Reflecting the ongoing achievements of students at the School of Arts and Sciences (SoAS), third-year biology student Issam Mahfoud has achieved an extraordinary milestone by scoring in the 100th percentile on the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT).

This distinction places him among the top scorers worldwide on one of the most competitive standardized exams required for entry into all American medical schools, whether in the United States or abroad.

The MCAT, prepared by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), evaluates knowledge in biology, chemistry, physics, psychology and critical analysis to ensure that candidates are fully prepared for the intellectual challenges of medical education.

This remarkable success attests not only to Mahfoud’s academic dedication but also to the high standards of the biology program at LAU, whose faculty consistently strive to equip students with the knowledge, skills and discipline required to excel in the most demanding academic and professional environments.

Chairperson of the Department of Biological Sciences Sama Sleiman stressed the department’s mission to challenge, inspire and prepare students to reach their full potential.

“This accomplishment, along with the very competitive scores our students continue to achieve, reflects the rigor of the program and highlights both the caliber of our students and the excellence of education at LAU,” said Dr. Sleiman.

In preparation for the exam, Mahfoud focused on understanding the logic and structure of the MCAT, rather than memorizing content, by prioritizing depth over volume in order to “master select study resources and cultivate a mindset of deliberate practice,” he noted. This was done by “treating every mistake as feedback and refining my approach with each lesson learned.”

Remarking on LAU’s role in his success, Mahfoud also highlighted how the emphasis on critical thinking, scientific reasoning and integration of knowledge in his academic experience directly mirrored the skills tested on the MCAT.

Professors, he added, did not merely teach content but trained students to “think scientifically.” His research experiences, such as his work as an Undergraduate Research and Discovery (URaD) scholar with Professor and SoAS Associate Dean Sandra Rizk-Jamati at the lab, fostered curiosity, discipline and analytical precision.

“LAU to me is an environment that balanced challenge with support and offered me the structure and mentorship necessary to thrive,” he said.

Motivated by a lifelong fascination with the human body and a determination to heal, Mahfoud aspires to become a surgeon who bridges clinical practice and research. For him, the MCAT score represents, in addition to academic excellence, a tangible reflection of years of perseverance, curiosity and purpose.