Does anyone here need to be saved by their MCAT score?

[yenisha]

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Is anyone else here pinning all of their hopes on a good August 2006 MCAT score? In other words, do you have a sh*tty GPA like me and your only saving grace is a good-really good MCAT score (30 +)

 

[acrobat]

(10 X your GPA) + your MCAT = your score

(10 X avg GPA of school in MSAR book) + MCAT average -1 (-1 is for the bottom 50% of the class)

If your number is higher than their number than you havea good chance.

 

[kaybam20]

(10 X your GPA) + your MCAT = your score

(10 X avg GPA of school in MSAR book) + MCAT average -1 (-1 is for the bottom 50% of the class)

If your number is higher than their number than you havea good chance.

is this the famous Einstein's equation?

 

[yenisha]

If your BCPM GPA is less than 3.4 I don't think 31 or 32 would be enough??? You probably would need 35+ on the MCAT!

If you have 3.2 and get 33 on the MCAT, technically you still are less qualified than a guy who gets 3.7 and 29 on the MCAT - this is according to that formual GPA x10 + MCAT + other intangibles

Meek!

 

[acrobat]

"3.2 and get 33 on the MCAT, technically you still are less qualified than a guy who gets 3.7 and 29 "

1st case 32+33=65

2nd case 37+29=66


These applicants are about the same. This equation seems like 60-55% GPA and 40-45% MCAT

I'll make up another case---------------
3rd case 3.5 GPA and 30 MCAT = 65

One other thing that is very obvious is just how important the MCAT really is. A 1 point increase in your MCAT is equal to a 0.1 GPA increase, which is ALOT. Think how much work and credits it would take to increase your GPA from just a 3.6 to a 3.7 ( A LOT)

or you could just improve your MCAT from a 29 to a 30 for the same effect....

Most people get slightly more points from their GPA. It's probably more likely people will have 3.8-4.0 GPA, which equals 38-40 points
vs. Trying to get 38 or 40 points on the MCAT
So.....you can see why this equation gives a little more weight to GPA-55% to 60%

Lizzy the adcom on the pre-Allopathic gave us thgis equation

So far I've been rejected by all schools whos number-minus-one was higher than mine yet given interviews by ones that added up equal or less than my points

 

[yenisha]

"3.2 and get 33 on the MCAT, technically you still are less qualified than a guy who gets 3.7 and 29 "

1st case 32+33=65

2nd case 37+29=66


These applicants are about the same. This equation seems like 60-55% GPA and 40-45% MCAT

I'll make up another case---------------
3rd case 3.5 GPA and 30 MCAT = 65

One other thing that is very obvious is just how important the MCAT really is. A 1 point increase in your MCAT is equal to a 0.1 GPA increase, which is ALOT. Think how much work and credits it would take to increase your GPA from just a 3.6 to a 3.7 ( A LOT)

or you could just improve your MCAT from a 29 to a 30 for the same effect....

Most people get slightly more points from their GPA. It's probably more likely people will have 3.8-4.0 GPA, which equals 38-40 points
vs. Trying to get 38 or 40 points on the MCAT
So.....you can see why this equation gives a little more weight to GPA-55% to 60%

Lizzy the adcom on the pre-Allopathic gave us thgis equation

So far I've been rejected by all schools whos number-minus-one was higher than mine yet given interviews by ones that added up equal or less than my points

Thanks acrobat. Well I have many, strong ECs in different categories such as research, newspaper writing, clinical volunteering, teaching, and mentoring. Plus a lot of work experience. Would that help me any?

 

[acrobat]

"Thanks acrobat. Well I have many, strong ECs in different categories such as research, newspaper writing, clinical volunteering, teaching, and mentoring. Plus a lot of work experience. Would that help me any?"

Well we hope so.

I don't think anyoone will get in anywhere with jumping through the loops of get health care experience, have good letters, have a few activitities. Those are necessary check marks you must do at a minimum.

Lizzie had some number for very good activities. Like if you are a few points below, but have something unique or are really motivated you still may get an interview. That formula won't tell you everything- just a general idea I think. Also instate is sometimes easier etc.

keep trying.

 

[BigRedPremed]

Thanks acrobat. Well I have many, strong ECs in different categories such as research, newspaper writing, clinical volunteering, teaching, and mentoring. Plus a lot of work experience. Would that help me any?

It will help but obviously the two most important factors are still your GPA and MCAT.

I had a friend with a lowish GPA at a UC (~3.3) who took the April MCAT and got a 38. He definitely needed a solid MCAT and he got it!

 

[sendwich]

It will help but obviously the two most important factors are still your GPA and MCAT.

I had a friend with a lowish GPA at a UC (~3.3) who took the April MCAT and got a 38. He definitely needed a solid MCAT and he got it!

daym, lucky guy

 

[acrobat]

He's basically got his choice of mid-range schools and maybe is hovering at the doorstep of upper tier schools.

However, I bet your friend is now thinking...had he worked hard in undergrad and got the GPA he'd get his choice of Harvard\Hopkins whatever he wanted.

Then again, most of us regret not taking a few more classes seriously.

 

[BigRedPremed]

He's basically got his choice of mid-range schools and maybe is hovering at the doorstep of upper tier schools.

However, I bet your friend is now thinking...had he worked hard in undergrad and got the GPA he'd get his choice of Harvard\Hopkins whatever he wanted.

Then again, most of us regret not taking a few more classes seriously.

Well he has other deficiencies in his app. His main problem is that he's so damn lazy. I've visted him at school a couple of times and he never went to classes once when I was there. He's awake at night and sleeps through the day. He manages a 3.3 by ordering the notetaking service.

 

[GuzzyRon]

is this the famous Einstein's equation?

Yup! I think the same equation is written somewhere on Einstein's epitaph.

 

[smuwillobrien]

I'd like my August score to save me.

 

[MediaMan]

tell me about it

 

[Iceageheatwave]

3.2 avg/ 3.0 sgpa
averaged a 27 on my practice tests. im screwed

 

[xylem29]

Oh hell ya I need a good MCAT score. I am perhaps the strangest applicant of all - my gpa is 3.9 but I took 5 years to complete my FOUR year degree, one of those years I took only 3 credits (60% course load), my last year I was part-time (I only needed 2.5 credits to graduate), and only in one year did I take 5 credits (100% load), the rest I took 4 credits (80%).

Most ppl take 5 credits (30 semester hours I think) each year and finish in four years (20 credits total for Hons. Bachelor of Arts/Science). I'm totally screwed.

Anyway, if I get under 30 I'm finished.

 

[Orth2006]

(10 X your GPA) + your MCAT = your score

(10 X avg GPA of school in MSAR book) + MCAT average -1 (-1 is for the bottom 50% of the class)

If your number is higher than their number than you havea good chance.

Perhaps its worth noting that the values reported in the MSAR are actually median values not average scores/GPA. It is possible that the actual average MCAT/GPA for most school's are lower than the median and thats why they report the median. It is also possible that the mean is higher or about the same as the median. However I suspect the mean is about the same or a little lower - I may be wrong.
The median is probably more representative of the kinds of score they look for. Just thought I'd add that to the thread.

Good luck to all who are waiting for scores 😀

 

[acrobat]

I bet the median is lower than the average also because they always let some applicants that have uncompetitive stats but for various reasons still get in

 

[spicedmanna]

Yeah, I think that having a great score would really enhance my chances of receiving an interview.

I have a pretty low undergraduate GPA (3.2), but a high post-baccalaureate GPA (4.0). Good EC's and life experience and all that.

So whatever MCAT score I receive, will affect me a lot. Whatever it ends up being, I hope it isn't lower than 30, or I might be looking at Caribbean schools for next fall. I'm praying hard for a good outcome, but I don't feel so well after getting my butt handed to me this August.

I know I'm gambling hardcore just by applying to the 3 or 4 schools that I have already completed secondaries for (I'm pretty much waiting for my score to see if it's worth applying to the rest, given my situation). I'm pretty scared, but there isn't much I can do but wait.

to all!

 

[sendwich]

i've talked to an adcomm at a top school and he says that the numbers (ie gpa/MCAT) in the MSAR are higher than they really are. *shrug*

 

[.surgical.]

IOW, its the age-old question of "Can your MCAT make up for a crummy GPA???"

Short answer yes, with an if...
Long answer no, with a but...

 

[yenisha]

IOW, its the age-old question of "Can your MCAT make up for a crummy GPA???"

Short answer yes, with an if...
Long answer no, with a but...

HAHA yes. OMG my premed counselor literally laughed in my face when I told him the lowGPA-highMCAT theory when I was a sophomore, that med schools would prefer them cuz the MCAT predicts USMLE performance. I was basically trying to make myself feel human after being dumped on for an hour about what a bad applicant I was. Oh well I'm still sticking behind this theory...for better or for worse! I still think that a 3.0/40 MCAT is hella better than a 3.8/28 MCAT. oh well..😎
*Edit* And this is totally NOT implying that I'm one of those ppl WITH the high MCAT and low GPA...cuz that's only half true...I just have the low GPA part down!

 

[Iceageheatwave]

*Edit* And this is totally NOT implying that I'm one of those ppl WITH the high MCAT and low GPA...cuz that's only half true...I just have the low GPA part down!

bwahaha. here here :: cheers ::

 

[acrobat]

HAHA yes. OMG my premed counselor literally laughed in my face when I told him the lowGPA-highMCAT theory when I was a sophomore, that med schools would prefer them cuz the MCAT predicts USMLE performance. I was basically trying to make myself feel human after being dumped on for an hour about what a bad applicant I was. Oh well I'm still sticking behind this theory...for better or for worse! I still think that a 3.0/40 MCAT is hella better than a 3.8/28 MCAT. oh well..😎
*Edit* And this is totally NOT implying that I'm one of those ppl WITH the high MCAT and low GPA...cuz that's only half true...I just have the low GPA part down!

Well, it's a lot better!


3.8/28 MCAT = 66
3.0/40MCAT = 70


going by the equation could predict, however,
4.0\30 MCAT =70 points
3.0\40 MCAT =70 points

In reality the 40 MCAT is better because that person is basically going to get in no matter what eventually. Send him\her to a post-bach and get a 3.5 and they in. Also some schools would be desire someone with an exceptional score like this and might make an exception to get him\her if they applied to enough schools.

But say the person was a 40 MCAT and a 2.5 gpa. We could say the same thing..

 

[Jonassen]

My GPA is 3.25 (UChicago, chem major)
I need 38 👍

I should've gone to my state school and whoop out a 4.0, and easily get into med school with just a 30.
The large GPA variance among different colleges is seriously bull****. And comparing GPA averages to adjust for grade inflation also does not do justice, the pool of students in UIC will obviously be less hardcore than in UofC.

OMG my premed counselor literally laughed in my face when I told him the lowGPA-highMCAT theory when I was a sophomore, that med schools would prefer them cuz the MCAT predicts USMLE performance.

To those adcoms who laugh at the low GPA / high MCAT applicants, I say **** them.
My 3.25 chem major is still a crapload harder than any 4.0 from UIC etc.
The worst thing though is my alma mater would likely still take some 4.0 from UIC with a 38 than me with a 38.

Hopefully I can raise my 3.25 to 3.4 at the end of this year. But that would require superhuman dedication as I have to get 3.9 for a year at UofC, which is like impossible since some professors here give out one A (4 points) for a class of 30. And upper-level chem courses still have a mean set at B- to B.

I really hope I get a 38+, and I would have busted my arse to get that score (no less than people with 4.0s from state schools)

 

[yenisha]

My GPA is 3.25 (uchicago, chem major)
I need 38 👍

I should've gone to my state school and got a 4.0
The large GPA variance among different colleges is seriously bull****.


To those adcoms who laugh at the low GPA / high MCAT applicants, I say **** them.
My 3.25 chem major is still a crapload harder than any 4.0 from UIC etc.
The worst thing though is my alma mater would likely still take some 4.0 from UIC with a 38 than me with a 38.

Hopefully I can raise my 3.25 to 3.35 at the end of this year. But that would require superhuman dedication as I have to get almost 3.9 for a year at uchicago, which is like impossible since some professors here give out like one A (4 points) for a class of 30.

👍 Yes, I agree with that...I go to UCLA and am a biochemistry major. And ITA that it's bullsh*t to say that a 3.8 at a state school is even close to a 3.5 or 3.3 here esp considering the Pchem classes and synthesis classes.

 

[yenisha]

Well, it's a lot better!


3.8/28 MCAT = 66
3.0/40MCAT = 70


going by the equation could predict, however,
4.0\30 MCAT =70 points
3.0\40 MCAT =70 points

In reality the 40 MCAT is better because that person is basically going to get in no matter what eventually. Send him\her to a post-bach and get a 3.5 and they in. Also some schools would be desire someone with an exceptional score like this and might make an exception to get him\her if they applied to enough schools.

But say the person was a 40 MCAT and a 2.5 gpa. We could say the same thing..

Yeah well this premed counselor of mine was like the 4.0/20-28 ppl are better than the 3.0/36-40 ppl..that's faulty logic!

 

[UMP]

3.0 undergrad
3.93 post-bacc
practice MCATs were in the high 30s.
I think a 38 would guarantee me a spot at one of my state schools, 36+ would give me a good shot

We'll see though

and whoever mentioned kicking yourself in the ass for f-ing up undergrad should understand that it only happens to me 6-8 hours a day now, since the months of 24hour a day ass kicking has turned my ass completely black and blue

 

[BigRedPremed]

Well, it's a lot better!


3.8/28 MCAT = 66
3.0/40MCAT = 70


going by the equation could predict, however,
4.0\30 MCAT =70 points
3.0\40 MCAT =70 points

In reality the 40 MCAT is better because that person is basically going to get in no matter what eventually. Send him\her to a post-bach and get a 3.5 and they in. Also some schools would be desire someone with an exceptional score like this and might make an exception to get him\her if they applied to enough schools.

But say the person was a 40 MCAT and a 2.5 gpa. We could say the same thing..

That's faulty logic. A 40 on the MCAT doesn't necessarily indicate that the person has higher potential. Perhaps he got lucky. Perhaps when you send him to a post-bacc, he's just going to end up with a 3.0 again. Who's to say that the 4.0 GPA student didn't have an off day? Using your logic, we should just send him to take the MCAT again and get a 35 the second time.

I would much rather have a high GPA and low MCAT than vice-versa. Looking at applied/accepted charts from my school last year:
Acceptance rate of applicants with 3.9+ GPA-100%
Acceptance rate of applicants with 35+ MCAT score 83%

Why? Because a 3.9 is much much harder to get than a 35. Only 6% of applicants at my school had a 3.9+ while nearly a quarter had a 35+ MCAT.

 

[Schaden Freud]

I'm a lowish-GPA, highish-MCAT person and how I wish I were a highish-GPA, highish-MCAT person... Oh well...

That's faulty logic. A 40 on the MCAT doesn't necessarily indicate that the person has higher potential. Perhaps he got lucky. Perhaps when you send him to a post-bacc, he's just going to end up with a 3.0 again. Who's to say that the 4.0 GPA student didn't have an off day? Using your logic, we should just send him to take the MCAT again and get a 35 the second time.

I would much rather have a high GPA and low MCAT than vice-versa. Looking at applied/accepted charts from my school last year:
Acceptance rate of applicants with 3.9+ GPA-100%
Acceptance rate of applicants with 35+ MCAT score 83%

Why? Because a 3.9 is much much harder to get than a 35. Only 6% of applicants at my school had a 3.9+ while nearly a quarter had a 35+ MCAT.

 

[Jonassen]

Why? Because a 3.9 is much much harder to get than a 35. Only 6% of applicants at my school had a 3.9+ while nearly a quarter had a 35+ MCAT.

Unless you go to a top-tier research university, that's bull. 35 MCAT is 95-97 percentile. 36 MCAT is 97-98 percentile. And if you did go to a top-tier university, then it's irrelevant, as I and others were talking about the less-than-elite large state schools where there are countless numbers of ~4.0 students with under-30 MCATs.

GPA should only be compared with people from same schools in same majors, not between other schools and majors. MCAT serves the latter role.

A 40 on the MCAT doesn't necessarily indicate that the person has higher potential. Perhaps he got lucky.

It's an 8 hour test. There's no luck to it, a guy who gets a 40 obviously knows his material cold. 40 MCAT is 99.9 percentile. A person with a 3.9 getting a 30 suggests three possibilities: 1. he went to a large state school probably with an easy major; 2. he forgots everything (basic science concepts) and thus his ability of recalling and applying knowledge in the long-term should be questioned; or 3. he cannot perform under stress (he probably shouldn't go into medicine if that's the case).

 

[BigRedPremed]

Unless you go to a tiny first-tier research university, that's bull. 35 MCAT is 95-97 percentile. 36 MCAT is 97-98 percentile. And if you did go to a tiny top-tier university, then it's irrelevant, as I and others were talking about large state schools where there are countless numbers of ~4.0 students with under-30 MCATs.


It's an 8 hour test. There's no luck to it, a guy who gets a 40 obviously knows his material cold. 40 MCAT is 99.9 percentile. A person with a 3.9 getting a 30 suggests three possibilities: 1. he went to a large state school probably with an easy major; 2. he forgots everything (basic science concepts) and thus his ability of recalling and applying knowledge in the long-term should be questioned; or 3. he cannot perform under stress (he probably shouldn't go into medicine if that's the case).

Actually, I attend a LARGE first-tier research institution. The stats are here:

http://www.career.cornell.edu/HealthCareers/acceptedApplied.html

You have to go back all the way to the year 2000 to find an applicant with a 3.9 GPA who was not accepted to med school. In that same period of time, 29 students with 35+ MCAT scores were not accepted. I hate students who whine about going to a "tough" school but, if that's the case, you of all people should appreciate a 3.9 GPA from UChicago.

The stats show one thing: med schools simply do not compensate enough for the difficulty of your undergraduate institution. It is better to go to a state school and get a 3.8 than to go to a prestigous institution and get a 3.2. I know that's not what you want to hear (seeing as you have a low GPA and a predicted high MCAT) but that's the truth.

Edit: I also agree with you that at state schools there will be more people with high GPA's than high MCAT's. But the fact is, a 4.0 GPA and a 30 MCAT is serviceable. A 3.0 GPA will get you screened off presecondary, regardless of your MCAT. So whether I attend a state school or a school like Cornell or Chicago, I'd want the 4.0/30 rather than the 3.0/40.

 

[Jonassen]

Edit: I also agree with you that at state schools there will be more people with high GPA's than high MCAT's. But the fact is, a 4.0 GPA and a 30 MCAT is serviceable. A 3.0 GPA will get you screened off presecondary, regardless of your MCAT. So whether I attend a state school or a school like Cornell or Chicago, I'd want the 4.0/30 rather than the 3.0/40.

Yeah certainly, I would want 4.0/30 too (especially if it's from UofC), but doesn't necessarily mean 4.0/30 is more fit for med school than a 3.0/40; it's difficult to compare without more info. 😛 The only truly objective measure is the MCAT and apparently it's not as important as GPA. But people who go to competitive universities and do hard majors get shafted on that end. I'm one of them. Pchem and Inorganic are much harder than most of the bio courses here (I get A's in my bio courses); and the bio courses here are much harder than they are in UIC.

Hehe going to try for that 3.9 this coming year. To hell with my girlfriend. I'm going to wake up at 6am, run and study, go to classes, eat, then go to lab, then volunteer job, eat and then back to study, and then sleep at 12-1am. That's gonna be my life for the next 9 months. Man that sucks. My friends at UIC who get 4.0 work about a quarter as hard as I will be this coming year; and about as hard as I did with my 3.25 GPA. The crappiest thing: they might have a shot at UofC Pritzker, while I'll be lucky getting into UIC Med.

I'm telling my future child to go to a state college if he wants to go to a medical school straight out of college.

 

[Jonassen]

I've been reading mdapplicants, and it's been extremely depressing.

People with below 3.2 GPA (from top-tier undergrad univs), but 39+ MCAT are still not getting into top-tier med schools at all, even with impressive extracurriculars and grad school.

Looks like it's true, would rather have 4.0/30 than 3.0/40. Don't agree with it though.

 

[BigRedPremed]

I've been reading mdapplicants, and it's been extremely depressing.

People with below 3.2 GPA (from top-tier undergrad univs), but 39+ MCAT are still not getting into top-tier med schools at all, even with impressive extracurriculars and grad school.

Looks like it's true, would rather have 4.0/30 than 3.0/40. Don't agree with it though.

Neither do I. But for the sake of admissions that's what I'd rather have.

However, I do not think it is a complete waste to go to a tough school. You still get a quality education and you learn the meaning of hardwork. When/if you get into med school, I think that a) you will appreicate the achievement more and b) you will be better equipped to handle the rigor of med school.