What kind of MCAT score would make me competitive?

[PriamTRH]

---

Members do not see this ad.

I have a 3.53 so far, my major is biology, I have 100 hrs of research experience in a melanoma research lab, 40 hours microbiology lab that works with biofuels, and I'm going to be starting in a biochemistry lab the upcoming summer until I graduate. I've held eBoard positions in clubs since the fall of sophomore year; I was the VP of a service club last semester and a presidential candidate last spring and I have a unique internship with a community improvement program created by my university's medical school. I informally tutored people that had some trouble with algebra when I was in gen chem for two semester.I've dropped a total of 5 classes. As my title says, what kind of MCAT score do you guys think I might need to be competitive for lower tier/ middle tier as well as DO schools?

 

[PriamTRH]

I have a 3.53 so far, my major is biology, I have 100 hrs of research experience in a melanoma research lab, 40 hours microbiology lab that works with biofuels, and I'm going to be starting in a biochemistry lab the upcoming summer until I graduate. I've held eBoard positions in clubs since the fall of sophomore year; I was the VP of a service club last semester and a presidential candidate last spring and I have a unique internship with a community improvement program created by my university's medical school. I informally tutored people that had some trouble with algebra when I was in gen chem for two semester.I've dropped a total of 5 classes. As my title says, what kind of MCAT score do you guys think I might need to be competitive for lower tier/ middle tier as well as DO schools?

Oh yeah, I was in a fraternity for two years and held a position that basically equates to an academic baby sitter for one semester.

 

[muzzy44]

Does dropped mean 5 "Ws"?

 

[PriamTRH]

yeah

 

[mimelim]

I have a 3.53 so far, my major is biology, I have 100 hrs of research experience in a melanoma research lab, 40 hours microbiology lab that works with biofuels, and I'm going to be starting in a biochemistry lab the upcoming summer until I graduate. I've held eBoard positions in clubs since the fall of sophomore year; I was the VP of a service club last semester and a presidential candidate last spring and I have a unique internship with a community improvement program created by my university's medical school. I informally tutored people that had some trouble with algebra when I was in gen chem for two semester.I've dropped a total of 5 classes. As my title says, what kind of MCAT score do you guys think I might need to be competitive for lower tier/ middle tier as well as DO schools?

Assuming you are white: https://www.aamc.org/download/321518/data/factstablea24-4.pdf

In the last two years among those with a 3.53 or similar GPA...

24-26: 22% got in
27-29: 43% got in
30-32: 63% got in
33-35: 76% got in
36-38: 81% got in

Do NOT fall into the trap of thinking, "well if I get a 31, I have a 63% chance of getting in." This is not correct. These are population statistics and can not be directly applied to an individual. You can however, use it as a benchmark based on your ECs. I would say that your ECs as listed are below average, obviously not knowing the details of them doesn't help. So you can modulate those numbers accordingly.

 

[PriamTRH]

Assuming you are white: https://www.aamc.org/download/321518/data/factstablea24-4.pdf

In the last two years among those with a 3.53 or similar GPA...

24-26: 22% got in
27-29: 43% got in
30-32: 63% got in
33-35: 76% got in
36-38: 81% got in

Do NOT fall into the trap of thinking, "well if I get a 31, I have a 63% chance of getting in." This is not correct. These are population statistics and can not be directly applied to an individual. You can however, use it as a benchmark based on your ECs. I would say that your ECs as listed are below average, obviously not knowing the details of them doesn't help. So you can modulate those numbers accordingly.

Thank you for the input. What kind of extracurriculars would you call above average?

 

[mimelim]

Thank you for the input. What kind of extracurriculars would you call above average?

Virtually anything can be a strong EC. The biggest factor is your experience doing it, followed by your impact on others and lastly how you can convey your experience to others. What concerns me about your ECs are that they come off as superficial. Longevity is important. Commitment to something for more than a semester is sought after. This doesn't mean stay at something you dislike forever, but if you enjoy helping people in a particular way or teaching or whatever it is, do it and keep doing it. Secondly, altruism is important. Being selfless is a sought after quality. It is not the end all be all and certainly not something that everyone demonstrates, but it certainly helps a lot.

 

[The Knife & Gun Club]

Thank you for the input. What kind of extracurriculars would you call above average?

Something that you can clearly articulate how meaningful/impactful it is to you.

Common traits of strong Any EC includes leadership, long term involvement, taking initiative, and any long lasting impact it may have had.

Things like volunteering in hospice for several years, involvement in a club where you eventually held a leadership position, or research where you produced meaningful findings under your own initiative.

Most importantly though, it's just being able to describe it clearly and eloquently

Edit: looks like Mimelim beat me to it!

 

[GrapesofRath]

Another way of looking at it: Med schools want well rounded classes, not necessairly well rounded students.

The goal is to find a way to have a class full of skills, talents and abilites that are diverse enough to best cover the array of areas of need in medicine. The individuals making up that class? Nobody is going to have all those skills or anywhere close to it. But for applicants who try to cover all their bases, they often come across as not showing any one individual skill that makes them stand out in a way you do when schools have 2-3% acceptance rates.

When you go through your ECs, try and identify specific skills, talents and work/productivity from it that can make you come across as very accomplished in one area. What is something you can add to a class in a way that 97% of applicants cant? Yes there are certain ECs you need to have(you arent getting into medical school without any form of clinical exposure) but the number of ways you can potentially show that level of skill/ability/productivity despite it being so difficult is often overlooked. It doesnt just need to be in a research lab setting, or hospital at all or even close. Things you would least expect can often be the ones that stand out the most in the most positive way, particularly when 90% of remotely competitive applicants will have research and volunteering.

 

[Goro]

512+

508+ for DO.

I have a fondness for people who work in hospice, nursing homes, with the developmentally disabled or delayed, sick children, or the mentally ill.

For non-clinicals, I like Habitat for Humanity, being a Big Brother/Sister, AmeriCorps, TFA, military service, and the Peace Corps. Basically, service to those in greater need than yourself.

What kind of extracurriculars would you call above average?

I have a 3.53 so far, my major is biology, I have 100 hrs of research experience in a melanoma research lab, 40 hours microbiology lab that works with biofuels, and I'm going to be starting in a biochemistry lab the upcoming summer until I graduate. I've held eBoard positions in clubs since the fall of sophomore year; I was the VP of a service club last semester and a presidential candidate last spring and I have a unique internship with a community improvement program created by my university's medical school. I informally tutored people that had some trouble with algebra when I was in gen chem for two semester.I've dropped a total of 5 classes. As my title says, what kind of MCAT score do you guys think I might need to be competitive for lower tier/ middle tier as well as DO schools?

 

[PriamTRH]

Thank you for the input everybody, I really appreciate it.

 

[Danbo1957]

You can probably forget high-tier, they want GPA of 3.85+. But, the above graph states it pretty well, nail the MCAT. If you score a 36+, mid-tiers will care a bit less about your EC's.