MSAR discrepancies

[stoutt]

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I just got the online MSAR and while it is extremely helpful for school info, application timelines and OOS/IS stats, I feel that the gpa and mcat info is inflated. Almost all the gpa & mcat data in the MSAR is higher than those in the LizzyM spreadsheet and also from the schools web page. Which info is more accurate--the school's or the MSARs?

For example:
MSAR Tufts info: 3.74c, 3.73s, 34Q
Tufts website: 3.6c, 3.54s, 32.2
What gives?

Thanks guys!

 

[sector9]

I just got the online MSAR and while it is extremely helpful for school info, application timelines and OOS/IS stats, I feel that the gpa and mcat info is inflated. Almost all the gpa & mcat data in the MSAR is higher than those in the LizzyM spreadsheet and also from the schools web page. Which info is more accurate--the school's or the MSARs?

For example:
MSAR Tufts info: 3.74c, 3.73s, 34Q
Tufts website: 3.6c, 3.54s, 32.2
What gives?

Thanks guys!

MSAR gives info on accepted students. The school website/SDN spreadsheet gives info on matriculants.

The info on accepted students is slightly higher because high stat students often have multiple options to pick from

 

[CodeBlu]

MSAR gives info on accepted students. The school website/SDN spreadsheet gives info on matriculants.

The info on accepted students is slightly higher because high stat students often have multiple options to pick from

This. From our resident statistician.

 

[sector9]

This. From our resident statistician.

 

[FattySlug]

MSAR gives info on accepted students. The school website/SDN spreadsheet gives info on matriculants.

The info on accepted students is slightly higher because high stat students often have multiple options to pick from

So matriculants' is the more important number to go by?

 

[blizzah]

So matriculants' is the more important number to go by?

Use both stats to choose schools if you have them.

An important and overlooked number to use is applicant:interview ratio. Schools like GW and Boston may have low-ish stats, but your chance at interview is already half or less than what it may be at another school.

 

[FattySlug]

Use both stats to choose schools if you have them.

An important and overlooked number to use is applicant:interview ratio. Schools like GW and Boston may have low-ish stats, but your chance at interview is already half or less than what it may be at another school.

Wait on a second thought, shouldn't we all use the higher (accepted) stats to choose schools? That means that you are applying to schools that are actually satisfied with slightly less stats (matriculated) than yours.

As for GW and Boston, I am young and naive :cry:

 

[sector9]

So matriculants' is the more important number to go by?

I would agree with your second post FattySlug. When picking schools, I would go with the stats for accepted students. In the end, I don't think it makes a huge difference though

 

[blizzah]

Wait on a second thought, shouldn't we all use the higher (accepted) stats to choose schools? That means that you are applying to schools that are actually satisfied with slightly less stats (matriculated) than yours.

As for GW and Boston, I am young and naive :cry:

The differences are usually within .1 GPA, and 1-2 MCAT points that its not going to be a big difference either way.

Use the MSAR since it gives you the 10th-90th percentile as well. You get a lot of information, may as well utilize it all.

 

[LizzyM]

Who is getting interviewed and offered admission: the superstars

Who ends up matriculating? whoever is left after the superstars make their decisions.

If you have strong ties to an area and are likely to matriculate there if offered admission, you might have a better shot at an interview than someone with the same stats and no ties. You might be that person who is "average for matriculants" who will matriculate. However, getting the attention of the adcom that is dazzled by the 4.0/39s is going to be your challenge.

 

[CodeBlu]

Who is getting interviewed and offered admission: the superstars

Who ends up matriculating? whoever is left after the superstars make their decisions.

If you have strong ties to an area and are likely to matriculate there if offered admission, you might have a better shot at an interview than someone with the same stats and no ties. You might be that person who is "average for matriculants" who will matriculate. However, getting the attention of the adcom that is dazzled by the 4.0/39s is going to be your challenge.

Wow... what a blunt way to put it. But I guess you're right.

 

[MedicinaeDoctor]

so if the MSAR lists the medians/ranges of accepted students stats, rather than matriculants stats, then does the MSAR stats include people that are coming off of waitlists?

 

[sector9]

so if the MSAR lists the medians/ranges of accepted students stats, rather than matriculants stats, then does the MSAR stats include people that are coming off of waitlists?

Yes, the MSAR includes them because they were accepted (eventually).

The point is that the MSAR also includes the stats for the people who were accepted but declined to attend that school, which are usually the students with high stats with multiple offers (thus making room for the students with the lower stats sitting on the waitlist to attend the school)