GPA or MCAT?

[stillpremed]

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I am not sure if this question was posted recently, but do you guys know if the MCAT or the GPA (science/accum) is weighted more heavily in a pure academic sense?
Thanks

 

[xaelia]

A higher MCAT score can make up for a poorer GPA, but less so the other way around.

 

[UCLAstudent]

I would say MCAT. GPAs come from schools of varying levels of difficulty, but everyone takes the same MCAT (not the same questions, but you know what I mean). Most med schools probably consider the difficulty of your undergrad school when looking at GPA, but still, the MCAT is the same for everyone.

 

[md_student10021]

both are important. get good grades. ace the MCAT. get into medical school.

 

[kreno]

MCATS definitely!

 

[dreaminOfMD>.<]

What I've heard is that both are very important...

However, there's so much to take into consideration when it comes to GPA: grade inflation, deflation, the competitive nature of your undergrad university/college, grade trends, etc. B/C of this, I've heard that there is a growing discrepancy between GPA's and that not all like GPA's are equal. Therefore, many of the med schools look at the MCAT as the "equalizer". Being that it's a standardized exam, everyone has a fair shot at it and your scores can really reflect your ability to take on med school.

Correct me if I'm wrong...😉

 

[japonesa]

While I agree with the above posts, I have to say that GPA shows consistent work over a longer period of time, while a lower MCAT can be attributed to a bad test day. So as long as your MCAT isn't extremely low, I think that it's better to have a high GPA and an OK MCAT than the other way around.

 

[Street Philosopher]

so in conclusion, we don't really know. both are important and are worth excelling in.

 

[Neuronix]

I've known people with high MCAT and low GPA who could not get in. I'm talking about one guy with a 3.0/40 and another with a 3.0/37. Both were from big name undergrads. They were both personable and had great ECs. I fell out of touch with the guy with the 3.0/40, but the 3.0/37 got in the second time around.

So I would say that MCAT is not going to make up for a low GPA. A borderline GPA, maybe.

 

[stillpremed]

all right - thanks a lot for your thoughts and replies guys

 

[WISC-ite]

Just another thing... many schools use equations to offer interviews. A real commone one is MCAT + GPA x 10= score.

So, keep this in mind. Not ALL schools use this and probably less than more, but some do.

Cheers
WISC-ite

 

[BOOURNS]

I say GPA is more important.

I have a 3.43 and a 38 MCAT.

Last year I got NO interviews

This year I only got ONE interview, and I'm currently on hold.


This has been a learning experience.