I had a 3.96 biochem gpa, i'm a really good interviewer, and my mcats were ... *gulp* ... a 28S (never take the mcat when you have to take stomach flu breaks to puke..... bad bad bad bad bad) Additionally, I had a ton of good research experience (years) and volunteering. I applied to 10 schools. Interviewed for 3 [ranging from Mayo to State schools]. Got into 1.
Why? Well, as it was pointed out at one interview I flew across the country for and went into hock to attend.... my MCAT score was the reason. The interviewer actually suggested that I had no math skills, because my physics score was low. Regardless of the fact that I took a ton of calculus and math and got A's in all of it.
So let me tell you, you can have a great mcat and poor gpa and still have great odds
Or you could get in no where
so what's it mean? It means a poor mcat is going to mean you need to apply a little more broadly just in case, but it doesn't mean you're not going to get in, and your friend with the 36 is gonna be a reapplicant.
GOOD LUCK! If i can do it you can too