High MCAT/ High GPA... still not accepted?

[fun8stuff]

People always say that it isn't all about the numbers, and I know this is true because I know people with low GPAs and MCATs who are accepted.

What I am wondering is about the other extreme. How many SDN'ers have above 30 MCATs and above 3.6 with no acceptances? Would you mind sharing?

 

[ventulus18]

only waitlists for me

 

[elias514]

People with 30+ scores on the MCAT and stellar GPA's need to adopt the same admissions strategy as the average applicant--apply to a wide variety of medical schools. By variety I mean top ten, top 20, top 50, "unranked," and a mix of private and state schools. No matter how strong your resume is, there are no guarantees at the most selective medical schools.

Thus, the stories of people with extraordinary numbers not getting into medical school most likely involved individuals who applied exclusively to very selective medical schools and not enough middle and lower tier schools (e.g., 10 schools in the top 20 and their state school).

The bottom line: apply to a wide variety of schools, regardless of your credentials

 

[SaltySqueegee]

The bottom line: apply to a wide variety of schools, regardless of your credentials

I would also add to the list:

It doesn't hurt to make connections and network with those that have influence on your decision or who have friends on the committee.

 

[ventulus18]

that would definitely be a problem if you applied to too many highly selective schools. i applied to a pretty diverse bunch though and still haven't been able to come up with anything. i wish i had more *extraordinary* numbers

People with 30+ scores on the MCAT and stellar GPA's need to adopt the same admissions strategy as the average applicant--apply to a wide variety of medical schools. By variety I mean top ten, top 20, top 50, "unranked," and a mix of private and state schools. No matter how strong your resume is, there are no guarantees at the most selective medical schools.

Thus, the stories of people with extraordinary numbers not getting into medical school most likely involved individuals who applied exclusively to very selective medical schools and not enough middle and lower tier schools (e.g., 10 schools in the top 20 and their state school).

The bottom line: apply to a wide variety of schools, regardless of your credentials

 

[leavesam]

People always say that it isn't all about the numbers, and I know this is true because I know people with low GPAs and MCATs who are accepted.

What I am wondering is about the other extreme. How many SDN'ers have above 30 MCATs and above 3.6 with no acceptances? Would you mind sharing?

Well, 30 and 3.6 are just about the averages for matriculants, so I don't think that would answer your question regarding high mcat/gpa.

 

[jlee9531]

Well, 30 and 3.6 are just about the averages for matriculants, so I don't think that would answer your question regarding high mcat/gpa.

i know and met people with gpa ranges from 3.7-almost 4.0 and mcats from 34-39 that have not gotten in yet...some i cant explain because they seem nice but a couple others...damn socially inept. they get interviews of course...but no acceptances after undergoing the human interaction aspect of the process...

 

[fun8stuff]

Well, 30 and 3.6 are just about the averages for matriculants, so I don't think that would answer your question regarding high mcat/gpa.

yes, I was wondering if there were people with above average numbers who have not received acceptances. I was considering anything above the average to be "high"

 

[leavesam]

yes, I was wondering if there were people with above average numbers who have not received acceptances. I was considering anything above the average to be "high"

Ah. Never mind then.

 

[MabdulD]

There will always be people with above average numbers that don't get accepted. I have a pretty good shot at being part of that privileged group this year. You can look at my mdapplicants thing if you want to see the specifics.

 

[Eyecon82]

People always say that it isn't all about the numbers, and I know this is true because I know people with low GPAs and MCATs who are accepted.

What I am wondering is about the other extreme. How many SDN'ers have above 30 MCATs and above 3.6 with no acceptances? Would you mind sharing?

Yea that is true only if you have no experience whatsoever.....no volunteering...no research....you could have a 4.0/45 and still not get in w/o any extracurriculars....also I've heard that people with high numbers that don't get into average schools simply because the schools know that they applied there as a backup and even if they were accepted...they wouldnt attend....so they wouldnt bother...after all...i still feel this is a crap shoot....i got into md and do with just "ok" numbers..and i know friends that have better numbers than me and are still frantically checking their mail everyday because they have no acceptances so far