Median or Mean GPA on LizzyM

[aklvkk]

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I was looking through LizzyM scores (on the Excel spreadsheet) and noticed that the GPAs shown are a lot lower than the ones shown on MSAR or USNWR (e.g. Duke is 3.73 on the LizzyM spreadsheet while 3.80 on MSAR/USNWR). Are they mean GPAs as opposed to medians? And should I compare my LizzyM to the ones on the spreadsheet or re-calculate them using the MSAR scores?

 

[LizzyM]

How old is the data on the spreadsheet?

Mean and median can be slightly different and stats of candidates who are offered admission are sometimes higher than stats of matriculants (the superstars inflate every school that admits them but then each contributes only to the school they attend).

That said, a 0.7 difference between a scores calculated one way or another is < 1% difference for a score in Duke's neighborhood (eg 72.3 vs 73 if MCAT = 35) so I wouldn't worry about it too much.

 

[WedgeDawg]

I would use MSAR

 

[GrapesofRath]

For GPAs I would refer more to 10th/90th percentile GPA statistics. The average GPA stats are often very similar for lower tier schools and top tier ones(ie something like 3.77 vs 3.85). No admission difference in anyway is going to be made on somebody having a 3.77 vs a 3.85 or a 3.73 vs 3.80 like you mentioned. Those minute differences are largely irrelevant details.

For Duke specifically I would look at mission statement, fit, research experience, MCAT score, and how your GPA fits into their 10th-90th percentile stats.

 

[aklvkk]

I just realized that it says "last update 2012" on the top corner. Oops! And yes it does seem like a 0.7 difference in GPA isn't that big of a factor when considering everything else.

Thank you very much everyone!