Is it rude to ask people about their GPA, MCAT, ECs?

[bannie22]

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^ yep. its not a big deal to me, but i do understand some ppl are not too willing to share, and i dont think its anything bad. but i do love the ppl who are willing to share much more. its kinda like the scores are really close to your heart, and by willing to share, its like... friendship.. hahaa

 

[neuro raqs]

Actually, I never liked being asked even though my stats were very good; I always feel very awkward tooting my own horn.

Personally, I don't think it's ever appropriate to just flat-out ask what someone's GPA/MCAT is, unless it's specifically in the context of them asking for advice or what their chances are. I'm not gonna ostracize someone who asks, but I just don't like being asked.

cosign, I think it's a bit rude to ask someone you don't know well (you know the rule about not asking women their age?, it's like that)

It's a question that makes me uncomfortable, especially coming from strangers, b/c I don't understand why they'd want or need to know. I personally don't ask people b/c I don't want or need to know, their stats have no bearing on mine.

 

[jvesco22]

The worse you think your stats are, the ruder its considered...

Just like asking someone how much money they make. If they don't feel they make a lot, they will be more offended by the question.

Just like asking a woman how much she weighs. If she feels she weighs more than she'd like(99.3% of the time) then she will be more offended by the question.

I'm pretty sure anyone with a 4.0 and a 45mcat wouldn't consider you rude for asking his/her stats, they'd be happy to slam it down your throat.

Keep it pimpin!

 

[dw2158]

The worse you think your stats are, the ruder its considered...

Just like asking someone how much money they make. If they don't feel they make a lot, they will be more offended by the question.

Just like asking a woman how much she weighs. If she feels she weighs more than she'd like(99.3% of the time) then she will be more offended by the question.

I'm pretty sure anyone with a 4.0 and a 45mcat wouldn't consider you rude for asking his/her stats, they'd be happy to slam it down your throat.

Keep it pimpin!

i'm very proud of my high stats, but i still find the question inappropriate and rude 90% of the time.

 

[jvesco22]

i'm very proud of my high stats, but i still find the question inappropriate and rude 90% of the time.

What are your stats? 😛

 

[Algophiliac]

I consider asking people about their grades (and this goes for any grades) to be very rude. The best way to go about not offending people is simply asking

"How did you do on so-and-so test?"

If the person wants to share their grade, they can. If not, it's none of your business, honestly, so just sit tight and satisfied with their non-specific response.

 

[dw2158]

What are your stats? 😛

annnnnnd fail.

I consider asking people about their grades (and this goes for any grades) to be very rude. The best way to go about not offending people is simply asking

"How did you do on so-and-so test?"

If the person wants to share their grade, they can. If not, it's none of your business, honestly, so just sit tight and satisfied with their non-specific response.

i agree that that is a slightly less invasive way to ask the question. i got asked that a lot in college, and i always answered, "well." that really pisses people off, which i enjoy

but still, even if i'm asked in that way, i'm very put off by it. aside from the "you got an interview here and i want to find out what it takes to do that" question about someone's stats (which, frankly, i still find ridiculous because everyone has more than stats on their application), why could somebody possibly want to know what my MCAT score was, or what i got on my research paper? how could that possibly be necessary information for them?

 

[bannie22]

I consider asking people about their grades (and this goes for any grades) to be very rude. The best way to go about not offending people is simply asking

"How did you do on so-and-so test?"

If the person wants to share their grade, they can. If not, it's none of your business, honestly, so just sit tight and satisfied with their non-specific response.

^ i personally find this sorta questions more annoying because its beating around the bush and if ud just ask id just say.

 

[bannie22]

reading all the anti-ask-me-about-my-stats-posts.i really feel that the people who are willing to share with me, are realllyyyy amazing peeps. but thats just me.

 

[280224]

I don't care at all if someone asks me no matter what their motivations are. I'll just tell them. I'm already accepted to med school, they can use that information however they like. Has no effect on me 🙂

 

[aggie08]

It doesn't bother me at all. I made the grade - good or bad it was my effort that led to it. 🙄 I guess I'm not a very private person....or I have better things to worry about than how secretive I can keep my grades.

 

[ziggydoc]

I would ask ppl I know well and consider friends, since one of the pillars of friendship is sharing lol. Anyway, I never ask anything like that on the interview trail, or talking to other students and what not, frankly, if they are at the interviews, they are doing something right, and there is no point in asking, I do ask to see where else they are all interviewing tho, but I don't think anyone has minded that, at least I don't.

 

[TheMightySmiter]

annnnnnd fail.

Yeah, pretty sure the person who asked was kidding.

I think it's appropriate to ask someone their stats once you know they've been accepted somewhere. If you ask for someone's stats and they haven't been accepted, it's probably pretty painful for them. But if I knew I was going to med school I wouldn't mind at all telling someone who was curious.

 

[kywii]

removed

 

[dw2158]

Yeah, pretty sure the person who asked was kidding.

i know. i didn't find it funny.

and kywii-- TLDR.

 

[jvesco22]

i know. i didn't find it funny.

and kywii-- TLDR.

Must be that time of the month...

And my statement still stands. Although you may think it's rude for someone to ask for your stats, you'd be more likely to tell someone than a person with a 2.5GPA and a 25 MCAT.

 

[bannie22]

dw has bad memories for being dissed for having low stats for harvard😉

 

[dw2158]

Must be that time of the month...

And my statement still stands. Although you may think it's rude for someone to ask for your stats, you'd be more likely to tell someone than a person with a 2.5GPA and a 25 MCAT.

i know i'm gonna get flamed for this, but i *actually* find that offensive. i didn't find your joke funny. it has nothing to do with my being a woman. it has to do with you not being funny.

dw has bad memories for being dissed for having low stats for harvard😉

ha. ha.


for the record, i don't have a sense of humor about this because i find it ridiculous that i'm getting flamed for not wanting to broadcast my stats to the world. the idea that i don't have "better things to do with my time" than keep my grades a secret is the only thing that's laughable in this thread.

 

[ILikeDrugs]

Must be that time of the month...

And my statement still stands. Although you may think it's rude for someone to ask for your stats, you'd be more likely to tell someone than a person with a 2.5GPA and a 25 MCAT.

I remember hearing the 'ol "it must be her time of the month" joke back as a freshman in high school. Thought it would stay back there. Must be one of those "adults" with a little boy mind-state.

 

[dru2002]

3.54 29o. How in the blue f*** is it rude to ask someone their GPA/MCAT? I don't even consider this to be personal information. I'm not a very private person though.

Just a question I know they are only minimally related. But sharing these numbers are difficult for some. How do you think a patient feels when you are in medical school and you sit-in when they find out they have an STD or cancer, etc.? That is personal information not your GPA/MCAT. Flame on!

 

[bannie22]

I remember hearing the 'ol "it must be her time of the month" joke back as a freshman in high school. Thought it would stay back there. Must be one of those "adults" with a little boy mind-state.

unfortunately, you sounded like you were describing yourself to be honest 😛


either ways. the general consensus is probably not to ask because you never know if the person you meet is fine with that. ive met people who were unwilling to even share where they had interviewed...

everyone's different.

or i guess u could always ask, will u be mad if i asked u about your mcat/gpa?

and depending on waht they say i guess u could continue the conversation. lol👍

 

[jvesco22]

I remember hearing the 'ol "it must be her time of the month" joke back as a freshman in high school. Thought it would stay back there. Must be one of those "adults" with a little boy mind-state.

lol grow a pair...

 

[MilkmanAl]

Let's be nice to each other, mkay? SDN isn't about personal attacks.

Anyway, how do someone's scores even come up if you're not in an academic context? I mean, even if it's not rude to ask about them (which I think it is, for what it's worth - rude but mostly just obnoxious), what happened to the filter that prevents you from talking about stuff nobody else is going to care about at all? I mean, if this is a fellow med school applicant you know decently, and they lead into into the question, it's different, but if you just outright ask...well, maybe it's time to learn some social grace.

 

[Imp]

Yes, it's rude. It's like asking someone their salary - you just don't do it. I agree that there are times when you can say "How did you do?" and it leaves the person the option of telling you their exact score or not. Last week I was doing an ICU rotation and the attending showed us a picture of the house he's recently built (which is gorgeous). I was shocked when the PGY-1 asked him what it cost to build it. He answered something like "uhh, a lot." Then, later on, the resident asked "How much over a mil was it?" I just about died. It was so awkward. The attending looked surprised and a bit uncertain about what to say, and then just said something like "uhhh, it was more." *I* was so embarrassed for the resident! Maybe some people would be fine with it, but you CAN'T assume that someone will be.

The funny thing is, I'm an M4 and if someone asked me what my score is, I honestly couldn't tell them! I don't remember. I don't have a fricken' clue, honestly.

The point being, that your score REALLY doesn't matter all that much in the end anyway. Although I don't remember my exact score, I know I did well on the MCAT... but my pre-req GPA was horrid (thank God for non-pre-req GPA boosting courses!). Plus I had other good things going for me.

Your application is a balance of many things, and not just a number. Plus it's pretty much all a giant crapshoot anyway, LOL.

You do your best and throw your application in the pot. If you don't get in, you try again and don't let it destroy you. If you're on your third round, you start thinking about other options... although I know of people who took 3 or more tries.

 

[brickandlace]

When someone asks me, I usually tell them my MCAT score was "good enough to apply" or that I have "a competitive GPA". Then if they ask me "oh yeah, what exactly" - I just state that "I'd rather not say" It's easier to deal with some people than others, some can be really pushy. I hate being put on the spot like that.

 

[boaz]

It is not polite to straight up ask someone for their numbers. If you really need to know, try to subtly work it up in a conversation.

 

[ThatQuestionGuy]

It is not polite to straight up ask someone for their numbers. If you really need to know, try to subtly work it up in a conversation.

"It's freezing today, 40 degrees at most"
"40? That was my MCAT score! What was yours!"

 

[Uisa]

Unless you're very close with the person, do you think it's rude to ask them about what med school they're accepted to, their GPA, MCAT, ECs, and so on?

Usually if you want to know those types of things, you ask an indirect open ended question that may lead the person to reveal it. Otherwise, a direct question is always a risk

 

[cbear]

Manners are about making the people around you feel comfortable. I think it's rude to ask because you don't have a clue what the other person got. It could be a 20, and they are really ashamed of it because they had always dreamed of going to WashU, say. Now by putting them on the spot you are making them feel uncomfortable, and are being rude and obnoxious. You are being the pre-med everybody hates. Look around the room...see how nobody is sitting next to you on the day after the test? That's because they know you are THAT pre-med.

 

[JJMrK]

I don't ask. If someone mentions they interviewed at WashU or something, I'll say, "Wow, congratulations, you must have done well on the MCAT." If someone asks me, I usually tell them.

 

[dingyibvs]

Manners are about making the people around you feel comfortable. I think it's rude to ask because you don't have a clue what the other person got. It could be a 20, and they are really ashamed of it because they had always dreamed of going to WashU, say. Now by putting them on the spot you are making them feel uncomfortable, and are being rude and obnoxious. You are being the pre-med everybody hates. Look around the room...see how nobody is sitting next to you on the day after the test? That's because they know you are THAT pre-med.

I agree.

While I have no problem with sharing my stats, the good parts or the bad parts, I don't go around asking people theirs because I know some people🙂cough: ddub :cough🙂 do have a problem with it. Now if you get to know someone fairly well and you know he/she's not the type who minds, then go right ahead. Heck, there doesn't need to be a "need" for that information, I could just as well be curious!

 

[flip26]

I agree.

While I have no problem with sharing my stats, the good parts or the bad parts, I don't go around asking people theirs because I know some people🙂cough: ddub :cough🙂 do have a problem with it. Now if you get to know someone fairly well and you know he/she's not the type who minds, then go right ahead. Heck, there doesn't need to be a "need" for that information, I could just as well be curious!

In other words, it is rude to ask.

Not sure how people don't understand this concept. If someone volunteers the info, and you are curious, take a listen.

But asking people their "stats" is just plain rude.

 

[dw2158]

In other words, it is rude to ask.

Not sure how people don't understand this concept. If someone volunteers the info, and you are curious, take a listen.

But asking people their "stats" is just plain rude.

ah, flip. the voice of reason.

 

[Ilovewater]

That's weird, I like to know how my competition is doing. I always ask people I know how they did, whether it be scores in classes or on the MCAT.

I only do enough to win, I don't blindly put out full effort.

Win? There's no winning.... You can get one point higher on the MCAT and still not get more interviews or acceptances compared to your other pre-med friends. MCAT is just one part of the application. There are a lot of other important factors: ECs, motivation to become a physician, personality, etc. Why not just worry about your own application and see how you can strengthen it. Everyone's situation is going to be different.

Anyways, back to the OP. I dislike it when strangers or acquaintances ask for my GPA/MCAT. Maybe they don't intend to sound competitive, but I feel like they are trying to see if they are better or not.

 

[rama kandra]

I've shared my stats with people who I don't even know. I have asked and surprisingly obtained the gpa, mcat and ec's of my friends in college. Now, I have a painting - a picture of all the moving parts of various people who have low scores, mid range scores and high scores. They've all gotten into medical school and I am glad that I have a diverse set of friends who I can bounce my own painting around, to see how I stack up.

This is exactly how things work in patient care - you take facts, information (whether it is of actual importance is not yet clear) and you... get this... paint a picture. Sometimes you will be surprised at how the moving parts do make sense. Adcoms are also doing this, by finding all the pieces and putting them together.

So, GPA and MCAT scores are big numerical facts, but I would also like to know what these people did in other aspects of their lives. I ask. I like to share my life or learn from others' experiences. I'm not living in a vacuum where I think I have nothing to contribute nor gain in a human interaction. That is narcissistic at best.

-- Of the people who so far refused to share any information with me, I speak to exactly ZERO of them today. Why? These people are fascist pigs who will shout from rooftops about how a GPA and MCAT isn't everything/who they 'are' and yet, are the most sensitive - they are hypocrites and have personalized the scores, and defend them like they own it. They are stuck in a delusional world where they think their individuality is compromised, keep thinking that. I never found these people even moderately interesting. They also tend to look down on the subject as 'nerdy' and unreal.

Remember, you paid some snotty company to take this test, they just spit back a number. You didn't make anything and stop pretending it doesn't matter. Believe me, it matters to you more than it matters to me.

/rant

oh and i got a mf'ing 27 (9,9,9) on my mcat and snaking on chicken nuggets at 240am - feel free to add me to your Rolodexes now.

 

[JJMrK]

I've shared my stats with people who I don't even know. I have asked and surprisingly obtained the gpa, mcat and ec's of my friends in college. Now, I have a painting - a picture of all the moving parts of various people who have low scores, mid range scores and high scores. They've all gotten into medical school and I am glad that I have a diverse set of friends who I can bounce my own painting around, to see how I stack up.

This is exactly how things work in patient care - you take facts, information (whether it is of actual importance is not yet clear) and you... get this... paint a picture. Sometimes you will be surprised at how the moving parts do make sense. Adcoms are also doing this, by finding all the pieces and putting them together.

So, GPA and MCAT scores are big numerical facts, but I would also like to know what these people did in other aspects of their lives. I ask. I like to share my life or learn from others' experiences. I'm not living in a vacuum where I think I have nothing to contribute nor gain in a human interaction. That is narcissistic at best.

-- Of the people who so far refused to share any information with me, I speak to exactly ZERO of them today. Why? These people are fascist pigs who will shout from rooftops about how a GPA and MCAT isn't everything/who they 'are' and yet, are the most sensitive - they are hypocrites and have personalized the scores, and defend them like they own it. They are stuck in a delusional world where they think their individuality is compromised, keep thinking that. I never found these people even moderately interesting. They also tend to look down on the subject as 'nerdy' and unreal.

Remember, you paid some snotty company to take this test, they just spit back a number. You didn't make anything and stop pretending it doesn't matter. Believe me, it matters to you more than it matters to me.

/rant

oh and i got a mf'ing 27 (9,9,9) on my mcat and snaking on chicken nuggets at 240am - feel free to add me to your Rolodexes now.

😕

 

[flip26]

I've shared my stats with people who I don't even know. I have asked and surprisingly obtained the gpa, mcat and ec's of my friends in college. Now, I have a painting - a picture of all the moving parts of various people who have low scores, mid range scores and high scores. They've all gotten into medical school and I am glad that I have a diverse set of friends who I can bounce my own painting around, to see how I stack up.

This is exactly how things work in patient care - you take facts, information (whether it is of actual importance is not yet clear) and you... get this... paint a picture. Sometimes you will be surprised at how the moving parts do make sense. Adcoms are also doing this, by finding all the pieces and putting them together.

So, GPA and MCAT scores are big numerical facts, but I would also like to know what these people did in other aspects of their lives. I ask. I like to share my life or learn from others' experiences. I'm not living in a vacuum where I think I have nothing to contribute nor gain in a human interaction. That is narcissistic at best.

-- Of the people who so far refused to share any information with me, I speak to exactly ZERO of them today. Why? These people are fascist pigs who will shout from rooftops about how a GPA and MCAT isn't everything/who they 'are' and yet, are the most sensitive - they are hypocrites and have personalized the scores, and defend them like they own it. They are stuck in a delusional world where they think their individuality is compromised, keep thinking that. I never found these people even moderately interesting. They also tend to look down on the subject as 'nerdy' and unreal.

Remember, you paid some snotty company to take this test, they just spit back a number. You didn't make anything and stop pretending it doesn't matter. Believe me, it matters to you more than it matters to me.

/rant

oh and i got a mf'ing 27 (9,9,9) on my mcat and snaking on chicken nuggets at 240am - feel free to add me to your Rolodexes now.

Bizarre...angry much?

Kind of strange that with your mediocre stats that you didn't also apply DO...have you considered retaking the MCAT?

 

[rama kandra]

No I applied with what I had, I took the exam twice and so I am hoping it works out. If not, I would apply again next year or do a SMP.

Also I was not angry or upset when writing that, I just wanted to sensationalize - if people don't want to share specific numbers I don't care, but I do think it is nice to exchange things with each other.

 

[dw2158]

No I applied with what I had, I took the exam twice and so I am hoping it works out. If not, I would apply again next year or do a SMP.

Also I was not angry or upset when writing that, I just wanted to sensationalize - if people don't want to share specific numbers I don't care, but I do think it is nice to exchange things with each other.

i exchange all sort of things with my friends and acquaintances-- thoughts, feelings, stories, food, links to dumb websites, ideas, laughs, text messages... you get the idea. i choose to exchange these things, and not my test scores, grades, salary, etc., because i feel that they help me form meaningful connections with other people instead of connections that encourage us to judge each other based on arbitrary scales. (before you say "but that's how the world works," note that i applied to medical school. of course i share this info with the people and parties that require it--such as AMCAS.)

shockingly enough, i think you'd find me to be pretty normal (not fascist) if you met me in real life.

i'm not sure why people are so offended by the idea that some of us like to keep this kind of info private. 😕

 

[rama kandra]

I've just friended you. With enough time and wit, I hope to someday coax that score out of you willingly. Just kidding. I actually do have 'friends' who have refused to tell me their score, but have been more than willing to share their ambitions, activities, and interests.

I'm not going to nitpick over the data-point, because I know they have other things going for them, (or not) so that is meaningful. It's when people get offended or stand-offish about everything that keeps me away. If you can't have this basic exchange of information I think I judge it too quickly.

And you were right, I was bout to to say 'thats really how stuff works in the real world' but you got me. I also realize medical school and medicine is pretty far removed from 'real world' compared to most any other job or profession, so who am I kidding. We're all rather strange anyway.

 

[faith2]

No i do not think it is rude I will ask and answer. Especially since I have a few seats for 2010 i do not care what people think... maybe it can help motivate them or maybe they are haters either way i am proud of my stats if you think it is rude just do not answer
😍😍😍

 

[Beren]

i exchange all sort of things with my friends and acquaintances-- thoughts, feelings, stories, food, links to dumb websites, ideas, laughs, text messages... you get the idea. i choose to exchange these things, and not my test scores, grades, salary, etc., because i feel that they help me form meaningful connections with other people instead of connections that encourage us to judge each other based on arbitrary scales. (before you say "but that's how the world works," note that i applied to medical school. of course i share this info with the people and parties that require it--such as AMCAS.)

shockingly enough, i think you'd find me to be pretty normal (not fascist) if you met me in real life.

i'm not sure why people are so offended by the idea that some of us like to keep this kind of info private. 😕

I agree with this. I only share if it's a really annoying, competitive pre-med whom I want off my case. Then I like to see their reaction. Otherwise, I like to stick with ambiguous phrases.

 

[rama kandra]

I'd also add that angsty-pre-med-gunner types are likely fascists as well. Its the extremes of the spectrum, like those who assume you are gunning if you ask for their EC's and those who actually gun.

There should have just been a normal exchange to begin with. One day I asked a fellow buddy about EC's and she point blank said 'why, so you can copy me and try to get into med school?' and I felt like a dope. Here I wanted to know if we had something in common, or whether she did something unique but all I get is an accusation and left feeling like I was stealing? Even if she was nice about it, and said she preferred not to share, I would still think it was lame.

Please, there was little chance I would master skydiving if she was one (made up) but I am likely to be interested in it - OR, perhaps we shared a common activity?

Now, for the scores part - if someone has a good score and you know it, perhaps you could be interested in asking what their methods were, or what roadblocks they hit in their scores, whatever. If they are vague about scores, okay, but I still like to know how they felt about prep, did they do a course? See, none of this matters to me because I have heard it all. I know how people got great scores but mine did not change much. Everyone has their talents and skills and interests - I just like to know whats out there.

 

[rprasan1985]

I know this is from like 6 months ago but I'm Indian and this made me bust out laughing for like 5 minutes. I, too, have many aunties and uncles wanting to know what's happening. I love rolling admissions...I am still telling them that I just haven't submitted all my applications yet (even though I just got my first acceptance). That way I don't have to deal with anyone comparing me to my cousins or asking me how many interviews I have or where I'm going to go.

Ah, the aunty-uncle debacle. It's funny how many things can pass off as acceptable within Indian families that are outright blasphemies in any other social context.

I, too, have fallen victim to the cousin-to-cousin comparison 🙁

 

[bannie22]

i exchange all sort of things with my friends and acquaintances-- thoughts, feelings, stories, food, links to dumb websites, ideas, laughs, text messages... you get the idea. i choose to exchange these things, and not my test scores, grades, salary, etc., because i feel that they help me form meaningful connections with other people instead of connections that encourage us to judge each other based on arbitrary scales. (before you say "but that's how the world works," note that i applied to medical school. of course i share this info with the people and parties that require it--such as AMCAS.)

shockingly enough, i think you'd find me to be pretty normal (not fascist) if you met me in real life.

i'm not sure why people are so offended by the idea that some of us like to keep this kind of info private. 😕

I KNOW YOUR SCORESSS

THEY ARE....




👍

 

[dw2158]

I KNOW YOUR SCORESSS

THEY ARE....




👍

🙄🙄

 

[w8ting2exhale]

I answer questions about my stats depending on the tone/reason why I think the question is being asked. For example, I give more detail if I feel its going to help the person who's asking (aka someone who hasn't applied yet, wants to know the experiences of a real applicant, etc). Its a psychological thing in which the person feels better/ more prepared knowing about an applicant other than themselves. But if the question is being asked mainly to compare or judge, then it's unnecessary to answer. To be honest, after a certain threashold, there's only so much stats can do for you anyway. So much more goes into the equation that unless you have really low GPA/MCAT, they're a poor way to gauge your chances. Most people seem to have decent stats, so there must be other (very real) ways of sifting through applicants.

 

[RegularNihilist]

Unless you're very close with the person, do you think it's rude to ask them about what med school they're accepted to, their GPA, MCAT, ECs, and so on?

If you expose people with low GPAs and low MCATs, and you give the impression that you are looking to see if you are superior, you are bound to tick ppl of big time.

If you ask along the lines of how GPAs correlate with physician capability, IQ, how necessary GPAs are to get somewhere, you are safer, but not completely safe.

 

[ILikeDrugs]

One day I asked a fellow buddy about EC's and she point blank said 'why, so you can copy me and try to get into med school?' and I felt like a dope.

LOL. Are you currently a pre-med in middle school because her response sounds like that of a bratty 11 year old. Yeah, I consider asking me about my stats as being inappropriate but I wouldn't go so far as to act like an 11 year old about it. How ridiculous. I simply state that "I think that's a personal question" and the conversation turns elsewhere.

 

[NoMoreAMCAS]

It's fine if they aren't super sensitive. I happily discuss any of this information with friends and I would happily discuss it with any stranger. It's helpful to know where you stand in relation to your competition and goals.