GPA and MCAT

[Powdermonkey]

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Yes, I know they are a big deal. They determine if you can beat the initial numbers game to get an interview. The adcoms look at them and basically determine whether or not you can make it in med school. I'm sure they are pretty good at looking at a transcript and determining who will and wont make it too, they get lots of practice.

But seriously?..... People in the allopathic forum seem to be so infatuated with having a 3.89 vs a 3.86, and will be very quick to tell someone that they are not getting in if they have less than a 3.6789948771 and an MCAT score of 34R or higher.... Its ridiculous honestly. The posts here are much more informative in this forum. The pre-osteo students seem to really want to succeed (not that the pre allos dont), and just seem more grounded i guess. Seem more like the people I would want to work with and be around day in and day out.

Maybe it is the simple fact that the pre-osteo students have a better chance of getting in with slightly lower stats, but know that they are going to have to work their tails off once they get in to do well in classes and on their boards.

I dunno... things just seem more calm over here... Maybe I'm getting the wrong vibe. Oh well.. just some rambling...

-Ryan

p.s. I'm hoping to get in this year, but my undergrad gpa was only ok from engineering, and my first mcat was low as well. I get my second scores back on Wednesday so trust me, I'll let you know if they are good.

 

[doinmybest5840]

I agree. When I first joined SDN I was scared to post anything in the pre-allo forum because so many people are negative and number-obsessed. Don't get me wrong - I know numbers are an important part of the application process - but I feel that there is more to getting an acceptance than your "magic number." There was a thread in there a while ago about what schools people would not go to if they got in anywhere else, and when I posted my response (along with everyone else), someone quoted it and said something like, "With your numbers and ECs, you'll take what you can get... if anything." It was extremely rude and uncalled for. Ever since, I've taken to asking any general questions that are applicable to both MD and DO schools in the DO forum.

Anyway, now that I've rambled on, good luck with your applications!

 

[TexasTriathlete]

On one hand, I understand as well as anyone that there is much more to people than just their numbers. On the other hand, these schools want people who are smart enough, and hard-working enough to do the coursework in their school, and these numbers are what they have to go by.

As far as these boards go, there are few people who truly understand the admissions process. All they have to go on are their own experiences. Hardly a great sample size.

 

[Powdermonkey]

As far as these boards go, there are few people who truly understand the admissions process. All they have to go on are their own experiences. Hardly a great sample size.

Yeah, TT, thats the truth. I dont have much more experience than the majority of applicants on sdn, when it comes to med school. I have lived a little though, and have not lived my entire life with my nose stuck in a book. I agree that being a good applicant is more than just numbers, and I hope that the schools will see that with me and offer me a spot in their class. And the rest of you with lower stats this year too. But me first. 🙂

 

[pakbabydoll]

Well this is my first time posting here but there are some very nice people there too. I think they just give you the average numbers from MSR thing. I don't know about DO schools but for average MD school average GPA is 3.62 and average MCAT score is 32. Of course other things like EC's and clinical work also count.

But you guys are right pre- allo people are obsessed with GPA's and MCAT score. They hardly ever take EC's in account.

 

[MossPoh]

There's a reason I don't hang out with premeds much. If I have to spend time with another neurotic person who freaks out about maybe getting a B I will paint the walls with the back of my head. Some of the people need a hobby, or to get laid or something.

 

[TexasTriathlete]

This is the internet, and you're on a board full of science majors. The only hobbies you'll find here are star trek and dungeons and dragons, and if you think anybody here gets laid, you've got another thing coming. Except for me, of course.