What MCAT score do I need?

[CF84]

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I've posted my story in another thread so I will summarize here.

I graduated 2008 (when everything crashed) with a undergrad degree in engineering with over 150 credit hours. My gpa was 3.0(I know this hurts). Due to the economy I couldn't get a job and enrolled in a medical science masters program and graduated with a 3.6. The masters was through a medical school and pretty much all science.

I finally landed a great job in the medical device industry but I still want to go to medical school. I have good LOR's and can get another one or two. My last MCAT score expired and I plan on retaking it in July.

I am aiming for above a 30 but realistically I always struggled with the MCAT. I have done very well on every other standardized test but the MCAT kicks my butt.

What score will I need to be a competitive applicant for DO schools? I am looking at Lake Erie in Florida, Nova, Midwestern and maybe a few others.

 

[CF84]

Forgot to mention that prior to completing my masters I interviewed at 2 DO's with a 26.

 

[dsoz]

You need... The best score you can get.

Seriously, you already know the answer. If you interviewed, but not accepted, with a 26, then you need more than that.

The 30 you mentioned would get you interviews at LECOM-B and Nova, and probably any other DO school where you apply. Then the spot is yours to win or lose in the interview.

Good luck, it sounds like you know what to do. Now go do it.

dsoz

 

[dudeliness]

You need... The best score you can get.

Seriously, you already know the answer. If you interviewed, but not accepted, with a 26, then you need more than that.

The 30 you mentioned would get you interviews at LECOM-B and Nova, and probably any other DO school where you apply. Then the spot is yours to win or lose in the interview.

Good luck, it sounds like you know what to do. Now go do it.

dsoz

+1

Beat me to it. 👍

 

[Temperature101]

I've posted my story in another thread so I will summarize here.

I graduated 2008 (when everything crashed) with a undergrad degree in engineering with over 150 credit hours. My gpa was 3.0(I know this hurts). Due to the economy I couldn't get a job and enrolled in a medical science masters program and graduated with a 3.6. The masters was through a medical school and pretty much all science.

I finally landed a great job in the medical device industry but I still want to go to medical school. I have good LOR's and can get another one or two. My last MCAT score expired and I plan on retaking it in July.

I am aiming for above a 30 but realistically I always struggled with the MCAT. I have done very well on every other standardized test but the MCAT kicks my butt.

What score will I need to be a competitive applicant for DO schools? I am looking at Lake Erie in Florida, Nova, Midwestern and maybe a few others.

28+ will make you competitive. I was told that Nova put more emphasis on MCAT score than GPA.

 

[hallowmann]

28+ will make you competitive. I was told that Nova put more emphasis on MCAT score than GPA.

I've heard this as well. Ultimately your GPA isn't that bad, really because of the Masters. With a 28 or above you should be fine, a 30 or above will give you lots of options.

 

[jedi silva]

You need... The best score you can get.

Seriously, you already know the answer. If you interviewed, but not accepted, with a 26, then you need more than that.

The 30 you mentioned would get you interviews at LECOM-B and Nova, and probably any other DO school where you apply. Then the spot is yours to win or lose in the interview.

Good luck, it sounds like you know what to do. Now go do it.

dsoz

Doesn't he essentially have more than that now given that he applied to medical school before he finished his masters?

 

[user3]

I've posted my story in another thread so I will summarize here.

I graduated 2008 (when everything crashed) with a undergrad degree in engineering with over 150 credit hours. My gpa was 3.0(I know this hurts). Due to the economy I couldn't get a job and enrolled in a medical science masters program and graduated with a 3.6. The masters was through a medical school and pretty much all science.

I finally landed a great job in the medical device industry but I still want to go to medical school. I have good LOR's and can get another one or two. My last MCAT score expired and I plan on retaking it in July.

I am aiming for above a 30 but realistically I always struggled with the MCAT. I have done very well on every other standardized test but the MCAT kicks my butt.

What score will I need to be a competitive applicant for DO schools? I am looking at Lake Erie in Florida, Nova, Midwestern and maybe a few others.

based on what I have seen people getting in with lately...probably 23. had you applied early and broadly with the 26 those few years ago, you probably would be in med school today.

 

[Didierdrogba]

based on what I have seen people getting in with lately...probably 23. had you applied early and broadly with the 26 those few years ago, you probably would be in med school today.

nah, 23 is too high risk

 

[dudeliness]

based on what I have seen people getting in with lately...probably 23. had you applied early and broadly with the 26 those few years ago, you probably would be in med school today.

Are you trolling? You can't be serious.

 

[user3]

Are you trolling? You can't be serious.

here are some "anecdotal" examples

3.47/3.22/23- accepted ACOM and MUCOM, interviews at LMU, PNWU, and CUSOM
3.26/3.01/24- accepted CUSOM
3.27/3.5/23- accepted ACOM, interview at LMU
3.38/2.83/24- accepted WCU and PCOM Ga
3.74 sgpa / 22- accepted VCOM, WVSOM, LMU, and CUSOM
3.42/3.25/23- accepted PCOM ga
3.63/3.22/24- accepted WCU and CUSOM, interviews at WVSOM, LMU, ACOM, and MUCOM
3.3/3.1/24- accepted PNWU
3.42/3.29/24- accepted MUCOM

3.35/3.16/24- accepted soma, interview at ACOM
3.01/3.45/23- accepted LMU
3.3/3.1/24 and 3.5/3.35/23- accepted KCUMB last year
3.45/3.21/21- accepted LMU last year
3.2/24- accepted PCOM last year

low 3.0 GPA range + 23-24 MCAT seems to have decent outcomes.

 

[HalfListic]

I'd say since you have already taken it and got a 26, you had better get another 26 at least.

If you retake and get a lower score, that could be seen as bit of a red flag on the basic science end of things.

So, I'd tell you 26+

 

[hallowmann]

here are some "anecdotal" examples

3.47/3.22/23- accepted ACOM and MUCOM, interviews at LMU, PNWU, and CUSOM
3.26/3.01/24- accepted CUSOM
3.27/3.5/23- accepted ACOM, interview at LMU
3.38/2.83/24- accepted WCU and PCOM Ga
3.74 sgpa / 22- accepted VCOM, WVSOM, LMU, and CUSOM
3.42/3.25/23- accepted PCOM ga
3.63/3.22/24- accepted WCU and CUSOM, interviews at WVSOM, LMU, ACOM, and MUCOM
3.3/3.1/24- accepted PNWU
3.42/3.29/24- accepted MUCOM

3.35/3.16/24- accepted soma, interview at ACOM
3.01/3.45/23- accepted LMU
3.3/3.1/24 and 3.5/3.35/23- accepted KCUMB last year
3.45/3.21/21- accepted LMU last year
3.2/24- accepted PCOM last year

low 3.0 GPA range + 23-24 MCAT seems to have decent outcomes.

So, you are taking 20 examples of acceptances (15 applicants), you know from the 15,000 applicants that actually applied (~115,000 applications in all), and saying that people with similar stats seem to have decent outcomes? First off, not only did more than half of those applicants (8) have a 24, which is unfortunately considered very different than a 23, most of those that had lower scores had GPAs around 3.4 or above (average or better for DO matriculants).

There's a big difference between something being possible and something be likely. A competitive applicant is one that will likely be accepted. OP with his 3.0 UG GPA, 3.6 grad GPA, and previous 26 MCAT, should have a 25 or more, to be competitive. A score like that will also not raise major eyebrows since its so close to his previous score. A 23 would make his first score look like a fluke, or worse yet devalue his more recent GPA.

And their ECs/LORs were probably ridiculous to compensate for low stats. He needs a 25 at the lowest.

This is also very likely.

I'd say since you have already taken it and got a 26, you had better get another 26 at least.

If you retake and get a lower score, that could be seen as bit of a red flag on the basic science end of things.

So, I'd tell you 26+

As long as he gets within +/-1 of his first score, it shouldn't really be a red flag, but obviously he should aim to do better than a 26.

 

[HalfListic]

As long as he gets within +/-1 of his first score, it shouldn't really be a red flag, but obviously he should aim to do better than a 26.

Unfortunately for OP, this is wrong. Im not usually one to stir up fear in the future applicants as is known to happen, but look at the situation and question at hand:

OP was rejected by at least two DO schools with his current 26. Stats go up each year, and even though its possible to get in with a 26, it didn't happen with OP. Also, his stats only landed him 2 interviews. 4-5+ interviews is a much more comfortable number to be considered "competitive".

Secondly, OP is asking how to be considered "competitive". And especially since they are looking at NOVA and midwestern, two schools that put up some bigger MCAT scores, getting the same 26 (or going down to a 25) would put those schools out of reach in all likelihood.

So, yeah, people get in somewhere with 25s and 26s. But, they aren't considered competitive, and if anything, its worse to have a 26 then a 25...and it surely is NOT competitive.

Lastly, to be realistic...OP has a low undergrad GPA and an average grad GPA. So, again, to be competitive, they would logically need an above average MCAT.


That got a bit long winded, but because of those reasons...to be competitive (as is the question)....OP needs a 27+ MCAT.




Also, good luck OP. Just get that 30 and be done with it! 😉👍

 

[pre med 2014]

Take a Kaplan course, do 10-15 practice tests. If you can't beat a 27+ pack your bags for the Caribbean

 

[HalfListic]

Take a Kaplan course, do 10-15 practice tests. If you can't beat a 27+ pack your bags for the Caribbean

OP can stay in the US with a 25+. They just wont be a competitive applicant, and likely wont get into the schools they listed as top choices.

 

[CBH7786]

I feel like a 24+ will do fine, as long as you score at least an 8 on each section. I have a friend who scored a 30 with 12s in the sciences and 6 in verbal. I scored a 26 with 9s in the sciences and an 8 in verbal. I've had 3 interviews with 2 more scheduled he has had 0. So to answer the OPs original question: it really depends on what your 26 looked like. Just make sure you score at least 8s in each section and you'll be just fine.

 

[pre med 2014]

OP can stay in the US with a 25+. They just wont be a competitive applicant, and likely wont get into the schools they listed as top choices.

I believe they said he already failed a cycle with a 26. He needs a 27 at least

 

[hallowmann]

Everyone keeps mentioning the failed attempt with a 26. The thing is that was before the masters was finished (maybe even before it started?), which means something. Obviously a higher score would be good, but given the addition of the masters, you don't think OP's chances are better than they were then? Also, we don't really know how many programs they applied to or how early they applied, so there are a lot of unknowns right now. 2 interviews after applying to 4 places is very different from 2 interviews after applying to 20.

 

[CF84]

Thanks a lot for all of the info. Honestly I don't see myself getting in anywhere with below a 26. I have a friend who got into a MD program with a 27 but he was very well connected and had a great GPA.

To fill in a little more I originally applied to 3 or 4 DO's and received 2 interviews.

 

[user3]

Thanks a lot for all of the info. Honestly I don't see myself getting in anywhere with below a 26. I have a friend who got into a MD program with a 27 but he was very well connected and had a great GPA.

To fill in a little more I originally applied to 3 or 4 DO's and received 2 interviews.

this is why you did not get in.

/ thread

 

[HalfListic]

Unfortunately for OP, this is wrong. Im not usually one to stir up fear in the future applicants as is known to happen, but look at the situation and question at hand:

OP was rejected by at least two DO schools with his current 26. Stats go up each year, and even though its possible to get in with a 26, it didn't happen with OP. Also, his stats only landed him 2 interviews. 4-5+ interviews is a much more comfortable number to be considered "competitive".

Secondly, OP is asking how to be considered "competitive". And especially since they are looking at NOVA and midwestern, two schools that put up some bigger MCAT scores, getting the same 26 (or going down to a 25) would put those schools out of reach in all likelihood.

So, yeah, people get in somewhere with 25s and 26s. But, they aren't considered competitive, and if anything, its worse to have a 26 then a 25...and it surely is NOT competitive.

Lastly, to be realistic...OP has a low undergrad GPA and an average grad GPA. So, again, to be competitive, they would logically need an above average MCAT.


That got a bit long winded, but because of those reasons...to be competitive (as is the question)....OP needs a 27+ MCAT.




Also, good luck OP. Just get that 30 and be done with it! 😉👍

OP can stay in the US with a 25+. They just wont be a competitive applicant, and likely wont get into the schools they listed as top choices.

I believe they said he already failed a cycle with a 26. He needs a 27 at least

I feel like people only read the newest post on each thread before they comment.

Yes, OP failed a cycle with 26. Who knows where OP applied though. Someone told him to get a 27+ or pack for the Caribbean, which isnt true. They can stick around with a 25+ as many people get into DO with such a score. You can also fail a cycle with a 27+ by the way.

I feel like if you would have read more of the thread you would have caught that point. I copied an earlier post of mine that might resonate more with what you are thinking.


So, in summary OP "needs" a 27+ to be "competitive" as is their original question. {But, if they apply smarter and get a 25+ they will probably get in somewhere}

 

[CF84]

this is why you did not get in.

/ thread

Honestly I originally wanted to be a MD so I only applied to a few DO's and over 10 MD's (0 interviews). Now that I am reapplying as a non-traditional I feel like DO is a better bet.

Im really hoping that the fact that I finished my masters will play a big role here.

 

[coolingglasses]

Honestly I originally wanted to be a MD so I only applied to a few DO's and over 10 MD's (0 interviews). Now that I am reapplying as a non-traditional I feel like DO is a better bet.

Im really hoping that the fact that I finished my masters will play a big role here.

Yeah, I applied to the same number of MDs and my numbers aren't far off from yours. No love.

Although to be fair, I didn't decide to go MD until the deadlines were coming up.

Apply to 10-15 DO schools and you'll get in. Also consider that your MD preference may have been pervasive (subtly or not) in your interviews and app materials. But 2 interviews out of 4 applications isn't bad at all.

 

[pre med 2014]

Honestly I originally wanted to be a MD so I only applied to a few DO's and over 10 MD's (0 interviews). Now that I am reapplying as a non-traditional I feel like DO is a better bet.

Im really hoping that the fact that I finished my masters will play a big role here.

Did you do an SMP designed to pre-medical studies or was it just a masters?

 

[CF84]

Did you do an SMP designed to pre-medical studies or was it just a masters?

I did but the school I did it through offered several and I chose the one that mirrored second year of medical school but obviously without the same level material.

 

[hallowmann]

I did but the school I did it through offered several and I chose the one that mirrored second year of medical school but obviously without the same level material.

OK, everyone has talked a lot about this. Bottom line, score the best you can get on the MCAT, but if you get a 26 or above and apply to 10-15 DO schools, you should be able to get in somewhere. If you score 28-30, you should have options, or may even afford to apply to less schools.