Application "cut-offs"

[blueperson]

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I was told that some schools look at all of the applications they receive while others make a "cut" (based only on MCAT and/or GPA) and only look at, say, the top 15% of applications. Does anyone know if this is true and which is the case for various schools or what percentage follow each model? I don't want to apply to places where I don't stand a chance (very low on funds).

 

[flash]

I'm sure it depends on the school. My advice is to not try to figure out your "odds", their systems, etc. I didn't follow my own advice, but I'm convinced that it is a total waste of ALOT of energy. It's futile.

Best wishes - good luck.

 

[scooter31]

what little experience I've had with the app process, I found that most state schools will implement mcat/gpa cutoff for out of staters. They normally will tell you the numbers-- check out a MSAR or the respective schools website. I know a lot of DO schools do the same, regradless of residency.

 

[cammy1313]

I would say most definately just do your research as far as schools you would like to attend but also have a reasonable chance of getting into. None of them really advertise using a cut-off system so I'm not sure how you would weed those out. If it helps, I can tell you that BU most definately has a cut-off system (I was a masters student there). However, even those with excellent scores are still denied secondary apps based on other parts of their application (personal statement, ECs, etc.). It's a crapshoot really...

 

[blueperson]

I apologize... I'm new that this. Is MSAR a medical school acceptance rate?

 

[jeffsleepy]

close, medical school admission requirements. It's a book published by the association of american medical colleges (AAMC) that you should have access to when you apply.

 

[Khenon]

The Mayo clinic has a formula for cut-offs. It's 10xGPA+MCAT score > 60. That just gets your application looked at though . . . it doesn't guarantee a secondary or anything. My guess is the following schools also have a similar formula (though not exactly, because I'm guessing here): VCU, U of Minn, UC Davis, and UC Irvine. I'm saying this because my application is pretty strong except for a super low MCAT score, and I got pre-secondary rejections from all these schools (very quickly, I might add). Granted I was out-of-state for all except U of Minn. So the out of state thing may have played a role as well. But ultimately what everyone else has been posting is correct. This is a total crap shoot, and it's really hard to guess who has cut offs and who doesn't.

 

[blueperson]

Minnesota is pretty tough, huh?

 

[Khenon]

Minnesota is pretty tough, huh?

Apparently . . . but I have a 23 MCAT score, so I'm not too stunned. But again, my app is strong otherwise, so I assume they do have a GPA/MCAT cut off. Again . . . that's an assumption. Maybe they hated everything about me! Who knows!

 

[MedDreamer]

Apparently . . . but I have a 23 MCAT score, so I'm not too stunned. But again, my app is strong otherwise, so I assume they do have a GPA/MCAT cut off. Again . . . that's an assumption. Maybe they hated everything about me! Who knows!

Khenon, if you don't mind me asking, when did you submit your AMCAS and when did UC Davis say they received your app.(it mentions it on their application status check).

I'm still waiting to hear from them and so far nothing!

 

[oldman]

Minnesota is pretty tough, huh?

MN has cut offs for automatic interview. below that cutoff they will start looking at the rest of the app

 

[Khenon]

Khenon, if you don't mind me asking, when did you submit your AMCAS and when did UC Davis say they received your app.(it mentions it on their application status check).

I'm still waiting to hear from them and so far nothing!

I submitted my AMCAS at the end of June. I never received anything from Davis (no email or anything). I just went on their website and found a status page link, and when I went on it, it said they had received my AMCAS application (I can't remember the date, but all the other schools got it a couple of weeks after I submitted). I got a rejection the first week of November, via emai from them (pre-secondary). From what I've read on other thread, this is typical Davis. And it seems they are only just now doing interviews, so if you've submitted a secondary I wouldn't worry too much. I don't know about how late they're sending secondaries though. I think I've seen a couple of people who are still waiting on them. I know UCSD is apparently sending their last batch of secondaries right now (1st week of Dec), so I guess if I don't get one from them soon, I can count them out. Perhaps Davis is the same? I don't know.

 

[paintsites]

Apparently . . . but I have a 23 MCAT score, so I'm not too stunned. But again, my app is strong otherwise, so I assume they do have a GPA/MCAT cut off. Again . . . that's an assumption. Maybe they hated everything about me! Who knows!

I am fairly sure the Main U does a fair amount of screening. I submitted to AMCAS in the end of October and just received the U of MN secondary a few weeks ago. I'm working to send it in this week. My GPA was 3.6 and MCAT 34, but it still took a while to receive.... which makes me think they may actually look at the app before sending secondaries.