Rise in # of people taking MCAT last 10 years

[SchroedingrsCat]

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I was looking at AAMC data and was a bit surprised by this:

Number of people taking MCAT
2000: 54763
2001: 54503
2003: 58764
2005: 66433
2007: 67828
2008: 75809
2009: 79244
2010: 82004
2011: 86181

That's quite an increase since 2001 yet the data has been showing a similar amount of people applying and percentage being accepted, is that right? Are more people retaking recently? I do think the recent spike since 2008 has to do with the financial crisis making other options (i.e. Law) very risky and driving people toward the relative safety of a career in medicine. I think it will hit 90,000 this year... What do you guys think about this? Will admission become even tougher or will the new schools be able to keep spaces open (I don't know if residencies will expand however)?

 

[Local Native]

Well they also offer more dates to take the MCAT as compared to when they had the paper format so people are more inclined to retake. MCAT went all computer-based in January 2007 and you can see a huge jump (~8,000 people) between 2007 and 2008.

 

[yellowfish]

Yeah, would be interesting to see how much of this increase is due to increase in number of retakers versus number of new people taking the MCAT. I think it's safe to say, however, that the number of new people taking the MCAT is increasing and the number of people interested in medical school is increasing as well - since the increase in available spots for medical students isn't increasing quickly, I'd say that admissions is definitely going to be more competitive. But probably still roughly comparable when comparing consecutive years.

 

[mishaS]

That's quite an increase since 2001 yet the data has been showing a similar amount of people applying and percentage being accepted, is that right? Are more people retaking recently? I do think the recent spike since 2008 has to do with the financial crisis making other options (i.e. Law) very risky and driving people toward the relative safety of a career in medicine. I think it will hit 90,000 this year... What do you guys think about this? Will admission become even tougher or will the new schools be able to keep spaces open (I don't know if residencies will expand however)?

The average MCAT score for allopathic (and probably osteopathic) acceptances has risen each year as well and it is undoubtedly because of this. Where a 30 was great before, it is bellow average now. Simply put, more applicants = more higher scores overall = more ability to discriminate. As for law school, you'd better do awesome on the LSAT and get into a top program, otherwise you probably have no chance of getting a job right now. DO schools are still pretty relaxed in regards to the MCAT, that's a much more solid option than law school imo.

 

[IMSingular]

If a student want to apply for 2012 cycle and takes MCAT in April and June would that count as 2 or 1? May be how many actually apply to Medical Schools may be a better criteria to measure the intensity of competetion.

 

[Knocked Up]

I was looking at AAMC data and was a bit surprised by this:

Number of people taking MCAT
2000: 54763
2001: 54503
2003: 58764
2005: 66433
2007: 67828
2008: 75809
2009: 79244
2010: 82004
2011: 86181

That's quite an increase since 2001 yet the data has been showing a similar amount of people applying and percentage being accepted, is that right? Are more people retaking recently? I do think the recent spike since 2008 has to do with the financial crisis making other options (i.e. Law) very risky and driving people toward the relative safety of a career in medicine. I think it will hit 90,000 this year... What do you guys think about this? Will admission become even tougher or will the new schools be able to keep spaces open (I don't know if residencies will expand however)?

While the spike in number of retakes should most definitely be accounted for in your final assessment, there is more to look at....

The ambulance chasers are coming. To the youngsters reading this, you have been warned. They are coming and they want your spot in medical school. Dip in number of LSATs and a rise in number of MCATs, what else can I say??

http://www.lsac.org/LSACResources/Data/lsats-administered.asp

 

[MIAYO]

I was looking at AAMC data and was a bit surprised by this:

Number of people taking MCAT
2000: 54763
2001: 54503
2003: 58764
2005: 66433
2007: 67828
2008: 75809
2009: 79244
2010: 82004
2011: 86181

That's quite an increase since 2001 yet the data has been showing a similar amount of people applying and percentage being accepted, is that right? Are more people retaking recently? I do think the recent spike since 2008 has to do with the financial crisis making other options (i.e. Law) very risky and driving people toward the relative safety of a career in medicine. I think it will hit 90,000 this year... What do you guys think about this? Will admission become even tougher or will the new schools be able to keep spaces open (I don't know if residencies will expand however)?

Man, that's crazy. I'd also agree with with the 90,000 number.

 

[sha15]

With maybe ~30,000 students making it to MD schools?

 

[MIAYO]

With maybe ~30,000 students making it to MD schools?

Right now it's between 17,000-18,000 with between 44,000-45,000 applying. Wouldn't expect that large of an increase any time soon.

 

[V5RED]

While the spike in number of retakes should most definitely be accounted for in your final assessment, there is more to look at....

The ambulance chasers are coming. To the youngsters reading this, you have been warned. They are coming and they want your spot in medical school. Dip in number of LSATs and a rise in number of MCATs, what else can I say??

http://www.lsac.org/LSACResources/Data/lsats-administered.asp

I don't see a dip in the source you posted. It looks to me like there is a general upward trend that is oscillating as opposed to perfectly linear.

 

[SpecterGT260]

at our white coat ceremony we were told that applications had tripled since 2009. it isnt just MCAT enrollment

 

[CeeEstee0]

So, by logical progression, I will be taking it with upwards of 110,000 people?

Frick. No, Double Frick.

 

[TheGloaming]

Man, that's crazy. I'd also agree with with the 90,000 number.

90,000 x $235 = $ 21,150,000 That's some serious MCash (At least I think the test costs $235)

 

[Whatyousay]

90,000 x $235 = $ 21,150,000 That's some serious MCash (At least I think the test costs $235)

The AAMC when they see this data...

 

[SpecterGT260]

what exactly does the AAMC need the money for? aside from AMCAS and MCAT I haven't really dealt with them..... they were a 6 month blip on my radar before moving on to bigger and better thigns

 

[MIAYO]

Salaries for bigwigs, salaries for regular workers, salaries for workers lurking SDN looking for potential law suits...

Has there ever been a lawsuit filed against SDN by AAMC?