apply if you like, but don't bitch upon matriculating into a DO school if you suddenly find yourself uncomfortable about osteopathic medicine b/c all you looked at was the avg. GPA & MCAT score.

 

[Tweetie_bird]

•••quote:•••Originally posted by driven:
•Hey guys,

I know the national avg is 24 and most med schools don't look at scores below 30's•••••don't look at scores below 30's??? Where did you learn this from??? I have a 27Q and I surely don't want to take it again...after a lot of work, I cranked out a 7 in verbal when I used to have 5-6. I got 10's on my sciences. Are you telling me i shouldn't apply the first time???

MORE INFO NEEDED PLEASE

 

[Explosivo]

•••quote:•••Originally posted by Tweetie_bird:
•don't look at scores below 30's??? Where did you learn this from??? I have a 27Q and I surely don't want to take it again...after a lot of work, I cranked out a 7 in verbal when I used to have 5-6. I got 10's on my sciences. Are you telling me i shouldn't apply the first time???

MORE INFO NEEDED PLEASE •••••Tweety don't worry. That isn't true at all. The average MCAT score for accepted applicants is a 29.5 so obviously there are many people with less than a 30 getting looked at. It may be true at places like WashU, Harvard, and the rest of the usual suspects but not for most medical schools in general.

 

[racergirl]

I think Driven has a Ugrad GPA around 3.0, so I know she was hoping for a 30+ MCAT. Sorry, driven . Was this your first MCAT? Perhaps you can improve...

 

[DesiMDHopeful]

First of all...on the D.O. thing since I think it might have been my suggestion that kicked of this little debate on here. It's an OPTION that I threw out there. I dont mean to belittle the D.O. degree at all, it definitely has it's own virtues and philosophies that set it apart from an MD. However, for someone that really wants to be a doctor and help people, regardless of the two letters after their name, a D.O. is a viable option if you dont want (or can't afford) to go thru all the work, time, and stress that it will take to improve to get accepted into an MD program. Sure there are different philosophies between the two degrees but D.O.'s in the end practice right alongside many MDs and essentially have all the same rights and do many of the same things. That was my point. Obviously, before anyone would consider goign to a D.O. school I'd hope they take the time to learn and research it so they know they're making the right choice. It's an option at least.

Now for Driven...dont get down about your MCAT scores!!! I know for a fact that if you work at it and put your mind to it, improving your scores is doable. Just look at your scores and identify where your weaknesses were and just concentrate on that. This is not at all the end of the road so dont think you're chances are completely shot! Think of it as a hurdle to clear on the way to becoming a doctor

 

[relatively prime]

•••quote:•••Originally posted by Explosivo:
•Forget the whole URM business for moment.

An acceptance with an MCAT score less than 24 is exceedingly rare.

As for D.O., I'm kind of sick and tired of people suggesting that applicants with low MCAT scores apply to D.O. schools. People should go to D.O. schools if they want to become osteopathic physicians, not because they can't get in anywhere else.

•••••Let's be realistic. At schools like Meharry and Howard (known to be predominantly URM schools) acceptance with MCAT scores &lt;24 is not uncommon, in fact their averages are right around 23 to 24. URMs can and do get accepted with lower stats. It's not at all uncommon for a URM to be accepted with a 24.... so we can't just "forget about the URM business." That doesn't mean that just because someone is a URM he/she should ~expect~ to get in with a &lt;24 score... because many don't. However, it's reasonable to think that if he/she is a URM, that he/she has a chance.

Also, I'm a big fan of D.O. schools, however I don't mind people going to them because they can't get in anywhere else. There aren't enough students who are honestly interested in the DO philosophy to fill all the DO schools. You could probably fit all the students honestly interesed in the DO philosophy into 2 or 3 schools. So obvious other people need to apply to them... hopefully these students will come to respect the philosphy while being students.

 

[BlueJayBill]

From what I hear, unless your an URM or disadvantaged, it's tough (ok almost downright impossible) to get into a school with below a 9 in a particular section. The ones who do are usually superstars in a particular activity.

-Bill

 

[Explosivo]

•••quote:•••Originally posted by relatively prime:
•

Let's be realistic. At schools like Meharry and Howard (known to be predominantly URM schools) acceptance with MCAT scores &lt;24 is not uncommon, in fact their averages are right around 23 to 24. URMs can and do get accepted with lower stats. It's not at all uncommon for a URM to be accepted with a 24.... so we can't just "forget about the URM business." That doesn't mean that just because someone is a URM he/she should ~expect~ to get in with a &lt;24 score... because many don't. However, it's reasonable to think that if he/she is a URM, that he/she has a chance.

Also, I'm a big fan of D.O. schools, however I don't mind people going to them because they can't get in anywhere else. There aren't enough students who are honestly interested in the DO philosophy to fill all the DO schools. You could probably fit all the students honestly interesed in the DO philosophy into 2 or 3 schools. So obvious other people need to apply to them... hopefully these students will come to respect the philosphy while being students.

•••••RP, your points are well taken.

Let's settle this then.

driven, are you a URM?

If you fall into this miniscule percentage of applicants go ahead and apply. On the other hand, if you're like everybody else, the majority, retake the test (with comprehensive test prep). Especially if it was the first time you took the MCAT.

In fact my advice to ANYONE URM or not, that scores a 23 on their first try is to retake. Ask any adcom member and they'll tell you the same thing. A 23 just isn't a good enough score to put all your chips on. Plus, its not all that difficult of a score to improve on provided you study for it. Trust me, I know from experience.

One more comment on the D.O. route. I think they try and attract non-traditional applicants, i.e.- older ones that want to change careers. This may be the reason that their GPAs and MCATs are much lower than allopathic schools. In addition, in exchange for accepting people with lower GPA/MCAT, they expect an applicant in return that has a fair amount of life experience, something that your average med school applicant fresh out of college has not had.

 

[Ryo-Ohki]

Apply to Howard. I wonder if you would get in?

 

[driven]

Wow... thanks for all your advice guys. Explosivo, I am not a URM, so that leaves me to no choice but to retake this test. I was really hoping for a miracle, since I have a 1 1/2 yr old son who missed out on a lot when I was studying for the April test, and I guess he will have a MIA mom again for the next 2 months... kinda stinky. But hey, this is the profession and road I chose and this will have to do for a while, in med school, residency and after. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Frown]" src="frown.gif" />