GPA x 10 + MCAT = ????

[stoic]

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So I think most of us have probably heard of this "formula" for determining an applicants competativeness.

Does anyone know if schools actually use it (or varients) and what the "magic" numbers are supposed to be?

Thanks,
S

 

[OnMyWayThere]

it is B.S.

 

[mikedc813]

That's mostly bull, but I believe certain schools won't look at candidates that don't meet or exceed a certain cutoff. Just approach it as if there are no minimums - if you have decent scores and you're a normal person you should be ok throughout the applications process.

 

[exmike]

I dont think any schools use it. It is just a rough way to gauge your competitiveness. My undergrad advisors told us to aim for a 65+

 

[45408]

one of the admissions directors at UWisc told me that for the 2002-2003 year, their cutoff for sending out secondaries was something like a 2.9 and 7s on your MCAT. Obviously, you needed much higher scores to get in, but those would merit you a secondary.

 

[freesolo]

I know University Of Oklahoma ranks their order of interviews by that fomula.

 

[DMBFan61]

I know University Of Oklahoma ranks their order of interviews by that fomula.

how do you know this?

 

[thackl]

Most use a formula, but probably not that one. In the begining, it is a numbers game. TTU used a scoring system out of 50. 45 and up were practically automatic for first round of interviewing and it went down from there until 500 or so were ranked for the match.

My understanding was that most of the 50pt system was made up with MCAT and GPA with some other small factors thrown in. It is a reality in most schools that if you do not make it past the initial #'s cutoff, your application will not be seen/considered.

 

[Swack]

I'm sure you guys have seen this..

http://www.studentdoc.com/medfind.html

It calculates your competitiveness, doesn't take a lot of factors into account though.

 

[freesolo]

I'm sure you guys have seen this..

http://www.studentdoc.com/medfind.html

It calculates your competitiveness, doesn't take a lot of factors into account though.

are the stats in that site correct? It says the University of Oklahoma has a 3.59 avg gpa seems low according to their website and what they said should be around a 3.7

 

[KNightInBlue]

I'm sure you guys have seen this..

http://www.studentdoc.com/medfind.html

It calculates your competitiveness, doesn't take a lot of factors into account though.

It doesn't have a full listing of schools either (about 80 or so).
I looked for NY and it only showed 6 schools.

To the OP, other than the menial cutoffs (like 7 on any section for UWisc), I doubt schools would use such a cut and dried 'formula'. It is a pretty good way to gauge your competitiveness though (or so my advisor says). 65+ and you shoud get interviews. 72/3+ and you're virtually in.

Good Luck

P.S. It also wouldn't hurt to have the GPA and MCAT reflect each other. A 3.6 and a 32 would look better than a 3.0 and a 38.

 

[Swack]

Yea, I think the stats are outta date. Amusing, but not accurate .

 

[tic112]

I heard about this formula as well from some med student at UCLA.
I remember him saying that if you have 70+, you should be safe.

 

[Rugger81]

70+ to be safe??? was this guy smoking crack?

so let's see, if you had any kind of normal life in college and still did your work in a relatively challenging major, you could maybe come out with a 3.5, so that means you need a minimum of a 35 on the MCAT to be safe.

sounds perfectly reasonable to me.

 

[willthatsall]

Well I don't think he is that far off. He didn't say you need a 70 to have a chance, just to be safe.

 

[leviathan]

Just as an example of how a school considers applicants, UBC Med School uses a scoring system of a mark out of 50 for your academic performance (GPA and MCAT), and another equal 50 marks for your ECs, LORs, PS, and the rest of your non-academic stuff. Applicants who exceed a certain score out of 100 (not sure what it is exactly) will receive an interview.

 

[gary5]

So I think most of us have probably heard of this "formula" for determining an applicants competativeness.

Does anyone know if schools actually use it (or varients) and what the "magic" numbers are supposed to be?

Thanks,
S

Adcoms are intelligent enough to evaluate two numbers. They don't need to combine them.

 

[bigdan]

Hmmm....Looks like I'm not so much of a good applicant according to this formula.

I'll let you know how this here formula plays out...

dc

 

[adamj61]

U of Wis actually uses a 6 point formula for admission...in state start at 3, out of state start at 0. PM if anyone wants the whole run down

 

[superdevil]

the med school i work at has a very loose numbering system; three attributes are rated on a scale from 1-5 (academics, EC's, and something else...i think its something stupid like "suitability for school x"). those who have a composite number above a certain point are good to go.

NOTE: this is for interviews only-->admission decisions are not numbers-based to my knowledge.

 

[jlee9531]

dont put too much into that formula. other than that oklahoma school using it, other schools have their own systems. a lot have their own point system but nothing like a simple formula to see if you get in. a simple formula such as the one shown does not take into account your interview, ECs, etc...