GPA-flexible schools

[brycepj]

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Hi, I'm an applicant with a pretty good mcat score and pretty strong EC's. However, my science GPA is low. I think I stand a good chance at getting in somewhere, but I'm wondering if there are MD schools known for paying less attention to GPA and more attention to the rest of the application. I'm leaving out my exact statistics so this can be discussed on principle. Just assume my EC's and mcat are far above average and my sGPA is far below average (but not outrageously low), enough that it will be a significant weakness on my application.

I just want to apply to places that are known to be less concerned with GPA where I'll probably have a better shot.... if they exist. Thanks, brycepj

 

[TheMightySmiter]

Hi, I'm an applicant with a pretty good mcat score and pretty strong EC's. However, my science GPA is low. I think I stand a good chance at getting in somewhere, but I'm wondering if there are MD schools known for paying less attention to GPA and more attention to the rest of the application. I'm leaving out my exact statistics so this can be discussed on principle. Just assume my EC's and mcat are far above average and my sGPA is far below average (but not outrageously low), enough that it will be a significant weakness on my application.

I just want to apply to places that are known to be less concerned with GPA where I'll probably have a better shot.... if they exist. Thanks, brycepj

MSAR is your friend. 😀 Look for schools with a low 10th percentile GPA and you will have your answer.

 

[latony]

brycepj, I totally understand the pain of a low GPA. In my non-expert opinion (and I'll keep you posted as the cycle progresses), I have heard that Drexel, Saint Louis University, Rush, and Rosalind Franklin are interested in mission fit in particular and may forgive a slightly lower than average GPA. Additionally, depending on what kind of medicine you plan to practice and where you're from, Commonwealth (new school in PA), Tulane, West Virginia and Jefferson (Physician Shortage Area Program), off the top of my head, offer programs focused on rural medicine for students interested in practicing in those states. The GPA for those programs may be less important if you are an excellent fit for the mission of the program. And of course, DO schools have slightly lower science GPA averages.

Not sure if this is helpful as I am a current applicant, but I thought I would give my two cents given my understanding of various schools.

If you want to PM me your stats in particular, please feel free. I am more than happy to share the insights I have gleaned from my application cycle thus far as well as what I have heard from my advisor and others.

 

[Cambino]

Hi, I'm an applicant with a pretty good mcat score and pretty strong EC's. However, my science GPA is low. I think I stand a good chance at getting in somewhere, but I'm wondering if there are MD schools known for paying less attention to GPA and more attention to the rest of the application. I'm leaving out my exact statistics so this can be discussed on principle. Just assume my EC's and mcat are far above average and my sGPA is far below average (but not outrageously low), enough that it will be a significant weakness on my application.

I just want to apply to places that are known to be less concerned with GPA where I'll probably have a better shot.... if they exist. Thanks, brycepj

For a west-coast perspective, I know that OHSU weighs the MCAT MUCH more heavily than other application facets. However, they're not so out-of-region friendly.

 

[postbacpremed87]

Hi, I'm an applicant with a pretty good mcat score and pretty strong EC's. However, my science GPA is low. I think I stand a good chance at getting in somewhere, but I'm wondering if there are MD schools known for paying less attention to GPA and more attention to the rest of the application. I'm leaving out my exact statistics so this can be discussed on principle. Just assume my EC's and mcat are far above average and my sGPA is far below average (but not outrageously low), enough that it will be a significant weakness on my application.

I just want to apply to places that are known to be less concerned with GPA where I'll probably have a better shot.... if they exist. Thanks, brycepj

I saw the title of this thread and immediately thought: "Dream world"

 

[CodeBlu]

MSAR is your friend. 😀 Look for schools with a low 10th percentile GPA and you will have your answer.

This.

 

[Catalystik]

East Virginia Medical School

 

[brycepj]

thanks for your replies. I wondered when I posted this if anyone would take this seriously. So I really appreciate it.

Any other thoughts?

 

[postbacpremed87]

The low GPA strategy won't yield much bub.

thanks for your replies. I wondered when I posted this if anyone would take this seriously. So I really appreciate it.

Any other thoughts?

 

[ppfizenm]

thanks for your replies. I wondered when I posted this if anyone would take this seriously. So I really appreciate it.

Any other thoughts?

master's program then apply next year

 

[DrRower]

I'm in the same boat. Went for a 1 year Master's degree to try and help myself a bit.

My advice is to look at in-state schools. They seem to be much more forgiving (so far).

Also, schools which selectively send out secondaries (Vandy, Case Western, I believe) seem to screen based on GPA & MCAT, so they might chuck us into the "Dream On, Losers!" bucket immediately.

Good luck! And thanks for starting this thread!