4.0, 514, Honest chances at Top Schools?

[roger135]

Hey everyone,

I want to hear the truth about getting into a top school. Specifically for me my dream is to go to Yale SOM. My stats are 4.0, 514 MCAT, 2 years in Microbiology lab, 2 year leader in community outreach program, good shadowing, volunteer EMT 1.5 years, etc. Basically my extracurriculars are on pair with the average competitive pre-med. One thing that stands out is I will be getting a MPH before I attend medical school.

Overall, I want to know if it would be worth at all putting in an application for Yale? I know I should do it because you never know, but realistically do you know anyone who has gotten to Yale with a below-average MCAT?

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[el_duderino]

Why Yale?

 

[Cyberdyne 101]

Your MCAT is below average for Yale, but it's still a pretty good score for a lot of other schools. Just apply broadly and see what happens.

 

[tortelliniboy]

What if we were to hypothetically tell you yale was just an ok school but not top tier, would you still want to go?

 

[Lawpy]

Why Yale?

What if we were to hypothetically tell you yale was just an ok school but not top tier, would you still want to go?

Basically, don't place your hopes on one school, especially if it is a top school

 

[LizzyM]

Why is Yale your dream school?

You do know that Yale requires an original research thesis, right? And you are keen on that?
Are you familiar with the Yale System? If not, become familiar with it and then explain in your own words why you are a good fit with that approach to medical education.

Your above average GPA may balance your below average (for top tier) MCAT but you need to go beyond box checking and be able to make a cogent argument for "why medicine" and "why this school". What is your career goal?

 

[bamagirlie789]

.

 

[GrapesofRath]

Look at 10th percentile MCATs for those big name schools. Yales 10th percentile MCAT I believe is either a 32 or 33. If you are going to get into a school where your MCAT is below 90 percent of their students your going to need to have something compelling to make up for it.

 

[mrspecialist]

Your EC looks weak for Yale.

 

[claduva94]

Don't let ego ruin your chances at med school.

 

[WedgeDawg]

App is below average for Yale. Do you have a shot? Yes, but it's not a great one. Nothing that you've said so far makes me go "wow!". The MPH doesn't really add too much to your med school app by itself. It only adds something if you use it to do something cool.

 

[y123]

Did you get your bachelor's degree from a top school?

 

[y123]

.

 

[wavvvvvves123]

Hey everyone,

I want to hear the truth about getting into a top school. Specifically for me my dream is to go to Yale SOM. My stats are 4.0, 514 MCAT, 2 years in Microbiology lab, 2 year leader in community outreach program, good shadowing, volunteer EMT 1.5 years, etc. Basically my extracurriculars are on pair with the average competitive pre-med. One thing that stands out is I will be getting a MPH before I attend medical school.

Overall, I want to know if it would be worth at all putting in an application for Yale? I know I should do it because you never know, but realistically do you know anyone who has gotten to Yale with a below-average MCAT?

totally go for it! don't get your hopes up too high, just because med school admissions is so insanely unpredicatble and competitive (especially with a school like Yale), but if it's a school you'd love to go to and you can afford the fees, why not? give it your best shot and don't get your hopes up.

 

[Ovid]

A 514 is a damn good score. I know people that would kill for a score above the 90th percentile. If someone with a 4.0/514 is worried, they need to expand their school list.

If OP's heart is set on Yale for a very, very good reason, then that should come through in the personal statement and the interview. If they just think it sounds prestigious, there are plenty of other schools that'll get them to the same place in the end. I just can't imagine anyone retaking the MCAT that scored above the 90th percentile.