is a BCPM of 3.3 too low, even with a stellar mcat ( 35-40) ?

[Phenol312]

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My science GPA is only a 3.0, overall is 3.2, MCAT 33, and I've been accepted at both DO and MD schools. Granted, I have stellar extra curriculars and a graduate degree (MPH). I believe my positive grade trend is what has saved my GPA - I screwed around for the first two years and then did really well my second two years when I took the upper level science courses. I also did really well in grad school.

If you're really committed to medicine, it's never too late to improve your application.

thank you, sir for giving me hope.

 

[jamilla_w]

thank you, sir for giving me hope.

The MPH puts her/him in a different category than you.

 

[Phenol312]

The MPH puts her/him in a different category than you.

thank you for pointing out my lack of gender correctness, and i am well aware of the fact that it puts him/her in a different category, however, it gives me hope nonetheless.

and this is the section that caught my attention "I believe my positive grade trend is what has saved my GPA - I screwed around for the first two years and then did really well my second two years when I took the upper level science courses"

this is precisely my situation first two years i squeaked out a 3.0GPA or abouts ... second two years I was averaging a 3.7 in upper level/grad level bio courses.

i appreciate you taking the time to rain on my parade though.

 

[TRAMD]

lets say if someone's total gpa is 3.6 and BCPM of 3.2-3.3 with a 40 Mcat score, what are the chances for getting into a state med school?

Only knowing your GPA I can pretty confidently say that you will not get a 40 on the MCAT--few do. That said, you shouldn't need a 40 and should have a pretty good chance with a well-rounded application and an MCAT in the low to mid 30s. It may also be more important if you have done better more recently. A poor freshman year is often more easily forgiven than a poor senior year. Good luck.

 

[Vihsadas]

Only knowing your GPA I can pretty confidently say that you will not get a 40 on the MCAT...

I respectfully disagree. 😉

(Check my MDapps)

There is another person on the forum that has a similar breakdown as I do and a slightly lower GPA.

GPA != MCAT

Shoot for the dream of 40...you may not all get it, but if you are dilligent about it, 35+ is more than possible.

 

[TRAMD]

I respectfully disagree. 😉

(Check my MDapps)

There is another person on the forum that has a similar breakdown as I do and a slightly lower GPA.

GPA != MCAT

Shoot for the dream of 40...you may not all get it, but if you are dilligent about it, 35+ is more than possible.

Notice I said "pretty confidently" not "definitely". Rare events happen, they are just . . . rare.

 

[Vihsadas]

Notice I said "pretty confidently" not "definitely". Rare events happen, they are just . . . rare.

Well its rare that anyone gets above a 40. There were only about 270 total to get 40s this year...I still say that you can't predict MCAT with GPA, simply because there is not enough data to come to a conclusion

 

[TRAMD]

Well its rare that anyone gets above a 40. There were only about 270 total to get 40s this year...I still say that you can't predict MCAT with GPA, simply because there is not enough data to come to a conclusion

This was my actual point. I don't have hard data but there has to be at least a little correlation between GPA and MCAT. I would be surprised if the majority of those 270 didn't have a GPA >3.6 and if many of them didn't have 4.0s. That information might be out there somewhere, I don't know.

Congrats on the great score BTW! The highest of anyone I know personally is 39, he went to Michigan. One of my friends' girlfriend had a 4.0 and scored a 37; she's at Johns-Hopkins. Amazing what some people are capable of.

 

[Vihsadas]

This was my actual point. I don't have hard data but there has to be at least a little correlation between GPA and MCAT. I would be surprised if the majority of those 270 didn't have a GPA >3.6 and if many of them didn't have 4.0s. That information might be out there somewhere, I don't know.

Congrats on the great score BTW! The highest of anyone I know personally is 39, he went to Michigan. One of my friends' girlfriend had a 4.0 and scored a 37; she's at Johns-Hopkins. Amazing what some people are capable of.

Thanks! Good luck in your career!

 

[TRAMD]

Thanks! Good luck in your career!

Thank you sir [bows low and dips hat]. Ok, that was a lie, I wasn't wearing a hat . . . and I didn't actually bow.

 

[whoisthedrizzle]

The MPH puts her/him in a different category than you.

the "i wasted a year of my life doing something adcoms wont really consider" category?

 

[Drogba]

the "i wasted a year of my life doing something adcoms wont really consider" category?

Yeah who cares about public health? I mean... its not like public health was the major contributor to decreased mortality in the US or globally or anything like that. If adcoms don't care (and since you say they don't they must not) it must have been a waste of time.

 

[surfstarj]

the "i wasted a year of my life doing something adcoms wont really consider" category?

No, volunteering just to put it on your application actually goes in that category.

From the UNC website:
"Would it help if I continued with my graduate studies?
Graduate study will provide specialized knowledge and expertise that will enrich your career. The effect of graduate study on an individual’s admission to the School of Medicine can only be evaluated in the context of that individual’s complete portfolio."

I would put an MPH in the "relevant to medicine" category, myself.