MCAT strategy question for an MSTP applicant

[alacast]

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Here's the deal: I've got great research experience, good/great LoRs, and a great GPA. However, MCAT is lagging behind, but not way behind. Here's how my practice MCATs from AAMC have broken down:

10-12-10 (32)
10-13-13 (36)
10-13-13 (36)
Then I spent a lot of time focusing on physics and chemistry, to get:
11-13-11 (35)

I'm scheduled to take the MCAT on the 28th, next Saturday. I'm still several points below where I'd like to be (39-40), but I may have a skewed sense of what is necessary to get into great MSTPs. At this point, I'm thinking of moving back my MCAT date until April or May, even though it's costly. The problem is that I'll have more things going on in my life during that time, while right now I can focus just on this until the 28th.

Thoughts? Am I overreacting? Plenty of people get into all sorts of programs with a 36.

 

[dmblue]

It seems to me that a 36 is good but not considered excellent, but I am not an expert.

Cue Neuronix to disagree with me =)

 

[Neuronix]

Cue Neuronix to disagree with me =)

$#%@$%@$#%@$#% 😉

The average for matriculants at MSTPs is 36.x to 37.x for the schools I have data on, which are top-20 programs. So I agree with you. I speculate that a 36 will get your foot in the door at any program, even if it is a smidge below average for the top schools. For any MD/PhD program, the pdf I link in the WAMC sticky gives 34 as an average, so I suspect that as you drop down in the rankings to MSTPs in the USNews rankings up to 40s (where the MSTPs end), and then fully-funded MD/PhD programs past that, the average MCAT drops closer to and then lower than 34.

Of course, the MCAT score is just one piece of a broader puzzle. You need the rest of your application (especially research experience and GPA) to back it up. As long as these are all in place, I doubt anyone is splitting hairs between a 36 and a 38. On the other hand, if these aren't in place, you're screwed even if you have 40+.

 

[alacast]

Well, looks like I'm going to go for it. Let's hope I can boost two or three points before then.