***Official June 20th 2006 MCAT Score Release Thread***

[QofQuimica]

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Hi April 2006 MCATers,

Some posters have requested that we have one serious thread where only announcements and information about the April 2006 MCAT score release are posted. This thread is it. After the scores are released (on JUNE 20TH!!!), y'all can post your scores in here as well. But in the meantime, please while away the time in the Official April 2006 thread so that we can avoid cluttering this one up with unrelated posts. As always, please remember that false score release posts and threads are a no-no, and good luck to everyone waiting. 🙂

 

[EddieIndy]

That's ridiculous. No offense to your premed advisor, but she must not have had much experience with successful MD/PhD applicants.

Yeah, you're definitely right...

 

[rgerwin]

Not true, but a 29 may not be enough. Depends on your grades and the rest of your app.

 

[LifetimeDoc]

When you say what percentile you got on the MCAT, do you give the low number, the high number, or the average inbetween when asked to give a single numbeR?

Say you got a 30 on the MCAT. The percentile range is 72.0-77.5. Do you say you are 72nd percentile? Do you round up and say 78th percentile?

 

[EddieIndy]

When you say what percentile you got on the MCAT, do you give the low number, the high number, or the average inbetween when asked to give a single numbeR?

Say you got a 30 on the MCAT. The percentile range is 72.0-77.5. Do you say you are 72nd percentile? Do you round up and say 78th percentile?

Oh, I round up alright 🙂 I keep showing off that I'm in the 90th percentile in PS 😀

 

[DF38]

When you say what percentile you got on the MCAT, do you give the low number, the high number, or the average inbetween when asked to give a single numbeR?

Say you got a 30 on the MCAT. The percentile range is 72.0-77.5. Do you say you are 72nd percentile? Do you round up and say 78th percentile?

I would estimate, and say it's around the 75th percentile.

 

[cal_girl]

I have a 3.62 overall gpa, 30N on mcat (9 ps, 7 vr, N, 14 bs), fair healthcare experience (1.5 year emt and firefighter, couple months ER volunteer, some research experience).

My advisor says no allopathic school will touch me with a 7 in VR despite getting the 14 in BS. I want to apply to temple, drexel, jefferson, george washington, suny brooklyn and umdnj.

Don't worry... U'll do fine... UCSF, USC, UCSD are ok with 5 - 6 VR depending on GPA and other parts.

 

[PBandJ]

eddy: hells yeah, as well you should! 🙂

 

[cal_girl]

EDIT: Just went to my premed advisor today (first time in my life). She said that 29 is a great score and good enough for IU Medschool, but for MD/PhD I would need 38 or 39... I don't think I believe that.

I talked with one of the advisor of a program. She's telling me my score is not competitive enough to apply to MD/PhD program as most ppl in the program are 35+. I's kind of pissed .... seriously.

 

[EddieIndy]

I talked with one of the advisor of a program. She's telling me my score of 32 is not competitive enough to apply to MD/PhD program as most ppl in the program are 35+. I's kind of pissed .... seriously.

I think she is wrong, but you never know until you contact the adcoms at the universities you are applying to. I will definitely contact the MD/PhD program adcoms at IU and ask them for advice. People with 28, 29 and 30 have gotten in, so there isn't any score specific requirements. The national average for this program is 31, so consider yourself above average! My friends from this program are saying that research and showing commitment to the program is the most important. It's a 13-15 year program (7-8 Md/Phd + 3 Residency + 3-4 Post-Doctoral fellowship), so they are looking for commited, research-enthusiastic people. I'm sure they will prefer someone with a score of 28 with 3 years of research than a score of 38 with no research at all.

 

[So...Paradox]

I've always been told the same thing...you gotta get >35 to do an MD/PhD program. Although, I think it's probably less competitive if there are schools that don't fully fund both degrees.

Also, my sister-in-law just finished her MD/PhD (she did them as a joint program, not as separate degrees) at UPenn. She had a 34 on her MCAT. So, if she could get into an MD/PhD at a top 10 Med School with a 34, then I expect 29s, 30s, etc. will be competitive somewhere. But, she started 8 years ago, and MCAT averages have gone up, so I don't know. Also, she did her undergrad at UPenn and I think had a pretty impressive resume on the whole. I've also been told that MD/PhD programs weigh the science scores on the MCAT more heavily than M.D. programs.

I think a big factor is if you can demonstrate significant research contributions before you apply (publications, poster sessions, etc.) Another thing that you guys could ask about is if taking the GRE will help. Maybe that would make the adcom people on the Ph.D. side like you more, and it is a pretty easy test to prepare for (it's basically like the SAT).

 

[So...Paradox]

By the way, for those of you who are interested in doing a Ph.D., this is what you have to look forward to:

It is 10PM on Friday night. The first term of summer school ended today (so this is technically summer vacation, even for students taking summer classes) and I am in the lab doing a project that is due on Monday of said summer "vacation." I'll be here for a few more hours...

 

[PBandJ]

I'm sure they will prefer someone with a score of 28 with 3 years of research than a score of 38 with no research at all.

I sure hope so...😱

 

[Mr. Tee]

It could have been better.

13 PS
11 VR
13 BS
S

I'm rather disappointed at this performance since was on the lower end of my practice range. I was aiming for 38 to sit pretty for MSTP applications but oh well. The writing sample came as a surprise since I wrote at a very basic level. This app cycle will be very interesting.

 

[LifetimeDoc]

It could have been better.

13 PS
11 VR
13 BS
S

I'm rather disappointed at this performance since was on the lower end of my practice range. I was aiming for 38 to sit pretty for MSTP applications but oh well. The writing sample came as a surprise since I wrote at a very basic level. This app cycle will be very interesting.

😀

 

[minijoy]

Retook MCAT from April 2004--PS 7 VR 8 BS 9 WS S, raised it 5 points to PS 9 VR 10 BS 10 WS Q (crap, only section lowered but still not bad)! Very happy with this. I had form AS with the sucky agriculture/art history passages from hell. Didn't break 30 but the subsections are very even. Congrats to everyone applying this cycle, and good luck with apps! This is my first post (finally registered) but I've been lurking around looking for study tips this past semester. It helped. To those discouraged after taking it a first time and needing to retake, don't give up...and definitely don't listen to everything you read on here. No matter what anyone says, yes, you need a solid GPA/MCAT but you also need to be a well rounded, caring person. Just be yourself at interviews, and I think that will set you apart. Now all we need is a bit of luck (myself included)...and to apply to a lot of schools early.

 

[Zephyrus]

you join oxeye and myself in the 37 club (oxeye -->Q, myself -->T, as if it matters). all three of us were hitting 38 and 39, and occasionally 40+, so it's difficult not to wonder 'what if' at the 37. but then you have to feel nothing but incredible gratitude for performing at such a high level, even if your "range" dictated another point or two. a 37 is higher than the MSTP average at any school in the country, EVEN "numbers *****" Wash U. St. Louis (36R).

I look forward to seeing you on the interview trail, Mr. Goldwater Scholar. You have nothing to be worried about.

Z

It could have been better.

13 PS
11 VR
13 BS
S

I'm rather disappointed at this performance since was on the lower end of my practice range. I was aiming for 38 to sit pretty for MSTP applications but oh well. The writing sample came as a surprise since I wrote at a very basic level. This app cycle will be very interesting.

 

[EddieIndy]

Zephyrus, I read on the AAMC website that the national MD/PhD average is 31. I understand that MSTP applies to fully funded + stipend MD/PhD programs, but I still wonder if the MCAT average is really that high.

(In other words, where did you get that from? 😀)

 

[PBandJ]

It could have been better.

13 PS
11 VR
13 BS
S

I'm rather disappointed at this performance since was on the lower end of my practice range. I was aiming for 38 to sit pretty for MSTP applications but oh well. The writing sample came as a surprise since I wrote at a very basic level. This app cycle will be very interesting.

Hey T! I'm sorry your score didn't come out as high as you wanted (or were certainly capable of). But 37 is an awesome score, and you will do very well on this application cycle. I did not do nearly as well as hoped/anticipated either, but I'm looking forward to seeing you at some point in the interview cycle as well!

 

[Zephyrus]

Zephyrus, I read on the AAMC website that the national MD/PhD average is 31. I understand that MSTP applies to fully funded + stipend MD/PhD programs, but I still wonder if the MCAT average is really that high.

(In other words, where did you get that from? 😀)

I was using Wash U as an example (the biggest "numbers *****" around) to show that his score was higher than the MSTP average at any school in the country because it was higher than Wash U's. The 36R quote can be found on Wash U's MSTP website.

Z

 

[EddieIndy]

I was using Wash U as an example (the biggest "numbers *****" around) to show that his score was higher than the MSTP average at any school in the country because it was higher than Wash U's. The 36R quote can be found on Wash U's MSTP website.

Z

Oh, sorry, I misunterstood you 🙂

 

[Mr. Tee]

Hey guys, thanks for the kind words (but not the ghost playing the fiddle 😛 ) I hope to see ya'll on the interview trail as well!

 

[QofQuimica]

Hi all,

I'm going to go ahead and unstick this thread now; I think that most of the April people have posted already. 🙂

For those of you who want to apply MD/PhD, I would like to personally invite you to peruse the other forum that I mod, which is the Physician Scientist forum. (It's about halfway down the page.) Check it out if you haven't already. I would also like to make you aware of the American Physician Scientist Association, which is an organization for students who want to have research careers. You don't have to be an MD/PhD to be a physician scientist or join APSA, BTW. I was a straight-PhD member while I was in grad school, and there are some straight-MD members as well.

Also, those of you who want to apply to MD/PhD programs and have MCATs in the high 20s, I suggest a couple of things to you:
1) Look into non-MSTP MD/PhD programs, MD-to-PhD programs (where you start out straight-MD and then do a PhD after M2), MD/MS programs, and DO/PhD programs.
2) Apply BROADLY. You may need to apply to more schools than people who have really stellar stats, because some programs seem to be pretty stat-driven. Seriously consider not limiting your application based on geography unless you need to for family reasons (ex., your spouse's job prospects). You'll have more opportunities if you're willing to consider schools in smaller towns in the middle of the country instead of only looking at the popular cities in New England and CA.

to everyone

 

[gujuDoc]

It could have been better.

13 PS
11 VR
13 BS
S

I'm rather disappointed at this performance since was on the lower end of my practice range. I was aiming for 38 to sit pretty for MSTP applications but oh well. The writing sample came as a surprise since I wrote at a very basic level. This app cycle will be very interesting.

Mr. T,

37 is above the averages at HMS and Hopkins. You are fine with your scores. I know people with 33's that have gotten into top schools like UPenn and Hopkins and UMich and HMS.

You'll be fine. Plus you've got some awesome things on your profile like work in Ghana that you just got back from, as well as the Goldwater Scholar award which is given to only some of the best and brightest. You've done extensive research and have good ECs and grades. You should be fine this cycle.

 

[LifetimeDoc]

Hey guys, thanks for the kind words (but not the ghost playing the fiddle 😛 ) I hope to see ya'll on the interview trail as well!

I was just joking with ya! 😀 Awesome scores, don't worry.

 

[gujuDoc]

So can someone tell me what's with all the XY MCAT thread clubs where X and Y where X represents the numerical interger of 2,3, or 4 and Y represents a numerical interger from 0-9??????????

 

[Anastasis]

So can someone tell me what's with all the XY MCAT thread clubs where X and Y where X represents the numerical interger of 2,3, or 4 and Y represents a numerical interger from 0-9??????????

I don't know - but it's really really REALLY REALLY ANNOYING!! I'm just bitter, ignore me.

 

[gujuDoc]

I don't know - but it's really really REALLY REALLY ANNOYING!! I'm just bitter, ignore me.

Your mom's a doctor too???

 

[Anastasis]

Your mom's a doctor too???

No, she's an OT. So she works with doctors which is where she gets her opinions on DO vs MD.

 

[gujuDoc]

No, she's an OT. So she works with doctors which is where she gets her opinions on DO vs MD.

That makes more sense. I used to shadow in the PM&R department at the VA hospital here and the 2 docs I shadowed: one was a DO and the other an MD.

The DO was a little easier to talk to then the MD. But I also shadowed really really really nice MDs in all the other fields I shadowed in ranging from OB/GYN to Neurology to Peds. I think you are going to find your fair share of arrogant vs. nice doctors regardless of whether they are DO or MDs. The same is true for other jobs.

 

[NontradICUdoc]

how many times have you check the MCAT site to make sure that you got THAT score?

 

[EddieIndy]

how many times have you check the MCAT site to make sure that you got THAT score?

About 100 times on June 19th, 20 times on June 20th, and none after that... I'm sure I would be checking it more often if I were happier with it 🙂

 

[PBandJ]

About 100 times on June 19th, 20 times on June 20th, and none after that... I'm sure I would be checking it more often if I was happier with it 🙂

same here!

 

[Dr Durden]

Looking at the mailing is so not as fun as logging into THx.

 

[oreo2004]

I just found out from one adcom that they (this particular school) uses VR of 8 as a minimum cut off. So 8 is ok. Did not mention minimums on other sections. Just one little piece of info for what it is worth.

Out of curiosity, which school??

 

[nutster]

Maybe bumping this up and seeing all the high scores will make people feel a little better while they wait 😉