2021-2022 Low GPA High MCAT Thread

Discover Your Odds of Getting into Medical School
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I saw one of these threads for last cycle and haven't seen one yet for this year, so I figured I'd go ahead and start it since initial transmissions have officially begun.

3.5 cGPA, 3.4 sGPA, 520 MCAT here. 1 gap year with strong research. Applying somewhat broadly to ~30 MD schools including some high tier reaches because I gotta shoot my shot.

Low GPA high MCAT peeps, wya?
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Always wanna shout out some love to this group because this was me. 3.2 gpa, 35 MCAT (yes, I am old).

Some general thoughts:

1) the nice thing about the MCAT is that it allowed me to wash away some of my previous academic sins and is an easy answer to any question where you've improved on the exam. For example, I got a B and C in biology and then got the equivalent of a 129 on the bio section. I had a simple clear cut explanation of how I went from meddling grades to strong performance and everyone who asked me that question was satiated.

2) make sure you're interesting and unique without standing out in a bad way. A high MCAT will catch people's eyes but there are dozens of people with scores similar to yours whose gpas are probably better than yours. Why should they choose you? For me, I had an extensive background in volunteer EMS and did some very basic research with an astrochemistry group that caught attentions because it was so unusual. That's the goal, catch people's attentions and then convert the conversation into your strengths.

3) apply broadly, make sure you apply to DO schools as well, especially if they are in state and/or public. Even though I didn't end up attending there, I love Rowan's school. The GPA requirements are a little less intense and your MCAT score will stand out strongly a lot of times.

Good luck y'all!

David D MD - USMLE and MCAT Tutor
Med School Tutors
 
Non-trad with 3.3 cGPA, 3.7 sGPA, 52x MCAT here. Still figuring out my school list.
 
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Agree with @ MedschoolTutors. Nice MCAT, now you need to give them a reason to accept you. Hopefully your ECs, research, or life experiences can get you the acceptance. I weigh the interview and try to determine is the student bright, yet lazy? Did they just get a slow start and steadily improve, or just turn up effort when they are under the gun. Bright and lazy is not a good combination for a good doctor. Nail your interview. Connect, project warmth, and don't sound rehearsed. I look for genuine responses , not scripted. Good luck and best wishes!
 
3.3 cGPA, 3.0 sGPA (3.4 sGPA AACOMAS). 514 MCAT (not 52x, but I'm proud). Last 90 credits @ 3.94. Solid EC's: x000 hours of clinical experience. Applied to 10 DO and 30 MD. Good luck fellas!
 
3.6x gpa 3.4x sgpa. 518 MCAT. 40 MD Primaries and 14 DO. One DO II already so hopefully this cycle continues to go well. Good luck everyone.
 
<3.4 GPA (40 credit postbacc at 4.0), >524 MCAT here. I agree these posts were helpful in the past, at the end of the cycle I'll put a whole writeup of lessons learned and results.
 
3.6x cGPA, 3.5x sGPA, 517 MCAT (not crazy high but still). Currently in my second year of a 2 year clinical research position post undergrad. Applied to 36 schools (broad range from low to high tier). Let's see how this cycle goes! Good luck all!
 
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I had a successful cycle last year with a ~3.4/52X but I would stress that the high MCAT only opened the door. Make sure that your application has a coherent narrative that is weaved through your primary and secondary prompts, and that you can illustrate this thread with compelling stories during your interviews. Also, be prepared to explain episodes of poor academic performance. Good luck!
 
Joining in this conversation, 3.54 cGPA, 3.53 sGPA, 520 MCAT. Let’s keep the updates going, and LETS GET THIS YALL!!
 
Hello all! Joining this trend with low cGPA/sGPA, strong upward trend, and 90+ percentile MCAT. Applying broadly to allopathic and osteopathic medical schools. Good luck to everyone this cycle!
 
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cander67 said:
3.6x gpa 3.4x sgpa. 518 MCAT. 40 MD Primaries and 14 DO. One DO II already so hopefully this cycle continues to go well. Good luck everyone.
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Update: 2 MD interviews one to my state school! One more DO interview as well so four total II. Low science GPA isn’t the end of the world! How’s everyone else in the low GPA high MCAT group doing?
 
cander67 said:
Update: 2 MD interviews one to my state school! One more DO interview as well so four total II. Low science GPA isn’t the end of the world! How’s everyone else in the low GPA high MCAT group doing?
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Still submitting secondaries. Working ~30 hours/week in the PACU so I'm submitting them slowly, but I'm around halfway done with my MD secondaries! Congrats on the IIs.
 
cander67 said:
How’s everyone else in the low GPA high MCAT group doing?
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Congrats to you! 3 MD interviews so far this cycle. 3.5x gpa clearly was not the end of the world that others may have led me to believe.
 
Will be done with secondaries by mid-week. Almost all of MD is submitted now except for the few later straggling schools. Expecting zero love with my GPA tbh.
 
Princeton Medical Student said:
Will be done with secondaries by mid-week. Almost all of MD is submitted now except for the few later straggling schools. Expecting zero love with my GPA tbh.
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You'll get love if you have a good story as to why you want to be a doctor! Your GPA combined with MCAT is honestly pretty strong.
 
Princeton Medical Student said:
Will be done with secondaries by mid-week. Almost all of MD is submitted now except for the few later straggling schools. Expecting zero love with my GPA tbh.
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A solid upward trend, a good MCAT score, and a well-crafted narrative (as mentioned above) can all take you farther than you think.

And remember to apply broadly MD + DO.
 
Nontrad, 5 years research in biotech industry.

3.6 cGPA, 3.5 sGPA, 522 MCAT. Honestly hard to judge where I stand. Questioning whether I'm wasting my time with lower tier schools that are "yield protected" or with top schools where my GPA is significantly below their average.
 
Pico25 said:
Nontrad, 5 years research in biotech industry.

3.6 cGPA, 3.5 sGPA, 522 MCAT. Honestly hard to judge where I stand. Questioning whether I'm wasting my time with lower tier schools that are "yield protected" or with top schools where my GPA is significantly below their average.
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Had the same questions as you going into this cycle. No idea how things are gonna turn out, but I'm currently sitting on an II from a high tier, mid tier, and low tier based on PD rankings (I do not love tiering the schools, but just for the sake of discussion).

I have seen advice from previous threads that applicants with low gpa/high mcat combos really just need to apply broadly because it's hard to tell which schools you'll strike a chord with!
 
3.81 + 525 + multiple gap years coming into the app process super late... again. This is the last year in which I'm still eligible for a committee letter from my undergrad school so hoping for the best. But more realistically expecting the worst 🙁
 
Non-trad with cGPA: 3.2, sGPA: 3.2, Post-bacc: 52 hrs. with 4.0, MCAT: 516. What worries me most is that I'm transitioning from a completely non-medical career (i.e. military attorney) in my 30s. Over the past year, I've gotten about 400 hours as an EMT and have about 75 hours of shadowing, but I'm just worried that they're going to question my desire to do medicine, since I didn't do it sooner.
 
thedude6512 said:
Non-trad with cGPA: 3.2, sGPA: 3.2, Post-bacc: 52 hrs. with 4.0, MCAT: 516. What worries me most is that I'm transitioning from a completely non-medical career (i.e. military attorney) in my 30s. Over the past year, I've gotten about 400 hours as an EMT and have about 75 hours of shadowing, but I'm just worried that they're going to question my desire to do medicine, since I didn't do it sooner.
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It'll be fine as long as you can articulate well your reasons for transitioning into a completely different career! One piece of advice I've gotten from my mentors is to use any section of your app to address whatever questions you think your reviewers will have. Of course, don't go completely off topic on primary/secondaries/interview prompts. For example, I have a very questionnable academic record during my first two years of undergrad, but I put in a sentence here and there in my primary and secondaries to quickly and concisely explain my personal situation at the time and how I grew from it. I'm not sure where you are in terms of filling out secondaries, but if you can find an appropriate essay prompt, then it could be worthwhile to address your concern about switching careers.
 
doglova said:
3.81 + 525 + multiple gap years coming into the app process super late... again. This is the last year in which I'm still eligible for a committee letter from my undergrad school so hoping for the best. But more realistically expecting the worst 🙁
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This thread is for people with low GPAs
 
Morningnight said:
It'll be fine as long as you can articulate well your reasons for transitioning into a completely different career! One piece of advice I've gotten from my mentors is to use any section of your app to address whatever questions you think your reviewers will have. Of course, don't go completely off topic on primary/secondaries/interview prompts. For example, I have a very questionnable academic record during my first two years of undergrad, but I put in a sentence here and there in my primary and secondaries to quickly and concisely explain my personal situation at the time and how I grew from it. I'm not sure where you are in terms of filling out secondaries, but if you can find an appropriate essay prompt, then it could be worthwhile to address your concern about switching careers.
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Thanks for the advice! I addressed the concerns I anticipated (e.g. low undergrad GPA and career switch) in my PS. I tried to do it briefly, as I think they'll get the gist that I'm more mature now than I was 15 years ago after reading my Work/Activities section, recent academic record, and recommendations.

By the way, since we're on the topic, any way you' be willing to proofread my PS? I was going to submit it last weekend, but AMCAS is down. It would really appreciate getting another set of eyes on it before I send.
 
Feynman said:
URM here with 3.56 cGPA, 514 MCAT => ? on my (09/11) retake

Applied fairly broadly to MD only!
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Dude/ Dudette. That's a 92 %tile score! What in the wide world of sports were you trying to gain? I'm pretty sure the risk is greater to you if your score goes down, vs what advantage you would gain if you earned a 94%tile score. Lots of great schools open to a URM with a 514. Granted the GPA is a little light, but hopefully the rest of your app is fine. I think you are good IMO. Good luck and best wishes!
 
Skibrew11 said:
3.05 cGPA, 3.67 sGPA, post-bac 3.85 GPA and post-bac sGPA of 3.82. MCAT 521.
Specific business major, worked in business for 5 years (multinational->startup->consulting) before pursuing med school.
@Goro , should I be looking at an SMP? Would like MD for residency match but still open to DO
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No need for SMP!
 
Checking in with a 3.4/3.3 517! Nothing so far but 1 R and 2 H, but hopefully I hear some good news soon!
 
Undergrad: 3.43 cGPA/3.23 sGPA
MA at same school: all science classes, 3.74 GPA
518 MCAT, previously 513
ORM
California
Still working on secondaries, waiting on my last letter... I'm kinda stressed ngl.
 
Decided late in my undergrad to pursue medical school... cGPA is 3.3 and sGPA is 3.2 with a 512 MCAT. The low GPA is due to a rough freshman year which made recovering my GPA very difficult however I show a strong upward trend. Majored in molecular biology and had a ton of research experience but very little clinical experience. Have one interview with one of my state schools coming up and I am super excited!
 
3.3cgpa, 3.4 sGPA, 3.67 over last 60 credits, and 518 mcat. I’ve got 1500+ of clinical experience, around 600 hours of clinical volunteering, 300 hours of research, and around 30 hours of shadowing. I applied to a total of 30 MD and 6 DO. So far I have 4 MD holds and one DO II. Really want that MD II though. Hopefully I get something soon.
 
Non-trad career changer here! Was very excited to find this thread because stats-wise it's an unusual place to be. Most of the advice about building school lists I came across didn't seem to fit mixed stat applicants like me. I'm glad I'm not alone 🙂

Ugrad: 3.32 cGPA/2.30 sGPA -> 3.47 cGPA/3.26 sGPA (After ~40 credits of post-bac GPA at 4.0)
Masters (Experimental Psych): 3.87 cGPA
MCAT: 521

I applied to about 20 MD schools and was complete from late-July to late-August (except for one secondary that had me riding the strugglebus all the way into September). Have been pleasantly surprised to have 1 MD II so far. Excited and nervous about the interview and to see how the rest of the cycle turns out!
 
jack326 said:
3.3cgpa, 3.4 sGPA, 3.67 over last 60 credits, and 518 mcat. I’ve got 1500+ of clinical experience, around 600 hours of clinical volunteering, 300 hours of research, and around 30 hours of shadowing. I applied to a total of 30 MD and 6 DO. So far I have 4 MD holds and one DO II. Really want that MD II though. Hopefully I get something soon.
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Almost identical stats and experiences to yours, minus the trend. You got this!
 
iHawk_MD said:
<3.4 GPA (40 credit postbacc at 4.0), >524 MCAT here. I agree these posts were helpful in the past, at the end of the cycle I'll put a whole writeup of lessons learned and results.
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Just as a small update, I was fortunate enough to secure my first MD acceptance on October 15th! Reinvention does exist, especially as I graduated college <3.0 and never thought I’d be in this position... like I said before, I will post a whole writeup later, but good luck to everyone!
 
iHawk_MD said:
Just as a small update, I was fortunate enough to secure my first MD acceptance on October 15th! Reinvention does exist, especially as I graduated college <3.0 and never thought I’d be in this position... like I said before, I will post a whole writeup later, but good luck to everyone!
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+1

Also received acceptances Oct 15th with a 3.0x cGPA after years of rehabbing my <2.7 undergrad GPA. Reinvention does indeed exist!
 
Dobermann said:
+1

Also received acceptances Oct 15th with a 3.0x cGPA after years of rehabbing my <2.7 undergrad GPA. Reinvention does indeed exist!
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Congrats! I was in pretty much the same boat and just received my first acceptance today. I never would have thought it was possible when I finished undergrad years ago. It's completely doable, though, if you learn from your past mistakes and are determined to make it happen.
 
Made an account to check in here. 3.5 GPA, 3.4 sGPA, 520 MCAT. CA applicant. Applied broadly to 37 MD and 4 DO. So far 1 DO II, 2 MD R, 1 MD Hold. Relatively quiet all things considered. Still have 30+ schools I'm waiting to hear from, so I'm hoping that there are more IIs to come! Best of luck to everyone this week.

11/4/21 Update: sitting at 2 DO II and 1 MD II (at one of my top choices), 4 MD R, 1 MD Hold. It does seem that we split stat applicants do get looked at later on in the process, so anyone reading this should stay hopeful! cheers x
 
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BentleyBeans said:
Decided late in my undergrad to pursue medical school... cGPA is 3.3 and sGPA is 3.2 with a 512 MCAT. The low GPA is due to a rough freshman year which made recovering my GPA very difficult however I show a strong upward trend. Majored in molecular biology and had a ton of research experience but very little clinical experience. Have one interview with one of my state schools coming up and I am super excited!
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Just wanted to give an update that I got the A! I am so excited and incredibly grateful to have this opportunity. Never let anything stand in the way of your dreams. Good luck to everyone still in the application process!
 
CoolBreezes said:
Non-trad with 3.3 cGPA, 3.7 sGPA, 52x MCAT here. Still figuring out my school list.
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Update: I ended up being complete at 23 schools by early August, received IIs to more than half of them, have 1 pre-II R and several As so far. Good luck certainly played a part in my success this cycle, but customizing and writing multiple drafts of every secondary essay probably helped too.

As far as school list goes, it was a mix of public schools in states I have very strong ties to and private schools I felt that I could write a strong case for why I would be a good fit there. I decided against applying to some schools where my MCAT was not above their 90th %ile and my sGPA was below their median - it seemed like it would be hard to catch a screener's eye in that situation.

I hope that this post helps others in our situation.
 
Checking in again. Got another MD II in Nov, now at 2 MD and 2 DO. Waiting to hear back from all 4. One MD II is T30, the other is a new-ish school, so in my case applying broad seemed to make sense? So far, thankful for the II I’ve received, and hoping to get 1 or 2 more. Fingers crossed to get some more love like others have in this thread have. Silence still from >25 schools. Happy holidays to all reading this🤘
 
Hi. Would you like to tell me the new school you applied for? Tha
 
3.34 cumulative and science GPA. Did an MPH and 515 MCAT. So GPA below but MCAT at cusp. Still waiting.
 
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