Columbia- MCAT and GPA cut off?

[Eraserhead]

Does anyone know if Columbia has an MCAT and GPA cut off or if they follow a more complicated formula like Stanford?

I'm not sure its worth my time to do this separate app with my stats (3.6 science and overall, 9-10-11 S) especially since there is no space on the application giving one the opportunity to talk about disadvantaged status, etc. and since they require a whole different essay format with different questions.

Please let me know, its annoying that they don't use AMCAS in my opinion and I'm a bit impatient at the moment. If their MCAT average is between 35 and 36, it seems futile.

Thanks,
Kevin

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[DarkChild]

dont sweat it. just fill out their app. for better or worse columbia interviews a CRAP LOAD of people.

 

[Catalyst]

Speaking of Columbia, what should I do if I've finished their application but don't have my MCAT scores yet? Can I just go ahead and submit anyways and send them transcripts/recs? What's the best thing to do?

Sachin

 

[alphabeta53]

To the OP,

probabaly best not to apply unless you are an URM or have something spectacular that you have done

Sachin,

its best to call and ask the school such questions rather than SDN

AB

 

[tBw]

Originally posted by SachinG
Speaking of Columbia, what should I do if I've finished their application but don't have my MCAT scores yet? Can I just go ahead and submit anyways and send them transcripts/recs? What's the best thing to do?

Sachin

yes. You need to have the AAMC forward your MCATs directly to Columbia. Either you specified this when you took the MCAT (if you did it in April) or you can go to their website and request it www.aamc.org

 

[JM.]

Originally posted by alphabeta53
To the OP,

probabaly best not to apply unless you are an URM or have something spectacular that you have done

Sachin,

its best to call and ask the school such questions rather than SDN

AB

I was interviewed and currently reside on the waitlist with the same MCAT and slightly higher GPA. So DK - GO FOR IT!

 

[meanderson]

Doctor Kevin,

after asking around about the disadvantaged issue in more detail, I really think you are stretching the disadvantaged angle. You weren't in foster care for an extended period of time. You weren't abused. Your family was working class/lower class and headed by a single parent. That alone doesn't constitute disadvantaged. From what you have indicated, your dad even payed child support. You got into a great college and did ok there. Unless there is something else you haven't discussed, I really think you may hurt yourself if you apply disadvantaged. Your application isn't bad now.

 

[tBw]

to the OP:


Columbia certainly does have its own preferences - ie Ivy League UGs, and has a high GPA and MCAT average. However, if you look back through past years acceptance threads you will see that at all the top schools there were many people who got accepted with similar #s to you. What is perhaps more important is what ELSE is in your file....

 

[Ernham]

There's hope for you, my man. Check this out. I'm going to guess that he was applying disadvantaged, though:

http://www.mdapplicants.com/viewprofile.php?id=566

 

[Entei]

Hey, DoctorKevin, give it a shot. Columbia has a lot of "myths" surrounding it (like they only accept Ivy kids with awesome stats.) What I found was that Columbia really likes people who absolutely love Columbia and make it their first choice. I also thought that Columbia, perhaps more than other schools, goes out of its way to find students that have something "special" in their application. If you have had lots of interesting experiences outside of the classroom and a sincere desire to attend Columbia, then make sure they know that if you get an interview. I think with your numbers, you stand a good chance of being interviewed.

I think MDApplicants.com is a site with great potential, but I would take some of the entries on there with a grain of salt. For example, in the group of students listed that were accepted to Columbia for 2003, there are a couple with MCAT verbal scores of 14 or 15. If MCAT scores expire after three years, and the highest verbal score for the past few years has been 13, then I think something's a little fishy with some of the entries.