Any Questions? Insights on the BS/MD Programs

Jason110
Mon, 31 Aug 2009 18:27:57 +0000

if you’re smart enough (which I’m sure everyone here is if you’re applying to these programs) getting into a top 20 med school shouldn’t be too hard from college.



I would like to disagree with the poster on that statement. There are only approximately 3,000 spots TOTAL at the “Top 20 Med Schools.” They require not only MCATs above 33, and a GPA above 3.8 (4.0 preferred) with significant research experience (remember, they are primarily research oriented). Even the best students in high school do not end up at the top schools. There are just too many applicants and too few spots.

With that said, nationally, about 50% of all medical school APPLICANTS get into medical school. This is after all the WEEDING OUT in many higher ranked (and most state) undergraduate institutions. In college, many pre-med courses are graded on the curve (that is, a certain % of students are allocated As, Bs, C’s, etc. regardless of the actual numerical score). For those who can survive introductory chemistry, organic chemistry, general biology, and physics in college then have to survive the MCAT. Because of the curve, I would guess 30-40% of pre-meds might get weeded out. Of course, they would never admit to it, other than say that their career plans “changed” or they “found new interests.” The average MCAT score nationally is 24-25 (50th %ile of testtakers), with the average for applicants around 27, the average of accepted students at 30 (that’s the 77th %ile of all TEST TAKERS), and 33+ to be even competitive at the top schools (that’s above 92nd %ile of TEST TAKERS). I emphasized TEST TAKERS, because those who got weeded out in the college classes likely did not take the MCAT. (Remember that 30-40% I mentioned before…)

All the data I mentioned can be found on the AAMC website.

Keep in mind that the OP is a rising sophomore who hasn’t gone through the process of applying to medical school (or even taken the MCAT, I believe).