What would a good MCAT score for DO schools be?

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.
Averages for most schools fall in the 25-28 region (old MCAT), so ideally >500. If you can score 510+ (31+ old) and have all the ECs, you'd be competitive at every DO school and most MD programs.
 
To get into the Top-Tier DO schools, probably around 509-510. For other schools? A 504+ would be fine.
 
500+ = DO
510+ = MD

Your GPA is great so 500+ with solid EC's and DO LoR and you will get plenty of love (apply 12+ schools)
 
Let me expand, a 500 coupled with your GPA will probably get you an acceptance somewhere, albeit, not a top school. If you want to have a shot getting into the PCOM's and CCOM's of the DO world, then a 504 is warranted. I envy your GPA!
 
Let me expand, a 500 coupled with your GPA will probably get you an acceptance somewhere, albeit, not a top school. If you want to have a shot getting into the PCOM's and CCOM's of the DO world, then a 504 is warranted. I envy your GPA!

500 is the average for only the very new schools. If anything, this will go up next cycle. I still think you'll need a 503-504+ to be safe. Also, ECs are considered.

OP, you'll need to get into the best DO you possibly can. It isn't about reaching the minimum requirement... It is about reaching your maximum. You want to be accepted early, and not have to deal with the panic mode some are in without any acceptances yet.

If you want more doors to open for you, apply to the more established schools or state schools. Their average MCAT is now 29, or 507+.
 
Last edited:
500 is the average for only the very new schools. If anything, this will go up next cycle. I still think you'll need a 503-504+ to be safe. Also, ECs are considered.

OP, you'll need to get into the best DO you possibly can. It isn't about reaching the minimum requirement... It is about reaching your maximum. You want to be accepted early, and not have to deal with the panic mode some are in without any acceptances yet.
A 500 is the min MCAT you need was my point. With OP's GPA, he can get away with that minimum. I agree that OP needs to strive for perfection.

"Reach the stars, so if you fall, you land on a cloud" - Yeezy
 
Last edited:
I interviewed at both NYIT, and LECOM-B, and their average MCAT scores were 28, they did say at the interview that for LECOM-B it might reach 29. ACOM also has a 27 average MCAT, and CUSOM as well, according to what they said in the interview. LECOM-E/SH has a 27, possibly hitting 28
 
I have the same core GPA, and my science GPA is also a 3.70. I scored a 25 and then a 504 which is a 27.5 on the old scale. verbal was the limiting factor on the retake, with a poor 7 or 124. I got into several schools (you'll be able to find me at KCOM), but concretely I was competitive everywhere except CCOM, AZCOM, coastal touoros, and the heavily biased in-state schools. My reasoning is most schools with instate bias aim to take exceptional out of state students.

keep in mind most of the D.O schools have 3.3-3.5 GPA averages. Some have a 3.6. My point being is even if your MCAT isn't great, they do tend to acknowledge your GPA is much higher than their average student. The DO school I got accepted to has a 3.6 and 27 avg. If you average my MCAT scores, I'm at 26..and during my interview he said my MCAT (heavily unbalanced too) was fine and moved on without comment.

I think a 27-29 (504-508) on your first attempt will put you in a good position to apply wherever you please except for heavily biased instate schools (for DO that is). But don't worry, if you get a 25 you'll still be competitive for plenty of schools. Below a 25, plan to retake but even with a 24 or 23 you may get into a school with low MCAT average such as WVSOM. But the point is you want options so you can matriculate where you'll fit 🙂. Just whatever you do, if you get a 24-26 (498-502), apply to a lot of schools. Especially 4-5 newer schools with lower MCAT averages.

I keep editing this. On a final note, this is conditional on obtaining the average matriculate extra-curriculars: LORs, volunteer hours, shadowing, and clinical experience. A DO LOR is a big bonus. Generally speaking, 40+ shadowing hours, DO LOR, pre-med committee letter, 3 professor LORs, 50-200+ volunteer hours, and 100-unlimited hours of clinical experience will look pretty good. These are estimates, and I wouldn't be surprised if applicants have gotten in with much less. Personally, I had more in all categories.
 
Last edited:
adrian710 said:
That's a bit steep...

That's the average at more established schools... Unless you have really stellar ECs or lots of hardship factors, you have to assume you have to achieve average if your application is just average...

My stats are 3.7, 510+ equivalent MCAT, and I still haven't gotten II at half of the schools I applied to. I have publications, extensive research experience, etc...

Some people who interviewed with me have lower stats but they have masters, or do some kind of graduate program like PA school or have extensive experience in healthcare. I've only done around 200 hours of volunteering.

I've noticed that for the established schools, these averages have been going up at least a quarter to half a point every year for the MCAT.
 
Last edited:
Overall, it's getting more competitive at many of the DO schools, not just the more established ones.


That's the average at more established schools... Unless you have really stellar ECs or lots of hardship factors, you have to assume you have to achieve average if your application is just average...

My stats are 3.7, 510+ equivalent MCAT, and I still haven't gotten II at half of the schools I applied to. I have publications, extensive research experience, etc...

Some people who interviewed with me have lower stats but they have masters, or do some kind of graduate program like PA school or have extensive experience in healthcare. I've only done around 200 hours of volunteering.

I've noticed that for the established schools, these averages have been going up at least a quarter to half a point every year for the MCAT.
 
Overall, it's getting more competitive at many of the DO schools, not just the more established ones.

Word. I've met people who think the MCAT is like a formality when applying DO. Their minds were just blown that I didn't have my pick of any school I wanted with a 504 and 3.77.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Word. I've met people who think the MCAT is like a formality when applying DO. Their minds were just blown that I didn't have my pick of any school I wanted with a 504 and 3.77.

It is starting to look like you need at least a 30 (508+ equivalent) to get your pick of DO schools. That and also good EC's. I know people who've been accepted have done EC's that aren't even close to cookie cutter. I've known people from the army, firefighters, those who traveled to other countries for mission trips, and even Broadway actresses who've been accepted into DO schools.

Your EC's can't be just volunteering and shadowing in healthcare. Realistically, that's not enough if you want to get accepted into a DO school anymore. It puts you exactly in the same place as all the other pre-meds who have done shadowing and volunteering. What's going to make you stand out among all those pre-meds with stats similar or even better than yours? These adcoms have read thousands of similar personal statements (and I bet a good chunk of applicants write about a family crisis in medicine, or some personal experience related in medicine, as their reason for pursuing medicine.) The most successful personal statements I've been reading are the ones who've written about experiences seemingly not really relating to healthcare, but somehow managed to beautifully tie it into desire to becoming a physician.

It is time to really think outside of the box. For those who have lower than average matriculant MCAT, you're going to need to do something more stellar than other applicants to convince adcoms your desire for medicine. I'm actually thinking that even 5 years from now, I would've struggled in trying to get an acceptance into DO school with my current stats. With a high GPA/MCAT score, you're pretty much guaranteeing your application will be read by adcoms among the thousands who apply.
 
Last edited:
I have a feeling DO schools are more selective with regards to MCAT scores than GPA. That's just my perspective. With GPA it seems as long as you're above a certain threshold it becomes a non-factor unless you apply really late and are on a ranked waitlist. With MCAT it seems a low score could keep you from being invited from interview. I don't know of any DO school that has a competitive GPA cut-off, but a few of them have a high MCAT cutoff. So I'd say, do the best you can.
 
It seems that there are some schools that favor GPA more and MCAT less. Nova and TUNCOM come to mind.


I have a feeling DO schools are more selective with regards to MCAT scores than GPA. That's just my perspective. With GPA it seems as long as you're above a certain threshold it becomes a non-factor unless you apply really late and are on a ranked waitlist. With MCAT it seems a low score could keep you from being invited from interview. I don't know of any DO school that has a competitive GPA cut-off, but a few of them have a high MCAT cutoff. So I'd say, do the best you can.
 
30+ to get multiple interviews, unless you have a really high GPA.

for multiple interviews that's not true. maybe multiple acceptances.

I have same stats as OP with above average ECs, 25 mcat followed by 504. I recieved 8/16 interviews (and the cycle isn't over), one of which being MD (probably one of the easier MD schools to get into). You don't need a 30+ for multiple interviews.

OP study to get 508+ but if you get a 504-508 you'll more than likely get several interviews.
 
It is starting to look like you need at least a 30 (508+ equivalent) to get your pick of DO schools. That and also good EC's. I know people who've been accepted have done EC's that aren't even close to cookie cutter. I've known people from the army, firefighters, those who traveled to other countries for mission trips, and even Broadway actresses who've been accepted into DO schools.

Your EC's can't be just volunteering and shadowing in healthcare. Realistically, that's not enough if you want to get accepted into a DO school anymore. It puts you exactly in the same place as all the other pre-meds who have done shadowing and volunteering. What's going to make you stand out among all those pre-meds with stats similar or even better than yours? These adcoms have read thousands of similar personal statements (and I bet a good chunk of applicants write about a family crisis in medicine, or some personal experience related in medicine, as their reason for pursuing medicine.) The most successful personal statements I've been reading are the ones who've written about experiences seemingly not really relating to healthcare, but somehow managed to beautifully tie it into desire to becoming a physician.

It is time to really think outside of the box. For those who have lower than average matriculant MCAT, you're going to need to do something more stellar than other applicants to convince adcoms your desire for medicine. I'm actually thinking that even 5 years from now, I would've struggled in trying to get an acceptance into DO school with my current stats. With a high GPA/MCAT score, you're pretty much guaranteeing your application will be read by adcoms among the thousands who apply.

To be honest, I thought I was a little better off than it turns out I was. While my stats were good for most, I thought I'd be competitive everywhere but ccom, azcom, and Rowan (3 schools that were too expensive for me to apply to anyway). Man was I wrong! You need good ECs and research experience. I had neither because I worked two jobs during undergrad. It'd going to be interesting to see how things look when we graduate.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
To be honest, I thought I was a little better off than it turns out I was. While my stats were good for most, I thought I'd be competitive everywhere but ccom, azcom, and Rowan (3 schools that were too expensive for me to apply to anyway). Man was I wrong! You need good ECs and research experience. I had neither because I worked two jobs during undergrad. It'd going to be interesting to see how things look when we graduate.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

That's what happened to me. I thought I was really good for all the DO schools I applied to. I had an above 30 MCAT (taken twice with both scores at least 30) with a 3.7 GPA with absolutely no retakes. The only "most established schools" that accepted me were CCOM and my own state school. Some others didn't even offer me interviews! I thought I was going to get accepted almost everywhere I applied. Nevertheless, I would not want to go through the application process again. I had a DO letter, shadowing, volunteering experience, and hefty research experience. I thought I was the "ideal" candidate for DO schools. Boy was I proven wrong. I even applied the first week AACOMAS was released, and was completed at all the schools before end of July.

With my stats, my acceptances were mostly in mid-low tier, and only a couple "established" DO schools.

OP, don't panic by reading all of our anecdotes. As long as you have written good PS's, have good EC's, and get the MCAT above 504 you should be competitive for DO schools. There's no guaranteed acceptance when it comes to applying.
 
Last edited:
30+ to get multiple interviews, unless you have a really high GPA.

My Profile:
cGPA = 3.49 (3.1 at CC for 2 years, 3.79 at University for 3 years)
sGPA = 3.29
MCAT = 502
Interview offers = 5
Interviews Attended = 3
Acceptances = 2
Awaiting response = 1


Anything can happen.
 
MSUCOM takes so many of their state students. I know so many people that are getting in with 3.4's and 25's. Also a pretty established school. Glad to be a MI resident!
 
That's what happened to me. I thought I was really good for all the DO schools I applied to. I had an above 30 MCAT (taken twice with both scores at least 30) with a 3.7 GPA with absolutely no retakes. The only "most established schools" that accepted me were CCOM and my own state school. Some others didn't even offer me interviews! I thought I was going to get accepted almost everywhere I applied. Nevertheless, I would not want to go through the application process again. I had a DO letter, shadowing, volunteering experience, and hefty research experience. I thought I was the "ideal" candidate for DO schools. Boy was I proven wrong. I even applied the first week AACOMAS was released, and was completed at all the schools before end of July.

With my stats, my acceptances were mostly in mid-low tier, and only a couple "established" DO schools.

OP, don't panic by reading all of our anecdotes. As long as you have written good PS's, have good EC's, and get the MCAT above 504 you should be competitive for DO schools. There's no guaranteed acceptance when it comes to applying.

I think that's just the crapshoot of the whole process. And you have to consider schools like PCOM and PCOM Ga are regionally selective. There are a lot of schools like that. I do agree "to have your pick" is a 508 plus.
 
MSUCOM takes so many of their state students. I know so many people that are getting in with 3.4's and 25's. Also a pretty established school. Glad to be a MI resident!

I get MSU-COM emails every month about their application process. I'm sure the people you know are the minority. They must've had good ECs.

October 2015:

Applicant summary, as of 10/26/15
All AACOMAS Applicants: 4202
Total Offers: 210
Seat Deposits Paid: 93 (includes Canadians)
Canadian Seat Deposits Paid: 15
MCAT average of accepted applicants: 29/508
Science GPA average of accepted applicants: 3.6

November 2015:

Applicant summary, as of 11/13/15
All AACOMAS Applicants: 4832
Applicants Interviewed: 398
Total Offers: 250
Seat Deposits Paid: 143 (includes Canadians)
Canadian Seat Deposits Paid: 20
MCAT average of accepted applicants: 29/508
Science GPA average of accepted applicants: 3.6


January 2016:

All AACOMAS Applicants: 5367
Applicants Interviewed: 497
Seat Deposits Paid: 260 (includes Canadian)
Canadian Seat Deposits Paid: 24
MCAT average of accepted applicants: 29/506
Science GPA average of accepted applicants: 3.6

Assuming that most of the accepted class are from MI, due to the high tuition for OOS students, it looks like you'll need more than a 506 to be accepted if your GPA is not 3.6 or higher. If you want to get an acceptance early, better get a 508 or higher. Obviously, assuming you have good EC's (better than their average accepted student,) these numbers can be lowered a bit. Don't ever assume because you know people who got in with lower stats, that it will happen to you too. They are lucky, according to these numbers.
 
Last edited:
for multiple interviews that's not true. maybe multiple acceptances.

I have same stats as OP with above average ECs, 25 mcat followed by 504. I recieved 8/16 interviews (and the cycle isn't over), one of which being MD (probably one of the easier MD schools to get into). You don't need a 30+ for multiple interviews.

OP study to get 508+ but if you get a 504-508 you'll more than likely get several interviews.
That's good it worked out for you. It all depends on ECs, experience, what hole in their class they have to fill. I just was very lucky to have a high MCAT score to balance my GPA. Probably would not have gotten more than a couple of interviews without it.
 
At UNECOM, our average has been 28 for years, but possibly will be as high as 29 this year.

RowanSOM just had their average increased to 29 for last year. This year, I'm sure it will also be 29-30. Average cGPA and sGPA have stayed the same though.
 
I get MSU-COM emails every month about their application process. I'm sure the people you know are the minority. They must've had good ECs.

October 2015:

Applicant summary, as of 10/26/15
All AACOMAS Applicants: 4202
Total Offers: 210
Seat Deposits Paid: 93 (includes Canadians)
Canadian Seat Deposits Paid: 15
MCAT average of accepted applicants: 29/508
Science GPA average of accepted applicants: 3.6

November 2015:

Applicant summary, as of 11/13/15
All AACOMAS Applicants: 4832
Applicants Interviewed: 398
Total Offers: 250
Seat Deposits Paid: 143 (includes Canadians)
Canadian Seat Deposits Paid: 20
MCAT average of accepted applicants: 29/508
Science GPA average of accepted applicants: 3.6


January 2016:

All AACOMAS Applicants: 5367
Applicants Interviewed: 497
Seat Deposits Paid: 260 (includes Canadian)
Canadian Seat Deposits Paid: 24
MCAT average of accepted applicants: 29/506
Science GPA average of accepted applicants: 3.6

Assuming that most of the accepted class are from MI, due to the high tuition for OOS students, it looks like you'll need more than a 506 to be accepted if your GPA is not 3.6 or higher. If you want to get an acceptance early, better get a 508 or higher. Obviously, assuming you have good EC's (better than their average accepted student,) these numbers can be lowered a bit. Don't ever assume because you know people who got in with lower stats, that it will happen to you too. They are lucky, according to these numbers.
Their EC's were very average. I def have better. They were told by the admissions that MSUCOM does a lot to bring in their own MI residents and especially MSU students.
 
Their EC's were very average. I def have better. They were told by the admissions that MSUCOM does a lot to bring in their own MI residents and especially MSU students.

Well, nothing is guaranteed. Most of the class is from MI, but the average is still pretty high, so what does that imply?

If most of the class had those stats you mentioned earlier and are from MI, then their averages should be lower, no? Let's say 20% of the class had the average you mentioned (25 MCAT, 3.4 GPA.) Assuming normal distribution, then the other 20% needed MCAT of 33 and GPA of 3.8 to balance that GPA to average what MSU is posting.

If you are a student from MSU and what you're saying is true, then there would be an advantage for you. If not, you're going to need to beat even MSU's average because they're accepting those with lower stats from MSU. Their class is mostly IS, not OOS.
 
Last edited:
Well, nothing is guaranteed. Most of the class is from MI, but the average is still pretty high, so what does that imply?

If most of the class had those stats you mentioned earlier and are from MI, then their averages should be lower, no? Let's say 20% of the class had the average you mentioned (25 MCAT, 3.4 GPA.) Assuming normal distribution, then the other 20% needed MCAT of 33 and GPA of 3.8 to balance that GPA to average what MSU is posting.

If you are a student from MSU and what you're saying is true, then there would be an advantage for you. If not, you're going to need to beat even MSU's average because they're accepting those with lower stats from MSU. Their class is mostly IS, not OOS.
Yes I am a MSU grad and agree with what you are saying. I just hope that volunteering at their locally affiliated hospital and volunteering in MSU research projects as well as volunteering in the city of East Lansing in the community will help them overlook my low-ish GPA. We shall see. I need to focus on crushing MCAT for now.
 
I have a feeling DO schools are more selective with regards to MCAT scores than GPA. That's just my perspective. With GPA it seems as long as you're above a certain threshold it becomes a non-factor unless you apply really late and are on a ranked waitlist. With MCAT it seems a low score could keep you from being invited from interview. I don't know of any DO school that has a competitive GPA cut-off, but a few of them have a high MCAT cutoff. So I'd say, do the best you can.

I feel like the GPA is more important, I had a low MCAT score--> 26, but a 3.8/3.7 gpa, and a lot of volunteering and shadowing, and zero research,, I sent 10 secondaries to schools, got 8 interview invites, and went to 6, and was accepted to 5, and waitlisted at 1
 
I feel like the GPA is more important, I had a low MCAT score--> 26, but a 3.8/3.7 gpa, and a lot of volunteering and shadowing, and zero research,, I sent 10 secondaries to schools, got 8 interview invites, and went to 6, and was accepted to 5, and waitlisted at 1

Where did you applied to if you don't mind me asking?
 
498+ should be enough to get in somewhere.
 
I feel like the GPA is more important, I had a low MCAT score--> 26, but a 3.8/3.7 gpa, and a lot of volunteering and shadowing, and zero research,, I sent 10 secondaries to schools, got 8 interview invites, and went to 6, and was accepted to 5, and waitlisted at 1

You did very well! Congratz. But I would argue your MCAT is not in fact very low for DO schools. I think <25 MCAT is low for DO schools. A 26 combined with a 3.8 is golden for DO, stat wise. GPA wise I'd say low is below 3.5. But its possible my perception if what truly low may be skewed based on the fact that I was among the first wave of applicants to be invited / interview / get offers. I think during that stage of the cycle thins are just not as competitive as they probably are now.
 
You did very well! Congratz. But I would argue your MCAT is not in fact very low for DO schools. I think <25 MCAT is low for DO schools. A 26 combined with a 3.8 is golden for DO, stat wise. GPA wise I'd say low is below 3.5. But its possible my perception if what truly low may be skewed based on the fact that I was among the first wave of applicants to be invited / interview / get offers. I think during that stage of the cycle thins are just not as competitive as they probably are now.

True, but I honestly felt my MCAT was really low, like I didnt even study for it, I rushed to take the old exam!! I couldve done better, but I guess I was working 2 jobs, and it couldnt afford a prep course, and I really DID NOT want to take the new one lol
 
Where did you applied to if you don't mind me asking?

I applied to:

TOURO- Middletown- Went to interview and was Accepted
ACOM- Went to interview and was Accepted
CUSOM- Went to interview and was Accepted
BCOM- Declined Interview
LECOM-B- Went to interview and was Accepted
LECOM- SH- Went to interview and was Accepted
NYIT-COM- Went to interview, and was wait-listed 4 months later.. Didnt even wanna go here
WVSOM- Declined Interview
NSU-COM- Filled secondary, never heard back
KYCOM- Filled secondary, never heard back
 
I applied to:

TOURO- Middletown- Went to interview and was Accepted
ACOM- Went to interview and was Accepted
CUSOM- Went to interview and was Accepted
BCOM- Declined Interview
LECOM-B- Went to interview and was Accepted
LECOM- SH- Went to interview and was Accepted
NYIT-COM- Went to interview, and was wait-listed 4 months later.. Didnt even wanna go here
WVSOM- Declined Interview
NSU-COM- Filled secondary, never heard back
KYCOM- Filled secondary, never heard back

Nice! Congrats, man!

Have any idea which school you're attending?
 
Nice! Congrats, man!

Have any idea which school you're attending?

Thanks man! I am attending LECOM-B, already gave deposit, it has a nice reputation, great match list, high board scores, and a beautiful location, and is the cheapest, so it made sense to attend it, cause location, curriculum, and cost were the three main important things, and this school checked all of them. Although people complain about the rotations, I will fight for good ones, and work hard!
 
Thanks man! I am attending LECOM-B, already gave deposit, it has a nice reputation, great match list, high board scores, and a beautiful location, and is the cheapest, so it made sense to attend it, cause location, curriculum, and cost were the three main important things, and this school checked all of them. Although people complain about the rotations, I will fight for good ones, and work hard!

I feel you. If people made it happened in the past and it worked out, I'm sure there's a way. Makes a better story, too. I'm praying I get in somewhere first time. Take that acceptance and paper airplane it to all the people who said I had no chance.
 
I feel you. If people made it happened in the past and it worked out, I'm sure there's a way. Makes a better story, too. I'm praying I get in somewhere first time. Take that acceptance and paper airplane it to all the people who said I had no chance.

Good Luck dude, I hope this cycle is succesfful for you, and dont listen to people, if you want something you can GET it.. !
 
My GPA is 3.30 and MCAT is pending still. Probably 510 hoping for higher but don't know yet. Which DO schools would I most like get into?

I have lots of scribing experience (3+years), volunteering, one premed club, and worked two jobs to support myself through my junior and senior years of college (hence low GPA from no study time). I guess I'm asking, what are my chances? And where am I likely to do well?
 
My GPA is 3.30 and MCAT is pending still. Probably 510 hoping for higher but don't know yet. Which DO schools would I most like get into?

I have lots of scribing experience (3+years), volunteering, one premed club, and worked two jobs to support myself through my junior and senior years of college (hence low GPA from no study time). I guess I'm asking, what are my chances? And where am I likely to do well?

Depends on your sGPA. What is it?
 
Top