MCAT for Top Five Med Schools

[muir]

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Hey guys-

I've been surfing alot of the "What are my Chances" pages and "School Specific" pages but I haven't found a page dedicated just to this topic. I was wondering if anyone knows what the lowest MCAT score with which someone could get into a top five school.

I know high 40's will get you in almost anywhere and that GPA is a major factor and EC's are important as well. But let's assume an individual has a great GPA and great EC's (because it seems most of the people on this forum do), what is the lowest MCAT score? Also, what is the MCAT score necesary for a caucasian male to get into a school influenced heavily by affirmative action (say Harvard)?

 

[DoctorDeMan]

The lowest would probably be like a 25. But that's an outlier and should not be considered, plus this fictional person is probably ultra-URM and has exceptional life experiences (a PhD, JD, and started an international medical organization, plus published first author several times in NEJM, Nature, Cell, etc.)

Don't count on getting into a top 5. Apply broadly, and with a little luck you just might. There are never any guarantees in life.

 

[mmmcdowe]

MDapplicants is your friend for this question. The average score for an accepted student is at Harvard is just a smidge below a 36. For a white male coming straight out of college, my bet would be a 34+ is typical.

 

[enjoydrywax]

If you are white/asian, I'd say shoot for something like a 36+ just to be sure. If you are URM, you could probably get by with slightly less, but everybody else has to be up to par.

 

[honker]

Numbers don't get you into top five schools. You generally need something that makes you more interesting. Examples would include published research, athletics (especially if you are good at it), etc.

 

[username456789]

I know high 40's will get you in almost anywhere

I would think "high 40's" would mean >45. I don't know anyone with >45 on their MCAT. But I suppose that would get you in almost anywhere, yes.

 

[zpiff]

Numbers don't get you into top five schools. You generally need something that makes you more interesting. Examples would include published research, athletics (especially if you are good at it), etc.

This exactly! This process has convinced me that having a cool life story is the most overlooked aspect of med school admissions.

 

[bruceleehiiiyaa]

I would think "high 40's" would mean >45. I don't know anyone with >45 on their MCAT. But I suppose that would get you in almost anywhere, yes.

thats only if that the ***** reading the "high 40s" part believes that the range of the MCAT in the 40s goes from 40 --> 49. However, since most people on this thread seem to be a little bit wiser (and know that 45 is the max), a high 40 to them would mean > 42. wise ass.

 

[whoisthedrizzle]

Numbers don't get you into top five schools. You generally need something that makes you more interesting. Examples would include published research, athletics (especially if you are good at it), etc.

To be fair, you need the numbers as well as an interesting story.

 

[username456789]

thats only if that the ***** reading the "high 40s" part believes that the range of the MCAT in the 40s goes from 40 --> 49. However, since most people on this thread seem to be a little bit wiser (and know that 45 is the max), a high 40 to them would mean > 42. wise ass.

42 is nowhere near the high 40's. When someone asks you the temperature when it's 72 out, you wouldn't say "it's in the high 70's."

Don't try to cover someone's mistakes by pointing the finger at someone else.

 

[mmmcdowe]

Where the MCAT is concerned, there is no such thing as a "low" 40

 

[Upgrayedd]

deleted

 

[Upgrayedd]

42 is nowhere near the high 40's. When someone asks you the temperature when it's 72 out, you wouldn't say "it's in the high 70's."

Don't try to cover someone's mistakes by pointing the finger at someone else.

Thanks for saying what I was going to!!!

http://sturly.com/mcatinfopage

To the OP: The above link should answer all your questions.

 

[mmmcdowe]

If you google medical school averages, you can also get reasonably ball park values

 

[Narmerguy]

42 is nowhere near the high 40's. When someone asks you the temperature when it's 72 out, you wouldn't say "it's in the high 70's."

Don't try to cover someone's mistakes by pointing the finger at someone else.

 

[muir]

Thanks everyone. I'm not sure where I want to apply but I don't want to spend a ton of money on top 5 school applications if I don't stand a chance! Once again, thanks for all the advice! (I'd like to score 45+ on the MCAT 😉 ).