Gpa requirement for mdphd

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I got in with less than that, although my low GPA came mostly from a disastrous freshman year >10 years ago. But it can be done.
 
from Wash U's FAQ's

What are the minimum standards for a successful applicant? Competitive applicants will have a strong record of academic achievement. There are no minimum GPA or MCAT requirements. Over the past 5 years, program matriculants have had an average GPA of 3.85 and an average MCAT of 36R. Please remember that these are averages: the range for GPA over that period has been 2.8 to 4.0; the MCAT range has been 28 to 41. In 2009, 10% of the individuals interviewed by the program had MCATs of 32 or lower.
The most important criterion for admission is the potential to become an independent researcher. Successful applicants demonstrate excellence in substantial, independent research projects. Typically, they have engaged in research projects beginning in their sophomore year, or earlier. Long-term research projects (i.e., a minimum of one year) are preferred over multiple short-term experiences. Publication of work in scientific journals is not required; fewer than 15% of applicants have a publication.
 
Or they are quoting the UG GPA and that person had postbacc training, etc. I am still surprised that Wash U Med let them in ... and that the current Med avg MCAT is 38.5 or something (there must be alot of 42-45's to balance out those MSTPs).
 
Hey guys,
I needed some advice on the gpa thing. My undergrad gpa is really bad...3.30. But let me please explain my situation. I started out as a presidential scholar and had a 3.7 or 3.8 gpa after my first year. But then I fell ill and also got burnt out. My 2nd year gpa was only 2.8! I graduated in three years with my final year gpa of about 3.6-7ish. I did a masters degree after that and now working as a research technician for past 1.5 years. My illness really wasn't cured till last summer. Lots of misdiagnosis etc. Won't bother you guys with the details but that from summer 2004 till summer 2009 I wasn't at my best physically. Finally doctors at a reputed hospital figured out whats going on and since then I am more productive. But due to those problems my masters gpa wasnt super high either. But I did have a paper published while doing volunteer research during my masters degree. And at my current place I think I will have 1-2 papers by next spring. So, if I get a high MCAT score...lets say above 35, will that offset my ****ty undergrad gpa? And maybe my research experience and the fact that I wasn't always terrible at academics work in my favor, because I was in the Dean's list in 2 of my 3 years and graduated early with honors courses.
I don't know what I could do to make up for my GPA. That number is set. But what kind of a MCAT score and how many years of research experience might make-up for the 3.3 gpa?
Thanks a lot!
 
Hey guys,
I needed some advice on the gpa thing. My undergrad gpa is really bad...3.30. But let me please explain my situation. I started out as a presidential scholar and had a 3.7 or 3.8 gpa after my first year. But then I fell ill and also got burnt out. My 2nd year gpa was only 2.8! I graduated in three years with my final year gpa of about 3.6-7ish. I did a masters degree after that and now working as a research technician for past 1.5 years. My illness really wasn't cured till last summer. Lots of misdiagnosis etc. Won't bother you guys with the details but that from summer 2004 till summer 2009 I wasn't at my best physically. Finally doctors at a reputed hospital figured out whats going on and since then I am more productive. But due to those problems my masters gpa wasnt super high either. But I did have a paper published while doing volunteer research during my masters degree. And at my current place I think I will have 1-2 papers by next spring. So, if I get a high MCAT score...lets say above 35, will that offset my ****ty undergrad gpa? And maybe my research experience and the fact that I wasn't always terrible at academics work in my favor, because I was in the Dean's list in 2 of my 3 years and graduated early with honors courses.
I don't know what I could do to make up for my GPA. That number is set. But what kind of a MCAT score and how many years of research experience might make-up for the 3.3 gpa?
Thanks a lot!

At the very least, you have a very interesting story to tell in your essays. If you do well on the MCAT, then you may get accepted.
 
Additionally, this person probably had the best research record you have ever seen, played Division I sports, was class president, and was a URM. 2.8 is low

and water is wet. what's your point? obviously there had to be something in this person's profile to allow admission to a top 5 school.
 
FWIW, this is why I wrote my general admissions guide. The criticism I get is: well what do you know? Why not just direct students to what the programs have to say?

Because, programs tend to be very soft about everything. They give ranges, maybes, give it a try, blah blah blah political stuff. This leads to failure and heartbreak when people apply and don't get in. People need to plan strategically and it's only fair to them to have a realistic assessment of their options and probability of success. Thus, my point is: if you have a 2.8, you better be in an extremely special position because your chances are extremely slim. I don't want anyone on this forum thinking they've got a good chance with a less than a 3.0 (or for that matter 3.4) unless they have a very special situation.

Of course they are guidelines. Guides are meant to be not followed if the situation arises. Still, academic physicians are so used to being political, at least in public, that guidelines are pretty much never given. Even averages you typically have to dig for. I get plenty of flack for my guidelines. On the occasions that I am wrong I hear about it sometimes years later in person. As always, if you disagree, post or write to me ([email protected]).
 
Hey guys,
I needed some advice on the gpa thing. My undergrad gpa is really bad...3.30. But let me please explain my situation. I started out as a presidential scholar and had a 3.7 or 3.8 gpa after my first year. But then I fell ill and also got burnt out. My 2nd year gpa was only 2.8! I graduated in three years with my final year gpa of about 3.6-7ish. I did a masters degree after that and now working as a research technician for past 1.5 years. My illness really wasn't cured till last summer. Lots of misdiagnosis etc. Won't bother you guys with the details but that from summer 2004 till summer 2009 I wasn't at my best physically. Finally doctors at a reputed hospital figured out whats going on and since then I am more productive. But due to those problems my masters gpa wasnt super high either. But I did have a paper published while doing volunteer research during my masters degree. And at my current place I think I will have 1-2 papers by next spring. So, if I get a high MCAT score...lets say above 35, will that offset my ****ty undergrad gpa? And maybe my research experience and the fact that I wasn't always terrible at academics work in my favor, because I was in the Dean's list in 2 of my 3 years and graduated early with honors courses.
I don't know what I could do to make up for my GPA. That number is set. But what kind of a MCAT score and how many years of research experience might make-up for the 3.3 gpa?
Thanks a lot!

I don't think many programs will give much weight to Master's GPA. All they will want to see out of a masters was that you published papers and the quality of that work.

As far as your UG GPA, 3.7 is fine and you can just tell them your story if you are worried about it.
 
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