High MCAT, lower GPA -- Part 2

[linuxizer]

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I know there is another thread ongoing about this, but my situation is slightly different.
Numbers:
3.6 GPA, with a slight upward trend. From a "Top 5" school, whatever the **** that means
39R MCAT (13V,11B,15P)
And yes, have plenty of ECs, if slightly unconventional ones.
Goal: A few scarily competitive schools. I have very specific reasons for wanting to go to them; I'm not just gunning for the name.

Rather than making this yet another pointless "what are my chances" thread, my question is this:
As in the other thread, it is hard to come up with examples from MDApplicants.com that fit this situation. I know the ultimate answer is you don't know until you try, but does anyone have any idea how much emphasis top schools give to MCAT vs. GPA in granting interviews?

And yes, before anyone takes the thread in a thoroughly unproductive direction, I do realize that my GPA is fine in the real world, but this isn't the real world, and the fact is that for many of the schools whose programs interest me, my GPA is perhaps an SD below average.

So again, the question: does either MCAT or GPA get weighted more heavily at these schools, or is there no chance of one compensating for the other?

Thanks.

 

[doctorFred]

many schools rely on both gpa and mcat cutoffs, as well as mathematic equations to determine who is granted an interview. as far as i know, even for a school like harvard, the minimum gpa cutoff would never be anything higher than a 3.5, so you're safe in that regard. mcat cutoffs (again, at some of the "scary" competitve schools, as you put it) are usually not much higher than low 30's, so again, you're safe. for schools who's interview selections are algorithmic (robert wood johnson, for example,) you may consider this fact: while your gpa is likely one or perhaps one and a half standard deviations below the mean for the most competitive programs, your mcat score is easily one and a half to two standard deviations above the mean.

mathematically, it's reasonable to estimate you would be granted an interview at any school utilizing the algorithmic method. if you have decent extracurriculars to support your stats, it's also pretty reasonable to assume you are a likely candidate to interview at almost any program to which you apply, intangibles aside. it also helps your cause that your gpa trends upward, and that you earned a 15 on a single section of the mcats (99.9th percentile.)

 

[happydays]

Are you applying for the class of 2011? If so, you're fine. Trust me. You'll probably get into an outstanding school (probably is the key word; I'm not an adcom, so I can't make the final decision).

Ok, this thread can be closed now (cuz all the rest of the people will say something along the lines of, "What Da ****! You're insecure with stats that high??!!!")

 

[exmike]

put your flame suit on buddy

 

[tank you]

hey, dont worry so much, ur gpa is right around the avg for most medical schools in the country, and ur mcat more than makes up for ur gpa i think. just apply everywhere u think u would like to go to and u should be fine.

 

[jebus]

put your flame suit on buddy

I don't understand why. I mean, it sounds like the OP is really attracted to some of the programs that these schools offer (think the joint Harvard/MIT program or the UCSF/Berkeley program). These are novel programs that attract a special student (read: these are among the most selective programs) and are truly only available at the top tier schools... So, let's try and keep the discussion germane to the OP's intent.
Sorry, linuxizer, I don't actually have anything worthwhile to add. I suspect that a 3.6 at your top-5 school will also help mitigate some deficiency.

 

[thatguyagain]

I know there is another thread ongoing about this, but my situation is slightly different.
Numbers:
3.6 GPA, with a slight upward trend. From a "Top 5" school, whatever the **** that means
39R MCAT (13V,11B,15P)
And yes, have plenty of ECs, if slightly unconventional ones.
Goal: A few scarily competitive schools. I have very specific reasons for wanting to go to them; I'm not just gunning for the name.

Rather than making this yet another pointless "what are my chances" thread, my question is this:
As in the other thread, it is hard to come up with examples from MDApplicants.com that fit this situation. I know the ultimate answer is you don't know until you try, but does anyone have any idea how much emphasis top schools give to MCAT vs. GPA in granting interviews?

And yes, before anyone takes the thread in a thoroughly unproductive direction, I do realize that my GPA is fine in the real world, but this isn't the real world, and the fact is that for many of the schools whose programs interest me, my GPA is perhaps an SD below average.

So again, the question: does either MCAT or GPA get weighted more heavily at these schools, or is there no chance of one compensating for the other?

Thanks.

You're a funny guy. Don't worry about it, you shouldn't have a problem. You're bound to get a ton of interviews, so if I were you I would concentrate on rocking those. The interview makes or breaks even the best of applicants.

If I were you, I'd be more worried about the fact that you prefer the Linux OS. how odd.

 

[linuxizer]

If I were you, I'd be more worried about the fact that you prefer the Linux OS. how odd.

I like to think of myself as fearless, but the idea of doing critical work on Windows scares the living daylights out of me.

Heh.

Thanks to everyone who replied. I fully realize the question is a little silly, but when you see schools with average GPAs of 3.86, it just gets insane.

happydays: yes, applying to 2011. Going to start filling out apps this June.

So the general conclusion is I'll be alright, barring any faux stomps. Leaves me slightly less worried.

Curious where that conclusion would change, though. Hm. 3.5? 3.4? Oh, the mind games this process does to us--and I haven't really started yet!

Thanks again.