3.5 and O.K. MCATS?

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.

KababMD

Full Member
10+ Year Member
15+ Year Member
Joined
Jan 14, 2008
Messages
88
Reaction score
1
Just wondering, can a 3.5 and avg MCATS, say about 30-33 get you into a US medical school...also assume you have the normal ec's for example (volunteer, shadow, basic research, community service)

Just wondering

Members don't see this ad.
 
Are you completely incapable of using google/searching these forums or are you just that lazy?


You can easily find the average GPA/MCAT scores of all medical schools.
 
I feel that should be sufficient if you apply early and broadly. The truth is, however, you never know with this process. I would urge you to do something that makes you stand out. If you apply with the standard compliment of attributes you may have a tough time. Try to do something stellar. If you can stand out from the crowd you have a much better shot.

Also, don't just do things because you think will get you into medical school, i.e., boost your app with things you will enjoy. If you enjoy something you will find that you will get more out of it and med schools will see that when you interview. You will most definatley have more interesting things to talk about instead of the standard "I volunteered because," or "I'm glad I worked in a clinic because I was really able to observe how medicine works." Get creative, have fun and good luck!
 
Members don't see this ad :)
Are you completely incapable of using google/searching these forums or are you just that lazy?


You can easily find the average GPA/MCAT scores of all medical schools.

I agree with you man, there are alot of threads and posts on here that are unecessary duplicates. On the other hand, the OP has a genuine question that he/she was interested in our opinions about. Don't be so harsh.
 
I agree with you man, there are alot of threads and posts on here that are unecessary duplicates. On the other hand, the OP has a genuine question that he/she was interested in our opinions about. Don't be so harsh.

Good grief. There's a FAQ with this information in a sticky.
 
Good grief. There's a FAQ with this information in a sticky.

Good grief. Now even you're repeating yourself. Seriously, give the OP a break.
 
Yeah but you essentially said the same thing, but in different words. Which is pretty much what the OP is doing, asking the same question posed by others, in different words.

I don't want to fight with you man, it's ridiculous. I agreed with you in the first place and I was just thinking that since the OP looks like a newer member than maybe you could cut him/her some slack. Have a little patience.
 
Yeah but you essentially said the same thing, but in different words. Which is pretty much what the OP is doing, asking the same question posed by others, in different words.

I don't want to fight with you man, it's ridiculous. I agreed with you in the first place and I was just thinking that since the OP looks like a newer member than maybe you could cut him/her some slack. Have a little patience.

If you give them an inch eventually they'll make threads asking if there are any other ____ premeds and then I have to look up their IP address, find their home address, burn their house, and stab them to death.
 
Hey OP, do yourself a favor; Ask your advisor, ask your fellow classmates, and talk to current med students (if you can) when you have questions about this stuff. If you're looking for serious answers, don't spend too much time on this site. You'll pretty much get a lot of this crap.
 
Just wondering, can a 3.5 and avg MCATS, say about 30-33 get you into a US medical school...also assume you have the normal ec's for example (volunteer, shadow, basic research, community service)

Just wondering
Yes, its just that thousands of other applicants will have the same or better numbers. Honestly, lots of folks have gotten in with numbers much lower than what you listed. The exact reasons (besides numbers and normal ECs) that adcomms let most students in is still kind of a mystery, but in the end, the class turns out quite fine...but yeah, to answer your question, its certainly possible to gain an admission with those numbers and normal ECs, but none of those will make you stick out, and sticking out helps you to get interviews a little quicker.
 
3.5 GPA, 32 MCAT- check my MDApps. It's been said, but it's really important to have some standout qualities on your application: unusual ECS, great person statement, etc. My personal statement was written almost like a campaign (my interviews all discussed health policy and the politics of healthcare).
 
Just wondering, can a 3.5 and avg MCATS, say about 30-33 get you into a US medical school...also assume you have the normal ec's for example (volunteer, shadow, basic research, community service)

Just wondering

The numbers don't "get you into" school, they get your application looked at. Everything else will come into play. If you don't interview well, your PS and essays are weak, your LORs are negative or your ECs are boring, you may not get in regardless of your score. Med schools are looking for dynamic individuals who they feel will be a "good fit" for their first year class. The numbers show whether you can handle the work, but don't show whether you will be a good fit.
 
Members don't see this ad :)
Just wondering, can a 3.5 and avg MCATS, say about 30-33 get you into a US medical school...also assume you have the normal ec's for example (volunteer, shadow, basic research, community service)

Just wondering

Is 30-33 MCAT really just considered average? I thought I remembered 30+ being somewhere like the top 25% or something (I don't have the stats at hand to look it up right now). I think even for most matriculating students the average is probably about 30 (just a guess) depending on the school of course, but maybe that is what you meant. Anyway, you can safely assume that your numbers do not rule you out (unless you are trying for some ultra-competitive schools). Good luck!
 
Is 30-33 MCAT really just considered average? I thought I remembered 30+ being somewhere like the top 25% or something (I don't have the stats at hand to look it up right now). I think even for most matriculating students the average is probably about 30 (just a guess) depending on the school of course, but maybe that is what you meant. Anyway, you can safely assume that your numbers do not rule you out (unless you are trying for some ultra-competitive schools). Good luck!

latest msar reports close to a 32 to be the average matriculant last year. OA gpa was close to 3.7. i think this year's msar is going to be crazy.
 
Depends on how picky you are on what school you'll go to. If you apply broadly and you don't really care what school accepts you, then as long as the rest of you app is good, you have a decent chance. If you have particular schools you'd like to attend, like maybe you're from CA and want to go to a CA school (& you're not underepresented in medicine) then your chances are slim. Same is true if you are from NYC and want to go to Columbia or Cornell. In these circumstances, improve your MCAT, get some amazing research experience, and add a masters to your app (assuming you don't already have one). Just my opinion...
 
With those stats, you would basically be the average applicant. I'd say yes, you could definitely get it. It's about 50/50? Around 50% of the people with your stats do not get in, but there's a chance that you will get in too.
 
A 3.5 and 30 is very mediocre, but a 3.5 and 33 is pretty good. Its amazing the difference a couple of questions can make.
 
i had a quick question..how much time do you shadow before you can ask for a reference?:)
 
If you give them an inch eventually they'll make threads asking if there are any other ____ premeds and then I have to look up their IP address, find their home address, burn their house, and stab them to death.
With all due respect Cegar...after reading your posts for a few weeks I'm certain I wouldn't want to meet you on the street.
 
With all due respect Cegar...after reading your posts for a few weeks I'm certain I wouldn't want to meet you on the street.

Dog with biggest bark have smallest bite.
 
Just wondering, can a 3.5 and avg MCATS, say about 30-33 get you into a US medical school...also assume you have the normal ec's for example (volunteer, shadow, basic research, community service)

Just wondering

you probably wouldn't get much attention.

maybe if you had, say, a 3.5, a stellar MCAT, and "normal" ECs

or, a 3.5, a 30-33 MCAT, and really interesting ECs

but a 3.5, an average MCAT, and normal ECs are not really going to stand out. just being honest.
 
you probably wouldn't get much attention.

maybe if you had, say, a 3.5, a stellar MCAT, and "normal" ECs

or, a 3.5, a 30-33 MCAT, and really interesting ECs

but a 3.5, an average MCAT, and normal ECs are not really going to stand out. just being honest.

Question wasn't about standing out but getting in. and God I hope so! look at my mdapps, lol.
 
If you give them an inch eventually they'll make threads asking if there are any other ____ premeds and then I have to look up their IP address, find their home address, burn their house, and stab them to death.

lol :thumbup:
 
Wow...knowing that I am what is called "average applicant", I need some more EC's then what I have (ED Volunteer, research, possibly more like voluteer paramedic...). What about jobs? are they considered EC's? Because poor people like me just dont have the time to devote to more EC's but its not like we are sitting infornt of the computer and procrastinating on SDN all day long, shouldn't jobs be considered EC's?
 
Just wondering, can a 3.5 and avg MCATS, say about 30-33 get you into a US medical school...also assume you have the normal ec's for example (volunteer, shadow, basic research, community service)

Just wondering

I am so confused....is there more than one MCAT? ...or did they change the name to include an "S".
 
A 30 MCAT and 3.5 can ABSOLUTELY get you into a US allopathic medical school. If the average MCAT at a school is a 31 then some people got below a 31 and some people got above a 31. Of course, someone will point out that there are special considerations for some students due to socioeconomical reasons or if they are underrepresented in medicine. However, the extent to which this skews scores is probably neglible so let's just keep things easy and say that some students are accepted with below a 31 and some are accepted with above a 31. Therefore, yes you can get in with this. However, it would be extremely beneficial to have legitimate research (I would say at least a year) and solid volunteering. If you can pull off solid letters of recs and really put some work into your personal statement you are probably "looked at" the same as an applicant who has a 33 and a 3.6-3.7. I mean seriously....ADCOMS understand that a tenth of a GPA point and a couple extra questions on the MCAT answered correctly (when compared to someone with a 30) is not indicative of a great doctor who will excel at their school. They are looking for people in a certain range of numbers that are highly motivated and compassionate. In conclusion, there is no secret to applying--shoot for the range of numbers they are looking for (according to the school you are looking at) and then work on being the complete package.
 
A 30 MCAT and 3.5 can ABSOLUTELY get you into a US allopathic medical school. If the average MCAT at a school is a 31 then some people got below a 31 and some people got above a 31. Of course, someone will point out that there are special considerations for some students due to socioeconomical reasons or if they are underrepresented in medicine. However, the extent to which this skews scores is probably neglible so let's just keep things easy and say that some students are accepted with below a 31 and some are accepted with above a 31. Therefore, yes you can get in with this. However, it would be extremely beneficial to have legitimate research (I would say at least a year) and solid volunteering. If you can pull off solid letters of recs and really put some work into your personal statement you are probably "looked at" the same as an applicant who has a 33 and a 3.6-3.7. I mean seriously....ADCOMS understand that a tenth of a GPA point and a couple extra questions on the MCAT answered correctly (when compared to someone with a 30) is not indicative of a great doctor who will excel at their school. They are looking for people in a certain range of numbers that are highly motivated and compassionate. In conclusion, there is no secret to applying--shoot for the range of numbers they are looking for (according to the school you are looking at) and then work on being the complete package.


:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

thank god someone posted this.

OP, with a solid resume you should be a shoe in for interviews at the least in your home state, if not elsewhere. apply intelligently and broadly and have a few people read your personal statement to make sure it is truly indicative of you as a person. i had your exact same stats and i was accepted everywhere i interviewed. good luck!
 
Are you completely incapable of using google/searching these forums or are you just that lazy?


You can easily find the average GPA/MCAT scores of all medical schools.

Cegar you're a bigger douche than I am. Unacceptable. Stop posting.
 
If you give them an inch eventually they'll make threads asking if there are any other ____ premeds and then I have to look up their IP address, find their home address, burn their house, and stab them to death.

You can't find their home address from their IP address, dumbo.
 
You can't find their home address from their IP address, dumbo.

At least, not without contacting the ISP with a valid reason.
 
At least, not without contacting the ISP with a valid reason.

They don't give out the addresses of anyone unless its really necessary. Like 1, child porn. But even then, you'd have to prove that the porn came from that ip and not from any other possible ip.
The RIAA can also get you for having music, but they won't waste their resources unless you have an insane amount of music, and you're sharing it.
 
Yes, a 3.5 with a low 30s MCAT will probably do the trick. And it's the Medical College Admissions Test. There's no S.
 
Top