low stat student in medical school.

Med School Insiders
This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.
A

anaiq

Full Member
10+ Year Member
Joined
Oct 31, 2009
Messages
11
Reaction score
0
Members do not see this ad.
I always hear stories about people getting into medical school with low stats (GPA and MCAT). Did anyone on SDN get admitted to medical school with low stats? or do u anyone personally who got into medical school with low stats? By low I mean ~3.2-3.3 GPA and 25-29 MCAT
 
Last edited:
How low is "low" for you? Give us a specific case we can work with.

If the stories you've heard are something along the lines of "omg I know a guy that knows a guy that totally had like a bad MCAT score and he got into Mayo! waaow <3 <3 isn't that so crazy?" then I bet you stumbled upon a tall tale.

The best bet would be to ask those low-scorers yourself how they did it. Then learn their tricks and use em yourself. There are more sides to their stories than we could possibly know, I think.

"Low" for SDN'ers are close to 32 MCAT and 240 Step 1 (HA), so this may not be the best place to ask your question.
 
anaiq said:
I always hear stories about people getting into medical school with low stats (GPA and MCAT). Did anyone on SDN get admitted to medical school with low stats? or do u anyone personally who got into medical school with low stats?
Click to expand...

Yes. I know / have heard of quite a few people gain admission to US allopathic programs with ~3.2-3.3 GPAs and/or mid-high 20something MCAT scores. Usually it's one or the other that's "flawed" relative to average, though.

Lots of factors at play. Letters, ECs, PS, other essays or secondary applications, you name it.
 
I know someone who got in last year with a 3.9 and a 23. Pretty decent school too. She did have a 26 the first time she took the mcat...
 
i just had average scores for an accepted applicant, but yeah low compared to sdn
 
7starmantis said:
Lol, thanks. 😀

I know many people who are in or have been in med school with lower than SDN stats. Dont let SDN make you believe they are the norm....they are not. 😀
Click to expand...

definitely... if i didnt have a tin of salt with me when i read SDN i would think every applicant has a 3.98 40R and worried about getting into their state school lmao
 
FallenHero said:
definitely... if i didnt have a tin of salt with me when i read SDN i would think every applicant has a 3.98 40R and worried about getting into their state school lmao
Click to expand...

Seriously! LOL I remember when I came to the realization that all med school applicants didn't have 47+ MCATS and 4.36 sGPA's.
 
avksx said:
It does happen.
Click to expand...

Thank you for posting that link avksx, I tried to get that up on another thread. Excellent source for the slightly less neurotic on this thread.

7starmantis said:
Lol, thanks. 😀

I know many people who are in or have been in med school with lower than SDN stats. Dont let SDN make you believe they are the norm....they are not. 😀
Click to expand...

Amen Mantis! There are some of us out there that are really trying to help.

FallenHero said:
definitely... if i didnt have a tin of salt with me when i read SDN i would think every applicant has a 3.98 40R and worried about getting into their state school lmao
Click to expand...

Seems there are some others out there that feel the same way. Good to see.
 
3.3 GPA, 27 MCAT got into UTMemphis and Georgetown. Currently in Gtown. So... definitely can be done.
 
Ischemic said:
3.3 GPA, 27 MCAT got into UTMemphis and Georgetown. Currently in Gtown. So... definitely can be done.
Click to expand...


What were your ECs, and how well did you feel you did in interviews? Just curious.
 
How successful are these students in medical school? Do they have a harder time then those who enter with higher stats? Any personal experience or stories?
 
ducki303 said:
How successful are these students in medical school? Do they have a harder time then those who enter with higher stats? Any personal experience or stories?
Click to expand...


Usually ADCOMs are fairly insightful as to who will and will not make it in Medical School. Only 5-10% of med students drop out before they graduate. If you won't make it through to the end, it's likely you will not be accepted.
 
4 years research, TA experience, 1 year volunteering in ER and a free health clinic, couple of months shadowing a doc. But I did also work 2 jobs during most of college which was also a reason for the lower stats. I felt pretty good about my interviews, nervous obviously but I came out thinking I was able to answer the interviewer's questions well and felt good about it in general.

In regards to how students with lower stats perform in med school relative to their peers... that's hard to say. It really depends on the students. In general from my experience lower stat students put in more effort in school probably cause they learned from their mistakes in college and not wanting to repeat it. However, using myself as an example, I, on average, perform better than about 70% of my classmates.
 
avksx said:
Usually ADCOMs are fairly insightful as to who will and will not make it in Medical School. Only 5-10% of med students drop out before they graduate. If you won't make it through to the end, it's likely you will not be accepted.
Click to expand...

This. The common wisdom is that once you're in, and when you're feeling overwhelmed like we do during the initial weeks, you should just trust that the admissions committee knew what they were doing when they offered you a seat.

It's a very self-soothing thought, but the numbers back it up. Being "in" means that the odds are very good that you'll be walking another stage, picking up your MD in four short years.
 
anaiq said:
I always hear stories about people getting into medical school with low stats (GPA and MCAT). Did anyone on SDN get admitted to medical school with low stats? or do u anyone personally who got into medical school with low stats? By low I mean ~3.2-3.3 GPA and 25-29 MCAT
Click to expand...


No, but I have a 38 MCAT and I'm not getting in anywhere (still). I'm blaming it on an evil gypsy curse.
 
serenade said:
you got into a school that takes very few oos with a 3.1 gpa..
your one of those cases babe..
Click to expand...


He's also a good representative of how important it is to APPLY BROADLY.

😉
 
I have a 29 MCAT score and I'm doing well in my first year of med school.
 
2.8 undergrad gpa with 28 MCAT, along with a 4.0 SMP gpa. Non-urm.

I was just accepted as an OOS to US MD School, and I also have another interview at a US MD university this upcoming January.

Goodluck everyone!
 
Last edited:
Food said:
No, but I have a 38 MCAT and I'm not getting in anywhere (still). I'm blaming it on an evil gypsy curse.
Click to expand...
I don't get it...you should be getting interviews. This process is unbelievable!
 
7starmantis said:
I was thinking the same thing. I guess it just shows MCAT is not enough.

Maybe he/she should visit that gypsy for a ... positive curse (what would you call that exactly?).
Click to expand...
I don't know. I think the gypsy granted me a positive curse for my MCAT....nice gypsy!!
 
23 on the MCAT and 3.6 GPA. I was offered interviews at 3/9 medical schools (1 in Canada, 2 in the U.S.) to which I applied, and I accepted my first choice without waitlist. I was around the mean in the MSI and MSII and in the upper third in MSIII and MSIV. I'm now a resident at one of the top programs in the U.S. (and for the ignorant people posting here.....I'm white and I had no connections). I'm an outlier, but I just knew that I could do this, and I was brazen enough to knock on their door with the scores I had.
 
Last edited:
Friendly said:
23 on the MCAT and 3.33 GPA. I was offered interviews at 3/9 medical schools (Toronto, Rochester, SUNY) to which I applied, and I accepted my first choice without waitlist. I was around the mean in the MSI and MSII and in the upper third in MSIII and MSIV. I'm now a resident at one of the top programs in the U.S. (and for the ignorant people posting here.....I'm white and I had no connections). I'm an outlier, but I just knew that I could do this, and I was brazen enough to knock on their door with the scores I had.
Click to expand...
What do you think about a school that had it's 1st class last year, was the most selective in the country , had preliminary accredidation and has poured almost $200 million into the endeavor? There's risk and a calculated risk. My heart is in this program yet I'm nervous about only having a preliminary accredidiation...full will come in 2013; the year before I graduate. Any opinions?
 
reidmike said:
What do you think about a school that had it's 1st class last year, was the most selective in the country , had preliminary accredidation and has poured almost $200 million into the endeavor? There's risk and a calculated risk. My heart is in this program yet I'm nervous about only having a preliminary accredidiation...full will come in 2013; the year before I graduate. Any opinions?
Click to expand...
Anyone??
 
reidmike said:
What do you think about a school that had it's 1st class last year, was the most selective in the country , had preliminary accredidation and has poured almost $200 million into the endeavor? There's risk and a calculated risk. My heart is in this program yet I'm nervous about only having a preliminary accredidiation...full will come in 2013; the year before I graduate. Any opinions?
Click to expand...
I assume you mean UCF? EIther way id be somewhat weary attending a school like this. Im sure they will be accredited but beyond that you are the schools guinea pigs and i just dont like that idea. I really doubt that any new US school would run into too much trouble and im sure by 2013 they will be accredited but thats just my personal feelings. Unless they are giving you free tuition (then hell yes go asap!!! lol) id probbaly choose drexel or another school that is more established since i believe you have options at this point.

Though like I said you if you have fallen in love i wouldnt worry too much. Its already been granted prelim and its a US allopathic school, I cant imagine they wouldnt do everything in their power to do well. Not to mention since i think its UCF for you? Its not that likes some random school with no backing or w/e.

Oh and as far as the topic goes i have a 3.5 and 29 mcat and multiple acceptances to US MD schools this cycle. Can be done but certainly the odds are against you.
 
reidmike said:
I don't get it...you should be getting interviews. This process is unbelievable!
Click to expand...
or could it be that getting into med school is more than GPA and MCAT :idea: There are just so many factors in med school admissions to assume that a high MCAT/GPA guarantees you an acceptance. That's how law schools do it, but not med schools.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

P
"Lower" MCAT, but interview invite at a stat-loving school?
Replies
10
Views
1K
Hollow Knight
Hollow Knight
C
  • Question Question
Do lower stat applicants get interviews later on in the cycle?
Replies
6
Views
2K
Rachapkis
Rachapkis
C
  • Question Question
Medical School Prerequisite Question
Replies
1
Views
815
LizzyM
LizzyM
K
Robotic Surgery Training in Medical School
Replies
13
Views
2K
GoSpursGo
GoSpursGo
medicaljumbogumbo
2025: MD medical student AMA!
Replies
3
Views
987
medicaljumbogumbo
medicaljumbogumbo
Top