Question about MCAT scores

[Doctor or bust]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Why is it that I've been seeing more and more threads saying that to be competitive at a DO program that you need a score of a 506+? The average matriculant for DO schools is 502 according to data published by the AACOM for the class starting this fall. I understand that a higher score can only help, but is there something I'm missing? Maybe I don't get it, but for an example, I feel as though if someone were to be applying with a 503 assuming all other metrics were fine that they'd have a pretty good shot at getting in, that doesn't seem to be the common thoughts around here though.

 

[Coltuna]

If you want to be competitive at EVERY SINGLE DO school, a 506 will get you there with a decent GPA. Some DO schools such as CCOM have higher median MCAT scores than other Illinois MD schools. If you have a 3.6 gpa and 503, you have a great shot at being accepted somewhere if you apply broadly. The higher your GPA is, the more forgiving most schools outside of the top 3-4 DO schools will be for your MCAT (assuming 500+).

 

[Ho0v-man]

Why is it that I've been seeing more and more threads saying that to be competitive at a DO program that you need a score of a 506+? The average matriculant for DO schools is 502 according to data published by the AACOM for the class starting this fall. I understand that a higher score can only help, but is there something I'm missing? Maybe I don't get it, but for an example, I feel as though if someone were to be applying with a 503 assuming all other metrics were fine that they'd have a pretty good shot at getting in, that doesn't seem to be the common thoughts around here though.

Try not to let SDN neuroticism get to you. Honestly, breaking 500 gets you a decent shot at most DO schools. If you have a great app otherwise, you may be able to get into some with an even lower score. The average mcat is deflated somewhat by the recent proliferation of osteopathic schools accepting some moderately lower stat applicants. This means that there can be some significant disparity across schools. Newer schools will be closer to 500 and older schools, especially in "desirable " areas will be 505-508 ish.

 

[Mr. Babe]

Plenty of applicants receive acceptances with MCAT scores less than 500, but usually it's because the rest of their applications are stellar. I know that AZCOM won't interview anyone unless they have a 506 or higher. Some schools have a minimum score of 490, 493, or 497. The have these minimums because they would be willing to give someone with those score an interview if they prove themselves in the rest of their application. Even a score of 506 or higher won't guarantee you an interview if you don't have everything else. It's always better to be above average in every area of your application, but if the MCAT doesn't go as you like then you may still be okay.

 

[wdoc]

Try not to let SDN neuroticism get to you. Honestly, breaking 500 gets you a decent shot at most DO schools. If you have a great app otherwise, you may be able to get into some with an even lower score. The average mcat is deflated somewhat by the recent proliferation of osteopathic schools accepting some moderately lower stat applicants. This means that there can be some significant disparity across schools. Newer schools will be closer to 500 and older schools, especially in "desirable " areas will be 505-508 ish.

Couldn't agree with this bolded statement more. When you come on this forum it seems that everyone's scores are higher than the average matriculant into medical school. Take what people on here say with a grain of salt. With that said, apply broadly, spend some time on your secondaries, and be a human during your interviews and I'm sure you'll get in somewhere. Good luck!

 

[workaholic181]

I agree with the sentiment that SDN, while often a great source of info, has a weird kind of over the top slant on stats a lot of the time. Some DO schools don't seriously consider applicants with lower MCATs, but 506+ to be competitive at all is definitely not accurate.

 

[SLU Student]

The average MCAT that you found is slightly skewed. A good couple of new D.O. schools just opened up these past few years, and their inaugural class definitely brought the national average down. These schools are often in undesirable areas, and they let plenty of sub-500's in.

Regardless, a 506+ is definitely stretching it. Anything around 500-505 would net a good amount of love from D.O. programs around the country given that the rest of your app is up to par.

 

[Doctor or bust]

I still haven't taken it but have been studying this summer for it and was just curious about why the MCAT score to get seems to keep getting higher. Last year it was anything above a 504 from what I remember and now people are saying closer to 508 yet the AACOM data seems to say otherwise. That makes sense about the new schools bringing down the average as 502 seems a bit low, I was just curious about how much the SDN neuroticism has pushed the score to shoot for from what is actually necessary in order to get in somewhere.

 

[workaholic181]

I still haven't taken it but have been studying this summer for it and was just curious about why the MCAT score to get seems to keep getting higher. Last year it was anything above a 504 from what I remember and now people are saying closer to 508 yet the AACOM data seems to say otherwise. That makes sense about the new schools bringing down the average as 502 seems a bit low, I was just curious about how much the SDN neuroticism has pushed the score to shoot for from what is actually necessary in order to get in somewhere.

Unfortunately there's just no hard rule to go by since everyone's app is different and there are so many other factors. I think 505+ with a solid well rounded app will make you competitive for most DO schools.

I think the 508 stuff comes from a) SDN neuroticism and b) a response to the fact that SOME of the DO schools are really stressing a higher MCAT, like the toros etc. The best advice I got was to shoot for as high as I thought I could do.. for the first few weeks of studying I was of the mindset, "well I really only need like a 504 or whatever," which is not conducive to going the extra mile in studying which is really what is required to tackle this thing. You're gonna be fine, just don't sell yourself short and aim high!

 

[missmd123]

If you want to be competitive at EVERY SINGLE DO school, a 506 will get you there with a decent GPA. Some DO schools such as CCOM have higher median MCAT scores than other Illinois MD schools. If you have a 3.6 gpa and 503, you have a great shot at being accepted somewhere if you apply broadly. The higher your GPA is, the more forgiving most schools outside of the top 3-4 DO schools will be for your MCAT (assuming 500+).

Just curious, what do you consider the top 3-4 DO schools? (Anyone can answer this Q if they'd like! I'm not only asking the quoted poster)




Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile

 

[Ho0v-man]

Just curious, what do you consider the top 3-4 DO schools? (Anyone can answer this Q if they'd like! I'm not only asking the quoted poster)



Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile

Go for the cheapest one you can that doesn't have mandatory attendance. Nothing else matters.

 

[Doctor or bust]

Unfortunately there's just no hard rule to go by since everyone's app is different and there are so many other factors. I think 505+ with a solid well rounded app will make you competitive for most DO schools.

I think the 508 stuff comes from a) SDN neuroticism and b) a response to the fact that SOME of the DO schools are really stressing a higher MCAT, like the toros etc. The best advice I got was to shoot for as high as I thought I could do.. for the first few weeks of studying I was of the mindset, "well I really only need like a 504 or whatever," which is not conducive to going the extra mile in studying which is really what is required to tackle this thing. You're gonna be fine, just don't sell yourself short and aim high!

Of course theres no benefit in going for the lowest score to just get in, I'd like to push into the 510s if possible, I was simply surprised when I looked up some DO schools for what they wanted on the MCAT and some places like PCOM have on their website that the average is between a 502 and 504. The data is a few years old on their site but still, it shocked me considering it is one of the top DO schools and they have a low 500 average matriculant MCAT but everyone here says you need well above that.

 

[Ho0v-man]

Of course theres no benefit in going for the lowest score to just get in, I'd like to push into the 510s if possible, I was simply surprised when I looked up some DO schools for what they wanted on the MCAT and some places like PCOM have on their website that the average is between a 502 and 504. The data is a few years old on their site but still, it shocked me considering it is one of the top DO schools and they have a low 500 average matriculant MCAT but everyone here says you need well above that.

Despite being "the top", pcom and the state funded schools take candidates primarily in-state limiting their applicant pool. If you're from OOS, you'll need to be above their average.

 

[Coltuna]

Just curious, what do you consider the top 3-4 DO schools? (Anyone can answer this Q if they'd like! I'm not only asking the quoted poster)




Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile

Sorry, I should've been more explicit. I meant 3-4 with the highest MCAT medians. These would include CCOM, AZCOM, Touro-CA, DMUCOM


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile

 

[fldoctorgirl]

Sorry, I should've been more explicit. I meant 3-4 with the highest MCAT medians. These would include CCOM, AZCOM, Touro-CA, DMUCOM


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile

DMUCOM's MCAT average for last year's class is 506 according to their website. Is that considered high...?

 

[SLU Student]

I still haven't taken it but have been studying this summer for it and was just curious about why the MCAT score to get seems to keep getting higher. Last year it was anything above a 504 from what I remember and now people are saying closer to 508 yet the AACOM data seems to say otherwise. That makes sense about the new schools bringing down the average as 502 seems a bit low, I was just curious about how much the SDN neuroticism has pushed the score to shoot for from what is actually necessary in order to get in somewhere.

The average stats increase every year. A competitive applicant 10 years ago would be considered very mediocre today (stats wise). I don't know the reason behind this; it could be because applicants are getting smarter? It could be because grades are becoming more and more inflated? Who knows.

Applicants these two cycles are also pretty lucky since there's sort of a "reset" on the MCAT stat due to the release of the new test in 2015. As people figure out how to study for and approach the new MCAT, the average MCAT for matriculants will undoubtedly rise as time passes.

DMUCOM's MCAT average for last year's class is 506 according to their website. Is that considered high...?

Yes. Do a google search for a spreadsheet that contains the average stats for matriculants at all the D.O. schools. You'll see that 506 is "high" compared to many other D.O. programs.

 

[Goro]

Why is it that I've been seeing more and more threads saying that to be competitive at a DO program that you need a score of a 506+? The average matriculant for DO schools is 502 according to data published by the AACOM for the class starting this fall. I understand that a higher score can only help, but is there something I'm missing? Maybe I don't get it, but for an example, I feel as though if someone were to be applying with a 503 assuming all other metrics were fine that they'd have a pretty good shot at getting in, that doesn't seem to be the common thoughts around here though.

There has been some MCAT creep at some DO schools, like mine, the Touros, AZCOM and CCOM, but even with a 500, one will get lots of love from DO schools with a good list.

Also keep in mind that this is SDN, where a 516 is too low for MD schools, and B+ in any class in lethal.

 

[Coltuna]

DMUCOM's MCAT average for last year's class is 506 according to their website. Is that considered high...?

506 is considered high for DO, yes.