3 year HPSP, anyone got MCAT/GPA stats?

[frugopl]

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I am applying for the 3 year HPSP, which I am told is quite competitive (there will be only 20 3 year scholarships this year compared to close to 300 four year scholarships; this is just for the Army). And while I've seen some stats for the four year (average MCAT of 27 and GPA of 3.45 as of Nov 2012), I have not found anything for the the three year. Can anyone lend a hand as to what those stats are?

 

[BigNavyPedsGuy]

Unfortunately, I very much doubt that the info you need is available to the public anywhere. Some insiders on selection boards might know, but most people won't.

 

[backrow]

For Navy you would likely need a mid to high 30's in the MCAT, a very good GPA, and superior performance on whatever classes you have completed in a well respected medical school. Those aren't the only factors, but it would help.

For Army it would likely be similar.

 

[BLACKMD]

For Navy you would likely need a mid to high 30's in the MCAT, a very good GPA, and superior performance on whatever classes you have completed in a well respected medical school. Those aren't the only factors, but it would help.

For Army it would likely be similar.

Mid to high 30s would get you into Harvard. That seems off...

 

[backrow]

Mid to high 30s would get you into Harvard. That seems off...

Seeing as the 4yr MCAT is approaching 30 and the three year scholarship is significantly more competitive this isn't far off. Ah, high 30's is off, mid 30's is not. (I read my original again halfway through).

Again, this is Navy and the OP was asking Army so may not be perfect, but it's likely close.

 

[frugopl]

Thanks for the feedback. The current stats for HPSP overall are 27 MCAT, 3.45 GPA (all branches cumulative). Not sure if that includes both 4 and 3 year or whether it's just the average for the 4 year. Anyhow, I stand at 33 MCAT, 3.62 GPA, so I think I have a shot at this. Let's see where it takes me.

 

[apannier]

I almost guarantee you the MCAT and GPA are going to be similar to what is needed for the 4 year scholarship. The 3 year is not more competitive, there is merely WAY less applicants and therefore they only need to give out 20. Remember, numbers don't lie, but liars use numbers (so take this advise for what it's worth). The fact of the matter is, very few people even consider HPSP after they have already matriculated to med school and started racking up loans. If you have the numbers to get into med school, you should have them for the 3 year scholarship.

 

[backrow]

The 3 year is not more competitive, there is merely WAY less applicants and therefore they only need to give out 20. .

True that there are less applicants for the 3 year, but at least for the Navy the 3 year scholarship absolutely has higher expectations in my experience.

I have seen on more than one occasion an applicant who likely would have received a 4 yr scholarship be passed over for the 3 yr. luckily applicant numbers are significantly higher the past few years than they were 5+ yrs ago so the selection process has become a bit tougher.

The OP's stats will definitely get him a serious look, it will simply be a matter of who else has applied and the rest of his application.

 

[frugopl]

My only real concern is that there is a possibility of an automatic roll-over from the 4 year to the 3 year -- I understand it has never happened for the medical scholarship, but I know that it did happen for the dental one last year for the Army. It's a bit f***ed up if you ask me, as it shuts out more qualified applicants for the 3 year.

 

[NavyFP]

There has seemed to be an uptick in the number of 3 year applications. I am not sure if this is due to people delaying their application because they did not know about the program or they actually get into med school, see the total bill, and get sticker shock.

The overall numbers for the 3 year are similar to the 4 year, and a 3.45/27 would be at the lower end. With the small number of available spots there is often the thought that if we give it to the 3.45/27 early, we will have to pass up a 3.75/31 later because we ran out of spots. Intangibles are another consideration beyond grades and MCATs, so if there is something that makes the applicant special, that would weigh in.

Bottom line is apply and roll the dice. The truth is always in motion.