What MCAT score to Shoot for if I want PCOM admission?

[ManimalJax]

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Hey everyone,

I would like to know what MCAT score I should be shooting for in order to have a good shot of getting into PCOM. While I understand that the traditional answer is that I should go for the highest that I can possibly get, I would like a nice target score to have in mind. Below is a description of my stats:

I am a non-traditional student that has majored in political science and history when I was an undergrad. I did very well in those classes. After graduating, I enrolled into a career-changing post-bac program in which I also did pretty well. I took the four basic pre-med pre-requisites and I ended with a 3.56 GPA.

On top of all of that, I have shadowed an ophthalmologist and worked for him as an ophthalmic technician for one year (got tons of clinical experience). I then volunteered for my city's Department of Public Health for a few months in which I learned a lot about disparities in healthcare. Also, I have my name written as a co-author for three medical research papers. Finally, I will be working as a research assistant as a Veterans Affairs hospital in about a month.

Any input would be appreciated.

 

[Dr. Syzygy]

45... that's what I'm shooting for.

 

[Bamish]

45... that's what I'm shooting for.

Odd, that's what I'm shooting for too. But, I'll be happy with a 44....I suppose. 😉

Seriously, to the OP: What was your undergrad GPA (what you listed sounds like your post-bac)- from everything I've read that matters much more than your post-bac. If your undergrad GPA is decent I would think anything around a 30 would be safe. Keep in mind though, I'm pretty new to this stuff too, so hopefully someone with more knowledge will chime in.

 

[aliDO]

27+. There are always exceptions. You could get a 34 and denied or a 24 and accepted. Good luck!

 

[deleted172531]

27-28..Which means aim for a 30.

 

[engineeredout]

45... that's what I'm shooting for.

LOL yeah I love when people ask "What grade are you shooting for?"


"I decided to aim for getting exactly a 32. If I get anymore than that I'll be disappointed because I worked hard for that 32. If I don't get my 32 I'll just cry. 38 and I'll probably kill myself"

 

[Bacchus]

From what I've gathered at Open Houses it doesn't seem to be clear cut at all. They'll "give you a chance" as long as you have a "decent" score. We were told a 4 in any section will get your application removed from the pool. The average is 8's across the board but I find this to be untrue with PCOM's allure and "rank." It gets a lot of the higher end DO candidates so a 26 or 27 is probably more realistic. Regardless of your score, granted you don't get a 4 in any section, you'll get a supplemental. However, your AACOMAS needs to shine because there is not much room for you to do that on your supplemental. You should focus on getting a great MCAT score regardless of where you're planning on applying. Doing well on the MCAT is one less thing to worry about in the process.

 

[DannMann99]

PCOM is the best osteopathic school in the country.

Your ECs and experience looks good. Don't get much lower then a 27 though...

 

[tourniquet1963]

PCOM is the best osteopathic school in the country.

According to who? you? (just asking, no attitude)

 

[MLT2MT2DO]

According to who? you? (just asking, no attitude)

According to DANNMANN. They are a well respected school and have been around for awhile, anything else you hear is obviously subjective from person to person.

To the OP: PCOM does favor IS quite a bit I didn't see you mention your residency. That will make a difference of whether you'll need something in the mid-20s or above a 30.

 

[DannMann99]

PCOM's been around for over 100 years... how long has your school?


Plus, our OMM director wrote the book on manipulation: http://www.chipsbooks.com/atosteo.htm

Not to mention we graduated JPHazelton... where'd that guy go anyway?

 

[reaton]

I scored 24 and was accepted into PCOM although I turned it down. this is what I love about DO schools. They look at the whole package. I'll bet that you could have a score in the 30's and still not get in if they didn't think your overall app is what they are looking for.

The school I am attending is very diverse and even though I am a white male I did add to the diversity of the class because of my life experiences.

I would do some more shadowing and volunteering if it was me.