Conditional acceptance?

[NeuroResearch]

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Hi, I heard that sometimes med school will accept people "conditionally", pending successful completion/repeats of certain pre-requisites. For e.g., someone told me of an example where an applicant scored very highly (40) on the MCAT's and had a 3.9 GPA but her pre-reqs were over 10 years old. She was interviewed, and accepted on a conditional basis (she had to re-take orgo and physics) at one of the top 10 med schools.

My question is, how often does this happen and does this make sense? If someone scores a 40 on the MCAT (& has excellent grades plus ECs), isn't that enough? Why should they have to re-take some courses??

 

[relentless11]

Hi, I heard that sometimes med school will accept people "conditionally", pending successful completion/repeats of certain pre-requisites. For e.g., someone told me of an example where an applicant scored very highly (40) on the MCAT's and had a 3.9 GPA but her pre-reqs were over 10 years old. She was interviewed, and accepted on a conditional basis (she had to re-take orgo and physics) at one of the top 10 med schools.

My question is, how often does this happen and does this make sense? If someone scores a 40 on the MCAT (& has excellent grades plus ECs), isn't that enough? Why should they have to re-take some courses??

I have heard this happening, but it is definately a RARE event. My classmate was accepted conditionally because he was nearly complete with his PhD thesis. The med school required that he matriculate with his PhD before that fall, so he needed a letter from our chair to say he will finish his Thesis by June. Even then, the school was hesitant, but due to his grades he was admitted on a conditional basis, pending proof of his PhD degree.

Grades being 10 years old ....could be a reason. Med schools want to see RECENT events, since things in the past may not reflect the present abilities of the person. This is why some of the non-trads have turned their lives around (in a good way) by having spectacular post-bacc grad grades despite sub-par undergrad grades. There could have also been some other reason on her personal statement, and interview that caused them to be borderline at giving her a real admission.

Despite people willing to kill for a 40 on their MCAT, the MCAT is not a good indicator of how well you will do in med school. The same argument can be applied to undergrad GPA. What is true is the MCAT, being standardized can be prepared for far better than 4 years of undergrad work. Conversely, some undergrad classes may be easier...as there are no set standards for undergrad coursework. But all in all, if one gets a 4.0 after hundreds of units of classes, it is likely that they are pretty competent with their academics. For all we know the person in question got B- or C's on her pre-reqs. But got tons of A's following that. My friend graduated with a 3.94. 10 years from now, who's the say she really remembers REAL OChem. The MCAT OChem is lame.

These "i heard..." scenarios should be taken as a grain of salt. I find it too unproductive to worry about such things. I find it far more productive to put effort into getting A's on your own record.

 

[Krazykritter]

The conditional acceptance is not uncommon. On most acceptance letter there are usually a number of item that you must do that usually include things like, maintain academic acheivement, submit an official transcript, pay seat deposit....

I would have a hard time believing that a school would send out a letter that would have stipulations that would be required to be completed after alreadying beginning med school. But...just b/c I don't believe it doesn't mean it couldn't happen.

 

[blee]

Despite people willing to kill for a 40 on their MCAT, the MCAT is not a good indicator of how well you will do in med school. The same argument can be applied to undergrad GPA. What is true is the MCAT, being standardized can be prepared for far better than 4 years of undergrad work. Conversely, some undergrad classes may be easier...as there are no set standards for undergrad coursework. But all in all, if one gets a 4.0 after hundreds of units of classes, it is likely that they are pretty competent with their academics. For all we know the person in question got B- or C's on her pre-reqs. But got tons of A's following that. My friend graduated with a 3.94. 10 years from now, who's the say she really remembers REAL OChem. The MCAT OChem is lame.

Actually, there does appear to be some significant correlation between MCAT scores, GPA, and performance in medical school.

http://www.aamc.org/students/mcat/research/bibliography/basco001.htm

http://www.aamc.org/students/mcat/research/bibliography/start.htm

A student's science GPA is a good indicator of his/her academic reserve and ability to absorb large amounts of complex information over a period of time. The MCAT score serves as an internationally standardized measure of a student's science knowledge and critical thinking skills. While none of these is explicitly linked to medicine, it's pretty clear to me that the skills and discipline required to excel at both are important to surviving medical school and becoming a competent physician.

Anyway, this has nothing to do with conditional acceptances. Just wanted to make a point. 🙂

 

[medhacker]

Actually, there does appear to be some significant correlation between MCAT scores, GPA, and performance in medical school.

Take those studies with a grain of salt. I am sure you agree there would need to be a good number of additional studies corroborating the same results. Particularly when the ones making this single study are...well the company who is interested in continuing to sell the MCAT as an appropriate tool to medical schools. I am glad at least one more research group is currently trying to reproduce/discard that study by the AAMC. I do agree, however, based on no other but my opinion, that a strong GPA has to do with work ethics which is very important for med school.

To the OP, the schools ask you to retake to make sure you still have academic capabilities as those you had 10 years ago and that will be able to handle med school work now. Best wishes!

 

[relentless11]

Actually, there does appear to be some significant correlation between MCAT scores, GPA, and performance in medical school.

http://www.aamc.org/students/mcat/research/bibliography/basco001.htm

http://www.aamc.org/students/mcat/research/bibliography/start.htm

A student's science GPA is a good indicator of his/her academic reserve and ability to absorb large amounts of complex information over a period of time. The MCAT score serves as an internationally standardized measure of a student's science knowledge and critical thinking skills. While none of these is explicitly linked to medicine, it's pretty clear to me that the skills and discipline required to excel at both are important to surviving medical school and becoming a competent physician.

Anyway, this has nothing to do with conditional acceptances. Just wanted to make a point. 🙂

I do acknowledge that study, and I think I should have said "GPA" or "MCAT" are not "perfect" indicators of how well one does in med school. Rather than a "good indictor"..haha. But yea, I also agree with medhacker, work ethics has a lot to do with it too. I would have to say that USMLE step 1 covers the stuff you learned during year 1 and 2, therefore the study skills learned as an undergrad would apply A LOT. However USMLE step 2 and 3 are two complete different animals too 😉

Anyway don't get me wrong, a high GPA is always a good thing 🙂 I wonder if there's a market for ebaying high MCAT scores...