Admissions question

[Serie]

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I'm apologize if this question has been asked a million times but I wanted to know if admissions looks at what university you've attended. If I could go further, would admissions take into account the prestige of a major program that the student had majored in?(i.e. Chem, MCB, Psych, engineering, etc)

 

[Dr Oops]

I'm apologize if this question has been asked a million times but I wanted to know if admissions looks at what university you've attended. If I could go further, would admissions take into account the prestige of a major program that the student had majored in?(i.e. Chem, MCB, Psych, engineering, etc)

#s (gpa and MCAT) >> university name> major

 

[Serie]

Thanks!

 

[friedymeister]

I have a similar question.

If your gpa and mcat are decent, would the adcom look more favorably on someone who went to a top school and was an engineer (where it's extremely difficult to do well, and where classes are typically curved to a B/B-), than say a straight bio major from a decent school?

From what I've heard, regardless of your major and school, you must have a minimum gpa and MCAT to get an interview. So, if you make it past that first round, would it improve your chances by going to a top school and majoring in Engineering?

 

[DoctorDeMan]

I have a similar question.

If your gpa and mcat are decent, would the adcom look more favorably on someone who went to a top school and was an engineer (where it's extremely difficult to do well, and where classes are typically curved to a B/B-), than say a straight bio major from a decent school?

From what I've heard, regardless of your major and school, you must have a minimum gpa and MCAT to get an interview. So, if you make it past that first round, would it improve your chances by going to a top school and majoring in Engineering?

The answer you'll get from engineers: Yes, they take it into account.

The answer you'll get from non-engineers: No, your major does not matter.

During interviews I was asked about my engineering major and it was obviously thought of highly.

 

[fusionx22]

I have a similar question.

If your gpa and mcat are decent, would the adcom look more favorably on someone who went to a top school and was an engineer (where it's extremely difficult to do well, and where classes are typically curved to a B/B-), than say a straight bio major from a decent school?

From what I've heard, regardless of your major and school, you must have a minimum gpa and MCAT to get an interview. So, if you make it past that first round, would it improve your chances by going to a top school and majoring in Engineering?

Short answer: no, not really. Longer answer: Medical school do look at what courses you've taken, and if you've taken challenging courses, it will look good. Now, if you decided to major in engineering thinking that it will give you an edge, you made a foolish decision. GPA will always take precedence, and if you couldn't keep your GPA up, then what was the point in doing engineering? Med school AdComs want to see whether or not you followed your interests. Just keep that in mind. Note: This is just what I've gathered in my own experience through the process. I can imagine some people disagreeing with what I've said (but generally, I think most will agree). GOOD LUCK!!

 

[fusionx22]

The answer you'll get from engineers: Yes, they take it into account.

The answer you'll get from non-engineers: No, your major does not matter.

During interviews I was asked about my engineering major and it was obviously thought of highly.

Lol, there you go.

 

[DoctorDeMan]

Short answer: no, not really. Longer answer: Medical school do look at what courses you've taken, and if you've taken challenging courses, it will look good. Now, if you decided to major in engineering thinking that it will give you an edge, you made a foolish decision. GPA will always take precedence, and if you couldn't keep your GPA up, then what was the point in doing engineering? Med school AdComs want to see whether or not you followed your interests. Just keep that in mind. Note: This is just what I've gathered in my own experience through the process. I can imagine some people disagreeing with what I've said (but generally, I think most will agree). GOOD LUCK!!

Agreed, and the 3.9/35 engineer will probably get the spot in the class before the 3.9/35 bio major does.

I think having an engineering major is cool/unique if you like it and can get a high GPA with it. You learn a lot of interesting stuff and have options if you don't get into medical school (or change your mind). Engineers also think differently (problem solving) which can be a good thing and BMEs have a good foundation for understanding the advances that are happening in implants/grafts/etc.

That said, if you get a 3.0 with that engineering major, schools aren't going to magically consider you just because of your major.

 

[pietachok]

I'm an engineer w/ a lowish GPA (3.45, 3.21 sci)--but luckily a 34T MCAT.
I went to an ivy league school.

I had trouble getting interviews, most likely b/c of my GPA and some issues w/ my LORs.

Once I got interviews, I was given a boost b/c of both my degree and my school--I occasionally got to see the rubric they used to score me, and extra points were given for school and major...and dr's are notoriously tech unsavvy, so they were generally impressed w/ engineering and expressed that they saw it as a benefit for integrating technology and entering w/ a different perspective/thought process.

 

[friedymeister]

Yeah, well, I ask because I am a Biological Engineer with between a 3.5 and 3.6 GPA with ~3.7 BPCM GPA, and I haven't taken the mcats yet but assume I will do decently. Prior to studying, I took the aamc test #3 and scored a 26, so I think I'll do decently.

I also come from an ivy league school, and was just curious whether the academic rigor and reputation would be rewarding.

 

[atomi]

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[atomi]

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[friedymeister]

lol, we are talking about Cornell.

 

[redlight]

Sorry to break the bad news, but all that money spent on Princeton's undergrad was wasted when it comes to this.

Shoulda thought about academics, consulting, or finance for a career if undergrad prestige was important.

i disagree.. so many ivy grads are at top 10-15s etc.. there seems to be a HUGE bias (excepts maybe in some public med schools).

 

[witness23]

i'm gonna go with atomi. my tuition was a huge waste of my money.

 

[fizzle]

I'm apologize if this question has been asked a million times but I wanted to know if admissions looks at what university you've attended. If I could go further, would admissions take into account the prestige of a major program that the student had majored in?(i.e. Chem, MCB, Psych, engineering, etc)

Short answer: Yes.

Though your numbers are more important, there are schools like UMichigan that will give you an auto-interview invite only if you're from a school on their "prestige" list. Even a 4.0/40 probably won't be enough to get you an auto-invite (though you have a good chance of a regular invite) if you go to a nameless college.

 

[dancindoc85]

The whole GPA/MCAT vs Undergrad institution is quite a quandary.

Here are my firsthand observations from working full time in an emergency room and becoming close with several of the doctors. The best doctors that I work with... Smartest, most efficient, best decision makers, best able to relate to patients.... Are those with interesting stories to tell. The three I have in mind right now went to very impressive undergrad institutions, (Stanford, UVa, Cornell) but, in their own words, spent time having "fun" and doing other things... They didn't have great undergrad GPAs, not because they weren't smart enough to obtain them, but because they went to difficult undergrad schools and did other cool stuff in their youth. All three killed the MCAT.... and all had to apply to medical school twice, but are now at the top of their game and are the most respected ER doctors at my hospital.
In short.... I don't believe GPA tells a very good story about what one is capable of mentally and what kind of doctor one is going to become. However, I realize schools have to work with something to sort through the masses of applicants from incredibly different backgrounds and experiences...... I value the MCAT as a great equalizer......

 

[blueflower77]

I've searched and searched and I can't seem to find what I need.

Does anyone know of a website/student doctor forum post that gives a link to a place where all the schools in US have their average GPA and average MCAT scores (per section or total)? I'm sure it has to be somewhere on these forums! I just graduated with a 3.7 and honors and I'm studying for the MCAT and trying to "size up" what medical schools would consider me and what I should reasonbly aim for on the MCAT (i'm guessing 30+!)

Thanks so much for your responses!

 

[dw2158]

i'm too lazy to post links, so you should try searching SDN for:
1) school selector spreadsheet
2) msar data ("data *****" was kind enough to input all the raw data from the msar into an excel spreadhseet!)