I missed the mark by applying this cycle then, as someone with mediocre MCAT (relative to the top echelon) but an excellent holistic application. I think it represents a trend with Step 1 going pass/fail to emphasize a more holistic practitioner of medicine—someone dedicated to their community and research—which I appreciate, as someone driven by his passions and not so much by maximizing points on tests. Still, although I deprioritized it myself, I think the MCAT is important. After all, it tests decision making, planning, and critical thinking—and offers an opportunity for students who didn’t have the resources for a holistic application. I had a thousand something volunteer hours in undergrad, which wouldn’t be possible without coming from a relatively affluent family. I worry that de-emphasizing stats would just make the application process more opaque and do the opposite of bring equality. After all, the most impressive holistic applications have access to opportunities and resources. Generally, that’s associated with wealth.
In any case, I think it’s a sham. Prestigious schools pull out of USNews to avoid a third-party policing them. It’s a business decision, not a social justice one. Maybe it will result in a better medical field. Or maybe it’ll entrench the problems of disconnected ivory tower classism.
🤷🏾