Meaning of the 10th Percentile GPA / WAMC

[Kardio]

The MSAR reports the 10th (and various other) percentiles for GPA and MCAT data of their accepted/matriculated applicants.

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[The Knife & Gun Club]

What do you mean by 50th percentile? Like 500?

Generally students within the bottom 10th percentile have extenuating circumstances and have done substantial remediation to demonstrate competency.

While it sounds like you have demonstrated competency at an SMP, that MCAT score is what’s much more concerning.

 

[freedoctor17]

What do you mean by 50th percentile? Like 500?

Generally students within the bottom 10th percentile have extenuating circumstances and have done substantial remediation to demonstrate competency.

While it sounds like you have demonstrated competency at an SMP, that MCAT score is what’s much more concerning.

Pretty sure the meant 50th percentile for the school. Which is fine from what i understand although make sure to also apply to some schools where you're above the 75% if possible.

Also one semester of the smp won't be enough to judge you'll need a few more but of you continue with 4.0s on top of a decent mcat you should be fine i think. Might be easier to make a thread in the WAMC section with more specifics to help build a list to apply to.

 

[Kardio]

Pretty sure the meant 50th percentile for the school. Which is fine from what i understand although make sure to also apply to some schools where you're above the 75% if possible.

Also one semester of the smp won't be enough to judge you'll need a few more but of you continue with 4.0s on top of a decent mcat you should be fine i think. Might be easier to make a thread in the WAMC section with more specifics to help build a list to apply to.

I meant 50th perctile for the schools. Just updated the original post with my score.

I’m saving my proper WAMC post for when I apply. I made this thread because I bought the MSAR earlier and am spooked that my undergrad grades put me at the bottom 10th percentile for most MD schools.

 

[The Knife & Gun Club]

I meant 50th perctile for the schools. Just updated the original post with my score.

I’m saving my proper WAMC post for when I apply in June. I made this thread because I bought the MSAR earlier and am spooked that my undergrad grades put me at the bottom 10th percentile for most MD schools.

If the majority of the “Bottom 10%ers” are reinventers like myself, then I can relax a little bit. If not (e.x., URM, dad donated a library, persecuted in another country and barely escaped a genocide), then I have to start looking into becoming competitive at DO programs.

With a 512 and <10th percentile GPA I think you do have to start looking at DO programs. Don’t be the guy/gal that doesn’t get in and has to take yet ANOTHER gap year.

Numerically the number of seats available for re-inventors/low stat students at MD schools is small. You’re going to be vying with a lot of other people for those spots. It’s advisable to have contingency plans for the not unlikely scenario where you don’t get an MD acceptance.

 

[Blanky]

I'm assuming you have like a 3.4? You have a solid MCAT score at 512 and it sounds like you are doing well in the SMP. If you keep killing the SMP and finish it then you should likely apply to like 25 MD and like 5-8 DO schools. A WAMC when you are ready and all your SMP grades are in is going to be much more informative and bring in those most knowledgeable on the forum.
If you have some contact with a DO, maybe through school or volunteering you could get a LOR from them otherwise an MD will be fine for the majority of DO schools.
Now would also be a good time to start learning about the DO schools you may want to apply to in the future. It's not as easily researched in my opinion as MD schools. Some great DOs are TCOM, MSU (IS tuition only), PCOM, any other state school and then schools like DMU, KCU, RVU. There are tons more that I cannot list.

 

[Hirro]

If the majority of the “Bottom 10%ers” are reinventers like myself, then I can relax a little bit.

Hey, reinventer here. It will depend on EC's, how well you can present your stories, how well you interview, etc. You stand a chance at MD schools but you will have to make up in a lot of other aspects of your application. You have a very solid shot at DO schools (assuming you have decent EC's). Good luck!

 

[Kardio]

If you have some contact with a DO, maybe through school or volunteering you could get a LOR from them otherwise an MD will be fine for the majority of DO schools.
Now would also be a good time to start learning about the DO schools you may want to apply to in the future. It's not as easily researched in my opinion as MD schools. Some great DOs are TCOM, MSU (IS tuition only), PCOM, any other state school and then schools like DMU, KCU, RVU. There are tons more that I cannot list.

It will depend on EC's, how well you can present your stories, how well you interview, etc. You stand a chance at MD schools but you will have to make up in a lot of other aspects of your application. You have a very solid shot at DO schools (assuming you have decent EC's). Good luck!

I don’t know the precise numbers. My other ECs are closer to average.

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

lso, I really don’t know the correct way to spin interest in DO philosophy. I can tie the “see the whole patient” perspective to it’s applicability to my poor GPA due to “family issues” - but that feels like such a cookie-cutter canned answer. Especially if I can’t back it up with a DO LOR.

Just talk about why you want to go into medicine. You don’t need to spin the “philosophy.”

Apply broadly to both MD and DO.

 

[Blanky]

Just talk about why you want to go into medicine. You don’t need to spin the “philosophy.”

Apply broadly to both MD and DO.

Agree, you don’t need to spin anything as to be honest the philosophy really is the same...
speak of of empathy and care for humans...

 

[Hirro]

I also had much more clinical exp than others. I think it helps a lot. You don't need a DO letter unless the school specifies it. I thought I would need one but I have been fine without one. Some schools do ask "Why DO" specifically during DO interviews in addition to "Why physician/medicine". If they do ask that, have a story and spin it. Note that I simply mean connect aspects of your story to help answer the question. You have to "spin" a lot of dialogue during interviews by having a story prepared. Have one ready for your DO interviews ahead of time. You don't want to be blindsided by a question.

 

[Kardio]

Thank you so much everybody. I really appreciate the advise.

 

[Goro]

The MSAR reports the 10th (and various other) percentiles for GPA and MCAT data of their accepted/matriculated applicants.

Unfortunately for me, my undergrad GPA (science and cumulative) would generally move their scores just slightly south of their 10th percentile mark. I am also an SMP student (at a less known program, but at an MD school) and am sitting on a 4.0 for the first half of the program. My MCAT score is 512. ORM.

What kind of student generally makes up the bottom 10th percentile?

You!

But it has to be at a school that rewards reinvention.