Minimum MCAT score to apply to top tier schools

[Entirecropslost]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Hey, what is the minimum MCAT score someone should have to apply to one of the top 10-12 schools (ie if you had one point lower than this score you shouldn't bother). I know this can be complicated but assume the person has like 3.7 with a pretty good breadth of experiences (nothing ground breaking though), and is caucasin. I'm sure some ppl have gotten in harvard with a 30, but the answer to this question i'm sure is b/w 31-36 somewhere. Feel free to leave a couple answers with different senarios with them if you want. Thanks all !

 

[Law2Doc]

Hey, what is the minimum MCAT score someone should have to apply to one of the top 10-12 schools (ie if you had one point lower than this score you shouldn't bother). I know this can be complicated but assume the person has like 3.7 with a pretty good breadth of experiences (nothing ground breaking though), and is caucasin. I'm sure some ppl have gotten in harvard with a 30, but the answer to this question i'm sure is b/w 31-36 somewhere. Feel free to leave a couple answers with different senarios with them if you want. Thanks all !

Applicants who get into these schools are not one dimensional, and so there wouldn't be a specific cut off. Numerical stats are only part of the equation, and not always the determinative one. Someone with amazing life/experiences/career/credentials etc. may get in with a 30, while folks with very run of the mill, boring, ECs might get boxed out of the top 12 with a 40 (there have been quite a few on SDN that fit this latter category). I suspect the average MCAT for these 12 schools is over a 32; you can probably confirm that with MSAR, but this single stat alone (or even taken with your GPA and race) is pretty meaningless. These schools get the pick of the litter, and don't use a purely by the numbers analysis (otherwise everyone in these schools would have 4.0/40 or close to it, and they don't.)

 

[DOC1987]

I agree that applicants who get into top ten schools are not one dimentional by any means, BUT the fact is that the top ten schools DO care about numbers. If they didn't, their stats wouldn't be so high. Ave GPA/MCAT's are 3.7 and 34-35 for most of the top tens (you can look up specifics for each schools on aamc.org) so if you had a 3.7/36 you have a good chance of getting into at least one of them. HOWEVER, your PS would have to be really good and you'd have to interview well also. Numbers + personality + passion for being a doctor is what they're looking for.

That's just my take on it, let me know if anyone disagrees..

 

[braluk]

are there any stats on the range of scores people get? I know the MSAR has something like this for MCAT scores, but what about GPA? I want to see the profiles of poeple with low GPAs/and or MCAT scores who have gotten into these schools. Theres less then a 2% admission into schools for individuals with GPAs lower then 3.00. I wonder what the circumstances for these indivudals were for sub 3.0 GPAs who have been accepted.

 

[Kikaku21]

I agree that applicants who get into top ten schools are not one dimentional by any means, BUT the fact is that the top ten schools DO care about numbers. If they didn't, their stats wouldn't be so high. Ave GPA/MCAT's are 3.7 and 34-35 for most of the top tens (you can look up specifics for each schools on aamc.org) so if you had a 3.7/36 you have a good chance of getting into at least one of them. HOWEVER, your PS would have to be really good and you'd have to interview well also. Numbers + personality + passion for being a doctor is what they're looking for.

That's just my take on it, let me know if anyone disagrees..

I agree. And its also a total crap shoot. These schools are looking for a diverse class. Who knows what type of applicant might round out their class during any particular year??? Only the ADCOMS know. Getting solid scores will reduce your likelyhood of rejection from these schools, but certainly will not guarantee admission.

The great part about all of this is that a doctor is a doctor. MDs from Harvard practice medicine just like MDs from state school X do. There are neurosurgeons and inteventional radiologists from both as well.

 

[Law2Doc]

I agree that applicants who get into top ten schools are not one dimentional by any means, BUT the fact is that the top ten schools DO care about numbers. If they didn't, their stats wouldn't be so high. Ave GPA/MCAT's are 3.7 and 34-35 for most of the top tens (you can look up specifics for each schools on aamc.org) so if you had a 3.7/36 you have a good chance of getting into at least one of them. HOWEVER, your PS would have to be really good and you'd have to interview well also. Numbers + personality + passion for being a doctor is what they're looking for.

That's just my take on it, let me know if anyone disagrees..

While I don't totally disagree with you, I know a number of people with ABOVE 3.7/36 who, although they are going to fine schools, did not break into the top 15. I also know quite a few people in the more average (3.5/31) range who are going to top ten schools. None of these people are URM, all were personable. The big distinction between the two groups, from my vantage point, was life experiences. Thus I continue to suggest that numbers are not the strongest determinant, and folks with the best numbers do not necessarilly waltz into the best schools. Folks with solid numbers and the best experiences usually do. But those with strong numbers usually have someplace to waltz to, if they apply broadly enough.

 

[pezzang]

While I don't totally disagree with you, I know a number of people with ABOVE 3.7/36 who, although they are going to fine schools, did not break into the top 15. I also know quite a few people in the more average (3.5/31) range who are going to top ten schools. None of these people are URM, all were personable. The big distinction between the two groups, from my vantage point, was life experiences. Thus I continue to suggest that numbers are not the strongest determinant, and folks with the best numbers do not necessarilly waltz into the best schools. Folks with solid numbers and the best experiences usually do. But those with strong numbers usually have someplace to waltz to, if they apply broadly enough.

What do you mean by the "best experience"?