High MCAT, Low GPA

[Jericho1057]

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I recently got a 38 on the MCATs (p 15, b 12, v 11). I have a 3.3 in undergrad (for physics) and I got a 3.7 in Georgetown's Special Masters Program. I am a certified EMT (I have volunteered riding with an ambulance for a year) and have published two papers. What sort of chances do I have of getting in this year.

 

[GoSpursGo]

It all depends where you applied. The SMP probably won't get as much attention as your UG GPA, but your MCAT is in the stratosphere. Also, your research w/ publications is going to look great. As long as you didn't apply to just the top 20 schools in the country or something silly, I'd imagine that you should get some love from a middle-tier school, and it's possible you could get lucky with one of those reach schools. Where did you apply? Also, what state are you a resident of?

 

[Jericho1057]

I am a New York State resident and I applied to the following schools

SUNY upstate
SUNY downstate
SUNY stony brook
SUNY buffalo
New York Medical College
Albany
New Jersey Medical School
Virginian Common Wealth University
Creighton
Drexel
Rosalind Franklin
Penn State
Cornell
Tufts
Case Western

 

[Jericho1057]

anyone???

 

[Mobius1985]

You have a good variety of selectivity among the schools you've chosen. Presumably, you're a late applicant, which puts you at a disadvantage, as there are increasingly fewer interview spots available. Considering the mismatch between your uGPA and MCAT, it might have been better to have applied to more schools, but taking into consideration what little I know about your ECs, I still think there's a good chance you'll get some interviews this season. Late applicants are also at the bottom of the stack for consideration, so you'll probably have a wait before they review your information.

 

[pianola]

Yeah, entirely agree with Mobius. If you weren't a late applicant you'd really be set. But I suspect you will probably hear something and get some interviews this season anyway.

If not, you REALLY should apply early next season (same list) and hopefully you will get in then. You really do have a very good application (IMHO). It would be a shame to let it go to waste just because you're late to the game.

 

[JeetKuneDo]

I am a New York State resident and I applied to the following schools

SUNY upstate
SUNY downstate
SUNY stony brook
SUNY buffalo
New York Medical College
Albany
New Jersey Medical School
Virginian Common Wealth University
Creighton
Drexel
Rosalind Franklin
Penn State
Cornell
Tufts
Case Western

Just curious, how come you didn't apply to Georgetown?

 

[Schlockinz]

I recently got a 38 on the MCATs (p 15, b 12, v 11). I have a 3.3 in undergrad (for physics) and I got a 3.7 in Georgetown's Special Masters Program. I am a certified EMT (I have volunteered riding with an ambulance for a year) and have published two papers. What sort of chances do I have of getting in this year.

Dude, cheers to physicists 👍. Not every major can only have the top 10% in the 3.5 (and sometimes --> usually actually) lower range.

I would think that you should get some love from the SUNY's with that 38

BTW, can you explain the GPA (and saying that you're a physicist might not cut it 🙄). I know I've had to explain to pre-med committees why I have a low BPCM, and it was a little tougher than expected to explain that grad level physics courses didn't hand out A's (I think my solid state had 2 A's and a lot of fails)

Anyways, good luck, and its nice to see a physicists that isn't going off to work for CERN

 

[229141]

When I see numbers like that I typically think that it means you are extremely intelligent but maybe didn't put as much time into your class / you had to work or were busy with ECs. But seeing as you are a physics major, that GPA is not bad at all. I'd like to see some of my fellow bio majors pull over a 3.5 in chem or physics...sure would be tough!

 

[Jericho1057]

Just curious, how come you didn't apply to Georgetown?

I had interviewed there twice before I took my most recent MCAT. From what I heard, getting a second interview there is a rarity. I have limited funds and I didn't see it happening at Georgetown and thought I could get more use at of the $130.

 

[Jericho1057]

Dude, cheers to physicists 👍. Not every major can only have the top 10% in the 3.5 (and sometimes --> usually actually) lower range.

I would think that you should get some love from the SUNY's with that 38

BTW, can you explain the GPA (and saying that you're a physicist might not cut it 🙄). I know I've had to explain to pre-med committees why I have a low BPCM, and it was a little tougher than expected to explain that grad level physics courses didn't hand out A's (I think my solid state had 2 A's and a lot of fails)

Anyways, good luck, and its nice to see a physicists that isn't going off to work for CERN

Ha, at this point CERN isn't looking so bad. The one thing I have going for me with my GPA is that it consistently improved every year and I just got that MCAT score on a September 2008 exam. Plus the Georgetown program is actually very hard. To get an A, you need to do better than 90% of their medical students in most of the classes. Hopefully they will see this in my application and I will get some interviews.

 

[MCATMAN45]

I had a 3.5 and a 34 and I got into both Albany and Rosalind Franklin on your list. I also applied relatively late - taking the August MCAT delayed the consideration of my applications. Don't be surprised if your interview invites don't come until later in the season though. I interviewed at Albany on 3/4 and at Rosalind Franklin in early May! Both accepted me in early June.

Your stats/profile is stronger, so I think you should be in great shape. Good luck!

 

[MilkmanAl]

You're in great shape. I'd go ahead and apply to Georgetown if you still can. They'll love the new MCAT and the SMP grades.

 

[Jericho1057]

I gave in and submitted to Georgetown... it turns out their deadline is tomorrow so I got it in right under the wire.

 

[JeetKuneDo]

I gave in and submitted to Georgetown... it turns out their deadline is tomorrow so I got it in right under the wire.

Nice. Yeah man, I saw your explanation but was getting to wonder why with such a great SMP grade you didn't try G-Town. Good luck with it.

 

[Jericho1057]

So far things are actually going pretty well. I have gotten three interviews and no rejections.

 

[Mobius1985]

Hey,that's great. Thanks for letting us know!

 

[Jericho1057]

got rejected from Gtown... oh well

 

[GoSpursGo]

Ah well, they reject a ton of people, and you WERE pretty late. But hey, you've got three interviews you're still waiting on, so you're still in good shape 🙂

 

[Jericho1057]

I just wanted to let everyone know that I got accepted at three schools, one of which was my second choice. Late applicants can get into schools if they can bear waiting till spring to hear anything.

 

[tabishis]

I just wanted to let everyone know that I got accepted at three schools, one of which was my second choice. Late applicants can get into schools if they can bear waiting till spring to hear anything.

Congrats, dude. Happy for you 🙂. Which schools did you get into? Also would you mind sharing how long and how you studied to score 38 on MCAT?

All the best to you.👍

 

[Mobius1985]

Congratulations and thanks for letting us know.

 

[Jericho1057]

Congrats, dude. Happy for you 🙂. Which schools did you get into? Also would you mind sharing how long and how you studied to score 38 on MCAT?

All the best to you.👍

I first got accepted a couple of months ago into a brand new MD school in Scranton called TCMC. Within the past week I was also accepted to Albany and SUNY Stony Brook (which is the school I will be attending next fall). I am waitlisted from a bunch of others.

I used the Exam Krackers review books to study for the MCATs. I didn't take a review course but I put in a good 2-3 hours a day for a month prior to the exam. I highly recommend Exam Krackers. Their science books have a LOT of details but they tie everything together really well. The verbal book is AWESOME.

 

[airca12]

Congratulations on your acceptances and good luck!