GPA trends and academic reputation

[VFrank]

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I (of course) have a question about my medical school list. My GPA isn't perfect (it's a 3.5), but I have a decent freshman through junior year trend (3.25, 3.68. 3.83). Do medical schools look at your GPA trends to determine acceptance? Also, I go to Northwestern (with its notoriously impossible Biology sequence), so do medical schools look at the difficulty of your university? My MCAT was a 42P, so I'm not a dummy, but I'm worried my 3.5 will keep me out of the top schools. Here's my list:

Boston University
Duke
Emory
George Washington
Georgetown
Harvard
Johns Hopkins
Mount Sinai
Northwestern
Pennsylvania State
Stanford
Tufts
University of Colorado (resident)
University of Michigan
University of Pittsburgh
University of Rochester (NY)
Washington University (St. Louis)
Yale University

What do y'all think?

Also, how important is it to apply early? I'm worried there might be a discrepancy on my AMCAS application (it's already sent) and they will return it to me. How far back in the line do you get pushed if your application is put on hold because of an incongruency?

Thanks!!!

 

[BubbleBobble]

I don't think you need to worry.

 

[PublicEnemy]

you're set. the only thing you need to worry about is whether or not you want to go to all those interviews. the only thing i would suggest is perhaps throwing in 1 or 2 more middle to lower tier schools just for kicks.

bio at northwestern, oh the horror, worst experience of my life. you deserve a medal for surviving it. its good to be out of evanston.

 

[Lux Aeterna]

You don't really have anything to worry about. I had a 3.5 overall when I applied from, for what it's worth, a top tier undergrad, and a 33 MCAT, and interviewed at 4 top 10s. And Your 42 crushes my 33! PM me if you have anymore questions. In my case, I think my essays, PS, and activities were beneficial to my application, as 3.5/33 (although I was happy with it! 😉 ) is just a shade (or more, depending on what the recent ballpark numbers are) under what top schools are averaging. I also had an upward trend (had a less than stellar frosh year) which was noted by many of my interviewers.

Best of luck. Congratulations on such a fabulous score.

 

[bigbassinbob]

42?! Why do people even bother posting such ridiculous questions like "Will I get in anywhere?" with these kinds of scores. To the OP, you will most likely get into almost every school you apply to. A 42 is insanely high and your upward trend in GPA will assure you of many many acceptances.

 

[MErc44]

42?! Why do people even bother posting such ridiculous questions like "Will I get in anywhere?" with these kinds of scores. To the OP, you will most likely get into almost every school you apply to. A 42 is insanely high and your upward trend in GPA will assure you of many many acceptances.

I don't agree with that at all, a 42 doesn't guarantee anything, it helps but I wouldn't be over confident. But, I am sure you'll get in somewhere.

 

[Alexander99]

42 huh? What happened to the other 3 points? 😕

 

[exmike]

whats up with this GU obsession on SDN? why does everyone and their mom apply?!@

 

[Mr Reddly]

whats up with this GU obsession on SDN? why does everyone and their mom apply?!@

Ummm... cuz they have a good lawschool?
cuz.... they have a cool little cemetary on campus? 😱
cuz..... unlike hopkins, everybody has heard of GU. 😀
cuz.... people like being hit on the knuckles by ladies with rulers? 😛

 

[exmike]

Ummm... cuz they have a good lawschool?
cuz.... they have a cool little cemetary on campus?
cuz..... unlike hopkins, everybody has heard of GU. 😀
cuz.... people like being hit on the knuckles by ladies with rulers? 😛

seriously, how much longer can GU med ride on its law school rep? Just b/c its a well known school doesnt make it a great one. Its unfortunate that many arguably (and some obviously) better schools are overlooked b/c they dont have the "name" that GU has.

GU gets the "oohs and ahh's" from laymen, maybe some people put a lot of value in that.

 

[Mr Reddly]

Ooh... I forgot some....
Cuz... they want to sit in the fishbowl on interview day!
Cuz... they like to read books about saints that did medically related things. (atleast everyone other than me at the interview did 🙁 )
Cuz... It's DC baby! 😍

 

[BerkeleyPremed]

With your stats, I don't think you'll have to worry. A 42...that's absolutely fantastic. Congratulations on the score! I'm sure you'll stand a good chance at the schools you listed...I'm guessing it'll probably come down to your personal attributes which will shine through during the interview and your ECs, essays, LORs, etc.

 

[Ryan]

TO OP: Chill,...your fine 🙂

 

[Ryan]

addendum: Just be sure to act like all of us norm. humans at your interviews and you will do great...

 

[Ryan]

Oh yea: (sorry to keep adding to this thread) congrats on the GREAT MCAT score you should be proud! 🙂