Can research compensate for average GPA and MCAT at top schools?

[ddong]

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Hi all, I don't have stellar grades (3.7) and MCAT (33 with 7 in VR), I am not a native English speaker but I still want to pursue academic medicine. I think my research is my only strong point, because I started volunteering in labs during high school and continued non-stop during undergrad. I have 1 first author pub so far (tier 2 journal) and 2 more first authors in the pipes (currently submitting). I've given oral presentations and posters at local retreats (3X) and have attended and presented at 1 international conference. However given all of this I don't know how adcoms will look at my low VR score, is it even possible for me to get passed the initial screening based on stats at top schools?
Any comment is greatly appreciated.

 

[AtmaWeapon]

Your overall numbers are still really good. Although the 7 in VR hurts, it can probably be overlooked seeing you have first author pub(s). Are you a citizen/permanent resident? If you are I'm sure you have a shot at top MSTPs...just remember it's a "crap shoot" and apply broadly.

 

[jjmack]

I agree you have a good number. I think that 7 will hurt you a lot at school especially where the MD has to accept you seperately.

 

[ddong]

Your overall numbers are still really good. Although the 7 in VR hurts, it can probably be overlooked seeing you have first author pub(s). Are you a citizen/permanent resident? If you are I'm sure you have a shot at top MSTPs...just remember it's a "crap shoot" and apply broadly.

I am international student, I guess that just lowered my chance even further.

 

[jjmack]

I am international student, I guess that just lowered my chance even further.

yes, at some programs, but there is a list of programs that are open towards international students.

 

[solitude]

I think this post (and the entire thread, by extension) should provide you some reassurance:

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?p=5188451#post5188451

 

[Maebea]

A cumulative 33 is around the 90th percentile, but a 7 in the verbal is in the lower third of test takers. Being a non-native speaker will be taken into consideration, but you need to make sure that all other aspects of your application are very strong.I would encourage you to do some physician shadowing, if you have not already done so. MD adcoms would be more likely to have difficulty with a 7 on the verbal section, and you do not want to give them another reason to not like your application.

 

[streetlight]

I feel like I'm in a similar sitaution. I'd really like MD/PhD programs and my research backgrounds great, but MIT has humbled the hell out of me gradeswise. The advice I've gotten from med students and professors is to a) rock your MCATs (maybe you could retake them?) and b) try getting all A's in the rest of your classes. I'm not sure how much time you have, but what someone told me matters to adcoms is how you pick yourself up from when you mess up, because everyone is bound to mess up at least once.

Plus, maybe I'm misinformed, but a 3.7 is pretty freaking good isn't it?

 

[solitude]

Plus, maybe I'm misinformed, but a 3.7 is pretty freaking good isn't it?

But the averages for MSTP programs are usually around 3.8. I think 3.7 is as good as anything to get one in the running for admission, but it will be pretty ho-hum on the whole.

I hear a 3.7 at MIT is sky-high, but here at Duke it barely puts you in the top third of the class. From what I understand, the same is true at Stanford, Harvard, etc., so really a 3.7 is quite pedestrian from these schools. To a certain extent, schools know about this and will interpret your MIT GPA accordingly.