Can Extracurriculars Compensate for a Low GPA?

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Hi, I know that GPA and MCAT score are the most important aspects of the application, but my GPA is not so hot: cGPA: 3.6, sGPA: 3.4.

I am heavily involved in a number of extracurriculars though, so I wanted to ask if they could help offset my low GPA in the admissions process.

Here are my ECs:

Yale Political Union Member & Executive Board Member (4 year)
Head of Economic Development Center (3 years)
Writer for the Yale Journal of Medicine and Law and Business Team Associate (3 years)
Shadowing through the Yale Medical Professions Outreach Program (3 years)
Endocrinology Lab Research (2 years)
Medical Clinic Worker (2 years)

I know my activities aren't outstanding or anything, but I am hoping that they will compensate for my relatively low GPA.

Can ECs help offset a low GPA?
 
to a certain extent such as heavy research with pubs etc, but in general no..the MCAT usually can offset the GPA.

Your EC's look alright.

GPA wise; have you checked the D.O route? Something to consider
 
I would disagree with the poster above, in that very strong ECs can in general offset a weaker GPA, and this doesn't have to be research heavy only. Having interviewed and having met applicants (my friends included) with below average GPA (sometimes below or at bottom 10%), they shared with me that their incredible (sometimes mind blowing) extracurricular activities opened up the invitation door for them. This includes starting an NGO, running a business that empowers the urban poor, setting up clinics in third world countries, setting up schools, etc.

I would say your ECs are strong (not incredible, no offense, but definitely strong), but you should add some community service (clinical preferably) to even out the picture.

Of course a strong MCAT does offset a lower GPA, but I think people on these forums really underestimate ECs and LORs in general.
 
mipp0 said:
I would disagree with the poster above, in that very strong ECs can offset a weaker GPA, and this doesn't have to be research heavy only. Having interviewed and having met applicants (my friends included) with below average GPA (sometimes below or at bottom 10%), they shared with me that their incredible (sometimes mind blowing) extracurricular activities opened up the invitation door for them. This includes starting an NGO, running a business that empowers the urban poor, setting up clinics in third world countries, setting up schools, etc.

I would say your ECs are strong (not incredible, no offense, but definitely strong), but you should add some community service (clinical preferably) to even out the picture.

Of course a strong MCAT does offset a lower GPA, but I think people on these forums really underestimate ECs and LORs in general.
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obv those are some excellent EC's that would stand out...I used heavy research with pubs etc as an example of a strong EC. But yes, the ones you included of course.
 
Your GPA is around average. sGPA could be higher.
I think your ECs would be a marker of interest among adcoms.
It certainly won't compensate by any means, but it would give a much bigger look when viewing applicants with the same numbers as you.

Btw, your GPA isn't that low.
 
mipp0 said:
I would disagree with the poster above, in that very strong ECs can in general offset a weaker GPA, and this doesn't have to be research heavy only. Having interviewed and having met applicants (my friends included) with below average GPA (sometimes below or at bottom 10%), they shared with me that their incredible (sometimes mind blowing) extracurricular activities opened up the invitation door for them. This includes starting an NGO, running a business that empowers the urban poor, setting up clinics in third world countries, setting up schools, etc.

I would say your ECs are strong (not incredible, no offense, but definitely strong), but you should add some community service (clinical preferably) to even out the picture.

Of course a strong MCAT does offset a lower GPA, but I think people on these forums really underestimate ECs and LORs in general.
Click to expand...

"People on these forums" feel the way they do about ECs and LORs because the wisdom is more applicable to the typical applicant. Your examples strike me as being outliers that exaggerate the effects of ECs on the consideration of one's application.

At the end of the day, it is very hard to offer any sort of general advice regarding one's application beyond "get a good GPA, MCAT, and have at least the same ECs as every other applicant." Beyond that, it's largely up to each committee as to what nets an interview, and what might catch school A's attention wouldn't even cause school B to bat an eyelash.

The best answer, in my opinion, to give the OP is "maybe."
 
mauberley said:
"People on these forums" feel the way they do about ECs and LORs because the wisdom is more applicable to the typical applicant. Your examples strike me as being outliers that exaggerate the effects of ECs on the consideration of one's application.

At the end of the day, it is very hard to offer any sort of general advice regarding one's application beyond "get a good GPA, MCAT, and have at least the same ECs as every other applicant." Beyond that, it's largely up to each committee as to what nets an interview, and what might catch school A's attention wouldn't even cause school B to bat an eyelash.

The best answer, in my opinion, to give the OP is "maybe."
Click to expand...

This x100. "Maybe" is the most optimistic answer we can give as it can go both ways. The issue is that many schools use GPA and MCAT scores to screen applicants- there is a possibility you won't get past the screen and to the point where the committee will actually take a look at your ECs.

I personally think your ECs look very nice- but I would honestly need to know the hours involved rather than total year committed to get a better feel.
 
Last edited:
chiapet874 said:
This x100. "Maybe" is the most optimistic answer we can give as it can go both ways. The issue is that many schools use GPA and MCAT scores to screen applicants- there is a possibility you won't get past the screen and to the point where the committee will actually take a look at your ECs.

I personally think your ECs look very nice- but I would honestly need to know the hours involved rather than total year committed to get a better feel.
Click to expand...

At times like this, I regret that I go to a competitive school. For all intents and purposes, it seems like med schools couldn't care less :/


Yale Political Union Member & Executive Board Member (4 year): 1 hour/week
Head of Economic Development Center (3 years): 3 hours/week
Writer for the Yale Journal of Medicine and Law and Business Team Associate (3 years) 2 hours/week
Shadowing through the Yale Medical Professions Outreach Program (3 years) 3 hour/week (not every week though)
Endocrinology Lab Research (2 years) 8 to 10 hours/week
Medical Clinic Worker (2 years) 8 hours/week
 
Your hours are good and yes med school do consider difficulty and "prestige" of a school, especially Yale, but not to a degree as MCAT, GPA, and EC's are.
These three trump the competitiveness of the school.
In all honestly, you may be able to get a interview due to the name of the school in comparing other applicants with similar stats, and coupled with your great EC's, I'm sure they would rather grant you an interview.
Remember, an interview is the final make or break in the road to med school. Once you secure an interview, you work on bering your best at the interview and you can most likely get an acceptance.
The schools wouldn't waste an interview spot for someone who they think is not fit for the school.
 
I should add, I don't think they would ever look down on a particular university unless they are known for grade inflation.
 
JohnnyRomanes said:
Your hours are good and yes med school do consider difficulty and "prestige" of a school, especially Yale, but not to a degree as MCAT, GPA, and EC's are.
These three trump the competitiveness of the school.
In all honestly, you may be able to get a interview due to the name of the school in comparing other applicants with similar stats, and coupled with your great EC's, I'm sure they would rather grant you an interview.
Remember, an interview is the final make or break in the road to med school. Once you secure an interview, you work on bering your best at the interview and you can most likely get an acceptance.
The schools wouldn't waste an interview spot for someone who they think is not fit for the school.
Click to expand...

This would only hold true in a very specific scenario- we would have to have two kids with exactly the same stats, who were also being looked at for a single interview spot at the same time. That's unlikely.

For the most part, school name doesn't matter as there are so many other more relevant factors to look at. Plus the fragmentation of college education makes it impossible to really judge off name alone. Of course there might be some slight prestige aspect that may come into play, but that is minor according to various discussions on this forum.

His school name might not even come into play if he applies to a school that screens for GPAs below 3.7 for example.
 
mauberley said:
"People on these forums" feel the way they do about ECs and LORs because the wisdom is more applicable to the typical applicant. Your examples strike me as being outliers that exaggerate the effects of ECs on the consideration of one's application.

At the end of the day, it is very hard to offer any sort of general advice regarding one's application beyond "get a good GPA, MCAT, and have at least the same ECs as every other applicant." Beyond that, it's largely up to each committee as to what nets an interview, and what might catch school A's attention wouldn't even cause school B to bat an eyelash.

The best answer, in my opinion, to give the OP is "maybe."
Click to expand...

OP's question was: CAN ECs compensate for low GPA? My answer was yes, if the EC is indeed an "outlier" like you mentioned. Is the typical applicant going to run a company? No, but it is certainly within the realm of possibility for a pre-med student to do so, and many (not most mind you) have. I never once mentioned that MOST or LOTS of ECs will compensate for his or anyone's low sGPA. I would imagine a 3.4 sGPA is borderline for any medical school.
 
yes it definitely can. i have no doubt that my EC's helped boost my stats a bit. pm me if you want more details.
 
mipp0 said:
OP's question was: CAN ECs compensate for low GPA? My answer was yes, if the EC is indeed an "outlier" like you mentioned. Is the typical applicant going to run a company? No, but it is certainly within the realm of possibility for a pre-med student to do so, and many (not most mind you) have. I never once mentioned that MOST or LOTS of ECs will compensate for his or anyone's low sGPA. I would imagine a 3.4 sGPA is borderline for any medical school.
Click to expand...

I wasn't necessarily taking issue with your advice but rather explaining the "underestimation" of ECs that you perceive--it's not a blanket "ECs never make up for less than stellar numbers" but rather it's a very conservative, pragmatic reaction so as not to get anyone's hopes up. Similarly in my post, I wanted to make sure that the OP tempered his expectations.
 
torshi said:
to a certain extent such as heavy research with pubs etc, but in general no..the MCAT usually can offset the GPA.

Your EC's look alright.

GPA wise; have you checked the D.O route? Something to consider
Click to expand...
This assessment is based on your knowledge and experience as, what, a sophomore in college? Cool story, bro.

I love the DO suggestion. OP may have the opportunity to become the first ever Yalie osteopath.
 
i think if you have juts slightly above average numbers, awesome ec's can really help. for example, my numbers aren't STELLAR (they're good but they're not amazing) but i think a lot of ec's and lor's helped me get my interviews/acceptance
 
Relying on ECs to compensate for ANYTHING leads to a very stressful application season. Just do what needs to be done. I wish I'd taken that advice when others gave it to me before I applied.
 
You'll be fine!

Visit the Premed advising office every week or so to establish a really solid relationship with your adviser to ensure that the committee letter speaks to your drive, initiative, and friendly demeanor. The Yale name will save you. 🙂
 
varsityblue said:
You'll be fine!

Visit the Premed advising office every week or so to establish a really solid relationship with your adviser to ensure that the committee letter speaks to your drive, initiative, and friendly demeanor. The Yale name will save you. 🙂
Click to expand...

I would avoid offering unsubstantiated comfort. There is no evidence that school name plays even a marginal role in admissions.
 
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