Low stats but still accepted

[WelchAg04]

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Out of curiosity, has anyone been accepted or at least had a few interviews with low gpa/mcat scores? Of course I know plenty of people do make it with low stats, but I would like to find out more about each person's situation specifically. I, personally, will be applying this year with a low gpa and (hopefully) a slightly above average MCAT score, but I know it can be done and I am going to be one to do it. Just as long as I can get my foot in the door!

 

[CaptainJack02]

it really depends on you, what state you're in, what your exact situation was, and how the rest of your app looks.

if you still want specifics, I got one interview at mercer with a 2.9 sci gpa and a 34 mcat. i only applied to mcg and mercer, and applied literally on the last possible day. no research, no extraordinary ec's or LOR's. decent ps.

so i guess my advice is that if your gpa is low, make sure everythign else is outstanding and choose your schools carefully and you'll have a very good shot at interviews/acceptances.

cheers
captjack

 

[Maxip]

3.2 overall, 3.0 science gpa, 33 mcat. No remarkable EC's. Accepted.

If I got in, anyone can. Good luck!

 

[CanIMakeIt]

3.2 overall, 3.0 science gpa, 33 mcat. No remarkable EC's. Accepted.

If I got in, anyone can. Good luck!

Which state? Which school?

 

[scooter31]

There are many ways to overcome a lower than average GPA and/ or MCAT and be accepted to med school. Normally, people with low stats ( just guessing you're talking about a 3.3 or below and a mid to high 20's MCAT ) have one or more of the following going on for them-

great MCAT score, like a 30 or above. From what I've gathered form SDN and talking to friends who got in under the above circumstances, they usually had around a 33+.

post-Ugrad work that was exceptional. a post-bac program, an MS/MPH, or just more upper division coursework that showed that they were capable of handling the work done at a med school level was completed.

an interesting story. most of these folks have done something interesting and exceptional with their lives that would lead an AdCom to think that this person can be successful in the medschool/healthcare environment. work experience, research, volunteer work, travelling, another degree (also see above), and athletic competition are some things that people have brought to the table and have used to take the impetus of their application off their stats and more towards the intagible aspects. Plus, these are things that make a person well rounded, and generally more interesting. Dont forget, a key part to securing admission to a certain school is whether or not people would want you to be their classmate or be a representative of their school- things that you cant always discern from a person's transcripts.

Theres tons more that I havent added--- I'm sure there are other things that more seasoned SDN vets can add--- as I too am just beginning the process of making amends with a less than stellar undergrad showing and making myself the most attractive applicant I can be, so I am learining a lot of this as I go along. Best of luck, PM if you have questions about my own decisions about how to put my best foot forward.

 

[Nor2themax]

3.5GPA - 3.1 Science - 33N MCAT

Accepted to 4 schools!

Nora

 

[Wahooali]

bumpity bump bump

 

[mimi1]

3.45 total GPA, 3.35 science GPA, 27Q MCAT

7 interviews (declined 1), 4 waitlists, 2 acceptances!

It can be done!!!

 

[berriesarie]

32R MCAT, 3.3 GPA total, 3.41 science (wierd i know science is higher) I'm an engineer so those classes brought me down a little.

9 interviews, 2 acceptances (BU, UT-Houston)
4 waitlists (yale, columbia, g-town, UT-SW)

 

[LaurieB]

MCAT Score: VR 13, PS 9, BS 10, L
BCPM GPA: 3.22
Overall GPA: 3.39

Secondaries: 14
Interviews: 6
Acceptances: 4

See my profile for details.

 

[WelchAg04]

32R MCAT, 3.3 GPA total, 3.41 science (wierd i know science is higher) I'm an engineer so those classes brought me down a little.

I also have a higher science GPA and am also in engineering. Biomed. Engineering has definitely done some damage to my grades over the last few years. Of course, so has alcohol and laziness...

 

[WelchAg04]

bump bump and bump

 

[HelenHC]

My overall GPA is 3.5 and Science GPA is 3.5 too, but my MCAT scores are very low. V=7, BS=9, PS=8, writing=Q. No interview from any where, and rejected by most schools. However, I applied to SGU and got accepted recently. My bf has a overall GPA of 3.8 but low MCAT score about the same as mine, and he got accepted to SGU (rejected everywhere else, thus high GPA doesn't really help). I know there is a thread before regarding attending a foreign medical school, and I know the difficulty of attending a foreign medical school. After seeing this post, it gave me hope that ppl with low stats (but from I see here, it's low GPA and high MCAT score) can still be accepted to US medical schools. So can any one suggest on what I should do? Reapply the following year (that means taking MCAT again) or just attend SGU? I've been out of school for 1.5 yr already and really wants to get back to school, but should I wait? How about transferring? I know it's difficult, but is it possible?

 

[Spitting Camel]

29 MCAT, 3.7GPA, 3.66 science

Accepted: Loyola and BU

Unranked (yeah right) waitlist: LLU and UCI

Higher GPA does help, but not with a REALLY low MCAT. It can compliment a mediocre one (28-29).

 

[(nicedream)]

My overall GPA is 3.5 and Science GPA is 3.5 too, but my MCAT scores are very low. V=7, BS=9, PS=8, writing=Q. No interview from any where, and rejected by most schools. However, I applied to SGU and got accepted recently. My bf has a overall GPA of 3.8 but low MCAT score about the same as mine, and he got accepted to SGU (rejected everywhere else, thus high GPA doesn't really help). I know there is a thread before regarding attending a foreign medical school, and I know the difficulty of attending a foreign medical school. After seeing this post, it gave me hope that ppl with low stats (but from I see here, it's low GPA and high MCAT score) can still be accepted to US medical schools. So can any one suggest on what I should do? Reapply the following year (that means taking MCAT again) or just attend SGU? I've been out of school for 1.5 yr already and really wants to get back to school, but should I wait? How about transferring? I know it's difficult, but is it possible?

What about DO? I know some people will probably chime in here bashing it, but you'd get to stay in the country and have a much much better chance at getting a US residency (same as MD).

 

[jlee9531]

3.4 overall
3.1 science
31 mcat
strong overall application.
life experiences...

applied to 43 schools.
39 secondaries.
5 interview invites...attended 4.
accepted to uvm, msu, ucd...and waiting on ucla.

 

[ny skindoc]

My overall GPA is 3.5 and Science GPA is 3.5 too, but my MCAT scores are very low. V=7, BS=9, PS=8, writing=Q. No interview from any where, and rejected by most schools. However, I applied to SGU and got accepted recently. My bf has a overall GPA of 3.8 but low MCAT score about the same as mine, and he got accepted to SGU (rejected everywhere else, thus high GPA doesn't really help). I know there is a thread before regarding attending a foreign medical school, and I know the difficulty of attending a foreign medical school. After seeing this post, it gave me hope that ppl with low stats (but from I see here, it's low GPA and high MCAT score) can still be accepted to US medical schools. So can any one suggest on what I should do? Reapply the following year (that means taking MCAT again) or just attend SGU? I've been out of school for 1.5 yr already and really wants to get back to school, but should I wait? How about transferring? I know it's difficult, but is it possible?

If both you and your bf were accepted to SGU I would seriously consider going there.Yes, its a foreign school and there are significant issues but its the best of the caribbean schools and the education is good and residency opportunities are OK.Transferring out is very remote possibility,only about a dozen out of 250+ do are able to do it yearly,if that many so I would not anticipate it.To be accepted on reapplication to a US school there would likely have to be a big jump in your MCATs and this is not an easy task.Graduating from SGU will somewhat limit your options in terms of competitive residencies but getting a good primary care program if you do well on the boards will not be a problem.

 

[LP1CW]

Since this is your first year applying, don't go to SGU. you're still young. Many people apply for more than one cycle. So, look at your application, find your weaknesses, and fix them. Obviously, a few more points on your MCAT would help. Your verbal is low, not crazy low, but low. Is English your first language? I'm sure, with some work, you can lift that score. I'd take this year to work on my application before I go head off to an Island school.

Also, consider going to a DO school. Your numbers, as they stand, would make you competitive.

So, yes, retake the MCAT. Spend this year getting your application together. You are so close to have a solid application. Work on your EC's, write a great essay, and retake the MCAT.

 

[10minutes]

My overall GPA is 3.5 and Science GPA is 3.5 too, but my MCAT scores are very low. V=7, BS=9, PS=8, writing=Q. No interview from any where, and rejected by most schools. However, I applied to SGU and got accepted recently. My bf has a overall GPA of 3.8 but low MCAT score about the same as mine, and he got accepted to SGU (rejected everywhere else, thus high GPA doesn't really help). I know there is a thread before regarding attending a foreign medical school, and I know the difficulty of attending a foreign medical school. After seeing this post, it gave me hope that ppl with low stats (but from I see here, it's low GPA and high MCAT score) can still be accepted to US medical schools. So can any one suggest on what I should do? Reapply the following year (that means taking MCAT again) or just attend SGU? I've been out of school for 1.5 yr already and really wants to get back to school, but should I wait? How about transferring? I know it's difficult, but is it possible?

As Helen said, person with low GPA(3.1~3.2) and high MCAT(30~) usually have more advantage than a person with high GPA and low MCAT. It also depends on school because some schools prefer a relatively high GPA (such as Uva). I've seen a lot of people with 3.2-3.3 getting into schools of their choices but they all had great MCAT. But no matter what GPA you have, if your MCAT score is below 28, you have a significantly less chance. In fact, any score below 30 is not so competitive unless you are URM. Apparently, MCAT is VERY important in med admission process. You don't need very high MCAT score to get into a med school, but 30 on MCAT will nicely increase your chance. If you prepare hard enough, you will have no problem getting 30. Good luck!

 

[Sweet Tea]

3.1 GPA, 32 MCAT, lots of research (bench and clinical, with publications), lots of clinical experience, strong ties to my instate schools. 18 applications, 2 interviews, and in 1 month I'll be an M2 (assuming i pass neuro). 😉

It definetly depends on where you apply, and where you live, but it definetly can be done. I took 2 years off after college and improved my resume, worked, and had a lot of fun. So yes, it can be done. 🙂

 

[SoCalOrBust]

vr-8; ps-12; bs-14; ws-Q
Cum GPA- 3.64
Science- 3.65
Very good EC (not stellar though)


Applied to 18 schools, 16 sec, 4 interview invites (turned one down), 2 acceptances and a waitlisted one. I've decided on USC though. I applied to a ton of "big name" schools which is probably why I didn't go to alot of interviews.

The numbers just seem to measure how much choice you have in the process, but I've met a Surg resident that had a 3.2 and a sub 30. She was scared that she wouldnt get in anywhere so she applied to 50 schools. She got an interview to just about all of them (including Harvard). She was a business major from a state college in California- it seems that she was a "unique" candidate and that helped her alot despite mediocre numbers. From what I've heard AdComs will take into consideration other things in your life in assessing if low numbers are a valid measure of academic ability.

I know that Med schools say they dont give priority to a particular major but does anyone know if they will allow for lower numbers if you are in a particular area of study?

 

[34140]

I have a low GPA, just took the MCATs, so I am hopping that I too will get in somewhere. I do have research experience, and have worked hard to get my GPA where it is even now!

 

[bc003]

3.8 gpa, 3.75 science, 26 mcat (10V, 9BS, 7PS)
applied to 8 schools, interviewed at 6, waitlisted at 2 and in at 4 schools. don't get discouraged. it can be done.

 

[JayMiranti]

COuld you guys include your URM status and state please.. especially to the person above me, i had the same numbers last year... thanks

 

[cheesypoofs]

Mcat 23q or r can't remember
3.6 uGPA (not science but had all pre-med classes)
3.8 Master's in Science GPA
White female
Numerous upon numerous volunteer hours, excellent LOR's, ran a marathon, etc. Many interesting things in my application to present it as very well rounded, but what helped the most was taking a hard core graduate program and proving I could handle a big science load. My advice, control the things you can (volunteering, interesting activities like a marathon for someone who is not a runner showed alot of commitment and dedication, they really like this kind of stuff). Good luck

 

[bc003]

i'm a fl resident. btw, what's "urm status"?

 

[skiz knot]

I got into 5 schools with a 34q but a 3.3 overall, 3.2 sci GPA.
White male
25 y.o.


Worked my way through college, so a little low on medically related E.C.'s
Undergraduate and post graduate (my job) research experience
1 year on Div I athletic team

I strongly feel that I probably wouldn't of gotten too many looks if I didn't have a high MCAT score.

I hope this is of some help to the OP.

 

[exigente chica]

Wondering the same thing...work hard at MCAT score or jsut go abroad? 😕

 

[JunkintheTrunk]

URM means underrepresented minority

 

[Alexander99]

This isn't meant as an insult but is a sincere question. Did people that got 22-23 on the MCAT study for the test at all or did you take it cold?

 

[TheGuy2000]

Mcat 23q or r can't remember
3.6 uGPA (not science but had all pre-med classes)
3.8 Master's in Science GPA
White female
Numerous upon numerous volunteer hours, excellent LOR's, ran a marathon, etc. Many interesting things in my application to present it as very well rounded, but what helped the most was taking a hard core graduate program and proving I could handle a big science load. My advice, control the things you can (volunteering, interesting activities like a marathon for someone who is not a runner showed alot of commitment and dedication, they really like this kind of stuff). Good luck

23!?!?, not this thread again, I thought we already tore chalklette a new one. I'm curious where you got in since you aren't a URM, and where you went to undergrad. And of your mains EC's is that you ran a marathon? Come on, I ran one when I was 18, and still a senior in high school. It's not that hard at all. This probably sounds like a flame, but I would just really like to know the answers to these q's.

 

[bc003]

just wanted to update my earlier post. i'm cuban-american so i guess that counts as a urm but there's a totally separate category in the urm section of the amcas that makes a distinction b/n cubans and other urms. i never really knew what that meant or if it made a difference.

 

[novangel81]

You know what I have low scores all around and I have gotten to go lots of places so far and I am highly appreciative. I had a 3.4 gpa and a 3.3 science gpa and and MCAT score of 34. I have gotten about 10-12 interviews cant remember exactly. I declined about 3 of them and went to tall the rest. I am on a ton of waitlists and I got into Morehouse and Howard so far and am still waiting to here from Drew.

I perosnally feel that all this statistic crap is bull cause to mean it means nothing. Just because you can open up a book a regurgitate information doesn't mean you are going to be a good doctor. I was highly involved in my community and I have worked full-time since I started college so that I could pay for it myself. So I have been through a long and hard wrong. I am very thankful that in some odd years I will become what I have always dreamed.

Don't let stats destroy your dreams! That i my advice. Alright I wish everyone good luck and maybe I will see some of you in the near fututre.

Peace!!!

 

[exmike]

You know what I have low scores all around and I have gotten to go lots of places so far and I am highly appreciative. I had a 3.4 gpa and a 3.3 science gpa and and MCAT score of 34. I have gotten about 10-12 interviews cant remember exactly. I declined about 3 of them and went to tall the rest. I am on a ton of waitlists and I got into Morehouse and Howard so far and am still waiting to here from Drew.

I perosnally feel that all this statistic crap is bull cause to mean it means nothing. Just because you can open up a book a regurgitate information doesn't mean you are going to be a good doctor. I was highly involved in my community and I have worked full-time since I started college so that I could pay for it myself. So I have been through a long and hard wrong. I am very thankful that in some odd years I will become what I have always dreamed.

Don't let stats destroy your dreams! That i my advice. Alright I wish everyone good luck and maybe I will see some of you in the near fututre.

Peace!!!

Are you URM? you should get into some fantastic school with those scores! good luck w/ drew.

 

[biodork444]

3.78 GPA, 3.9 Science GPA, 25O MCAT
I had a fair amount of good ECs and a really good undergrad internship
2 interviews
1 acceptance
1 wait list

 

[DMBFan61]

3.78 GPA, 3.9 Science GPA, 25O MCAT
I had a fair amount of good ECs and a really good undergrad internship
2 interviews
1 acceptance
1 wait list

how do you figure a 3.78/3.9 GPA qualifies as "low numbers"....i think the goal of this post is for people with low gpa AND mcat...but that might just be the crazy talking 😀

 

[MrTee]

You know what I have low scores all around and I have gotten to go lots of places so far and I am highly appreciative. I had a 3.4 gpa and a 3.3 science gpa and and MCAT score of 34. I have gotten about 10-12 interviews cant remember exactly. I declined about 3 of them and went to tall the rest. I am on a ton of waitlists and I got into Morehouse and Howard so far and am still waiting to here from Drew.
....
Peace!!!

How is a 3.4/34 considered low scores all around? The GPA might be considered low, but certainly not as low as a 3.0 or other GPA's mentioned. And a 34 is a score many people would be envious of. Not trying to flame or anything, maybe you have different standards for what "low" really means.

 

[novangel81]

How is a 3.4/34 considered low scores all around? The GPA might be considered low, but certainly not as low as a 3.0 or other GPA's mentioned. And a 34 is a score many people would be envious of. Not trying to flame or anything, maybe you have different standards for what "low" really means.

guess i should have checked before i posted. i got a 24 on my MCAT not a 34 and to all the places I have been 3.4 was not very high at all. It might have helped that I was a Bioengineering major.

Thanks for the support exmike since Drew is where I want to go...oh and yes I am URM...I am an African American female.

 

[Pinkertinkle]

Wow, 34 Q mcat, 3.65, you surely belong in this low stats thread.

vr-8; ps-12; bs-14; ws-Q
Cum GPA- 3.64
Science- 3.65
Very good EC (not stellar though)


Applied to 18 schools, 16 sec, 4 interview invites (turned one down), 2 acceptances and a waitlisted one. I've decided on USC though. I applied to a ton of "big name" schools which is probably why I didn't go to alot of interviews.

The numbers just seem to measure how much choice you have in the process, but I've met a Surg resident that had a 3.2 and a sub 30. She was scared that she wouldnt get in anywhere so she applied to 50 schools. She got an interview to just about all of them (including Harvard). She was a business major from a state college in California- it seems that she was a "unique" candidate and that helped her alot despite mediocre numbers. From what I've heard AdComs will take into consideration other things in your life in assessing if low numbers are a valid measure of academic ability.

I know that Med schools say they dont give priority to a particular major but does anyone know if they will allow for lower numbers if you are in a particular area of study?

 

[biodork444]

how do you figure a 3.78/3.9 GPA qualifies as "low numbers"....i think the goal of this post is for people with low gpa AND mcat...but that might just be the crazy talking 😀

My MCAT is low. My GPA is good, I know that, but my MCAT is not so good. Sorry...didn't mean to offend anyone.

 

[DMBFan61]

Not offended here. Congrats on the high GPA, and Im glad to see that the adcoms didn't put too much emphasis on your mcat score. It always erks me to see when someone who is strong in all but one area of their application gets grilled over the one portion that isn't quite as strong. Adcoms should realize that people can have off days while taking the mcat, and this is probably the case for someone with great ec's and gpa's.

Congrats on the acceptance!
just my $.02

 

[Fish3715]

Wow, 34 Q mcat, 3.65, you surely belong in this low stats thread.

Yeah, she's above the national average for matriculants in both respects. But you can't blame her- being on SDN can alter your view of what "low stats" are.