MCAT vs GPA

[PhiPhenomenon]

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Hey,

I've been looking at a bunch of class profile lists for different osteopathic schools and noticing that MCAT scores are comparable low in comparison to MD scores (~27 in comparison to ~31). Is this because the MCAT ways less heavily in the minds of adcoms or because there are fewer people applying with a high MCAT? Also, could a good MCAT make up for an *eh* GPA?

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

It's because there are less people applying with higher mcat scores, and yes a high mcat can compensate for a low gpa, likewise but to a lesser extent a high gpa can compensate for a lower mcat.

 

[chiddler]

It's because there are less people applying with higher mcat scores, and yes a high mcat can compensate for a low gpa, likewise but to a lesser extent a high gpa can compensate for a lower mcat.

amen for MCAT compensation

 

[411309]

I personally think MCAT pulls more weight then gpa overall. GPA varies from difficulty of classes, school, etc. MCAT is a standardized test; it may not be a good indicator of how great a doctor youll be but it does have some usefulness in demonstrating your critical thinking abilities.

So I have to agree with the above. For DO schools in particular, I have noticed a trend that a lot of people with a higher mcat and lower gpa tend to make it in somewhere even if their gpa is around 3.0.

 

[COMedic2Doc]

I personally think MCAT pulls more weight then gpa overall. GPA varies from difficulty of classes, school, etc. MCAT is a standardized test; it may not be a good indicator of how great a doctor youll be but it does have some usefulness in demonstrating your critical thinking abilities.

So I have to agree with the above. For DO schools in particular, I have noticed a trend that a lot of people with a higher mcat and lower gpa tend to make it in somewhere even if their gpa is around 3.0.

+1. Fair to mention that your ECs can help make your application stronger, especially if they are unique. They cannot make up for a very poor GPA, but it adds more strength and the stronger your ECs the stronger you are as an applicant.

 

[drgioiadds]

I personally think MCAT pulls more weight then gpa overall. GPA varies from difficulty of classes, school, etc. MCAT is a standardized test; it may not be a good indicator of how great a doctor youll be but it does have some usefulness in demonstrating your critical thinking abilities.

So I have to agree with the above. For DO schools in particular, I have noticed a trend that a lot of people with a higher mcat and lower gpa tend to make it in somewhere even if their gpa is around 3.0.

I agree with this, being on the opposite side of this equation, I can tell you certain schools definitely emphasize the MCAT more than GPA/course load or degree that you may have.