How do MD schools view high cGPA+MCAT, low sGPA?

[screenjunkie]

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Semi-hypothetical question here, what kind of response should I expect from MD schools (any tier) with a cGPA > 3.7, MCAT > 35 (95%), but BCPM GPA ~3.25? I'm still a ways away from applying, but this is seemingly how things are shaping up to be (based on current grades and practice MCATs) In my case, solid EC's with notable research and athletics.

Non-URM, top tier undergrad.

 

[NeuResurgens]

It's tough to say because I think science GPA is a bit more important due to the scientific nature of medical coursework. It could potentially hurt you at more competitive schools.

Luckily your MCAT tells a different story so hopefully that helps mitigate the problem. Is your school known to be rigorous?

 

[Goro]

Very poorly.

Semi-hypothetical question here, what kind of response should I expect from MD schools (any tier) with a cGPA > 3.7, MCAT > 35 (95%), but BCPM GPA ~3.25? I'm still a ways away from applying, but this is seemingly how things are shaping up to be (based on current grades and practice MCATs) In my case, solid EC's with notable research and athletics.

Non-URM, top tier undergrad.

 

[screenjunkie]

Thanks so much for all of your replies!

@gonnif that was extremely helpful; thanks so much!
@Goro figured that was the case. Obviously I need to try and bring up the sGPA--whats a cutoff that'd give me at least a fair shot at most MD schools?
@UNMedGa my university doesn't have any obvious reputations, AFAIK. It's also not the HYPSM where everyone gets an A for participation ;p

 

[Gandyy]

How is everyone so good at the MCAT?

 

[screenjunkie]

How is everyone so good at the MCAT?

well to be fair I haven't actually taken it (The new one) yet. I'm just going off of percentiles from my practice tests, which may mean a lot or nothing.

 

[Gandyy]

well to be fair I haven't actually taken it (The new one) yet. I'm just going off of percentiles from my practice tests, which may mean a lot or nothing.

In that case you probably made a 36.

 

[Banco]

How is everyone so good at the MCAT?

SDN bias. Having a 36+ MCAT is a lot rarer than having a 3.8+ GPA.

https://www.aamc.org/download/321518/data/factstable25-4.pdf

 

[FutureBenCarson]

How is everyone so good at the MCAT?

right?

 

[efle]

Having a 36+ MCAT is a lot rarer than having a 3.8+ GPA.

sigh

 

[Lawpy]

SDN bias. Having a 36+ MCAT is a lot rarer than having a 3.8+ GPA.

https://www.aamc.org/download/321518/data/factstable25-4.pdf

sigh

WashU and grade deflation schools (and other academically rigorous colleges) disagree strongly.

So much data are available on SDN to justify this assertion.

 

[screenjunkie]

@Banco @Lawper Yeah it really depends on school. Whereas students at my university do not struggle from MIT or WashU level deflation, 3.8+ is still very rare, much more so that high MCAT scores.

 

[Banco]

WashU and grade deflation schools (and other academically rigorous colleges) disagree strongly.

So much data are available on SDN to justify this assertion.

sigh

Why the sigh?

I'm talking for the entire applicant pool, not any specific school.

 

[efle]

Why the sigh?

I'm talking for the entire applicant pool, not any specific school.

It was a "wish that were the case here" sigh

 

[screenjunkie]

@efle don't we all. Are you at a notoriously hard school?

 

[NeuResurgens]

GPA strongly depends on the school. When students at my school have met someone with above a 3.9, they talk about it like they've seen Bigfoot.

 

[Hospitalized]

How is everyone so good at the MCAT?

People who score higher are more likely to post their scores, therefore there is a definite bias in reported scores, especially on SDN. People with <28 don't post unless something good happens to them or they are in WAMC.

 

[GrapesofRath]

Semi-hypothetical question here, what kind of response should I expect from MD schools (any tier) with a cGPA > 3.7, MCAT > 35 (95%), but BCPM GPA ~3.25? I'm still a ways away from applying, but this is seemingly how things are shaping up to be (based on current grades and practice MCATs) In my case, solid EC's with notable research and athletics.

Non-URM, top tier undergrad.

How is this viewed?

Like someone who didn't do too well in their pre-req classes and other upper level ones used as important gauges for how well someone can do in med school. If you really have the ability to get a 35+ score(and getting them on practice tests is hardly any kind of indicator you will on the real deal) there is no way you should just be assuming you'l end up with a 3.25 science gpa if you make sacrifices and put in your absolute best effort. There's a reason discordant stats like that rarely exist.

 

[ngc 2170]

How is everyone so good at the MCAT?

You do know that accepted students are ~80th percentile MCAT, right? The vast majority of test takers are not so good at the MCAT.

Relax! You'll be fine.

 

[Cyberdyne 101]

@efle don't we all. Are you at a notoriously hard school?

Some call it a pre-med hell.

 

[lantx]

How is this viewed?

Like someone who didn't do too well in their pre-req classes and other upper level ones used as important gauges for how well someone can do in med school. If you really have the ability to get a 35+ score(and getting them on practice tests is hardly any kind of indicator you will on the real deal) there is no way you should just be assuming you'l end up with a 3.25 science gpa if you make sacrifices and put in your absolute best effort. There's a reason discordant stats like that rarely exist.

I wouldn't say rarely exist.

 

[Gandyy]

You do know that accepted students are ~80th percentile MCAT, right? The vast majority of test takers are not so good at the MCAT.

Relax! You'll be fine.

If only I had a 80 percentile!

 

[efle]

@efle don't we all. Are you at a notoriously hard school?

Some call it a pre-med hell.

Wustl, hard but not well known

hah cyber I think that title goes to UChicago or maybe Hopkins, or even Berkeley

 

[screenjunkie]

@efle WashU's difficulty is actually pretty well known in my neck of the woods; people know of your suffering!

 

[Gandyy]

People who score higher are more likely to post their scores, therefore there is a definite bias in reported scores, especially on SDN. People with <31 don't post unless something good happens to them or they are in WAMC.

Corrected. 🙂

 

[efle]

@efle WashU's difficulty is actually pretty well known in my neck of the woods; people know of your suffering!

Huh, you at Vandy or one of the chicago schools? Maybe emory? I'm from the west coast and had never heard of it!

Corrected. 🙂

Your 30 will be fine if the rest of your app is solid!

 

[Gandyy]

Huh, you at Vandy or one of the chicago schools? Maybe emory? I'm from the west coast and had never heard of it!


Your 30 will be fine if the rest of your app is solid!

Haha just a 29. I just put 31 because its average MD matriculant MCAT 🙂

 

[screenjunkie]

Huh, you at Vandy or one of the chicago schools? Maybe emory? I'm from the west coast and had never heard of it!


Your 30 will be fine if the rest of your app is solid!

@Gandy741 From what I've seen in my friends, 30 shouldn't close too many mid-low tier MD doors.

@efle I'm from the Mid-Atlantic, currently @ an East Coast HYPSM....more accurately HYPM I guess lol. It could be localized bias, as my high school sent a lot of kids to WashU seemingly every year; lots of WUSTL alumni=lots of horror stories about grade deflation.

 

[Gandyy]

@Gandy741 From what I've seen in my friends, 30 shouldn't close too many mid-low tier MD doors.

@efle I'm from the Mid-Atlantic, currently @ an East Coast HYPSM....more accurately HYPM I guess lol. It could be localized bias, as my high school sent a lot of kids to WashU seemingly every year; lots of WUSTL alumni=lots of horror stories about grade deflation.

Oh I have a 29 haha, not a 30.