Different playing field for URMs: MCAT and GPA

[BucsFan813]

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Do URMs play on a different field when applying to allo schools?

For example, does an URM w/ the following stats have a chance?

BCPM:2.7 (including some post-bac A's)
MCAT: 36
Graduate Degree: MPH (GPA 4.0)
1 year of public health/health disparities research...

Any thoughts? I've heard that someone with these stats is competitive at most schools, but I'm not convinced. Any thoughts?

 

[xanthomondo]

bbbaannn himmmm

 

[BucsFan813]

The reason I ask is because I don't think it's fair that someone can get lucky on test day while they obviously slacked off for numerous years. I realize that there is a need for a diverse physician population but let's get real.

 

[dr_90210]

Do URMs play on a different field when applying to allo schools?

For example, does an URM w/ the following stats have a chance?

BCPM:2.7 (including some post-bac A's)
MCAT: 36
Graduate Degree: MPH (GPA 4.0)
1 year of public health/health disparities research...

Any thoughts? I've heard that someone with these stats is competitive at most schools, but I'm not convinced. Any thoughts?

by chance, do u mean a chance at harvard medical school? if you did, then the chance is about 50%, depending on how well u play the URM card

 

[BuckerPark]

Not everybody who has a low GPA and a high(er) MCAT 'lucked out' on test day. I'd say that I fall in that boat and did well on the MCAT because I studied my butt off...not because of luck.

 

[xanthomondo]

we can leave it up to you, op, which flame war would you like to take this thread to

URMs and AA
or
GPA vs MCAT?

 

[LizzyM]

Do URMs play on a different field when applying to allo schools?

For example, does an URM w/ the following stats have a chance?

BCPM:2.7 (including some post-bac A's)
MCAT: 36
Graduate Degree: MPH (GPA 4.0)
1 year of public health/health disparities research...

Any thoughts? I've heard that someone with these stats is competitive at most schools, but I'm not convinced. Any thoughts?

I think that even a non-URM could have a chance with these stats IF the BCPM was undergrad only and the post-bac As were calculated separately (as I think that they are). The typical picture is this:

Kid slides through college, not premed, maybe majoring in Spanish, sociology or psychology. Takes very few science courses (just what's required to meet general education requirement), gets Cs & Ds in science courses. Works a few years, this leads to MPH and does really well, decides on medicine, does post-bach & gets straight As, takes MCAT and scores 36. This sort of story is consistent with a non-trad who was a late bloomer academically and who will do well in medicine. It is not about getting lucky on a single day.

 

[BucsFan813]

I read the previous thread on AA and it was awful! The person who started that THAT thread should be banned. However, these issues are a reality and not discussing them openly is a problem.

 

[xylem29]

Yea - whatever you do in undergrad can't be changed. So I'm sure that someone who finished with a 2.7 can somehow still get into med school - like going to grad school and getting a 4.0 (indication of maturity and willingness to take things seriously, unlike undergrad, upward trend, etc) and getting a MSc with publications etc. You're original question is irrelevant to the URM debate because even if you weren't a URM, your original "hypothetical situation" is one where anyone would have a good shot at med school, definitely.

But you gotta be realistic here, do you actually think that URM's can get into med school with below average stats? If so, like out of a class of 200, how many do you actually think do, perhaps 1 or 2? Let's not make using the URM card seem like a free pass and excusing poor gpa's and poor MCAT - if you look like you can't handle med school (that's what gpa's, EC's, MCAT's, etc is used to gauge) --> you won't gain admission, simple as that.

 

[63768]

haha i saw URM in the title and knew i shouldn't have click but did anyway because i had to see it.

and no, discussing them openly does nothing. even if the policy of URMs was a horrible idea, SDNers talking about it changes nothing. that and i'm sure if there were something seriously wrong, we'd be the last ones to discuss it.

 

[iheartrain]

I think that even a non-URM could have a chance with these stats IF the BCPM was undergrad only and the post-bac As were calculated separately (as I think that they are). The typical picture is this:

Kid slides through college, not premed, maybe majoring in Spanish, sociology or psychology. Takes very few science courses (just what's required to meet general education requirement), gets Cs & Ds in science courses. Works a few years, this leads to MPH and does really well, decides on medicine, does post-bach & gets straight As, takes MCAT and scores 36. This sort of story is consistent with a non-trad who was a late bloomer academically and who will do well in medicine. It is not about getting lucky on a single day.

I thought PostBac grades were included in undergrad BCPM?

 

[the troll]

I thought PostBac grades were included in undergrad BCPM?

they are.....thats what brought his f's up to his horrible gpa😴

 

[63768]

they are.....thats what brought his f's up to his horrible gpa😴

hi dr. eugenics/u-genetic. most postbacs are included in the undergrad, but there are some like mine that are classified as a graduate gpa. (yea, my masters program used to be the postbac program, but even then i think it was factored as a graduate gpa.)

 

[the troll]

hi dr. eugenics/u-genetic. most postbacs are included in the undergrad, but there are some like mine that are classified as a graduate gpa. (yea, my masters program used to be the postbac program, but even then i think it was factored as a graduate gpa.)

wow is that a pic of you? i am speechless all i can say is.😴

 

[45408]

Wow, this is an interesting thread topic. I don't think anyone's ever thought of this before.

 

[Anastasis]

Not everybody who has a low GPA and a high(er) MCAT 'lucked out' on test day. I'd say that I fall in that boat and did well on the MCAT because I studied my butt off...not because of luck.

agreed.

 

[gujuDoc]

Ok so I hate hate hate it when people keep saying MCAT is all about chance and luck. NO IT IS NOT!!!!! If you are not getting a higher score it means you have some weakness you are not able to get past, such as testing anxiety, not recognizing what you are doing wrong in your study method, being a slow reader and at comprehension if English is not your first language, etc.


If you work to improve those weaknesses it will pay off.

No not everyone will be able to get a 35+, but it is not impossible to do well on the MCAT either.

 

[Oculus Sinistra]

The reason I ask is because I don't think it's fair that someone can get lucky on test day while they obviously slacked off for numerous years. I realize that there is a need for a diverse physician population but let's get real.

Well, a 2.7 may get this applicant rejected by computers before real people at the medical schools ever see the so-called "three-letter magic word" (URM) on their application.

However, a 36 and a 4.0 definitely will turn a few heads if it gets to actual people.

Yes, let's get real. In reality, you don't know that a 2.7 slacked off for numerous years... the same way you don't know if a 3.7 got those high grades in a honest manner. There are a lot of variables involved.

 

[LizzyM]

Well, a 2.7 may get this applicant rejected by computers before real people at the medical schools ever see the so-called "three-letter magic word" (URM) on their application.

However, a 36 and a 4.0 definitely will turn a few heads if it gets to actual people.

Yes, let's get real. In reality, you don't know that a 2.7 slacked off for numerous years... the same way you don't know if a 3.7 got those high grades in a honest manner. There are a lot of variables involved.

Some schools do screen by computer but others have "real people" reading every application (I know, it is what I do as a faculty member who is a volunteer member of the adcom).

The way that the information is displayed on the AMCAS, it is possible to see the break-out of grades by year so that one can see a trend in gpa or a big jump after an epiphany. Don't underestimate the power of "a change of heart" to impress an adcom.

 

[stinastina]

Well, a 2.7 may get this applicant rejected by computers before real people at the medical schools ever see the so-called "three-letter magic word" (URM) on their application.

However, a 36 and a 4.0 definitely will turn a few heads if it gets to actual people.

Yes, let's get real. In reality, you don't know that a 2.7 slacked off for numerous years... the same way you don't know if a 3.7 got those high grades in a honest manner. There are a lot of variables involved.

And that's the truth ! The op has no clue as to what each and every applicant has gone through to get whatever grades or MCAT score they have. Something med schools are NOT looking for is judgemental, small-minded people who are quick to to point their finger at the first person of color who makes a succes of themselves while they themselves cannot. Please take a sociology class and expand your mind ! 😡

 

[Pinkertinkle]

Wow, wutdya cheat on the mcat or smth? lolz