3.7 & 32...worth applying to top 10 schools?

[Haybrant]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hi,
Im trying to finalize my list of med schools to apply to. Im a Berkeley student with a 3.7 (BCMP and non BCMP) with a 32. Is it worth me applying to the top 10 schools, or will it end up being a waste of money? My EC's are not superb, clinical shadowing is good and research is good. Please be brutally honest. Oh, and is it starting to get pretty late to turn in primaries? I am aiming for the start of next wk; is this bad? thanks!

 

[TTSD]

Heck no. With those paltry stats you'd be lucky to end up in Iraq for Medical School! Best go learn how to sell door-to-door insurance boy!

 

[Haybrant]

i should mention: 32= 12B, 11P, 9V --> its the 9 V that kinda worries me; i dont see too many 9's getting into top 10 schools (got A's in both english classes tho if that makes any diff)...any thoughts?

 

[TTSD]

i should mention: 32= 12B, 11P, 9V --> its the 9 V that kinda worries me; i dont see too many 9's getting into top 10 schools (got A's in both english classes tho if that makes any diff)...any thoughts?

No, give it up. Maybe you can get a job being a cook in the army with only a 9 in the verbals! They don't need to speak english too good there me thinks.

 

[Haybrant]

No, give it up. Maybe you can get a job being a cook in the army with only a 9 in the verbals! They don't need to speak english too good there me thinks.

haha, ok i appreciate the sarcasm, but seriously, im trying to save myself money if possible as I dont have as much as other might; this is the top 10 schools im talking about since I am interested in research. But if i dont have a great chance i wont check the box for all of them and save the money for more back-ups...

 

[MEG@COOL]

Um Just look at the schools average stats.... If your's dont deviate much below their averages its worth a shot.

 

[TTSD]

haha, ok i appreciate the sarcasm, but seriously, im trying to save myself money if possible as I dont have as much as other might; this is the top 10 schools im talking about since I am interested in research. But if i dont have a great chance i wont check the box for all of them and save the money for more back-ups...

Dude, at most you'd be saving yourself about $600 by not applying to all the top 10 schools and doing their secondaries. In the grand scheme of things, $600 is an absolute pittance to the amount you'll be spending, it's worth it just to apply since you have a good chance (MCAT is a little low) provided its shored by strong ECs, interviews, personal statement, LORs and generally a good package.

What major are you?

 

[Haybrant]

Dude, at most you'd be saving yourself about $600 by not applying to all the top 10 schools and doing their secondaries. In the grand scheme of things, $600 is an absolute pittance to the amount you'll be spending, it's worth it just to apply since you have a good chance (MCAT is a little low) provided its shored by strong ECs, interviews, personal statement, LORs and generally a good package.

What major are you?

I am a molec. cell bio major, emphasis in neurobio

Speaking of the pers statement, ive been spending alot of time one them and im curious how big a weight they play past the primaries? Like does that essay follow you throughout the porcess or do the secondary essays/statements play a bigger role in the end? Trying to judge how much more to keep working on the pers statement.

 

[TTSD]

I am a molec. cell bio major, emphasis in neurobio

Speaking of the pers statement, ive been spending alot of time one them and im curious how big a weight they play past the primaries? Like does that essay follow you throughout the porcess or do the secondary essays/statements play a bigger role in the end? Trying to judge how much more to keep working on the pers statement.

Then a 3.7 GPA is damn good.

Personal statement is your chance to shine. Show off your stuff, explain any deficienies, and explain why you personally feel like you're going to become the next Albert Schweitzer or Hannibal Lecter sans the Cannibalism.

 

[Haybrant]

Personal statement is your chance to shine. Show off your stuff, explain any deficienies, and explain why you personally feel like you're going to become the next Albert Schweitzer or Hannibal Lecter sans the Cannibalism.

damn, the whole cannibalism thing might be a point against me...

 

[TTSD]

damn, the whole cannibalism thing might be a point against me...

Probably. I've always been weary of you Berkeley potheads! Thank God you didn't say you were a Political science major or something, I would've gone over and beaten your head in and asked, why such a low GPA?!!

 

[Code Brown]

I am a molec. cell bio major, emphasis in neurobio

Speaking of the pers statement, ive been spending alot of time one them and im curious how big a weight they play past the primaries? Like does that essay follow you throughout the porcess or do the secondary essays/statements play a bigger role in the end? Trying to judge how much more to keep working on the pers statement.

The PS is very important so do not downplay it. If it means you spend an extra week on it, do so to get it right. It's still early so don't stress too much, just make sure you get it in before the end of July.

You need to realize that a large number of the secondaries go like this:

1. Why do you want to go to our school (in 250 words or less)?
2. Send us 3 Letters of Rec.
3. Send us your photo
4. Send us $100
5. Thank you for the $100

This means that some secondaries mean absolutely diddly-squat, apart from the $100 you get, since the why you want to go to our school is basically the same old "This is a great school, with great opportunities for me...blah...blah...blah"

As for your numbers. Don't worry about a thing. My buddy who had the same numbers as you applied to 5 top tens and got into 3 of them. Remember that the Standard Deviation for most medical schools is about 2.5 for the MCAT and about 0.25 for the GPA. This means that apart from WashU, you are going to be within the competitive range everywhere.

 

[Andrew_Doan]

Hi,
Im trying to finalize my list of med schools to apply to. Im a Berkeley student with a 3.7 (BCMP and non BCMP) with a 32. Is it worth me applying to the top 10 schools, or will it end up being a waste of money? My EC's are not superb, clinical shadowing is good and research is good. Please be brutally honest. Oh, and is it starting to get pretty late to turn in primaries? I am aiming for the start of next wk; is this bad? thanks!

I got in to several top 10 programs with similar stats.

 

[bigbaubdi]

Hi,
Im trying to finalize my list of med schools to apply to. Im a Berkeley student with a 3.7 (BCMP and non BCMP) with a 32. Is it worth me applying to the top 10 schools, or will it end up being a waste of money? My EC's are not superb, clinical shadowing is good and research is good. Please be brutally honest. Oh, and is it starting to get pretty late to turn in primaries? I am aiming for the start of next wk; is this bad? thanks!

Of course, you should apply to top 10 schools. But before you talk about getting into top 10 schools, worry about getting into med school first! Beyond that, everything else is gravy...

 

[tofurious]

Remember a few things:

1. Every MCB + IB + Nutri Sci major from Berkeley will be applying to the top CA schools (UCSF, UCLA, Stanford). So if you know MANY people from your year that have similar stats but much better ECs, you should not be surprised if you don't get into one of those schools. As every Cal grad will tell you, Berkeley being next to UCSF is a double-edged sword.

2. When you apply to an east coast school, you are now competing with the Ivy Leaguers with significant grade inflation and people who have saved Nigeria from the most recent Ebola epidemic through their father's connections. Plus the same thing that happens in 1 will happen with every med school with its affiliated undergrad. So you are effectively competing for anywhere from 20% to 40% of the available spots. Remember that those people whose apps are better than yours from Cal will be gunning for these east coast schools too and likely holding spots everywhere. However, they can only take one spot at the end so if you even get on a waiting list you have a chance (at either coast).

3. Average GPAs and MCATs of accepted applicants have probably risen since the time Andrew was applying, since it has gone up since I was applying (although 3-4 years ago the average was going down due to unprecedented economic prosperity before 9/11). I would look at mdapplicants.com (even though some of the numbers may not be real) and see how many applicants didn't get in with your stats.

4. Nevertheless, you have a better chance than someone with a 4.0 from Cal. I know a lot more 4.0s who didn't get in than 3.7s.

5. If you like research, maybe you should consider MSTP. They'll take a closer look at your applicantion and if your research is good, it will definitely help.

 

[Tippy007]

Yes, I think you should. The incremental $$$ spent in applying will be more than worth it, if you get in. Besides we're all going to be in so much debt (if we're lucky) that it really won't matter...

 

[fullefect1]

By looking at all the mdapplicants.com profiles you wouldn't have a shot. I guess the low stat people who bring down the averages don't post on that site.

 

[SanDiegoSOD]

I havnt read the above posts, so I dont know if anyone has mentioned something like this. GPA and MCAT are very important, but many other factors are accounted for. I know of a girl from my school who was accepted at UCLA with a 23 MCAT and 3.1 GPA. She was minority, but I still cant believe she was accepted with those numbers. If you have a good life story and area accomplished outside of the classroom, I say take a shot for the top. However, if you just have average extra-cirriculars and are middle/upper class caucasian, I wouldnt waste the time/money applying.

 

[tofurious]

I know of a girl from my school who was accepted at UCLA with a 23 MCAT and 3.1 GPA. She was minority, but I still cant believe she was accepted with those numbers.

All bets are off when you get into the affirmative action pool. That is hardly the worst stats I have heard.

 

[papertiger]

ROLFOMAOLOLMAOFAO!!11!!1!!!!1111!!!1
i have a 4.0 gpa from harvard and a 45 on my mcat. i also have a nobel prize in medicine. do you think i'll get into any med school or should i go out of country?

 

[lissa1217]

absolutely apply anywhere you want to go! you have excellent stats. choosing a medical school is a huuuuge decision and committment so give yourself every opportunity to make yourself proud and happy! the worst that can happen is you don't get in. when youre looking at going into a quarter million dollars in debt to foot the bill for med school, an extra hundred or so to get a shot at your top choice is well worth it. 👍

 

[elephunt]

I agree with lissa. I have been asking myself the same questions: is it worth spending the money to apply to a long shot? The answer is, if I never apply, then I'll always wonder if I had a shot. So, if you're like me and might be bothered by regret that you were too afraid of rejection (or, honestly, too poor, which is definitely a problem in this whole application racket) then go ahead and shoot for the moon. It can't hurt, except your wallet, and you might get lucky. Just make sure you're applying to the schools because you feel like you would be happy there, not just because they have a big name due to their nine bazillion dollars in grant funding.

Good luck!

 

[gizmoduck]

Meh. Top ten schmop ten. No matter where you go they still call you doctor when you're done. 😉