Next Step With 26 MCAT

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zbrittingham

zbrittingham

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I took the MCAT in January and got a 26. Honestly don't feel as if I did my best - I stopped studying towards the end because I thought I wanted to take a different route.

Probably graduating with a 3.55, 140 volunteer hours, 1500 hours in Ophthalmology clinical research, 1800 hours working as a psych nursing assistant. Currently taking an EMT cert course.

I need advice. I was planning on retaking the new MCAT. Is this necessary? Do I have a chance with a 26? Is it worth it to apply to some schools now and then possibly reapply next cycle?

EDIT- For the long run in my career, would a higher MCAT score get me into a better program, and then better residencies?
 
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The sweet spot is at least a 3.4/26 and you are above this. You will be fine with an early app. for even the most established schools. Just apply wisely. Don't apply to schools wanting a high MCAT and one's that have a high instate preference. Good luck.
 
3.55/26 is enough to get you plenty of interviews. Just apply early, broadly ( minimal 15 schools with some low tiers and mid tiers), and have a DO Lor at all costs.
 
You'll be fine with a 26. I only applied to 4 schools and got in w/ the same score.
 
Yes, your chances are fine with a 26. But skip the NY and CA Touros, Western, CCOM and AZCOM.

zbrittingham said:
I took the MCAT in January and got a 26. Honestly don't feel as if I did my best - I stopped studying towards the end because I thought I wanted to take a different route.

Probably graduating with a 3.55, 140 volunteer hours, 1500 hours in Ophthalmology clinical research, 1800 hours working as a psych nursing assistant. Currently taking an EMT cert course.

I need advice. I was planning on retaking the new MCAT. Is this necessary? Do I have a chance with a 26? Is it worth it to apply to some schools now and then possibly reapply next cycle?

EDIT- For the long run in my career, would a higher MCAT score get me into a better program, and then better residencies?
Click to expand...
 
Goro said:
Yes, your chances are fine with a 26. But skip the NY and CA Touros, Western, CCOM and AZCOM.
Click to expand...

Darn I knew Touro CA was a stretch but I was hoping to still apply to Western and CCOM.
 
What's your breakdown? I'm looking to apply to all of those with a 26. Doesn't hurt to try. Also, I've seen some people on here who have gotten into CCOM with that score.
 
I agree with most of this. You should get love from pretty much most schools. The only schools that you might blatantly be overlooked at are CCOM, PCOM, and TouroNY. But honestly, for PCOM and CCOM at least, that happens to a lot of people anyways. Otherwise I would say all other DO schools are fair game. You can get into a top DO program with your scores for sure - DMU, KCU, and KCOM will definitely show some interest. There are plenty of other schools that would also show some interest in you. There are plenty of people with 26's getting into pretty much all DO schools. If you apply early on to maybe 12-15 schools and then get your secondaries and letters of rec back fast, you will for sure get some love, likely to multiple schools.

Whats your state school?
 
I had a 26 on the MCAT, and I have been accepted to both Ohio University and KCUMB. I also reviewed interview invites from PCOM, WVSOM, Marian University, Edward Via Auburn campus, Kirksville AT Still school--I didn't attend any of these interviews because I was set on KCUMB or OU. It is possible to get! Just apply broadly to all levels of schools and also to schools in different regions!

Good luck! Don't hesitate to message me if you have any questions I can help with!
 
lexierae494 said:
I had a 26 on the MCAT, and I have been accepted to both Ohio University and KCUMB. I also reviewed interview invites from PCOM, WVSOM, Marian University, Edward Via Auburn campus, Kirksville AT Still school--I didn't attend any of these interviews because I was set on KCUMB or OU. It is possible to get! Just apply broadly to all levels of schools and also to schools in different regions!

Good luck! Don't hesitate to message me if you have any questions I can help with!
Click to expand...
#likeaboss
 
Awesome Sauceome said:
I agree with most of this. You should get love from pretty much most schools. The only schools that you might blatantly be overlooked at are CCOM, PCOM, and TouroNY. But honestly, for PCOM and CCOM at least, that happens to a lot of people anyways. Otherwise I would say all other DO schools are fair game. You can get into a top DO program with your scores for sure - DMU, KCU, and KCOM will definitely show some interest. There are plenty of other schools that would also show some interest in you. There are plenty of people with 26's getting into pretty much all DO schools. If you apply early on to maybe 12-15 schools and then get your secondaries and letters of rec back fast, you will for sure get some love, likely to multiple schools.

Whats your state school?
Click to expand...

Thanks so much, this was super helpful. PCOM and CCOM were both on my list, but I've heard the same thing about these schools.
I'm from MD, but I've also lived in Mass 5 years for school... unfortunately neither of these has a program 🙁
 
karling said:
Yep. I believe Kick_Rocks got in with a 25.
Click to expand...
did she really get into COMP with a 3.4 and 25? She hasn't posted anywhere. Kind of surprised she was able to get in with that, the rest of her application and interview must have been incredible.
 
user3 said:
did she really get into COMP with a 3.4 and 25? She hasn't posted anywhere. Kind of surprised she was able to get in with that, the rest of her application and interview must have been incredible.
Click to expand...

I was accepted there last year and I can assure you they look for more than just numbers. My friends who had higher stats were declined an interview.

Western U looks for students that match their mission statement.
 
zbrittingham said:
Thanks so much, this was super helpful. PCOM and CCOM were both on my list, but I've heard the same thing about these schools.
I'm from MD, but I've also lived in Mass 5 years for school... unfortunately neither of these has a program 🙁
Click to expand...

You should give those schools a shot still. You never know!
 
zbrittingham said:
Thanks so much, this was super helpful. PCOM and CCOM were both on my list, but I've heard the same thing about these schools.
I'm from MD, but I've also lived in Mass 5 years for school... unfortunately neither of these has a program 🙁
Click to expand...
I have a couple of friends who are at CCOM with sub 27 mcats. I would give it a shot if I were you.
 
chizledfrmstone said:
I was accepted there last year and I can assure you they look for more than just numbers. My friends who had higher stats were declined an interview.

Western U looks for students that match their mission statement.
Click to expand...
I also think female gender offers some leg up in the admission process.

Edit: just looked in the western thread. Someone with a 38(!!!) was just waitlisted.
 
user3 said:
did she really get into COMP with a 3.4 and 25? She hasn't posted anywhere. Kind of surprised she was able to get in with that, the rest of her application and interview must have been incredible.
Click to expand...

That kind of makes me regret not applying there. LOL
 
I got into PCOM with a 26. I also got MD interviews (in my state, but not at my state schools). I have only one regret this season and it was not applying to my top choice school b/c I thought it was a reach. If I could do it all again, I would apply and let the school decide. Don't write yourself off. That said, definitely apply to schools you have a better shot at. You never know with this whole process... several MD and established DO school interviews and I was rejected outright from LECOM.

zbrittingham said:
Thanks so much, this was super helpful. PCOM and CCOM were both on my list, but I've heard the same thing about these schools.
I'm from MD, but I've also lived in Mass 5 years for school... unfortunately neither of these has a program 🙁
Click to expand...
 
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mspeedwagon said:
I got into PCOM with a 26. I also got MD interviews (in my state, but not at my state schools). I have only one regret this season and it was not applying to my top choice school b/c I thought it was a reach. If I could do it all again, I would apply and let the school decide. Don't write yourself off. That said, definitely apply to schools you have a better shot at. You never know with this whole process... several MD and established DO school interviews and I was rejected outright from LECOM.

\
Click to expand...

+1

I interviewed and got accepted to schools that I thought were out of my league and I never heard from some of my safety schools.

Always apply broadly.
 
user3 said:
AACOM:

avg male matriculant MCAT: 27.7
avg female matriculant MCAT: 26.6
Click to expand...
The average overall GPA for the average female matriculant was higher, though.
 
user3 said:
AACOM:

avg male matriculant MCAT: 27.7
avg female matriculant MCAT: 26.6
Click to expand...

Females are better interviewers. IMO they are just better at greeting and being overall more aesthetically pleasant lol I think in most cases the non-verbal qualities trump context in an interview. Obviously, within lines of reason.
 
user3 said:
did she really get into COMP with a 3.4 and 25? She hasn't posted anywhere. Kind of surprised she was able to get in with that, the rest of her application and interview must have been incredible.
Click to expand...

I stand corrected. Scanning through the Western thread I saw her post asking when the deposit was due, so I figured she had been accepted. Farther down the thread she said she's waiting on a decision, and she hasn't posted since.
 
You'll be fine. I had identical stats and ended up with 7 acceptances including PCOM and DMU. Just write one hell of a PS and make sure you explain your ECs well. As serenade said, make sure to get working on the DO LOR if you haven't already.
 
OP, the next step after getting a 26 MCAT is to apply to med school, plenty of people on SDN has posted their success with a 26 so you should be in good shape. Like what has been said apply early and broadly, in 3 categories: 1) Reach Schools, 2) Your Stats, 3) Below Your Stats. Pay attention to state/regional biases as that can be a total game changer in your application strategy. Also I understand some people might disagree but medical school is largely how you perform on the boards, not necessarily the quality of the medical program that determines your success. But if you happen to have the luxury of being able to choose which school you want to attend and feel most comfortable with that CAN have a big impact on your success.
 
zbrittingham said:
Darn I knew Touro CA was a stretch but I was hoping to still apply to Western and CCOM.
Click to expand...

To give you some hope, I got into CCOM with a 26 MCAT retake (got a 25 the first time) without a problem this cycle. Definitely still apply! I really do think they look at your whole application before making a decision, so I wouldn't say CCOM is out of the question for you. Good luck! 🙂
 
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