Anyone with bad credentials been successful in the med school application process?

[Ratty]

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Hello,

I'm wondering about people who have average to poor credentials, but have been successful in the application process. Any inspiring success stories would be appreciated.

My stats are: 3.4 in undergrad with English major (graduated in '99); 3.0 in law school, and now a post-bacc GPA that may be around a 3.5 or lower. I have not taken the MCAT. I am very worried that my low stats will mean no acceptances. Any advice? I am working as hard as I can in post-bacc.

 

[BerkeleyPremed]

If you nail the MCAT, I think you'll be fine. As for the grades in the post-bacc, just try to keep them as high as you can. Mediocre GPAs can easily be made up for as long as you have impressive extra-curriculars, research, internships, etc. Just make sure you study as hard as possible for the MCAT and make sure to take a prep course so you can structure your studying. From my experience, the MCAT score matters MORE than the BCPM GPA because they know that certain schools have grade inflation whereas other schools don't. That's why a 3.4 BCPM GPA from MIT with a 36 MCAT is more likely to get into med school than a 3.9 GPA from California State University-Dominguez Hills with a 28 MCAT.

 

[idq1i]

Originally posted by Ratty
Hello,

I'm wondering about people who have average to poor credentials, but have been successful in the application process. Any inspiring success stories would be appreciated.

1st semester GPA = 1.94. 1st year GPA = 2.123

9 applications, all to local schools (NYC)
5 interviews
4 acceptances

 

[That Girl Farah]

idq1, but what was your mcat score? that's awesome

 

[idq1i]

Originally posted by That Girl Farah
idq1, but what was your mcat score? that's awesome

11v/13p/11b

after a D in Calc II, B in intro bio lab, C- in Calc-based physics, C in Intro chem...... I realized that I may want to get my act together

 

[juddson]

I don't mean to be a contrarian. But I'm of the opinion that a 35 MCAT wipes clean even the most mediocre of GPA's. I'm sure there are more than a few schools who'd be content to look at MCAT only.

Judd

 

[BerkeleyPremed]

I'm inclined to agree with the above poster (juddson).

 

[TTSD]

I've heard of people with GPAs as low as 2.5 getting into US Med Schools (and the lowest to a Top Tier school was a 2.9 with several D's). But they also did stellar on their MCATs and had extensive resumes.

 

[merovingian]

Originally posted by idq1i
1st semester GPA = 1.94. 1st year GPA = 2.123

9 applications, all to local schools (NYC)
5 interviews
4 acceptances

Wow....what the heck did you do, work in a clinic in some 3rd world country and heal the whole population before applying?!? Congrats, you def give us average people some hope

 

[idq1i]

Originally posted by merovingian
Wow....what the heck did you do, heal the whole population of a 3rd world country before applying?!? Congrats, you def give us average people some hope

i had a science average of 3.95 or so the rest of the way in a biochem major.
I ended up with a cumulative of 3.45

I did have a crappy EC profile, though. I spent too much time working and doing research. At the end, I got to pick from Upstate, Downstate, MCP, and NYMC.

Goodluck to everyone in the "non-perfect" category. It definitely can be done, and I am living proof

 

[Cantal]

Originally posted by idq1i
i had a science average of 3.95 or so the rest of the way in a biochem major.
I ended up with a cumulative of 3.45

I did have a crappy EC profile, though. I spent too much time working and doing research. At the end, I got to pick from Upstate, Downstate, MCP, and NYMC.

Goodluck to everyone in the "non-perfect" category. It definitely can be done, and I am living proof

holy moly, wtg man. There should be more of these inspiring stories 🙂

 

[idq1i]

Originally posted by mattorama
Great job idq1i

That makes me feel a bit better about my situation. I had about a 3.0 coming out of my second year. Then I figured out what I wanted to do with my life, switched majors, and have had a 4.0 for the last 6 semesters (counting 2 summer semesters). That only pulls my GPA up to a mediocore 3.55 or so, but with your great success at applying with a strong upward trend, it at least gives me a tad more confidence. Good luck in medschool and well done!

Thank you.

3.55 is N O T a mediocre GPA. The fact that you pulled off 6 semesters of 4.0 shows your dedication and ability. I'm sure you'll do fine

 

[Neuronix]

A high MCAT will not wipe a low GPA clean. Two applicants come to my mind. One with a 40 MCAT and a 3.0 GPA who did not get in the first time, and another with a 37 MCAT and 3.0 GPA who got in on the second try after post-bacc work.

Just a thought... I think the op has a good chance, depending on their MCAT score and more details of their application.

 

[longshot]

your still competitive...

 

[TTSD]

Though conversely you've also heard the stories of those 4.0 students with good MCATs getting rejected as well.

It's the package, a hefty checkbook doesn't hurt as well ;-)