Desperate for help. What to do from here?

[bipit]

Hi all,

I am a lonnnnnnnng time lurker hoping for some advice. If I promise to stop being so insecure and actually contribute at some point, would that make you more likely to help me out right now? 😳

When I graduated college, I had a dream of getting into medical school that seemed so far out of reach, I didn't know how I could possibly get there. Three years later, and I would say I have built a decent application, but I just can't escape my undergraduate GPA... I am grateful for the path that brought me here today, because three years ago, I never ever could have articulated the "why medicine" question. But today, I am here, with that answer resonating through every fiber of my being...and yet, still without a shot at an interview where I could prove my worth beyond my gpa.

So I am a California applicant in the middle of an application cycle, and have received two rejections (one-pre and one-post secondary) and nothing else from 22 other schools. I was screened into UC Davis, but am still waiting to hear from all the other UCs (except Riverside, which I have heard favors filling with UCR grads unless you are a stellar applicant so I haven't applied). I know I am a long shot at UCs, but I was praying for a miracle, I think.

I was complete at most schools between 9/10 and today. I haven't heard from the schools that screen since 8/14, 8/21, 8/13, and 9/18 x 2. Without being a bore and pasting my school list, I'll tell you that it is varied, and modest (except for the UCs and just one "I wish" school)

I know its still early, but I just know I'm not a strong applicant and money has held me back from being able to apply as early as I would have liked to.

Here's my story:

- I am 26 and non-URM, however I grew up in a violent household in poverty with sparse, emergency-only medical care. For that reason, I was only diagnosed with a learning disability one year ago (I wrote about the diagnosis and how it served as the final piece in my journey towards medicine in my personal statement)

- graduated in 2010 from UC Davis with an abysmal 2.71 cum, and lower sGPA...and 220+ units

- After being rejected from their formal post- bacc, completed 24 units of a self-constructed post-bacc at SFSU with a 3.8 gpa from August 2010-May 2011. Self construction was all upper division science courses even though I had straight C's in several pre-reqs. Why? The California formal post-bacc programs all advise against re-doing pre-reqs and instead loading up on upper division sciences.

- Unfortunately with 250+ units of work, my GPA just won't rise very much. So after I did that year of post-bacc work, I stopped after receiving advice from profs I met here that, "at some point, you're just going to have to come to terms with your GPA, and focus on other aspects of your application"

- Took the MCAT twice. In May 2012, had a terrible test center experience (the proctor was honestly out to get me). Ended up with a 29. Took it again in July and got a 32.

- Since 2010 I've been volunteering at a free clinic in a very underserved area. I completed a year long leadership role there by coordinating one of the sections. (Coordinate projects, hours, outreach, training etc.). Since 2010 I have also served as a trainer for incoming volunteers.

- Since 2011 I have worked at a top 10 university as a clinical research coordinator and lab manager with a well-respected PI. I have one first author publication in a high impact journal and one first-author poster presentation at a conference with a decent reputation.

- I understand that osteopathic school is where many people with my history attend, but trust me when I say I have thought long and hard about it, searched the depths of my soul, and can honestly say that I am not entertaining any ideas of superiority or delusions of grandeur when I say osteopathic medicine is not for me. And if I did go, I would be going because I didn't get into allopathic school- a disservice to osteopathic medicine, I think.



I guess this isn't a ton of information, and I know the process is random. But my question to you is, what should I do from here? Because formal post-bacc programs begin the process of admission prior to the completion of this application cycle, I feel like I need to start planning ahead. I can't think of anything else that could be keeping me from medical school (I know my MCAT isn't stellar, but its not bad either) but my GPA.

Should I be applying to SMP and formal programs? How does one ensure admission to these programs (my one attempt, as I said earlier, was denied)?

I just don't know where to go from here. I knew I needed to raise my GPA (modest check), take the MCAT (modest check), get research experience (high check for it being clinical) and clinical experience (high check for sustained, impactful patient interaction). I don't know where to go from here.

Any and all advice is greatly appreciated.

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[lall]

Geez buddy. I really don't know what to tell you. I hope you get some advice/help from others.

My uninformed opinion is that SMP can only help.

Also, you're going to get a lot of people telling you MD is impossible for you. Its not. But its going to be really tough and you're going to need some luck....

 

[battousai]

So you mention applying to an SMP, but you seem to have edited it out. Where and when did you apply to an SMP?

To be honest, while MD is by no means impossible, it will definitely be an uphill battle. Your GPA isn't going to change much more even if you take a few more classes (what's your sGPA?), so realistically if you really want to pursue MD, your best shot is to reapply to an SMP, preferably one with linkage to a medical school. You can call up some programs and ask to discuss your candidacy with an admissions staff member.

Additionally, don't count yourself out this cycle quite yet. It's still early so you may still get an II or two. However, with your stats, I think that the UC schools will probably screen you out. What other schools did you apply to? You may still have a chance on low-tier/newer MD schools.

 

[bipit]

Thank you both. Its as I expected, chances for myself this cycle are low.

Other than the UCs and the one wishful thinking school I mentioned, all are low-tiers, unranked and new schools.

Sorry, I didn't edit out SMP mention. I did a self-constructed post-bacc and am wondering if since that isn't enough I should enter an SMP. Georgetown is the only one I think that filters you into second year?

I like the UC formal post-baccs, but they cater mostly to URMs. Also, they don't filter into UCs.

Is there a way to gauge whether an SMP will reject/accept you?

I am truly trying not to count myself out and would love a shot at an interview...I think I could do really well and make a solid case for myself. Actually I am very, very proud of my application in every respect but the uGPA, I think someone with a a higher GPA would be a shoo-in somewhere. But without that terrible uGPA, I wouldn't have had any of these other experiences out of college....cliche but true. But anyway, trying not to count myself out, and actually counting myself out are very diferent things. Browsing threads here, I can see that I am not even close to what people who are getting interviews are, numbers wise at least.

So thats where the plan for the next step is coming in 🙁

 

[SN12357]

Thank you both. Its as I expected, chances for myself this cycle are low.

Other than the UCs and the one wishful thinking school I mentioned, all are low-tiers, unranked and new schools.

Sorry, I didn't edit out SMP mention. I did a self-constructed post-bacc and am wondering if since that isn't enough I should enter an SMP. Georgetown is the only one I think that filters you into second year?

I like the UC formal post-baccs, but they cater mostly to URMs. Also, they don't filter into UCs.

Is there a way to gauge whether an SMP will reject/accept you?

I am truly trying not to count myself out and would love a shot at an interview...I think I could do really well and make a solid case for myself. Actually I am very, very proud of my application in every respect but the uGPA, I think someone with a a higher GPA would be a shoo-in somewhere. But without that terrible uGPA, I wouldn't have had any of these other experiences out of college....cliche but true. But anyway, trying not to count myself out, and actually counting myself out are very diferent things. Browsing threads here, I can see that I am not even close to what people who are getting interviews are, numbers wise at least.

So thats where the plan for the next step is coming in 🙁

I'm not a huge fan of SMPs but you seem like the kind of candidate they are made for: a strong candidate in every other way who needs to fix a horrible GPA. Maybe try and target SMPs with linkages?

 

[bipit]

Thank you, SN...what is the issue with SMPs? I don't love the idea that they are basically useless. But because I know medicine is where I want to be, I am willing to do it. I had never heard the term SMP with linkages, so thank you all for that. Now I've also found some threads on sdn that compare non-linked and linked. Seems there are more resources/options for me than I thought. I don't have to give up quite yet it seems...

Also, general statement to everyone...it is hard to assess where I should be applying because even low rank and unranked schools have higher GPAs on MSAR than I do. I have been told that post-bac students are viewed differently and cant always judge their options by MSAR, but that does not leave us with much of a plan 🙁.

 

[jayoh]

Yeah a smp would be perfect for you-- as long as you do well it will offset your gpa. I could be wrong, but I don't think there are any SMP's that filter you in to second year. Georgetown just says they'll give you credit for your courses if you end up matriculating there, but that you still have to take your first year and pay full tuition.

I also want to sound as constructive as possible when I say that I think it will probably take a bit more time to undo your undergrad gpa... A 2.71 over that long of a time span won't be overlooked by 24 credit hours of good grades, in my opinion. But of course it can be done, it will just take some time.

 

[futuremddo]

I don't have the expertise to add much to this thread, but I do know that Georgetown doesn't filter you into the second year. You do get to take classes with med students and if you end up at Georgetown Med you don't have to retake those particular courses, but you still have to do 4 years of med school after completing the SMP. (i.e no break in tuition!)

 

[bipit]

Yeah a smp would be perfect for you-- as long as you do well it will offset your gpa. I could be wrong, but I don't think there are any SMP's that filter you in to second year. Georgetown just says they'll give you credit for your courses if you end up matriculating there, but that you still have to take your first year and pay full tuition.

I also want to sound as constructive as possible when I say that I think it will probably take a bit more time to undo your undergrad gpa... A 2.71 over that long of a time span won't be overlooked by 24 credit hours of good grades, in my opinion. But of course it can be done, it will just take some time.

I think you're right, I just didn't realize that I had not done enough. After 24 units I was really out of money and needed to start working 🙁.

Also, I don't know how many of you are academic-enhancers, but there is a huge confidence issue that comes with such a terrible GPA. So now that I am at this amazing university and producing research and becoming one of the more respected junior research specialists, those around me (including the department head) refuse to believe there could be anything keeping me from medical school. And because I am kind of like a little wounded puppy, I soak up all these compliments and start to believe I am worthy. Its kind of like "well if so and so who IS freakin' amazing, thinks I can do it, I can probably do it!"


And so I applied, when really I probably should have known better 🙁

 

[bipit]

I don't have the expertise to add much to this thread, but I do know that Georgetown doesn't filter you into the second year. You do get to take classes with med students and if you end up at Georgetown Med you don't have to retake those particular courses, but you still have to do 4 years of med school after completing the SMP. (i.e no break in tuition!)

Oops. I think I knew that, it was wishful thinking

 

[SN12357]

Thank you, SN...what is the issue with SMPs? I don't love the idea that they are basically useless. But because I know medicine is where I want to be, I am willing to do it. I had never heard the term SMP with linkages, so thank you all for that. Now I've also found some threads on sdn that compare non-linked and linked. Seems there are more resources/options for me than I thought. I don't have to give up quite yet it seems...

Also, general statement to everyone...it is hard to assess where I should be applying because even low rank and unranked schools have higher GPAs on MSAR than I do. I have been told that post-bac students are viewed differently and cant always judge their options by MSAR, but that does not leave us with much of a plan 🙁.

It's not that I think they're useless, so much as severely overpriced, as well as being a last-ditch effort. If you screw up an SMP, your chances at med school are pretty much dead. If you have another, cheaper way to get into medical school other than an SMP, that's usually the path that makes more sense.

But for someone like you, who really doesn't have a lot of options for moving the needle on their undergrad GPA and has a strong resume otherwise, they make more sense. If you do an SMP you can unambiguously show schools that you can handle the coursework in medical school. Just be aware that it is risky in a way undergraduate postbacc work is not. And of course, you'll need to figure out how to handle the cost.

Good luck. I think you definitely have a chance.

 

[deleted551990]

I think you're right, I just didn't realize that I had not done enough. After 24 units I was really out of money and needed to start working 🙁.

Also, I don't know how many of you are academic-enhancers, but there is a huge confidence issue that comes with such a terrible GPA. So now that I am at this amazing university and producing research and becoming one of the more respected junior research specialists, those around me (including the department head) refuse to believe there could be anything keeping me from medical school. And because I am kind of like a little wounded puppy, I soak up all these compliments and start to believe I am worthy. Its kind of like "well if so and so who IS freakin' amazing, thinks I can do it, I can probably do it!"


And so I applied, when really I probably should have known better 🙁

Yeah, sometimes it's hard to be brutally honest with yourself, but you are going to be competing with a lot of other really bright people who also have amazing EC's, and have a much much higher GPA. I can empathize with you, I am applying this cycle with a 2.91 gpa after 90+ credits at a 4.0 (I collected a few F's several years ago that are dragging me down). It's a humbling process, but I guess if it were easy then everyone would do it

 

[deleted551990]

I should add that I meant to sound encouraging, even though I realize that it didn't come across that way. If you have the commitment then you'll get there. It might not be this year, but it will happen. Just don't let yourself be devastated if you get rejected across the board... I think you should plan on taking another year or an Smp or whatever, and if you get in sooner then that's a bonus.

 

[bipit]

I should add that I meant to sound encouraging, even though I realize that it didn't come across that way. If you have the commitment then you'll get there. It might not be this year, but it will happen. Just don't let yourself be devastated if you get rejected across the board... I think you should plan on taking another year or an Smp or whatever, and if you get in sooner then that's a bonus.

No, it actually did come across encouraging, especially as its coming from someone who has been/is in the same situation. I am definitely going to go about it in that way: I'll be happy if I get lucky, but in the meantime I am re-dedicating myself to bettering my GPA- no matter what I am going to get in.

 

[bipit]

Thanks, SN. You're right though, I would have to go in dedicated and knowing its a last chance. I could definitely spend a few years doing the classes on my own, but SMP might be my best shot given my unit count.

Does anyone have experience with the UC formal post-bacs?

Also, a general question for non-trads, how important is a support system to success here, in your experience? With a severely unsupportive nuclear family (like I wish I could cut off contact, bad) but very supportive s.o., I think I should be okay...but I won't really know until I am in the stress of SMP/post-bacc

Another thing, when you have a good resume like mine,(like I said, I am actually very proud of the rest of my application) is it okay to just go back to full-time school and resting on the ECs? I don't know how likely it will be to be a fulltime researcher and/or volunteer as much at the same time. But I also worry about having old ECs I haven't done in a year/two once reapplicaiton time comes around

 

[477552]

Thanks, SN. You're right though, I would have to go in dedicated and knowing its a last chance. I could definitely spend a few years doing the classes on my own, but SMP might be my best shot given my unit count.

Does anyone have experience with the UC formal post-bacs?

Also, a general question for non-trads, how important is a support system to success here, in your experience? With a severely unsupportive nuclear family (like I wish I could cut off contact, bad) but very supportive s.o., I think I should be okay...but I won't really know until I am in the stress of SMP/post-bacc

Another thing, when you have a good resume like mine,(like I said, I am actually very proud of the rest of my application) is it okay to just go back to full-time school and resting on the ECs? I don't know how likely it will be to be a fulltime researcher and/or volunteer as much at the same time. But I also worry about having old ECs I haven't done in a year/two once reapplicaiton time comes around

I agree with some of the other posters in that 24 units seems to be too little to make a dent. The big thing is to break down your GPA AMCAS-style (I think there are worksheets on the site) and figure out what your sGPA is. My cumulative was also low and I had just about as many units as you did, but 46 units of post-baccalaureate undergraduate upper division biology jacked up my sub-3.0 sGPA to over a 3.0. We're talking almost .3 for a science major with enough units for an engineer, so the post-bacc work made a huge impact.

Our stats are similar. I also had a 32 and really strong ECs, volunteering, research. Schools will want something current, so don't rest entirely on the old stuff. Also, look for the schools that are really open with their students. I couldn't have gotten into my Midwestern MD program without being in regular contact with the adcom and delivering on their suggestions to improve my app.

With that said... I would, um, forget the UCs. Or at least, don't put all of your eggs in the UC basket. I am also a UC alumni and I didn't even get a secondary from my home institution. I did all of my post-bacc work at the alma mater, taking undergrad courses as an extension student. Also worked at the same time, which made things take longer. I also had a MS, which didn't get as much weight as I hoped, hence the post-bacc work became really necessary.

UC formal post-bacc programs were not really worth my time. I was ineligible for one reason or another. My home institution just started a second one that is "no questions asked", so no special requirements other than an application and demonstration of commitment to pursue medicine. Even with the exposure to faculty, coursework, MCAT prep, etc, it's $30k. Doing my own thing cost less than half that.

Support system is vital. My family doesn't sound quite as bad as yours, but they weren't incredibly supportive (they loved the idea of me becoming a doctor, but provided no emotional support, etc.). Without my SO and amazing friends, this wouldn't have happened.

This is possible. It just takes a lot of blood, sweat, and tears. Well, proverbial blood, plenty of sweat, and quite a few tears. 🙂 Good luck!

 

[Goro]

There are MD schools that believe in redemption if you show good performance in a postbac or SMP + rock the MCAT. While you might have trouble with the highly competitive UC schools, I think your best bet will be with the newest schools, and all of the low-tiers. PM your list so i can get an idea of where you're aiming. it would help to know your cGPA and sGPA.

A lot of my students who graduated came to my school because they couldn't get into an MD program. You know what they are now? Doctors.

And if I did go, I would be going because I didn't get into allopathic school- a disservice to osteopathic medicine, I think.

I guess this isn't a ton of information, and I know the process is random. But my question to you is, what should I do from here? Because formal post-bacc programs begin the process of admission prior to the completion of this application cycle, I feel like I need to start planning ahead. I can't think of anything else that could be keeping me from medical school (I know my MCAT isn't stellar, but its not bad either) but my GPA.

Should I be applying to SMP and formal programs? How does one ensure admission to these programs (my one attempt, as I said earlier, was denied)?

I just don't know where to go from here. I knew I needed to raise my GPA (modest check), take the MCAT (modest check), get research experience (high check for it being clinical) and clinical experience (high check for sustained, impactful patient interaction). I don't know where to go from here.

Any and all advice is greatly appreciated.[/QUOTE]

 

[pietachok]

SMPs are a gamble because of the possibility you can actually harm your future application & cinch.your fate with mediocre performance...which is a real possibility when you're in a class where everybody is highly motivated & making any curve to the grading extremely brutal.

While you might be able to get into an MD program, you'd be better off if your residence were in a different state--location is an important factor to consider if you're willing to move for any of this.

If you want to be a doctor so badly, your attitude toward osteopathic programs sounds foolish. Only a minority of DOs practice OMM. They are physicians, and you want to be a physician, and that might be the route that can get you there. It does not reflect well on your commitment to becoming a doctor. By all means continue to pursue the MD path, but with further steps having diminishing possibility of returns, at some point you need to put your pride aside if this is what you want. I went through a post bacc & 3 application cycles to get admitted, so I understand where you're coming from, but it doesn't mean it's sensible...I ended up in a good MD program, but there are plenty of DOs in our hospitals & teaching us--that degree is not as important as your actual performance in residency etc. in terms of determining your career trajectory (the exception may be if you want to be a high powered researcher).

 

[bipit]

Thank you all for your insight, every single person has posted advice I can really ruminate on and apply to a plan of action. It has been truly encouraging and heartwarming to have so many strangers take time to help out another stranger. Thank you all so very much, even in the last day or so, I have been feeling so much less hopeless about getting there, but you all give me renewed faith in dedication.

In terms of osteopathic medicine, that too, I have been given new understanding about. I don't mean this as an excuse (please call me out on it, if it feels like it may be), but in my case, childhood, learning disability and all that aside, I feel like part of the reason I'm at this point, is because I have really lacked guidance and mentorship relationships. However, now that I have that, I have it in people who are at one of the top universities and are arguably in the top quartile of their professions, and with that has maybe come slightly biased and maybe even a little bit incorrect information. And based on that information, my own research and planning may have already been doomed because of unconscious biases. I will look into osteopathic medicine again with the contamination thought in mind.

The research aspect has come into play in my decision against applying osteopathic. In the last few years, research has resonated with me- not only because I have the mind for it and have produced really well, but also on a broader scale, it has connected me with how our current understandings about medicine come into play and how empowering it is to be a part of that process. Without getting too meta on you, yes, research is something I wish to pursue in my medical career. However, do I need to be a super, high power researcher? No, I can be satisfied with a modest research career. Also, what I have learned in the past few years is that research is as much about mentorship and "who you know" as it is about your education, so maybe I could have both with a DO if I played my cards right here on out.

Thank you again, so much. I really had to work myself up to have the courage to post this message in the first place, but you all have made it really rewarding. Don't know what I was so scared of to start with now!

 

[bipit]

SMPs are a gamble because of the possibility you can actually harm your future application & cinch.your fate with mediocre performance...which is a real possibility when you're in a class where everybody is highly motivated & making any curve to the grading extremely brutal.

While you might be able to get into an MD program, you'd be better off if your residence were in a different state--location is an important factor to consider if you're willing to move for any of this.

If you want to be a doctor so badly, your attitude toward osteopathic programs sounds foolish. Only a minority of DOs practice OMM. They are physicians, and you want to be a physician, and that might be the route that can get you there. It does not reflect well on your commitment to becoming a doctor. By all means continue to pursue the MD path, but with further steps having diminishing possibility of returns, at some point you need to put your pride aside if this is what you want. I went through a post bacc & 3 application cycles to get admitted, so I understand where you're coming from, but it doesn't mean it's sensible...I ended up in a good MD program, but there are plenty of DOs in our hospitals & teaching us--that degree is not as important as your actual performance in residency etc. in terms of determining your career trajectory (the exception may be if you want to be a high powered researcher).

You're right it can be risky.

I will say that one of the mixed blessing of these past few years has been that I now have complete faith in my intellectual capability. As long as I maintain confidence, I have no doubt I could be setting some of those curves. However, confidence can be fleeting when you come from a background like mine.

So you're right, that is a gamble with the SMP route

 

[bipit]

geekycurmudgeon thank you for sharing your personal experiences/thoughts on UC post bacs. Price is unfortunately a limiting factor in my options, and its helpful to hear from others how they perceived the cost/benefit ratios.

And goro, sent you a PM. thanks!

 

[pietachok]

I will say that one of the mixed blessing of these past few years has been that I now have complete faith in my intellectual capability. As long as I maintain confidence, I have no doubt I could be setting some of those curves.

I think I may not have conveyed the point to you that I was trying to make. I was not questioning your own intellectual capabilities or motivation. What I was trying to express was this:
What happens if you are sitting in a room of 30 of *you*? If you take 30 equally brilliant people and grade them on a curve, the person who gets the F will be just as bright as the person who gets the A. The differences between the scores that get the F and the A become diminishingly small and start to reflect luck, anxiety, being over-caffeinated, skipping breakfast, having a noisy roommate who interfered with sleep, feeling menstrual cramps . . . a whole bunch of things that have nothing to do with intelligence or motivation.

This is too often the scenario in SMP programs and to a lesser extent in the "competitive" postbaccs. I went to a competitive postbacc. They curved the biology course and I ended up with a B- after getting an 88% average. It did not help my applications, rather it hurt them, and I would have been better off doing an informal postbacc to complete my reqs.

I think one of the biggest mistakes people make with these programs is not considering what happens to their admissions chances if they aren't at the top of the class. Everybody intends to be the top of the class


...back on another note: can you relocate? Some states have a much more favorable ratio of in state applicants to seats (I'm thinking Ohio and Florida, but it's been years since I've looked at the MSAR). There are very good research sites in those states. If you can find a job in one of those, you can maintain employment that will look good on your application and benefit from being a resident of a different state. CA is just the worst for your situation. I know that moving is a pain, but as I asked before -- how badly do you want this? You aren't really in a position to be picky.

 

[NuttyEngDude]

I think one of the biggest mistakes people make with these programs is not considering what happens to their admissions chances if they aren't at the top of the class. Everybody intends to be the top of the class

Agree, I view this as high risk and only as a last resort (too high # of credits to improve your GPA or otherwise your stats are beyond repairable).

 

[futuremddo]

What happens if you are sitting in a room of 30 of *you*? If you take 30 equally brilliant people and grade them on a curve, the person who gets the F will be just as bright as the person who gets the A. The differences between the scores that get the F and the A become diminishingly small and start to reflect luck, anxiety, being over-caffeinated, skipping breakfast, having a noisy roommate who interfered with sleep, feeling menstrual cramps . . . a whole bunch of things that have nothing to do with intelligence or motivation.

...which is why I do not understand why med schools do not take the difficulty of the school into consideration. Try coming in at the top 3 of those 30 people in a class at Yale vs. the top 3 in a class at a random cc. 🙄

Anyway, bipit, the consensus on here is if you're going to take classes, take the easiest classes you can find. Luckily, that usually corresponds with community college and non-flagship state schools, where the cost is typically very low.

Good luck.

 

[beBrave]

I feel for you. Osteopathic schools are a great choice. Depending on the specialty you end up in, DO and MD have little or no impact. Osteopathic Medicine and Allopathic medicine are equivalent. Maybe you should attend a preview day or speak with a DO school admissions and learn more about Osteopaths.

 

[NuttyEngDude]

...which is why I do not understand why med schools do not take the difficulty of the school into consideration. Try coming in at the top 3 of those 30 people in a class at Yale vs. the top 3 in a class at a random cc. 🙄

Anyway, bipit, the consensus on here is if you're going to take classes, take the easiest classes you can find. Luckily, that usually corresponds with community college and non-flagship state schools, where the cost is typically very low.

Good luck.

This what I think:
There once was a time when having a bachelors degree was not the equivalent of having a high school diploma. This was when grades and GPAs were not as inflated as today. Back then the GPA was more consistent across schools (note, more consistent does not mean equal).

Times have changed but the method remains the same. The number and types of colleges and types of degrees have exploded to the point where it is so complex and difficult to make sense of it from a manpower perspective that it is better to just ignore it and use other factors like the MCAT, LOR's, EC's etc to ensure. My guess is the MCAT has taken on more weight than in the past, as a result. Hence the term "the great equalizer."

I think that some adcoms do take academic rigor into consideration but it is usually based on past record and number of previous matriculants from that school. This is where going to a bigger namebrand school with a lot of alumni may help. But how much it helps does not overweight the amount of ease and GPA boost you would gain by going to a creampuff school.