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

[Fakesmile]

---

Members do not see this ad.

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?

 

[NeuroChaos]

Depends. Just like everything else in a conversation, there is an appropriate time and place to ask such things. If asked accordingly, it is not rude.

 

[fastboyslim]

I never ask GPA/MCAT.

 

[GoSpursGo]

GPA/MCAT is rude. Asking "what are you doing next year" isn't, though it's obviously awkward if it turns out they didn't get in anywhere.

 

[NoMoreAMCAS]

Depends. Just like everything else in a conversation, there is an appropriate time and place to ask such things. If asked accordingly, it is not rude.

Agreed.

If it can be thrown in properly, i'll do it. If someone tells me "yeah, i have an interview at Hopkins next month". I'm gonna say, "wtf, how'd you do on the MCAT?".

It's pretty easy to throw it into any conversation. If they did poorly and give you a "i didn't get any interviews this cycle", you can just throw out a "that sucks, did you bomb the MCAT? was your GPA bad?".

I do it all the time and i've never gotten a weird look or attitude. If the person doesn't want to tell you they'll just say something vague like "i didn't do well".

 

[Mattabet]

I think it's a little bit off-putting to ask strangers, but I wouldn't have qualms about diplomatically asking someone I knew well, especially in the context of advice. It's probably even more acceptable to ask people that you know have had success, gotten into medical school, etc., as you're giving them the option to toot their own horn a bit.

Just don't be 'that guy' asking multiple people that you don't know very well - it gets tired fast.

 

[GoSpursGo]

I think it's a little bit off-putting to ask strangers, but I wouldn't have qualms about diplomatically asking someone I knew well, especially in the context of advice. It's probably even more acceptable to ask people that you know have had success, gotten into medical school, etc., as you're giving them the option to toot their own horn a bit.

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.

 

[witness23]

i mean there's a whole site dedicated for that right?

 

[Mattabet]

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.

The poor English as a second language speakers have got to be scratching their heads over this colloquialism by now... 🙂

I think that's understandable, Spurs. And it's all the more reason not to spring this question on someone with whom you don't already have a friendly relationship. I'm sure if I was a good friend of yours, I'd know that you might not be the kind of person that I should ask. As such, I'd go to people who seemed like they might be more willing or comfortable discussing such matters.

Rapport is important. These questions shouldn't be sprung on relative strangers.

 

[GoSpursGo]

The poor English as a second language speakers have got to be scratching their heads over this colloquialism by now... 🙂

I think that's understandable, Spurs. And it's all the more reason not to spring this question on someone with whom you don't already have a friendly relationship. I'm sure if I was a good friend of yours, I'd know that you might not be the kind of person that I should ask. As such, I'd go to people who seemed like they might be more willing or comfortable discussing such matters.

Rapport is important. These questions shouldn't be sprung on relative strangers.

Indeed 🙂 And I'd never thought of how weird that colloquialism is

 

[AdemTD]

I think it really depends on the context. For example, if you're at a symposium for students looking at getting into medical school and you get to speak with current students of that particular school, I don't think it's rude to ask them how they did in undergrad so you can get an idea for how you stack up. Then again, that's a small sample size within that class, but I think it's ok to ask then. However, sitting in the hallway before class and point blank asking someone that you never talk to, yeah, I think that is kinda rude.

 

[Wheee]

The poor English as a second language speakers have got to be scratching their heads over this colloquialism by now... 🙂

haha if I was ESL I'd probably interpret "tooting my own horn" as something dirty.

 

[Lukkie]

people ask me but i lie to intimidate them

 

[sully677]

Yes, I think it's rude.

 

[BlueElmo]

I agree it's pretty rude. I generally don't ask them unless I know him/her pretty well.

 

[mmmcdowe]

Agreed.

If it can be thrown in properly, i'll do it. If someone tells me "yeah, i have an interview at Hopkins next month". I'm gonna say, "wtf, how'd you do on the MCAT?".

It's pretty easy to throw it into any conversation. If they did poorly and give you a "i didn't get any interviews this cycle", you can just throw out a "that sucks, did you bomb the MCAT? was your GPA bad?".

I do it all the time and i've never gotten a weird look or attitude. If the person doesn't want to tell you they'll just say something vague like "i didn't do well".

See I don't think those two examples are appropriate times to ask unless very close friends. Basically, it says that, regardless of all of your other accomplishments, you are nothing besides an MCAT score, the sole definition of a good applicant. I have a white female friend with a 28 MCAT that got into Mayo and U of M, currently waitlisted at hopkins. She got there because of the other great things she had, not just a score.

 

[witness23]

i think SDN is a great source to keep all your med school **** in one place, so you can continue to live a normal social real life

 

[ReptarBar]

wow are you socially inept? you should never really ask for someones stats in a normal conversation...at most you should just say "how did you do?" from there, the person will either 1) tell you exactly what they got, or 2) say "i did alright/ok/well/poorly." if a person says something like "i did alright" and you press even further, youre a jackass.

 

[BlueElmo]

i think SDN is a great source to keep all your med school **** in one place, so you can continue to live a normal social real life

I know this is sad, but SDN is my social life.

 

[UVA2009]

Never have I ever, not even to my close friends. One called me crying after the first MCAT and BAWLING after the second one, and I know which programs she has applied to and been rejected from, so I take that as a "my GPA/MCAT/ECs are not so great...ok not even close". I have another close friend who just got into a really good med school -- my reaction was "how did you pull that" and she said "I just got lucky", but she could be lying and have a 4.0.

 

[chiz2kul]

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.

Do you feel awkward now? 🙄 jk jk

 

[NoMoreAMCAS]

Never have I ever, not even to my close friends. One called me crying after the first MCAT and BAWLING after the second one, and I know which programs she has applied to and been rejected from, so I take that as a "my GPA/MCAT/ECs are not so great...ok not even close". I have another close friend who just got into a really good med school -- my reaction was "how did you pull that" and she said "I just got lucky", but she could be lying and have a 4.0.

That's an awkward relationship you have with your friends. All of my friends texted me immediately after getting their grades. We talk about it, stressed about it, and studied for it all the time. I want to know how they do and vise versa.

 

[NoMoreAMCAS]

wow are you socially inept? you should never really ask for someones stats in a normal conversation...at most you should just say "how did you do?" from there, the person will either 1) tell you exactly what they got, or 2) say "i did alright/ok/well/poorly." if a person says something like "i did alright" and you press even further, youre a jackass.

Yeah that's what i normally do, a simple "how'd you do?" I just assume a non-numerical answer means they bombed it.

 

[fastboyslim]

Yeah that's what i normally do, a simple "how'd you do?" I just assume a non-numerical answer means they bombed it.

You shouldn't assume that. When people ask me my stats, a lot of times I give a non-numerical answer because I am simply not in the mood to enable others to have future immature conversations where they compare peoples' stats.

I had an old friend in high school who I recently saw for the first time in years. Within 45 seconds of seeing me, she asked me my MCAT score. How rude and out of place was that?

 

[dw2158]

GPA/MCAT is rude. Asking "what are you doing next year" isn't, though it's obviously awkward if it turns out they didn't get in anywhere.

this.

Agreed.

If it can be thrown in properly, i'll do it. If someone tells me "yeah, i have an interview at Hopkins next month". I'm gonna say, "wtf, how'd you do on the MCAT?".

It's pretty easy to throw it into any conversation. If they did poorly and give you a "i didn't get any interviews this cycle", you can just throw out a "that sucks, did you bomb the MCAT? was your GPA bad?".

I do it all the time and i've never gotten a weird look or attitude. If the person doesn't want to tell you they'll just say something vague like "i didn't do well".

i totally see your point, but i personally would not be comfortable asking that or being asked, even in that relatively harmless way. JMO

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.

👍👍 i really don't think it's ever okay to ask scores. and i'm pretty put off by people who ask me point blank. i always give vague answers, trying to make it clear that i won't discuss it.

 

[mirado]

I've always felt rude asking for specific number when it comes to a person's weight, salary, or grades.
If the topic of GPA/MCAT score comes up, I'll usually ask about it in a general way like "How is your GPA?" rather than "What is your GPA?". I figure this was if the person is ashamed that it's low (or very modest and embarrassed to brag, though I've never met a pre-med like that 😛 ) he can give a somewhat ambiguous answer like "not so great" or "pretty good" and not feel pressured. Basically, it just allows whoever you're asking to give as much information as they feel comfortable with.

 

[SirGecko]

I'd say it is pretty rude to just come out and ask it. If you want this information I would say that the way to go about it is to first ask if the person will give you advice about applying and then ask about their application cycle as part of that. If you aren't asking as part of trying to structure your own application cycle then I can't think of a situation where it isn't rude and invasive.

 

[YouAreAwesome]

Rude? Yes. Boring? Absolutely.

 

[slick27]

Someone asks I tell them. I don't think its a big deal. I got a 29 mcat.

 

[NiCad089]

I have no problem sharing my scores, and most of my friends feel the same way. What I can't stand is when someone asks me and I tell them the numbers and then I ask them and they give me a vague reply like I did average. If you're not willing to tell others don't ask.

 

[SouthernSurgeon]

The only people that know my score are my wife and my parents.

Even as a med student, when pre-meds coming on interview day ask I don't tell them (and when they do ask I know they are the awkward ones...)

IMO much like one of the above posters, I did well and don't like to be asked - I find it offputting.

 

[ksmi117]

I find it extremely awkward when someone asks me my GPA or MCAT score, especially if the convo leading up to it involves them telling me their score. This is generally why I don't ask people their stats because then it's like not weird for them to ask me back. Even if I don't ask and they share of their own volition, it somehow gives people the feeling that they have a right to know mine since I know theirs.

I've got to know someone really really well before I ask them their stats. I have to be comfortable knowing that if they don't want to tell me then they won't and no one will feel all that awkward.

 

[dw2158]

ya know, i was just realizing... i think the only people who know my exact MCAT score are me and my pre-health dean (although who knows if she's actually looked at my file, so maybe it's just me 😛).

 

[flip26]

ya know, i was just realizing... i think the only people who know my exact MCAT score are me and my pre-health dean (although who knows if she's actually looked at my file, so maybe it's just me 😛).

Same here. Nobody's business.

And I could not care less what anybody else's stats are. Less than zero interest in this.

 

[Brigade4Radiant]

I don't think its rude but I don't ask people I don't know. In my classes most people are pretty upfront about their grades. If you don't want someone to know then just say so. To get but to get offended about this is pretty silly. It all depends on how well you know them.

 

[witness23]

where are all the brown people at? you know those indian "aunties" and "uncles" want to know your score.


one of them even went up to my parents and was like I heard your son got a 24 on the MCAT, is he going into podiatry?

needless to say, i actually rechecked my MCAT score the next day to make sure that it wasnt a 24

 

[surftheiop]

If you've been shadowing a MD for awhile and you've gotten to know them pretty well its sometimes fun to ask them.

You find out some interesting things,

assistant director of ________ specialty at ___________ medical school had a 2.9 undergrad GPA.

director of __________ specialty at ________ medical school took the MCAT twice and "nearly doubled score second time"

 

[Lukkie]

where are all the brown people at? you know those indian "aunties" and "uncles" want to know your score.


one of them even went up to my parents and was like I heard your son got a 24 on the MCAT, is he going into podiatry?

needless to say, i actually rechecked my MCAT score the next day to make sure that it wasnt a 24

all the aunties/uncles know every kids MCAT score and undergrad school, its amazing

 

[Brigade4Radiant]

It's funny how a lot of posters on SDN think that its rude to ask for grade but they will tell a person not to apply.

 

[sportsfreak]

i don't see whats the big deal...i could care less what someone thought about my scores

 

[vickpick]

i personally never minded somebody asking me such questions, but almost all people who got into med school, who I've talked denied to give me such (they ignore the question or change the subject- or lie with such numbers that u know they're lying)

 

[vickpick]

where are all the brown people at? you know those indian "aunties" and "uncles" want to know your score.


one of them even went up to my parents and was like I heard your son got a 24 on the MCAT, is he going into podiatry?

needless to say, i actually rechecked my MCAT score the next day to make sure that it wasnt a 24

I don't talk to aunties or uncles and even though I dont mind telling other students my scores, I never tell older folks my score. Also, my parents don't associate with a lot of indian folks anyways so they won't tell anyone my score unless they know for a fact they've been following my education and that I won't mind.

To, all those aunties and uncles, go f*ck yourselves.

 

[mmmcdowe]

i personally never minded somebody asking me such questions, but almost all people who got into med school, who I've talked denied to give me such (they ignore the question or change the subject- or lie with such numbers that u know they're lying)

See this is what I was talking about. Once you go through the cycle, MCAT doesn't seem to be the sole focus of your life!

 

[bodonid]

I find it interesting how variable this is. I am a medical student, and I point blank asked a premed, just to give her advice you know, and she pitched a fit. Whatever dude. Just trying to help.

But honestly, if it were someone I knew well, I'd almost rather not tell. I have a weird relationship with this one guy in our class because the first thing we do after each test is ask what the other got- we get similar grades, and we aren't competitive people- except with each other. 🙄

 

[flip26]

i personally never minded somebody asking me such questions, but almost all people who got into med school, who I've talked denied to give me such (they ignore the question or change the subject- or lie with such numbers that u know they're lying)

Why are you asking people in med school about their pre-med stats? What value is that information to you? How would you use that info?

When they relent and give you their stats and you have sized them up, how do you "know" they are lying?

I have never asked anybody their stats - never in high school, never in college, and not now.

I can't imagine asking someone in med school, or beyond, what their stats were...

 

[vickpick]

Why are you asking people in med school about their pre-med stats? What value is that information to you? How would you use that info?

When they relent and give you their stats and you have sized them up, how do you "know" they are lying?

I have never asked anybody their stats - never in high school, never in college, and not now.

I can't imagine asking someone in med school, or beyond, what their stats were...

y ask a pre-med... I dont wanna stay a pre-med.. I want to become a med-student, and thats y I ask somebody who has already been accepted.

How I know they're lying? An asian with 27 getting into emory is pretty much impossible.

 

[NoMoreAMCAS]

Why are you asking people in med school about their pre-med stats? What value is that information to you? How would you use that info?

When they relent and give you their stats and you have sized them up, how do you "know" they are lying?

I have never asked anybody their stats - never in high school, never in college, and not now.

I can't imagine asking someone in med school, or beyond, what their stats were...

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.

 

[NoMoreAMCAS]

y ask a pre-med... I dont wanna stay a pre-med.. I want to become a med-student, and thats y I ask somebody who has already been accepted.

How I know they're lying? An asian with 27 getting into emory is pretty much impossible.

Yeah exactly. I've asked several med students about their information (including MCAT/GPA/EC's) so I can get a good idea of what's required to get into the school's I'm interested in.

 

[ksmi117]

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.

How can you possibly ask all of your competition how they did? And just because your group of pre-med friends averaged X on the MCAT doesn't mean that you getting a point higher will be "enough to win."

 

[NoMoreAMCAS]

How can you possibly ask all of your competition how they did? And just because your group of pre-med friends averaged X on the MCAT doesn't mean that you getting a point higher will be "enough to win."

For the MCAT, I just like to know how the other people at my school are doing. They are of course a good chunk of the competition for my universities medical school.

Yes, 1 point does not mean you win, but it's nice to know where you stand (MCAT wise) compared to your fellow students.