2020-2021 Low GPA High MCAT Thread

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I remember before my cycle started that I obsessively browsed threads like this and was kind of annoyed that no one ever comes back and updates with cycle results, so here is my cycle so far. I'll try and remember to update again closer to the end of the cycle.

Stats: sub 3.5, 520+ (but a retaker), +red flag, activities and writing are decent

Out of 35 schools I've received 4 II. Two at the end of October, one in December, one in January. I think one of those interviews is for the waitlist and I'm no great shakes as an interviewer so there's a high probability of 4 WLs, but I'm hoping to either knock an interview out of the park and get an A or for a WL to pan out. One of those II's was from a school that I panic added a few days after submitting the rest of my secondaries, so don't knock the panic adding until you try it!

All of my II's are from what people would probably call "low to lower mid tier" schools. I think that for serious splitters (especially if you have other meh aspects of your app like I do), it can be an issue of finding a lower GPA school that considers a high MCAT a "notice factor," rather than finding a high tier school that can tolerate a low GPA. I personally don't care much about school tier so I'm completely thrilled with my current II's, but I know a lot of people do care about it.

To anyone in October 2021 with stats like mine reading this and freaking out...well, I can't guarantee that you'll get any love, and n=1, and I know that you'll freak out no matter what you read on here, but it is absolutely possible to get late II's. And if you do have to reapply...well, having been through that, it's completely soul crushing, but you take it one step at a time and with enough perseverance and luck, you can reapply. Best of luck, future class of 2026 💜
 
gramnegative said:
30s, URM, nontrad, 3.5/3.56/523 checking in here. I'm hoping I make it this cycle, cuz I don't want to shell out money for everything again. I'm a little worried since I submitted in the second week of July, and verification is taking forever.
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Updates so far: 14 II, 3 A. A compelling story will open a lot of doors.
 
Vikingbear16 said:
Hi folks! 3.5 sgpa and 521 mcat checking in
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Hi y'all! Joining in on the update bandwagon.

I ended up getting 4ii's total. 2/2 decisions I received so far have been WL's 😳, and I'm waiting for 2 more decisions to come in March. Hopefully can pull an A from one of these by May! 🤞

Update: 2ii (that became WL) were received in September and 2ii were received in December
 
messy-morning said:
first II yesterday! 3.6/3.4, 523, ORM, traditional. Applied to 24 schools. I found the late cycle/end-of-cycle updates from previous threads were great since splitters seem to have interesting results. Following/supporting/commiserating.
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Update so far: 5IIs, 2 of which turned into As (one in October, one in November) and the rest I have no decision on yet. 1 II in late August, 2 in September, and 2 in October. No IIs since late October.

Edit: Submitted pre-II updates in December.
 
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3.37 513 MCAT straight Bs all 4 years. complete December, One MD II which lead to an A, multiple DO II, didnt bother doing them.
good research and undergrad prestige helps.
for the future lurkers, find a good story and break 518 on the MCAT. That'll get u an MD, dont half ass it like i did. it'll save u the stress.
 
Hopping on the bandwagon to spread some hope!
3.2 cumulative and science gpa for undergrad (I took a looot of science classes), 515 MCAT, tons of research both in undergrad and post, killer ECs, stellar recommendations (I'm assuming based on the people I asked), I would say I'm quite a good writer and the people who read over my personal statement and secondaries are incredibly good writers, URM. There's a rumour that it's known how rigorous my undergrad is and so some schools may add a few points to the gpa, but I don't know how true that is.
Applied to 18 schools, 9 interviews so far, 3As to some incredible schools thus far.

I remember being so scared when I was first applying, seeing that my gpa wasn't even in the 10th percentile of most of the schools I was applying to, but I've had such a successful cycle and I want people to know that they'll be okay! I believe that the reason I went through with applying, despite all the fear, is that I thought that aside from my gpa, my application was a winner. Your gpa is only one piece - schools aren't made up of robots, just make sure you get through the automatic screening and then show them how amazing you are!
 
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Final Update
9 II, 6 A’s, 2 WL, 0 R’s
Been super blessed this cycle and having a lower gpa is by no means as bad as I expected it to be. Most of the A’s are at top schools if that matters to people.
Will be attending a Top10/5 school on a ~50% need based scholarship. MCAT helped a lot but I think my ECs and story are what really opened doors.
 
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viralhiker said:
Just thought I'd add my experience to the record:

uGPA: 3.10, usGPA: 2.94, MCAT: 524
SMP GPA: 3.97

4 IIs this cycle so far and 2 of those have turned into acceptances! For anyone reading this thread now or in the future, if I can turn it around from a god-awful start to undergrad, so can you. Best of luck to y'all!
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Do you mind PMing me on where you completed your SMP? Thank you so much.
 
517, 3.28/3.39 with a couple *really* bad years in there and a rollercoaster path upward (many colleges, did poorly in some prereqs etc). Diverse ECs, excellent committee letter, strong why medicine but I don’t think I’m a great writer.

Applied 50 schools (mix of MD and DO). 3 DO II, 2 DO A. 1 MD II, 1 MD A!!!!

In some ways I thought I’d get more MD interviews but in reality I’m just lucky that any school will take a chance on me - that any medical school sees the person I have become and not just the disaster that I used to be is a huge amazing miracle.
 
First A this week after 4 cycles of trying and failing! Landing on 4 waitlists and winding up nowhere in the last application cycle really made me feel like quitting, but I'm glad I gave it one more shot. 3.4/512 first 2 cycles, 3.4/522 last 2 with full-time clinical research work experience added every year!
 
Hi everyone, just offering some hope to anyone in a position similar to the one I was in! 3.0x sgpa, 3.4x cgpa, 515 MCAT. First cycle, completed secondaries at 24 schools between September and November (pretty late cycle), and just received an acceptance from my only interview at one of my top choice schools!! MD is definitely possible if you play your cards right. Apply early and broadly, have a compelling narrative, and you can make it through! 🙂
 
BeingForItself said:
First A this week after 4 cycles of trying and failing! Landing on 4 waitlists and winding up nowhere in the last application cycle really made me feel like quitting, but I'm glad I gave it one more shot. 3.4/512 first 2 cycles, 3.4/522 last 2 with full-time clinical research work experience added every year!
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Holy **** dude!!! Literally been rooting for ya for 3 years straight now, ever since my first cycle. So so SO glad to see you clutch it out this year. Your grit, tenacity, and resolve speak volumes about the kind of physician you'll be.
 
BeingForItself said:
First A this week after 4 cycles of trying and failing! Landing on 4 waitlists and winding up nowhere in the last application cycle really made me feel like quitting, but I'm glad I gave it one more shot. 3.4/512 first 2 cycles, 3.4/522 last 2 with full-time clinical research work experience added every year!
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Congrats!! Where at?
 
hey team, i'm going to be going through the low gpa/high mcat app process next year. i was wondering if anyone felt like they were yield protected due to having an MCAT like 10+ points above a schools median, even if your GPA is low (i.e. at or below 10th %ile)?
 
Screamapillar said:
hey team, i'm going to be going through the low gpa/high mcat app process next year. i was wondering if anyone felt like they were yield protected due to having an MCAT like 10+ points above a schools median, even if your GPA is low (i.e. at or below 10th %ile)?
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I'm worried that this is why I interviewed at two low-yield schools (Georgetown and Tufts-type schools) and a T20 but not at any of the newer lower stats schools.. I feel like we really don't have a choice but to apply very broadly.
 
BeingForItself said:
I'm worried that this is why I interviewed at two low-yield schools (Georgetown and Tufts-type schools) and a T20 but not at any of the newer lower stats schools.. I feel like we really don't have a choice but to apply very broadly.
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thanks yeah i think thats all we can do, i'm planning on doing 35 schools across the spectrum and seeing what sticks. i hate wasting so much money on uncertainty.
 
Screamapillar said:
thanks yeah i think thats all we can do, i'm planning on doing 35 schools across the spectrum and seeing what sticks. i hate wasting so much money on uncertainty.
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Hey! The lowest-tier schools I applied to (rush and Rosalind Franklin) flat out rejected me without an interview, and tufts did as well, but I’ve been accepted to two T-25 schools. I will say that I only applied to 18 and ended up writing 17 secondaries so I don’t necessarily think there’s a need to apply to so many!
 
BeingForItself said:
I'm worried that this is why I interviewed at two low-yield schools (Georgetown and Tufts-type schools) and a T20 but not at any of the newer lower stats schools.. I feel like we really don't have a choice but to apply very broadly.
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Just wanted to say as someone who's been following you since the beginning of this cycle, seriously so awesome to see you get an acceptance, congrats, you seriously deserve it!!! 🙂
 
may3 said:
Hey! The lowest-tier schools I applied to (rush and Rosalind Franklin) flat out rejected me without an interview, and tufts did as well, but I’ve been accepted to two T-25 schools. I will say that I only applied to 18 and ended up writing 17 secondaries so I don’t necessarily think there’s a need to apply to so many!
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i think it would be fewer but being in CA i am applying to all UC's (minus Riverside), so that in itself is like 5 schools. then i'm getting a little old so i'm trying my best to not have to do this multiple times, so i've had money in an investment account for a year (surprisingly good year for the stock market) that will help with the cost and i figure i'll prewrite the secondaries to cut down on time. i would definitely do fewer if i felt there was a clear cut answer to what schools might be interested, so i appreciate you saying that. at one point my list had 52 schools; every time i read about a new school i fall in love!
 
i also just want to say that, as a future applicant, i appreciate everyone who came back and updated how their cycle went.
 
Screamapillar said:
hey team, i'm going to be going through the low gpa/high mcat app process next year. i was wondering if anyone felt like they were yield protected due to having an MCAT like 10+ points above a schools median, even if your GPA is low (i.e. at or below 10th %ile)?
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How much of a discrepancy is there between your MCAT and GPA? Like a 3.0/520?
 
Lacked direction, so I screwed up my science classes in undergrad. This resulted in permanent damage to my cGPA and sGPA. Rocking the 3.6 cGPA and 3.37 sGPA after a 32-ish hour post-bacc. MCAT mildly high at 516. App cycle summary is in my signature.
 
7bridges said:
517, 3.28/3.39 with a couple *really* bad years in there and a rollercoaster path upward (many colleges, did poorly in some prereqs etc). Diverse ECs, excellent committee letter, strong why medicine but I don’t think I’m a great writer.

Applied 50 schools (mix of MD and DO). 3 DO II, 2 DO A. 1 MD II, 1 MD A!!!!

In some ways I thought I’d get more MD interviews but in reality I’m just lucky that any school will take a chance on me - that any medical school sees the person I have become and not just the disaster that I used to be is a huge amazing miracle.
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Your numbers are identical to mine! Congrats and praying I have the same type of luck next cycle when I apply!
 
Hey guys! Would anyone be willing to share ~in DMs~ any private schools that showed them love this past cycle? Building my school list now with 3.5/3.6 520 and having trouble cutting down my MASSIVE school list 😅 cheers!
 
Bigquestionperson said:
Hey guys! Would anyone be willing to share ~in DMs~ any private schools that showed them love this past cycle? Building my school list now with 3.5/3.6 520 and having trouble cutting down my MASSIVE school list 😅 cheers!
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No offense, but your GPA is just a smidge below the median, and your MCAT is spectacular, so how is hearing one-offs about how schools showed people love going to help you?

You can tell from MSAR that EVERY private school in country has matriculated people with your stats and worse. I think you really just have to do what we all do, and narrow the list by curriculum, location, etc., while just keeping in the back of your mind that T20s, while still feasible, are more of a reach for you than for other applicants with 520 MCATs. Good luck!!!
 
KnightDoc said:
No offense, but your GPA is just a smidge below the median, and your MCAT is spectacular, so how is hearing one-offs about how schools showed people love going to help you?

You can tell from MSAR that EVERY private school in country has matriculated people with your stats and worse. I think you really just have to do what we all do, and narrow the list by curriculum, location, etc., while just keeping in the back of your mind that T20s, while still feasible, are more of a reach for you than for other applicants with 520 MCATs. Good luck!!!
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Agreed. I’m not sure what the definition of low GPA is but it would at a minimum probably be <3.5. If you’re above 3.5 there aren’t many schools (other than NYU) that will avoid you with a good MCAT.
 
KnightDoc said:
No offense, but your GPA is just a smidge below the median, and your MCAT is spectacular, so how is hearing one-offs about how schools showed people love going to help you?

You can tell from MSAR that EVERY private school in country has matriculated people with your stats and worse. I think you really just have to do what we all do, and narrow the list by curriculum, location, etc., while just keeping in the back of your mind that T20s, while still feasible, are more of a reach for you than for other applicants with 520 MCATs. Good luck!!!
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Okay thank you for the advice! I was deep into a MSAR binge and was just wondering if there were some schools that anecdotally seem to prefer MCAT over GPA - I'm nervous to be below the median GPA for every school that is on my list currently. But of course others' success will have no bearing on my own, so I get that, and yes my gpa could definitely be worse. Thank you for the reality check 🙂
 
messy-morning said:
Update so far: 5IIs, 2 of which turned into As (one in October, one in November) and the rest I have no decision on yet. 1 II in late August, 2 in September, and 2 in October. No IIs since late October.

Edit: Submitted pre-II updates in December.
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Final update: 8 total interviews, 5 As, 3 WL

I'd echo an above poster who said the MCAT definitely helped. A broad school list helped as well - my interviews were anywhere from T20s to unranked schools. I also found success at OOS state schools with high MCATs for OOS students. Best of luck to future applicants!
 
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Always appreciated these threads so thought I would check in with my end of cycle results! 3.6 cGPA/3.5 sGPA, 520 MCAT. Ended up with 6 interviews (a mix of lower tier, new/unranked, and solid mid-tier schools) that came in throughout the cycle, with my first in August and my last in March. Received 1 A initially and 4 WLs, 2 of which turned into As. So thrilled with where I ended up and wishing the best of luck to everyone applying next cycle <3
 
captainswan said:
Always appreciated these threads so thought I would check in with my end of cycle results! 3.6 cGPA/3.5 sGPA, 520 MCAT. Ended up with 6 interviews (a mix of lower tier, new/unranked, and solid mid-tier schools) that came in throughout the cycle, with my first in August and my last in March. Received 1 A initially and 4 WLs, 2 of which turned into As. So thrilled with where I ended up and wishing the best of luck to everyone applying next cycle <3
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Love it! You’re an inspiration. Congrats!
 
I also appreciated these threads. Here are my end of cycle results. 3.5 cGPA/3.4 sGPA, 519 MCAT (retake). I received 2 DO interviews and 2 MD interviews that led to 1 rejection, 2 waitlists, and 1 DO acceptance (literally last week)!

Keep grinding and never give up folks! Good luck everyone 🙂
 
GoPackGo97 said:
I also appreciated these threads. Here are my end of cycle results. 3.5 cGPA/3.4 sGPA, 519 MCAT (retake). I received 2 DO interviews and 2 MD interviews that led to 1 rejection, 2 waitlists, and 1 DO acceptance (literally last week)!

Keep grinding and never give up folks! Good luck everyone 🙂
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Congrats on getting in! I have similar stats so that's relieving. How many schools did you apply to MD/DO?
 
Vikingbear16 said:
Hi y'all! Joining in on the update bandwagon.

I ended up getting 4ii's total. 2/2 decisions I received so far have been WL's 😳, and I'm waiting for 2 more decisions to come in March. Hopefully can pull an A from one of these by May! 🤞

Update: 2ii (that became WL) were received in September and 2ii were received in December
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Final Update!! I ended up getting WL at all of them (LOL), but got off one, so am left with 1 A at a school I am very excited about 🙂 For those interested in the schools that interviewed me, feel free to check my comment history!
 
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