What are admissions officials saying about the new MCAT?
Every year for the last ten years, Kaplan Test Prep has conducted a survey of medical school admissions officers to find out the latest admissions trends.
Kaplan’s 2016 Med School Admissions Survey results
This year the survey included responses from 68 medical schools across the country to give you, the applicant, the inside scoop on medical school facts and figures.
The competitive process of med school admissions only continues to get more competitive, and it’s always good to be informed of what’s on the minds of admissions officers. So, we’re sharing key survey results to help you get a better idea of what they think about the current trends making headlines in med school admissions.
How do admissions officials view the new MCAT?
Fortunately for fans of the changes the AAMC made to the MCAT in 2015, 43% of admissions officials surveyed believe that the new exam better enables them to evaluate medical school applicants and their potential to succeed in their program.
A large percentage (56%) are still withholding their official stance, however, as many believe it’s too early to tell—with only 47% of schools reporting a majority of students who applied with a score from the new MCAT. A mere 1% of admissions officials believe that the new test is worse than the old test.
What are some of the positives of the new MCAT?
Admissions officials who preferred the new exam for evaluating applicants cited positive aspects of the new MCAT, such as:
- Testing a broader variety of topics.
- A focus on application of information, rather than rote memorization.
- Inclusion of psychology and sociology, which are beneficial.
What are the most important factors in med school admissions?
The biggest factor in med school admissions remains the MCAT with 46% of officials citing a low MCAT score as “the biggest application deal breaker.” The MCAT has remained important throughout the years due to its ability to help predict future academic performance.
GPA maintains its importance as well, with 32% of admissions officials describing a low GPA as a main factor in their decision. Other important factors are clinical experience, volunteer work, and extracurricular activities.
What can you do to improve your chances as an applicant?
Applying to medical school is a competitive process. With most of your application factors already determined, the MCAT remains one of the factors that you can still change to make a large impact on your application. One of the best ways to see serious gains in performance is to sign up to take a free practice test. Then, diagnose your problem areas and plan your prep for Test Day.
What else is important in med school admissions? See more from our 2016 Medical School Admissions Officials Survey results.
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