Minimum MCAT score needed to be competitive with a 3.45 GPA?

[PAtoPharm]

---

Members do not see this ad.

I'm interested in applying to DO schools during the current admissions cycle and was just wondering if I could get some feedback regarding the MCAT score I should shoot for, relative to my GPA. I know that "the higher score the better" is the right mindset to have when it comes to taking the MCAT, but if I will be applying with a GPA of 3.45, what is the minimum MCAT score I'll need to be competitive?

My #1 choice is VCOM-Auburn. What kind of hurts my chances (IMO) is that VCOM places more weight on having a high GPA than a high MCAT score, so I'm afraid I could already be out of the running just by having a significantly lower GPA than what they accept on average (3.5 - 3.6).

Thanks...

 

[Teioh]

I don't know about a bare minimum, but shoot for a 505 or 506 so that way you know for sure that the reason you didn't get in wasn't because of your MCAT score.

 

[PAtoPharm]

I don't know about a bare minimum, but shoot for a 505 or 506 so that way you know for sure that the reason you didn't get in wasn't because of your MCAT score.

Thanks for the advice. In addition to doing well on the MCAT, do you think I would also benefit by simply taking the next year off and using it to re-take various classes I made Bs in (don't have any Cs -- my GPA is low because of an F grade that can't be retaken) so that I can bump my GPA up to at least a 3.5? I calculated that it would take at least 18 credits worth of retaking several classes I made Bs in (to replace them with As), as well as taking one or two new classes and making As in them.

 

[Teioh]

Not unless you're gunning for one of the top tier schools. 3.45 is decently competitive for over 75% of the DO schools out there. Your biggest wild-card is the MCAT, which can make or break your current application. If you've been doing well on practice tests and plan on taking it within the next couple months, then this cycle isn't out of the question. I say give this cycle a run (make sure everything is in and complete well before the year is over) and do some retakes in Winter/Spring 2017 during the small gap that you'll have waiting to hear from schools. This way you'll have grades to update any schools you've been waitlisted at in the summer and an improved GPA for the 2017 cycle in case this one doesn't pan out.

 

[PAtoPharm]

And what do you mean an F grade that can't be retaken? You can retake ANYTHING you want, unless this is some obscure class offered once a year by one school in the entire country. If it's not a science class, forget about it.

It was part of a professional-type degree, and in order to retake it, I would have to move to where the school is and take at least 2-3 semesters worth of classes in the same program if I want to retake the class. So I guess I could retake the class, but in terms of logistics, it just isn't really feasible. Unfortunately, it counts as an "other science" class.

 

[PAtoPharm]

BTW, I don't know what my science GPA is, but I can't imagine that it's any higher than a 3.2-3.3 because of that grade and a few other not-so-good "other science" grades . :/

 

[DrMikeP]

Look at the AACOM MCIB (google it) and that has the averages. For optimum competitiveness aim for a 504-507+.

There is a gpa calculator on SDN... do some digging and it will help WORLDS in letting you know where you stand.

 

[PAtoPharm]

Look at the AACOM MCIB (google it) and that has the averages. For optimum competitiveness aim for a 504-507+.

There is a gpa calculator on SDN... do some digging and it will help WORLDS in letting you know where you stand.

If it's the LizzyM thing, then I did that about a week ago but don't remember exactly what the results were. I do remember that even when I entered a decent MCAT score, it said that less than 10-12% of admitted applicants had those stats.

 

[Marrowist]

If it's the LizzyM thing, then I did that about a week ago but don't remember exactly what the results were. I do remember that even when I entered a decent MCAT score, it said that less than 10-12% of admitted applicants had those stats.

That metric is based on MD applicants and is therefore skewed. Also remember these are averages. By definition there were a number of applicants below that mark that were accepted. Good luck!

 

[DrMikeP]

If it's the LizzyM thing, then I did that about a week ago but don't remember exactly what the results were. I do remember that even when I entered a decent MCAT score, it said that less than 10-12% of admitted applicants had those stats.

There is a gpa calculator spread sheet as well. You can do it yourself just look up AACOM gpa to see what they call science and what not. Then do the math.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk

 

[PAtoPharm]

There is a gpa calculator spread sheet as well. You can do it yourself just look up AACOM gpa to see what they call science and what not. Then do the math.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk

But assuming that my science GPA really is only a 3.2-3.3, does that hurt my chances significantly? Especially at schools that say outright that the MCAT isn't that important, like VCOM?

 

[Prilozack]

But assuming that my science GPA really is only a 3.2-3.3, does that hurt my chances significantly? Especially at schools that say outright that the MCAT isn't that important, like VCOM?

Yes, that is on the low end for sGPAs. It will definitely hurt.

 

[DrMikeP]

Not sure about vcom but some established schools have an auto cutoff around 3.25/504. Some others 3.0/500, there are lots of threads on that topic. There are always exceptions but those are rare and often include intervening factors like large donations, daddy is the chief of med at a local hospital, the person has some miraculous background in bioresearch, etc. However, if you don't apply you can guarantee you won't be accepted so make the best app possible and if it's above the minimums apply or wait a year and make yourself a better candidate.


Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk

 

[Marrowist]

@PAtoPharm , if you want to get an idea of what the statistics look like, find the Accepted thread for last years cycle and take a look at the numbers. I see a few people with your stats. So either commit yourself now with those numbers, and focus on all the other work it takes, or decide to wait a year. Don't spend too much time on the fence, you will wear yourself out. I have similar stats to you and have decided to go for it. Good luck.

 

[PAtoPharm]

@Prilozak @DrMikeP @Marrowist I just calculated my science GPA, and assuming my calculations are correct, my science GPA is a 3.34 right now. I know that's better than a 3.2, but am I really any better off with a 3.34? Do some schools automatically interview all applicants who meet/exceed a particular cut-off, or would I still be likely to have a hard time interviewing at schools whose accepted applicants have, on average, a 3.6 cGPA and a 3.5 sciGPA? (especially taking into consideration the fact that the MCAT is not weighed heavily by them at all)

 

[PAtoPharm]

@PAtoPharm , if you want to get an idea of what the statistics look like, find the Accepted thread for last years cycle and take a look at the numbers. I see a few people with your stats. So either commit yourself now with those numbers, and focus on all the other work it takes, or decide to wait a year. Don't spend too much time on the fence, you will wear yourself out. I have similar stats to you and have decided to go for it. Good luck.

Good luck! Have you received any interview offers yet?

 

[DrMikeP]

@Prilozak @DrMikeP @Marrowist I just calculated my science GPA, and assuming my calculations are correct, my science GPA is a 3.34 right now. I know that's better than a 3.2, but am I really any better off with a 3.34? Do some schools automatically interview all applicants who meet/exceed a particular cut-off, or would I still be likely to have a hard time interviewing at schools whose accepted applicants have, on average, a 3.6 cGPA and a 3.5 sciGPA? (especially taking into consideration the fact that the MCAT is not weighed heavily by them at all)

3.34 is much better than a 3.2! The average for all DO schools is 3.43 sgpa/3.63 nonsci/3.53 cgpa so you are much closer to that 1 SD mark. That score with a good mcat gives you a decent fighting chance and likely some interviews at a DO prog at least!

The process varies a bit at different schools and different steps can be added in/left out, but if you make the min cutoffs your application goes from admissions screeners/computers to consideration of your app w/secondaries by actual admissions people who take a look at your whole application. That's where things like personal background, graduate level work, etc play into whether it gets sent on to faculty to decide if they want to interview you.

Some schools won't even send out secondaries if you don't meet their minimum standard and will send you a better luck next time email. I actually appreciate those, but they lose out on making a lot of money off of people who should have read their requirements.

 

[PAtoPharm]

3.34 is much better than a 3.2! The average for all DO schools is 3.43 sgpa/3.63 nonsci/3.53 cgpa so you are much closer to that 1 SD mark. That score with a good mcat gives you a decent fighting chance and likely some interviews at a DO prog at least!

The process varies a bit at different schools and different steps can be added in/left out, but if you make the min cutoffs your application goes from admissions screeners/computers to consideration of your app w/secondaries by actual admissions people who take a look at your whole application. That's where things like personal background, graduate level work, etc play into whether it gets sent on to faculty to decide if they want to interview you.

Some schools won't even send out secondaries if you don't meet their minimum standard and will send you a better luck next time email. I actually appreciate those, but they lose out on making a lot of money off of people who should have read their requirements.

Thanks for the info. So in other words, at many (or at least some) DO schools, they automatically send secondaries to applicants who make the minimum GPA/MCAT cutoffs, as long as their PS, extracurriculars, etc. are impressive?

 

[DrMikeP]

Thanks for the info. So in other words, at many (or at least some) DO schools, they automatically send secondaries to applicants who make the minimum GPA/MCAT cutoffs, as long as their PS, extracurriculars, etc. are impressive?

Many send secondaries it doesn't matter what and collect the $50-$100.

 

[PAtoPharm]

Many send secondaries it doesn't matter what and collect the $50-$100.

So some schools even send secondaries to applicants who they know beyond a shadow of a doubt they will never interview, regardless of how strong the applicant's secondary responses end up being?

 

[LuluLovesMe]

With a 3.45 cGPA you can have a good shot at lower tier DO schools with as low as a 500.

 

[DrMikeP]

It's an automatic process at some, you apply you get a secondary. If you don't meet standards then you often didn't read before applying. Not sure what ur trying to understand?

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk

 

[PAtoPharm]

With a 3.45 cGPA you can have a good shot at lower tier DO schools with as low as a 500.

Thanks; would you consider VCOM to be one of the lower-tier DO programs? Actually, do you know where I can view the list of which programs fall under various tiers?

 

[PAtoPharm]

It's an automatic process at some, you apply you get a secondary. If you don't meet standards then you often didn't read before applying. Not sure what ur trying to understand?

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk

Sorry, I just misread an earlier post of yours; thanks for clarifying. Now I just have to hope that VCOM-Auburn's cGPA/sGPA cutoffs aren't below my stats! 😱

 

[DrMikeP]

Sorry, I just misread an earlier post of yours; thanks for clarifying. Now I just have to hope that VCOM-Auburn's cGPA/sGPA cutoffs aren't below my stats! 😱

Not a problem, just wanted to make sure we weren't on different pages. You should read on the vcom page and the interview invite page and see if anyone posts stats that are at or lower than yours who got an II or maybe even accepted this past cycle. Each year things get tighter but it could give u some comparison. Hope it works out for you!

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk

 

[PAtoPharm]

Not a problem, just wanted to make sure we weren't on different pages. You should read on the vcom page and the interview invite page and see if anyone posts stats that are at or lower than yours who got an II or maybe even accepted this past cycle. Each year things get tighter but it could give u some comparison. Hope it works out for you!

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk

Thanks for the suggestion ..... if it turns out to be that I'm simply not competitive enough for VCOM, are you familiar with any DO programs that are known to be more lenient about interviewing "bottom of the barrel" applicants like myself?

 

[DrMikeP]

Thanks for the suggestion ..... if it turns out to be that I'm simply not competitive enough for VCOM, are you familiar with any DO programs that are known to be more lenient about interviewing "bottom of the barrel" applicants like myself?

Aim for newer schools like ARCOM?, ACOM, Burrell, etc. If you have the money it doesn't hurt to submit to others that are somewhat more competitive. There is some in state preference with DO schools that can help a little. I'd apply to as many as you can afford that are not on threads that are discussed as highly competitive.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk

 

[Goro]

Concur. Even a 500 might work for some of the newest schools.

I don't know about a bare minimum, but shoot for a 505 or 506 so that way you know for sure that the reason you didn't get in wasn't because of your MCAT score.

 

[PAtoPharm]

Aim for newer schools like ARCOM?, ACOM, Burrell, etc. If you have the money it doesn't hurt to submit to others that are somewhat more competitive. There is some in state preference with DO schools that can help a little. I'd apply to as many as you can afford that are not on threads that are discussed as highly competitive.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk

Ironically enough, VCOM-Auburn is pretty new (just finished accepting their second class, I believe), but what makes me apprehensive about my chances of getting accepted there is the fact that they emphasize high GPA over MCAT scores. Oh well.... only one way to find out....

 

[PAtoPharm]

Concur. Even a 500 might work for some of the newest schools.

Even if my cGPA and sGPA are only a 3.45 and 3.34?

 

[Goro]

Yes!

Even if my cGPA and sGPA are only a 3.45 and 3.34?