I'll chime in here just because I fit the model of what brooklyn is saying.
I just got an interview at Hopkins and I have a 31.
Does it matter?
The answer is a firm, 100%
maybe.
Now there are many out there that would say "hey, you have no shot at getting an invite there, why are you applying?"
And others that would disagree.
My attitude has been one of "you just never know."
I'll give two examples of the types of adcom that I personally know:
Type 1: MD, went to Baylor for medical school, UCLA for residency, and did fellowship at Hopkins. Allowed me to scrub in on cases in the OR and mentored me for 1 year. He was also voted by the medical students at a "top 20"
![Roll eyes :rolleyes: :rolleyes:](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)
medical school as something along the lines of "teacher of the year."
His attitude toward my application: "Man, go for it. You've got so many pieces of the puzzle going for you that you just have to."
And his advice on Hopkins: "They aren't what you might expect. There are people there just like you."
Type 2: PhD, went to Duke, does research for a top 20 and currently sits on a committee of the sort that reviews our applications for that school. I don't know him as well, but he knows my situation and numbers.
His attitude toward my application (after hearing about how many interviews I have been offered): "Oh yeah, Duke and Vanderbilt aren't a surprise. They really do look for a
higher caliber of candidate. You might have a shot at school X...maybe."
This my friends is where the "crap shoot" part of the process really takes place. Which of the above reads your application and which of the above does your interview?
Many people tend to think that those
just like them are those deserving of admission to their school.
Will I get into Mayo or Hopkins or any other type of school that people might consider a "long-shot?" I don't know. But like I've said this whole time, you can't say no for them!