What is the MCAT average?

[Doctorsoontobe]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Hey guys,
Let me know your honest opinion. I know the number for MSTP applicants are higher than normal MD but I know that I would really enjoy the physician scientist career so I am applying for MSTP only and no MD program. I have three years of research experience (in and outside of my school) and three publications, lots of volunteering and leadership, good LORs. The thing is that my MCAT score sucks, I took it in April and got a 24 with PS 10, VR 4, BS 10 O. I took it again in August and got a 30M with PS 13, VR 7, BS 10. English is my second language and it takes a long time for me to improve with VR. What is the average MCAT score for MD PhD? Does my VR has red flag all over it. Any advice? Thanks

 

[Doctor&Geek]

No, you should be okay. Earlier postings in this forum often have anecdotes on the lines of "the program doesn't give two cents for your VR score".

 

[JayQuah]

Hey guys,
Let me know your honest opinion. I know the number for MSTP applicants are higher than normal MD but I know that I would really enjoy the physician scientist career so I am applying for MSTP only and no MD program. I have three years of research experience (in and outside of my school) and three publications, lots of volunteering and leadership, good LORs. The thing is that my MCAT score sucks, I took it in April and got a 24 with PS 10, VR 4, BS 10 O. I took it again in August and got a 30M with PS 13, VR 7, BS 10. English is my second language and it takes a long time for me to improve with VR. What is the average MCAT score for MD PhD? Does my VR has red flag all over it. Any advice? Thanks

Just to clarify...if you are applying for the MSTP program you are, in most cases, also applying for the MD program. Could get in MD only if you get booted for MSTP.
Also, don't mean to get your hopes down, but some schools use VR as a good indicator of passing the USMLE. Its actually important.

 

[1Path]

FYI, AAMC published data which indicates that 6 was the lowest PS/BS score for matriculated MSTP students and 5 was the lowest verbal score.

 

[Doctorsoontobe]

Thanks for the advice, this is not the first time I've heard that VR is the most important score in the MCAT... 😳 we will see how it goes

 

[Thundrstorm]

I don't have any idea what the official word is on the importance of the verbal score, but I would think that you have a couple of things going for you: 1. you improved your score drastically over the course of a few months, and 2. you have publications, which I'm assuming you wrote atleast in part, indicating that you can express yourself well enough in English to present scientific data. If you have well-polished and proofread essays, you'll probably do just fine. Heck, I have a 30 MCAT and verbal was my highest score, and I've managed to do alright so far (no acceptance yet, but several interviews). If other parts of my app can overcome my mediocre PS score, I'm willing to bet that your VR score won't be a deal breaker. Good luck. 👍

 

[tr]

I wouldn't say the verbal score is meaningless in general, but since English is your second language I would bet that most programs would be willing to overlook that score, especially since your scores on the other two sections are very good.

I would make it clear in your application that English is not your first language, because I think there is a tendency for adcoms to group applicants in their minds according to the overall MCAT score, which in your case is probably not reflective of your actual ability.

(By the way, if you are not a US citizen and/or permanent resident there may be some issues with securing funding... you ought to inquire about this before you matriculate into a program.)