3.65 GPA gray area?

[chinesedude]

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I might just be neurotic but I feel slightly uneased by my 3.65 GPA. On one end, it's definitely below the median for average MD schools (3.75). On the other end, it isn't low enough for me to consider applying outside MD, or doing a post-bacc.

How do these applicants fare and what puts them over the threshold for MD schools?

 

[pbsdrinkingwhale]

.

 

[infectiousdisease101]

AAMC has a table that shows the GPA and MCAT range of applicants and matriculants.

 

[infectiousdisease101]

yep, you're the perfect candidate for the Carribean

Don't get their hopes up. Even Caribbean schools have higher standards.

 

[Blanky]

A solid MCAT and dont short yourself on ECs (have some clinical experience, shadowing etc) and once you get your MCAT post in WAMC and get a solid school list that isnt top heavy and apply to as many schools as you can stomach/afford.

 

[infectiousdisease101]

A solid MCAT and dont short yourself on ECs (have some clinical experience, shadowing etc) and once you get your MCAT post in WAMC and get a solid school list that isnt top heavy and apply to as many schools as you can stomach/afford.

Come on, don't ruin the fun!

 

[Blanky]

Sorry 😛

 

[stubblesmcgee]

x

 

[Goro]

I might just be neurotic but I feel slightly uneased by my 3.65 GPA. On one end, it's definitely below the median for average MD schools (3.75). On the other end, it isn't low enough for me to consider applying outside MD, or doing a post-bacc.

How do these applicants fare and what puts them over the threshold for MD schools?

Do you understand the concept of medians?

If you're above the 10th %ile, you're competitive. > the 25th %ile, even better.

 

[pbsdrinkingwhale]

.

 

[SpineResearcher]

Depends on the trend of your GPA and your MCAT score. Apart from ECs - which obviously play an important role in your app - those can be used to differentiate students in the 3.6 range.

 

[Goro]

Even then, OP's stats are lower than 90% of OP's classmates. That's already one strike against them. Plus, looks like he's ORM based on name.

Edit: OP, you would need an above-average app. High MCAT, good ECs, good story.

For the Top Schools, maybe, but with the median being around 3.7, OP is fine. And if the median is 3.9, that still means that 50% of the Class is < the median, right?

SDNers are advised NOT to obsess about single metrics.

 

[Dwight K Schrute]

Is there a strong upward trend? That certainly helps. Also BCPM, MCAT, research, and volunteering. A lower cumulative can be made up with a high BCPM and MCAT. Besides you are looking at the nation wide average when you say 3.75 is the average (it’s actually about 3.71). There are plenty of MD schools with the average at 3.65 or lower. It’s not bad.

 

[Robin-jay]

yep, you're the perfect candidate for the Carribean

OP's GPA is a little low for the top 4.

But the other Caribbean schools may be an option.

 

[Catalystik]

I might just be neurotic but I feel slightly uneased by my 3.65 GPA. On one end, it's definitely below the median for average MD schools (3.75). On the other end, it isn't low enough for me to consider applying outside MD, or doing a post-bacc.

How do these applicants fare and what puts them over the threshold for MD schools?

For AMCAS schools, the BCPM GPA is generally more important than cGPA. Have you calculated yours?

 

[mwsapphire]

Even then, OP's stats are lower than 90% of OP's classmates. That's already one strike against them. Plus, looks like he's ORM based on name.

Edit: OP, you would need an above-average app. High MCAT, good ECs, good story.

I'm sorry, are you saying someone with a 3.65 Sci GPA ( when the median for acceptances is a 3.71 and the median for matriculants is a 3.64, according to MSAR and AAMC tables, respectively), needs above average EC"s and MCAT to compensate? To be competitive for mid tier MD programs?
OP's gpa is about average, and even if it's a hair below average its not a weakness in their app,IMO.

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

I'm sorry, are you saying someone with a 3.65 Sci GPA ( when the median for acceptances is a 3.71 and the median for matriculants is a 3.64, according to MSAR and AAMC tables, respectively), needs above average EC"s and MCAT to compensate?

They need good ECs and MCAT simply because that’s what it takes to be competitive, but I always hate these types of threads because a single data point isn’t going to get you in or keep you out. I’ve seen people with 3.6’s go top 10 and I’ve also seen 3.6’s get shut out from DO schools. It simply depends on a host of other factors.

 

[mwsapphire]

They need good ECs and MCAT simply because that’s what it takes to be competitive, but I always hate these types of threads because a single data point isn’t going to get you in or keep you out. I’ve seen people with 3.6’s go top 10 and I’ve also seen 3.6’s get shut out from DO schools. It simply depends on a host of other factors.

I guess I interpreted "high MCAT" as , like, 515+ , as if the GPA needs to compensated for, and I just really hate that kind of silly negativity.
And I honestly think there are more people who get into med school with a 3.6 and the rest of the app being strong, with al the right EC's and all that. And tons of 3.8+ and 518+ who are missing the proper EC"s or who have poor PS's or whatever and get rejected. So GPA and even just stats as a whole can't possibly be all.
/end rant

 

[BTC0821]

When looking at schools, which would you recommend I focus more upon? Assuming next semester goes well which I'm quite confident of, I'll finish with a cGPA of 3.56 (terrible first year) and a sGPA of 3.78 (around 80 or 90 credits).

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

And tons of 3.8+ and 518+ who are missing the proper EC"s or who have poor PS's or whatever and get rejected. So GPA and even just stats as a whole can't possibly be all.

Eh not “tons”..... numbers still are the most important part of your app.