choosing which schools to apply

[jmart]

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So, I'm crating my final list and I need some advice. First all my stats are not great, mcat 26, science gpa 3ish (depends on how many psychs i can get to count as bio) and overall gpa is 3.34. I am a nontraditional students and my ECs are packed with leadership, church, relief work, and ER tech for 3 years. My questions is when applying to med schools and using the MSAR, how closely do you look at mcat and gpa percentiles. I went through and found numerous schools where the 10th percentile is either under 26 or at 26. I wonder about applying where it is a 28 or so. Also, do you think the mcat is looked at closer than gpa.

Lastly, I was unable to find in the msar where it shows instate vs out of state percentages. Does this still exist?

 

[Praefectus]

Mix in some DO schools (just in case). You should try to add more schools that are in the median rather than just 10% schools.

 

[1289]

this info is in the msar, under "acceptance information"

 

[NickNaylor]

I would consider yourself "competitive" if your numbers are around the median for a school. If you're at or above the 90th percentile then you likely have a good shot (the only exceptions being the top 10 or so schools).

As far as MCAT vs. GPA, this is going to be school-dependent (if such a difference even exists) and really isn't worth trying to figure out.

 

[alerk323]

I would consider yourself "competitive" if your numbers are around the median for a school. If you're at or above the 90th percentile then you likely have a good shot (the only exceptions being the top 10 or so schools).

As far as MCAT vs. GPA, this is going to be school-dependent (if such a difference even exists) and really isn't worth trying to figure out.

This always bothered me. Based on my numbers (3.75, 33) i'm "competitive" for most schools. Alas, it is not so simple. Maybe it's better advice for the 30s or 36s who can point to different schools and say "probably not going to happen" or "here i come beeetches"

 

[startswithb]

Don't apply until you've raised both your GPA and MCAT. Waste of money. (Unless applying exclusively to lower tier DO schools, of course.)

 

[NickNaylor]

This always bothered me. Based on my numbers (3.75, 33) i'm "competitive" for most schools. Alas, it is not so simple. Maybe it's better advice for the 30s or 36s who can point to different schools and say "probably not going to happen" or "here i come beeetches"

Why isn't it that simple? You have average numbers - you've got a reasonable shot at most schools. It's not like you're applying with a 2.5/20 and have absolutely no chance. By "competitive" I absolutely don't mean that you will definitely get an acceptance. By "competitive" I mean that you have a reasonable shot at getting in SOMEWHERE assuming the rest of your app is reasonably decent and you apply smartly.

 

[jmart]

So I'm still unsure but appreciate the responses. My stats are not good, 26 mcat and 3.34 overall gpa. My question is that I looked through the MSAR and there are schools where the 10th percentile is below or at 26, making me outside of the average but within the 10-90th percentile range. My question is, if schools have a 10th percentile of 27 or 28 should I try those too. I have a list of about 17 med schools now, my instate ones, a few news ones, catholic ones and ones where I'm within the range of mcats.

it would be ideal to raise mcat and gpa before applying but I don't want to delay another year. My application is very strong outside of stats so I hope this will carry me through. I do not expect to get into a top tier school but merely to become a doctor. I am looking in to DO as well.

 

[TheWeeIceMan]

So I'm still unsure but appreciate the responses. My stats are not good, 26 mcat and 3.34 overall gpa. My question is that I looked through the MSAR and there are schools where the 10th percentile is below or at 26, making me outside of the average but within the 10-90th percentile range. My question is, if schools have a 10th percentile of 27 or 28 should I try those too. I have a list of about 17 med schools now, my instate ones, a few news ones, catholic ones and ones where I'm within the range of mcats.

it would be ideal to raise mcat and gpa before applying but I don't want to delay another year. My application is very strong outside of stats so I hope this will carry me through. I do not expect to get into a top tier school but merely to become a doctor. I am looking in to DO as well.

Ideally, if you are at or even below the 10th percentile of gpa or MCAT, the other number should be in a high percentile to balance out.

 

[startswithb]

So I'm still unsure but appreciate the responses. My stats are not good, 26 mcat and 3.34 overall gpa. My question is that I looked through the MSAR and there are schools where the 10th percentile is below or at 26, making me outside of the average but within the 10-90th percentile range. My question is, if schools have a 10th percentile of 27 or 28 should I try those too. I have a list of about 17 med schools now, my instate ones, a few news ones, catholic ones and ones where I'm within the range of mcats.

it would be ideal to raise mcat and gpa before applying but I don't want to delay another year. My application is very strong outside of stats so I hope this will carry me through. I do not expect to get into a top tier school but merely to become a doctor. I am looking in to DO as well.

I'm speaking from experience when I advise you not to apply to any MD schools until you have a realistic chance. I have seen a lot of applicants think that their ECs or essays are going to make them stand out enough to get in. ECs never compensate for poor numbers. You simply can't have BOTH a low MCAT and GPA. Even if you spend $2,000 applying this year in the hopes of saving a year, when you won't get in anyway, you are still losing a year and becoming a reapplicant in the process. If you are dead set on applying at least study hard for a MCAT retake and take more science classes to raise your GPA while applying and waiting to hear back from schools. Otherwise, you find yourself exactly here a year later with nothing to show for it and it's once again too late to improve your stats. In other words, getting accepted to medical school is a lot harder than you think it is.