What is a LizzyM Score? How Pre-Meds Calculate Their Admissions Odds

The Pre-Med Metric

If you spend any time on Pre-Med forums like Student Doctor Network (SDN) or Reddit's r/premed, you will constantly see students posting a mysterious number: "I have a LizzyM of 72, where should I apply?"

The LizzyM Score is the most famous, unofficial admissions metric in the Pre-Med world.

It was created over a decade ago by an anonymous medical school admissions committee member who went by the username "LizzyM." She designed a simple mathematical formula to help applicants quickly determine if they were statistically competitive for specific tiers of medical schools.

How to Calculate a LizzyM Score

The formula is incredibly simple. It combines the two most heavily weighted metrics on your application: your AMCAS Cumulative GPA and your MCAT score.

The Formula: (GPA x 10) + MCAT Score = LizzyM Score

Example:

You have a 3.7 GPA and a 512 MCAT.

(3.7 x 10) = 37

37 + 512 = 549

Wait, the old formula used the old MCAT scoring system (out of 45). When the MCAT changed to the new 528 scale, the formula was updated.

The Modern Formula Adjustment: To get the classic LizzyM 0-100 scale using modern MCAT scores, you subtract 500 from the MCAT, and then adjust. The easiest way is to use an automated LizzyM Score Calculator, which factors in both your GPA and modern MCAT to generate a 2-digit rating (usually between 60 and 80).

How to Use the Score

Once you have your LizzyM score (e.g., a 71), you compare it to the historical averages of medical schools.

LizzyM 75+: You are a highly elite applicant. You are statistically competitive for Top 20 (T20) medical schools, including Ivy Leagues, Hopkins, and UCSF.

LizzyM 70 - 74: You are a solid MD applicant. You are highly competitive for mid-tier state schools and private universities.

LizzyM 65 - 69: You are on the border for MD schools. You should apply broadly to lower-tier MD schools and heavily target DO (Osteopathic) medical schools as backups.

LizzyM Below 65: Your application is in critical danger. Unless you have massive demographic advantages (URM) or extreme clinical/military experience, you will likely be rejected by automated filters. You must raise your MCAT.

The Limitation of LizzyM

The LizzyM score is highly useful for building a school list, but it is incomplete. It ignores your Clinical Hours, your Research, and your shadowing. A LizzyM of 75 with zero clinical experience will be instantly rejected by Harvard. It is a baseline filter, not a guarantee.