Applicants % distribution (jargon)

[farvabull]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Just trying to get a general idea.......Out of 100%, assign the weight percentage to what you think med schools assign to an applicants profile pre-interview. Like how they weigh the importance of your application from the following:Overall GPA, BCPM GPA, MCAT, Volunteering: clinical/non-clinical, research, undergrad institution, LOR's, personal statements. Of course there is more to an applicants profile so feel free to add something in or break it down differently and we all know that all schools are different and some favor certain characteristics over another, but just pretend we're talking about the average of each schools weight percentage. For example ---> OGPA:20%, BCPM GPA:25% MCAT:30%, undergrad:10%, volunteering:10% etc. etc. up to 100%. Thx!

 

[Anastasis]

Just trying to get a general idea.......Out of 100%, assign the weight percentage to what you think med schools assign to an applicants profile pre-interview. Like how they weigh the importance of your application from the following:Overall GPA, BCPM GPA, MCAT, Volunteering: clinical/non-clinical, research, undergrad institution, LOR's, personal statements. Of course there is more to an applicants profile so feel free to add something in or break it down differently and we all know that all schools are different and some favor certain characteristics over another, but just pretend we're talking about the average of each schools weight percentage. For example ---> OGPA:20%, BCPM GPA:25% MCAT:30%, undergrad:10%, volunteering:10% etc. etc. up to 100%. Thx!

Would you actually want a breakdown for each kind of volunteering? Or is that getting a bit anal?

I think it would start with MCAT: 25%, OGPA & Sci GPA: 20%, Volunteering&/or Research: 20%, LORs: 15%, Personal Statement: 15%, "Other Stuff" (ugrad, legacy, gut feelings, etc) 5%

 

[farvabull]

Would you actually want a breakdown for each kind of volunteering? Or is that getting a bit anal?

Well i'm relatively new to this whole process...not entirely sure of the woodwork (that's why i made this thread) so whatever "you" think is of importance, post it.
thx for ur input btw, every bit helps

 

[Will Ferrell]

Well i'm relatively new to this whole process...not entirely sure of the woodwork (that's why i made this thread) anal...no...innocent...yes 😀
thx for ur input btw, every bit helps

Hey, just try to get good grades (3.5) and MCATs (29+). When you have free time, volunteer in a clinical environment (but don't go overboard because you don't want it to affect your grades and MCATs). These three factors are basically all you need to get into medical school. MCATs = Grades = 40% each (my opinion).

 

[nateksu]

Hey, just try to get good grades (3.5) and MCATs (29+). When you have free time, volunteer in a clinical environment (but don't go overboard because you don't want it to affect your grades and MCATs). These three factors are basically all you need to get into medical school. MCATs = Grades = 40% each (my opinion).

This is what I thought all along before applying, but I think some schools place more weight on things that you wouldn't expect. For example, I have a 32 MCAT and 3.9 GPA and the rest of my application is respectable, and I am on the alternate list at Kansas. This is just my experience, though. I think I know less of what they want, the further I go. I would just recommend that you not overlook any of the obvious factors. Good luck.

 

[drguy22]

Mcat 30%
Gpa Sci 25%
Gpa Nonsci 10%
Letters 15%
Essay 10%
Extracurricular 10%

 

[indo]

I think there would need to be 2 or more breakdowns. For example, if I had a medical school I might weigh MCAT and GPA at 50% each before I distribute secondaries. Then for the interviewee selection I might totally ignore MCAT and GPA since I have already created a pool of acceptable mcat/gpa'ers. Then for acceptances I might weigh left-handedness, or whatever wacky characteristic adcoms are using these days, at 100%.

So, at my medical school, a good gpa/mcat combo would be like big boobs; they'll get your foot in the door but you'd better have something behind 'em.

 

[treetrunk]

I think that "the interview is all that matters once you get an interview" is nonsense. After going through the process, I would have a really tough time believing that the importance of your GPA and MCAT and other factors are ignored once you get an interview. I do think that anyone who gets an interview has some chance of getting in. However, if your app (numbers and other factors) are weak, you'll have to have an awesome interview to get in. If you're an extremely strong candidate on paper, you may not have to blow the interviewer away to get in. You'll still have to do well, though.

-tt

Then for the interviewee selection I might totally ignore MCAT and GPA since I have already created a pool of acceptable mcat/gpa'ers.

 

[ajt2003]

I completely agree with treetrunk.

I was a bit naive at the start of this process, and thought that the interview would count for a lot more - and, depending on the school, it might. But for most schools, it's simply another hurdle. Adcoms just want to make certain you're not crazy. The majority of interviews, I would imagine, go well - so it does eventually come back to your numbers and activities. And depending on who you're placed with, it might be hard to have a stellar interview to set you apart. Some of these people should simply NOT be interviewing...but what can you do?!

Of course, this process is far from formulaic. To say what's more important - GPA or MCAT - is a toss-up and depends on the school. But are both integral? Yes. Should you shoot for a strong MCAT (30 and above) and strong GPA (3.7 and above) to ensure acceptance? Yes. But again, as many on this forum will tell you, nothing's a guarantee.

I do think that being out of school for a few years is helpful - especially if you're able to get significant medically-related experience. It shows initiative, determination, and sets you apart from most of the other applicants. I was told by many adcoms that while my numbers were not all that impressive, my years of work in the healthcare field were, and showed how much I wanted to be a doctor.

In the interest of trying to quantify the different medical school application components, I would say: MCAT = GPA > Medically-related experiences > Recommendations > Secondary Essay (especially if it's all about why you love X school) > Leadership Positions/Secondary Experiences = Volunteer Experiences.

 

[pjm]

I would agree with indo, it's a multi-stage process.

The MCAT/GPA Sci/GPA NonSci are used as a quick weed out.
Extra degrees (Masters or PhD, maybe a 2nd BS) can also be factored in here.

After that, it's all the "subjective" parts of your application. I don't think you could really assign them percentages. There is a general boost for some overall "wow" factor -- maybe you were a USMC officer, or you lived in the Sudan for three years, or had some memorable childhood experience that drove you to medicine. This helps reassure the adcom that they are assembling a diverse class. This is why it's crucial that you assemble a good story for why you want to do medicine in your Essay and ECs, backed up by LORs.

If there are any red flags on the LOR or Essay, your application will be tossed regardless of other factors. So "Letters 15%" goes to "Letters 100%" if, say, the PI for the research project you worked on for three years can't find anything outstanding to say about you. If your essay is rambling, incoherent, or sloppy, that's an easy toss also.

 

[farvabull]

thanks alot guys, i gotta start picking up the pace and stop being so "one-dimensional" (bookworm)