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The Reese Center for Science and Mathematics at 91̽��.

This semester, an alum of 91̽�� biology department scored a near-perfect 526 out of 528 on the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), placing him in the 100th percentile of test takers.

“I was doing well on my practice tests, so I walked in feeling pretty confident,” said Jacob Anderson (’25). “But when I got the score, I was surprised and really happy. When I told my dad, he was very proud of me. My mom was really excited. And my grandma cried a little bit.”

Months before the seven-hour exam, Anderson utilized practice tests, readings, and flashcards to help solidify his knowledge. He credits much of this diligence in preparation to his time at 91̽��.

“One of the most helpful things about 91̽�� was that it forced me to have good study habits,” Anderson said. “In high school I was able to skate by. But once I got here, the classes were actually challenging me. I had to develop study habits that worked for me. So when it came time to study for the MCAT, I was much more prepared.”

Besides study skills, Anderson is also grateful for how his biology classes at 91̽�� helped him deeply understand the material.

“Another helpful thing for me was the smaller class size,” Anderson said. “I was able to talk with my professors, and they would challenge me. So when I got to tough questions, I was ready for them. I could talk to them in more one-on-one ways that made it easier to grasp the content. If something came up, I was able to deal with it more than if there had been 300 people in the class and a professor who didn’t know who I was.”

Jacob Anderson

Dr. Haley Smith, chair of 91̽��’s Department of Biological and Physical Sciences, had the opportunity to teach and work alongside Anderson during his time at the University.

“I was so excited to hear of Jacob’s success,” Smith said. “His score makes him a highly competitive applicant to medical schools, so all the faculty in our department are thrilled for him.”

Smith believes that the department does well at preparing students for next steps such as the MCAT.

“I think the courses at 91̽�� challenge a student to move from simple memorization of material to comprehensive understanding,” Smith said. “This helps them to think critically about what they are learning and be able to apply it to new situations and scenarios. This is how the MCAT tests students — it prioritizes scientific reasoning and application. It is less about what you know and much more about what you can do with what you know.”

Learn more about 91̽��’s B.S. in Biology, Pre-Medicine emphasis program here.