High MCAT, mediocre GPA, where to apply?

[LJL]

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I scored a 39Q on my MCAT, my overall GPA is 3.76, but my science GPA is only 3.48 according to AMCAS, (due to one bad semester in which I was working, playing a sport, etc.).
I went to UC Berkeley, so compared to some private schools the grades are not as inflated, if that matters. I am trying to decide where to apply right now.
CA resident. I'd appreciate any advice.
Oh yeah, I have several years of research experience, played a sport for almost two years, several other volunteer and shadowing experiences, am working a public health internship this summer, I think my application is fairly solid otherwise.

Thanks.

 

[DrBowtie]

Your GPA is NOT mediocre.
Hit up all of the UC's and wherever in the top 20 your heart desires.

 

[Supadupafly]

Your GPA is NOT mediocre.
Hit up all of the UC's and wherever in the top 20 your heart desires.

Agreed. You're in good shape to apply just about anywhere you want. I got in all over the place with the same GPA and quite lower MCAT.

 

[byeh2004]

you're set dude... relax and apply to whatever your heart desires

 

[Flopotomist]

Hmm... why are all these people with stats like this so unable to interpret the simple bell curves in the MSAR? I mean, with such amazing numbers, you SHOULD be able to understand the MSAR. So - KNOCK IT OFF people. Geesh, you insecure little buggers are irritating me with your darn "Oh poor me, I only have a 3.8 gpa" posts. Hmm.. SDN membership should come with a dose of self-esteem and some therapy.

 

[_J_]

Hmm... why are all these people with stats like this so unable to interpret the simple bell curves in the MSAR? I mean, with such amazing numbers, you SHOULD be able to understand the MSAR. So - KNOCK IT OFF people. Geesh, you insecure little buggers are irritating me with your darn "Oh poor me, I only have a 3.8 gpa" posts. Hmm.. SDN membership should come with a dose of self-esteem and some therapy.

it's a subtle way of showing off 😉

 

[Turkeyman]

Dang man...

 

[bigdan]

I hope you're joking.

Apply wherever you want. You're golden.

dc

 

[lakersfan]

Dude as a fellow golden bear I can say ur fine. Apply to all the UC's + stanford + usc. Also, just in case, apply to a variety of out of state schools (ranked and unranked schools). If you need any more advice, feel free to PM me.

 

[jbrice1639]

and then, this one time, i only got a 97% on an exam instead of my usual 100%...will medical schools still take me, or should i just apply at my local 7-11 to be a cashier? 🙄

 

[Clin_Epi]

it's a subtle way of showing off 😉

Subtle...

 

[gluon999]

and then, this one time, i only got a 97% on an exam instead of my usual 100%...will medical schools still take me, or should i just apply at my local 7-11 to be a cashier? 🙄

I hear McDonalds is hiring.

 

[Camillekc]

Can someone reply to this thread, not for the stats posted by the OP, but just in general for high MCAT low GPA favoring schools?

 

[LJL]

Hey, sorry, my science gpa is below average for most schools, I don't visit these boards that much and I've heard so many horror stories I don't know what to think. I'm not trying to show off, I don't even know any of you anyway. I was just looking for some anonymous advice. Thanks to the people who were helpful.

 

[jbrice1639]

Can someone reply to this thread, not for the stats posted by the OP, but just in general for high MCAT low GPA favoring schools?

according to most of the counselors and current med students i've talked to, a high mcat with a (reasonably) sub-par gpa is not so hard to overcome. it is far better than a high gpa with a low mcat simply because gpa is based on how generous or stingy your school is with grading, while the mcat is, at least in theory, an equal measuring tool for everyone who takes it...so a high mcat with a lower gpa should imply that you know your stuff and your school may grade tougher than others. i dont' know if that's true or not, but it makes sense.

 

[gujuDoc]

Hey, sorry, my science gpa is below average for most schools, I don't visit these boards that much and I've heard so many horror stories I don't know what to think. I'm not trying to show off, I don't even know any of you anyway. I was just looking for some anonymous advice. Thanks to the people who were helpful.

Best thing I can tell you is look through the MSAR, and remember that averages are only averages. There are always few below that number and few above that number. Just apply where you can see yourself going if you got an acceptance there and look through the MSAR to get an idea about what different schools are about in terms of mission statement (i.e. research focused vs. primary care focused), number of instate vs. out of state applicants interviewed and accepted, location, prereqs, etc. etc. etc.

That's the best place you can get real info. 3.1 and below would be mediocore GPA, but yours is good. Don't worry about it.