What college courses should I take before MCAT?

To prepare for the MCAT, you need foundational courses in Biology, Chemistry (General & Organic), Physics, Psychology, and Sociology, with Biochemistry being highly recommended; aim for introductory sequences in sciences and consider upper-level courses like Physiology, Genetics, or Molecular Biology for deeper understanding, plus a stats course for data interpretation, as these build the core knowledge tested.

What classes do you need to take before the MCAT?

All of the content on the MCAT exam is covered in introductory courses at most colleges and universities, including introductory biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, and first-semester psychology, sociology, and biochemistry.

What courses are good for the MCAT?

You'll need your general biology courses to take higher-level courses like biochemistry and molecular biology, so it is best to get it out of the way as early as possible. Pay attention to genetics, cell function, and body systems while taking these classes, as these tend to be high-yield topics on the MCAT.

Do college classes prepare you for MCAT?

Since the MCAT is based off what you learn in your undergraduate coursework, it's important to choose your classes wisely. Work with your school's premedical advising office and speak with upperclassmen to understand which courses are better than others in preparing premedical students.

What major best prepares you for the MCAT?

While the traditional majors for students planning to take the MCAT are indeed Health Sciences, Biology, and Biochemistry, keep in mind that majoring in other fields won't exclude you from doing well on the MCAT, as long as you take the necessary prerequisite science courses required by medical schools and tested on ...

11 CLASSES TO TAKE BEFORE THE MCAT!!

Do med schools prefer BA or BS?

In fact, there's no required or even preferred majors that medical schools are looking for. Consider majoring in whatever interests you; this will keep you engaged and motivated during undergrad.

What major gets the highest MCAT score?

Interestingly, the highest average MCAT for medical school applicants is earned by math and statistics majors (511.9).

Is a 3.7 GPA good for pre-med?

Yes, a 3.7 GPA is generally considered good and competitive for pre-med, placing you in the range of successful applicants, but it's crucial to have a strong science GPA, excellent MCAT score, and a robust extracurricular profile to truly stand out, as averages for accepted students are often closer to 3.75-3.8. While 3.7 is strong, a lower science GPA (BCPM/STEM) can be a red flag, so focus on maintaining high grades in biology, chemistry, physics, and math. 

What's the lowest MCAT score accepted by Harvard?

Although HMS does not set a minimum grade point average or minimum MCAT scores, academic excellence is expected. Applicants must post their scores to their AMCAS application in order to be considered in the current application cycle no later than October 22, 2025.

Is 2 months enough for MCAT prep?

Yes, 2 months can be enough for the MCAT, but it's very challenging and depends heavily on your starting point, dedication (aim for 200-300+ total hours), and a highly structured, intensive study plan focusing heavily on practice tests and targeted content review, especially if you've recently taken your pre-med courses and remember the material well. For many, 3-6 months is more common, so 2 months requires extreme focus, good foundational knowledge, and avoiding burnout. 

What level of math is on the MCAT?

What math is covered on the MCAT? The MCAT is primarily a conceptual exam, with little actual mathematical computation. Any math that is on the MCAT is fundamental: just arithmetic, algebra, and trigonometry. There is absolutely no calculus on the MCAT.

How do I choose an MCAT prep course?

The best MCAT prep course depends on your individual goals, learning style, budget, schedule, and target test date. There are different types of MCAT prep to choose from, including live online courses, on-demand courses, in-person courses, and 1-on-1 tutoring.

What is a 78% on the MCAT?

A 78% on the MCAT generally translates to a total score of 510, placing you in the 78th percentile, meaning you scored better than 78% of test-takers, which is a strong, competitive score for many medical schools, often above average for MD programs. While not in the highest tiers (like 90th percentile+), it's a very solid score that makes you competitive, especially when combined with a strong GPA and experiences. 

Is the MCAT more biology or chemistry?

On the MCAT, biology (at 65% of the Bio/Biochem MCAT section) will be by far the most important of the four “classic” MCAT subjects, followed in importance by general chemistry (30% of the Chem/Phys MCAT section); physics (25% of the Chem/Phys MCAT section); and finally organic chemistry (15% of the Chem/Phys MCAT ...

What would a 70% on the MCAT be?

A 70th percentile on the MCAT means you scored better than 70% of test-takers, which generally translates to a total score around 507-508, placing you in a competitive range for MD medical school admissions, though specific school averages vary. Your actual score might differ slightly as percentiles shift, but this score is strong, showing solid performance above the average (around 500).
 

How rare is a 525 MCAT?

A 525 MCAT score is extremely rare and exceptional, placing you in the 100th percentile, meaning you scored better than 100% of test-takers in recent years (2022-2024) and are just 3 points shy of a perfect score (528). This score is considered a top-tier score for the most selective medical schools, putting you in a statistically tiny fraction of applicants, as scores above 520 represent the top 1-3%. 

Is the MCAT harder than the SAT?

Yes, the MCAT is widely considered significantly harder than the SAT, as it's much longer (nearly 8 hours vs. ~3 hours), requires extensive, specialized science knowledge (biology, chemistry, physics, biochemistry, psychology, sociology), and tests advanced critical thinking in complex, passage-based scientific contexts, unlike the SAT's high school-level content. The MCAT demands hundreds of hours of dedicated study, making it a formidable challenge even for high-achievers who did well on the SAT.
 

Which Ivy League is best for pre-med?

There's no single "best" Ivy for pre-med, as it depends on your needs, but Harvard, UPenn, and Brown are consistently top-tier for their strong advising, research access, and high med school placement rates, with Brown offering unique programs like PLME. Other strong contenders include Yale (flexibility) and Dartmouth (early assurance), while Princeton offers rigor but with potential grade deflation. The ideal choice aligns with your learning style, goals (like BS/MD), and desired campus environment. 

What is a top 1% MCAT score?

A top 1% MCAT score generally falls around the 515-520+ range, though the exact score shifts slightly with each testing year's percentiles, with scores like 475-477 often representing the 1st percentile on the total score chart, but a 99th percentile is closer to 520+, requiring near-perfect section scores (131-132) for the highest ranks, with 528 being perfect. 

What is the easiest med school to get into?

There are no truly "easy" medical schools, but some have higher acceptance rates or lower average GPA/MCAT scores, often focusing on regional needs or specific missions, like University of Mississippi, East Carolina University (Brody), University of North Dakota, Mercer University, Meharry Medical College, University of North Dakota, and University of New Mexico. Osteopathic (DO) schools like William Carey, Arkansas COM, Pikeville KYCOM, and Lincoln Memorial are also frequently listed as having higher acceptance rates than top MD programs. 

What are the best pre-med majors?

Excellent choices of pre-med majors include biology, math, kinesiology, biochemistry, physics, statistics, and chemistry. It's no secret that medical schools like to see well-rounded applicants. Some outside-the-box majors for pre-med students include English, anthropology, or psychology.

Can I get into NYU med school with a 3.7 GPA?

Entrance Metrics

NYU's competitive candidates for allopathic (MD) medical schools traditionally earn a 3.6–3.7 GPA overall and in the sciences and score above the 88th percentile on the MCAT entrance exam.

What is the average MCAT score for Albert Einstein?

Einstein Medical School Average MCAT

Accepted students at Einstein have an average MCAT score of 516. The 10th-90th percentile range is 511-520.

Which undergrad is best for med school?

The best undergraduate major for medical school isn't one specific field, but rather a path where you excel and complete prerequisites like biology, chemistry, physics, and math, with Biology being the most common major due to course overlap. While science majors (Biochemistry, Neuroscience, Psychology) are popular and build strong foundations, unique majors like English or Sociology can help you stand out, as long as you maintain a high GPA, do well on the MCAT, and show commitment to medicine through extracurriculars. 

What month has the highest MCAT score?

Our average examinee score is highest in January (515.5) and lowest in May (511.4). January has been our most popular month (28% of examinees) and August testers achieve the largest ratio of very high scores (28% achieved a 520+). Trying to manage MCAT during the semester is definitely challenging.