2023-2024 Low GPA High MCAT Thread

[snr1115]

Hi everyone, I'm hoping to apply for the 2025-2026 cycle and I was wondering if I could hear about some students' medical school application journeys with a low GPA and high MCAT. Not seeking false hope with this thread but rather just some inspiration and motivation to keep moving forward by hearing others' success stories.

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[TakeAltus]

Applied this past 2022-2023 cycle. I had previously applied in 2020-2021, got 1 MD II -> R. I did not do post-bacc or SMP. I just got more clinical experience as a CRC -> CNA -> Surg Tech.

This time around, my verified AMCAS cGPA was 3.48, sGPA 3.45. AACOMAS verified it slightly lower for some reason. Upward trends with final 60 credits or so being like 3.6-3.7. MCAT 514 (129/126/129/130). I honestly considered myself a low stat applicant but some would say my MCAT was solid enough. I graduated from a small but highly ranked liberal arts college in the midwest with BA in Psychology and minor in Neuroscience. Demographics wise, I am an ORM East Asian, US citizen/ formerly international student.

My IIs: VCU, Penn State, U of VT, Drexel, Brown, Touro CA DO, U of New England DO, Midwestern AZ DO, AT Still Kirksville DO.
Ended up getting into 2 MD and 3 DO programs (some of which were initially WLs). Waitlisted at all other programs and got no outright R post-II. Attending my top MD choice.

Hope my journey helps. Let me know if I can help in any way.

 

[deleted1056062]

Applied this past 2022-2023 cycle. I had previously applied in 2020-2021, got 1 MD II -> R. I did not do post-bacc or SMP. I just got more clinical experience as a CRC -> CNA -> Surg Tech.

This time around, my verified AMCAS cGPA was 3.48, sGPA 3.45. AACOMAS verified it slightly lower for some reason. Upward trends with final 60 credits or so being like 3.6-3.7. MCAT 514 (129/126/129/130). I honestly considered myself a low stat applicant but some would say my MCAT was solid enough. I graduated from a small but highly ranked liberal arts college in the midwest with BA in Psychology and minor in Neuroscience. Demographics wise, I am an ORM East Asian, US citizen/ formerly international student.

My IIs: VCU, Penn State, U of VT, Drexel, Brown, Touro CA DO, U of New England DO, Midwestern AZ DO, AT Still Kirksville DO.
Ended up getting into 2 MD and 3 DO programs (some of which were initially WLs). Waitlisted at all other programs and got no outright R post-II. Attending my top MD choice.

Hope my journey helps. Let me know if I can help in any way.

Congratulations! That's awesome you got an interview at Brown. Did you have any connections to them? I've heard they really like people who did their undergrad there.

 

[deleted1056062]

My MCAT is not crazy high (515), but I have a 3.6 GPA so I'll be checking in at this thread as well. I also have an SMP (not sure if that really makes a difference) of 3.89 so we'll see. Best of luck to everyone applying.

 

[TakeAltus]

Congratulations! That's awesome you got an interview at Brown. Did you have any connections to them? I've heard they really like people who did their undergrad there.

I had no connections. I mean I worked in Boston so kinda close but no other connections. FYI, I didn't get in there but it was nice to have been considered 🙂

 

[TakeAltus]

My MCAT is not crazy high (515), but I have a 3.6 GPA so I'll be checking in at this thread as well. I also have an SMP (not sure if that really makes a difference) of 3.89 so we'll see. Best of luck to everyone applying.

You should have no worries with that GPA and SMP, in combination with a high MCAT like that. Don't draw attention to your grades and let other areas of your application shine because I honestly think that your stats speak for themselves.

 

[deleted1056062]

You should have no worries with that GPA and SMP, in combination with a high MCAT like that. Don't draw attention to your grades and let other areas of your application shine because I honestly think that your stats speak for themselves.

You are so kind! Your comment made my day during this difficult time. Best of luck in medical school!

 

[TakeAltus]

You are so kind! Your comment made my day during this difficult time. Best of luck in medical school!

feel free to DM if you want any additional help as always!

 

[deleted982921]

Hi everyone! I have a 3.5cGPA/3.27sGPA, 3.1 SMP GPA and a 524 MCAT. Strong extracurriculars, URM. I'll keep you updated if I get any interviews this cycle, applying to MD and DO!

 

[supergrapefruit]

Bumping this because these low GPA/high MCAT posts really helped keep me going while I worked on my application and throughout the cycle-

This was my first cycle. I applied with a 3.3 cGPA/3.0 sGPA (after DIY post-bacc), 524 MCAT. I did also have a 3.9 gGPA. DIY post-bacc was all sciences, GPA 4.0.

I was an RN previously so I had ~5000 hours clinical experience.

For non-clinical volunteering and shadowing- 300 hours and 10-20 hours respectively. It may be worth noting (as it was brought up by an interviewer) that my non-clinical volunteering was consistent over 3 years, with a single organization that I was very passionate about.

Few other odds and ends on the app (tutoring, a hobby, etc), but nothing particularly stand-out. I received 3 MD interviews out of 14 schools. I withdrew from one, one WL, and one A!

 

[brownmamba8]

Bumping this because these low GPA/high MCAT posts really helped keep me going while I worked on my application and throughout the cycle-

This was my first cycle. I applied with a 3.3 cGPA/3.0 sGPA (after DIY post-bacc), 524 MCAT. I did also have a 3.9 gGPA. DIY post-bacc was all sciences, GPA 4.0.

I was an RN previously so I had ~5000 hours clinical experience.

For non-clinical volunteering and shadowing- 10-20 hours and 300 hours respectively. It may be worth noting (as it was brought up by an interviewer) that my non-clinical volunteering was consistent over 3 years, with a single organization that I was very passionate about.

Few other odds and ends on the app (tutoring, a hobby, etc), but nothing particularly stand-out. I received 3 MD interviews out of 14 schools. I withdrew from one, one WL, and one A!

Hey: also an RN. was wondering how you studied for the mcat?

did you do a masters/smp?

any help appreciated

 

[supergrapefruit]

Hey: also an RN. was wondering how you studied for the mcat?

did you do a masters/smp?

any help appreciated

Just saw this- No SMP, just did a DIY postbacc while working.

I studied full time for the MCAT- four months in total. Used Kaplan books for in-depth review coupled with UWorld for practice problems and Anki for stuff that required rote memorization.

Last 6-7 weeks I did a FL every week, spent a day or two reviewing the whole exam, and then the rest of week used combo of UWorld and AAMC qbanks to target weak areas (as identified by exam review).

Biggest thing is just doing the practice problems. Quality > quantity- spend your time actually attempting it, without notes or peeking at an answer key. Review every single question- whether you got it right or wrong- and the rationale behind the different answer options. If you don’t know what an answer option means (came up a lot in P/S) find a Khan academy video/book passage/etc and learn it. hope this helps!!

 

[lioneljohn]

Honestly, I’ve seen people in similar situations turn it around. They leaned into their strengths, like killer clinical experience or solid volunteering, to show they’re more than just numbers. Some also used post-bacc programs or extra coursework to prove they could handle med school academics.

What really makes a difference is how you frame your journey. If you can show that you’ve learned and grown from your challenges, it speaks volumes about your character. Admissions committees love a good comeback story—it’s about showing resilience and how you’re ready now.

 

[ShrimpinMD]

3.3X cGPA 3.6X sGPA 516 MCAT, I've been pretty lucky with interviews from UPitt, UMich, WashU, Dartmouth and Wake Forest. I chose not to apply DO because I have a very strong upward trend, last ~90 credits at 3.9X, and very good longitudinal paid clinical experience. Also, I use my bachelor's degree in a creative way that has gotten me publications and such. So far I've been admitted to one school. I await hearing from UPitt and UMich, but I am cautiously optimistic.

 

[stew_md]

3.5, 520, currently at 4 IIs to UW Seattle, Washington State, Hackensack, and Creighton. No research so I didn't apply to too many t20s but I've been definitely getting love from mid/low ranked schools and I got the A at UW! I'm also waiting to hear back from 36 schools so there's time for many more IIs.

 

[porpoise]

I have a 3.2 uGPA, 3.7x SMP GPA and 519 MCAT.
So far this cycle, I've had 1 MD II, which turned into an A !!!
I alternate between being thrilled to have received any acceptances at all given my GPA and wondering why I haven't received more invites.