big-time school qualifications

[Bad Mojo]

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This is not a purely question, mostly, I'm just wondering. What exact type of qualifications (GPR, MCAT, type of research, extent of research, specific roles in research, publications, other non-science experiences) does a person need to be competitive at the really big name schools (i.e. Harvard, Hopkins, etc.)? Are there true undergraduate demigods out there who have already unfolded the mysteries of the universe, or the body at least, while partying all weekend in undergraduate fashion?

 

[Sonya]

first of all, do a lot of searches for that (in pre-allo, not here), and you'll get many answers.
and most of the answers will amount to: "there is no telling"

I personally believe a 3.95 GPA and 42 MCAT, with one really stellar EC/clinically related thing, plus at least some clinical experience will be helpful. It's not a guaranteed, and there are TONS of applicants who have gotten in without.

About research... they don't care if you're curing cancer or understanding the folding of an unknown useless protein. They want to know more of your research thinking abilities...

seriously, the demigods with 3.95 don't party all weekend.. oh wait they do... grr... I don't know... those who do have mastered only how to get the grade but not learn (or they've selected classes very carefully)... i think. wait a second, i had a 3.96 and goofed off until two am all night for two semesters... (but all that stopped when i entered junior year).

 

[noy]

Um, think about how rare a 42 is - only 30 or so people get that score on each exam... only 200 or so score a 39... so perhaps only a few dozen (max 100) such students applying MSTP - the majority, of course, will be going MD.

I think you need the scores to back you up, and everything else to really make you stand out.

I am of the belief that the 'supermen and superwomen' undergrads dont really exist, or they go become Rhodes scholars... Everyone at these programs is human, and has strengths and weaknesses...

I think they want to see your future potential - will you make it as a lab head, chairman, major player in the field? Will you reflect well on the 12 kid/year program and your schools? Are you worth $500,000 of the government's money?

 

[Neuronix]

At the top schools... Hopkins, Harvard, etc... It's about numbers, yes. However, numbers alone will not get you in. You need some serious and very interesting ECs to get you into those schools. There's plenty of people with the high numbers that don't get into schools like those.

For MD/PhD, the main EC is typically 4+ years of research experience, usually with publication.