Please help - some perspective needed on MCAT score

[aspiring20]

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i've just began my studying regimen for the MCAT, and my goal when i take it next spring is a 35+, hopefully with a 12-13 on verbal (my strong section).

now i understand that SDN is not representative of the overall applicant pool, but i want to know how high of a MCAT score is considered high. I know that the national average is 24-25, and where I went to undergrad, the average (according to the pre med committee) is around a 34, which i am shocked to find out. however, i've heard that at many top universities, the kids are happy with a 30+.

of course, i want to score as high as I can, but it people only need a low 30s to get in, then i dont think it'll be worth it to spend so much energy shooting for a mid 30. granted, my science gpa is low (but above a 3), so i need a relatively high score to compensate.

thanks

 

[Freesia88]

i've just began my studying regimen for the MCAT, and my goal when i take it next spring is a 35+, hopefully with a 12-13 on verbal (my strong section).

now i understand that SDN is not representative of the overall applicant pool, but i want to know how high of a MCAT score is considered high. I know that the national average is 24-25, and where I went to undergrad, the average (according to the pre med committee) is around a 34, which i am shocked to find out. however, i've heard that at many top universities, the kids are happy with a 30+.

of course, i want to score as high as I can, but it people only need a low 30s to get in, then i dont think it'll be worth it to spend so much energy shooting for a mid 30. granted, my science gpa is low (but above a 3), so i need a relatively high score to compensate.

thanks

If you have the time and the resources, prepare for the worst. Expend as much energy as you can to get the best possible score you can get. Aim high, it can only help you. 🙂

 

[Girly X]

i've just began my studying regimen for the MCAT, and my goal when i take it next spring is a 35+, hopefully with a 12-13 on verbal (my strong section).

now i understand that SDN is not representative of the overall applicant pool, but i want to know how high of a MCAT score is considered high. I know that the national average is 24-25, and where I went to undergrad, the average (according to the pre med committee) is around a 34, which i am shocked to find out. however, i've heard that at many top universities, the kids are happy with a 30+.

of course, i want to score as high as I can, but it people only need a low 30s to get in, then i dont think it'll be worth it to spend so much energy shooting for a mid 30. granted, my science gpa is low (but above a 3), so i need a relatively high score to compensate.

thanks

It really depends which schools you are shooting for. Something to keep in mind though is that something like only 15% of MCAT test takers achieve a 30+ score. This info helps to keep things in perspective especially when you understand that this is already a very bright pool of people who have succeeded with Orgo, Physics etc.

 

[aspiring20]

It really depends which schools you are shooting for. Something to keep in mind though is that something like only 15% of MCAT test takers achieve a 30+ score. This info helps to keep things in perspective especially when you understand that this is already a very bright pool of people who have succeeded with Orgo, Physics etc.

at this point...any MD school would be fine. sigh...

and i thought that 30 was the 75-80 percentile? but anyways, i definitely see ur point.

 

[theseeker4]

at this point...any MD school would be fine. sigh...

and i thought that 30 was the 75-80 percentile? but anyways, i definitely see ur point.

A 30+ will be good for most MD schools, assuming it is balanced. The problem is, many people cannot accurately estimate what they will actually get on the exam, even after taking it, let alone before even studying for it. You might be "shooting" for a 36 by studying for 5 months for it, but for all you know, that much studying might yield a 30, or it might yield a 42. You definitely want to study enough to be confident you are as well prepared as you can possibly be without completely burning out. You will regret it much more if you slack your studying and end up with a 24 than you will regret it if you study "too much" and end up with a 37.

All of that is not even taking into account the fact that you won't be rejected from anywhere because your score is "too high" while you can and will be rejected for having a score that is too low if you under-perform. Study as much as you can while maintaining your sanity and get the best score you can. Aiming for a 36 and missing by a handful of points will get you into MD schools. Aiming for a 30 and missing by a handful of points could mean no chances at an MD in the US at all.

 

[Irish Football]

33 is 90th percentile. 35 is ~95th percentile. So like, the posters above said, it all depends on the school you want to go to. Just do the best you can.

 

[ShenanigansMD]

Study time / energy DOES NOT correlate 100% with your score. It's all about studying efficiently, and if you're already doing good on the verbal then the other sections will be cake if you study right.

Bottom line, don't look at MCAT score like 30 = 100 hours of studying, and 35 = 200 hours.

 

[aspiring20]

Study time / energy DOES NOT correlate 100% with your score. It's all about studying efficiently, and if you're already doing good on the verbal then the other sections will be cake if you study right.

Bottom line, don't look at MCAT score like 30 = 100 hours of studying, and 35 = 200 hours.

gotcha