Not adding up?

[VFrank]

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May I ask for some advice please? I know this may sound silly, but do you think it's bad to have one high stat and one mediocre stat? I'm asking because my MCAT is really high, but my GPA not so much ...

So far, I've been rejected from Georgetown and I've been put on hold at NU (complete 8/6), GW (complete late July), and Penn State (complete 8/4). I've also been complete at Hopkins since 8/24, Penn since 8/22, and Pitt since 8/22. I hear all these threads saying that maybe schools won't interview you because they think your stats are too high and you won't go there, but it would really suck for some lower-tier schools to say "we're not taking her -- she has a 42 MCAT," and the higher-tier schools saying "we're not taking her -- she has a 3.5." I mean, shouldn't I have heard something from NU (my alma mater and first-choice school) or GW by now?

 

[gujuDoc]

May I ask for some advice please? I know this may sound silly, but do you think it's bad to have one high stat and one mediocre stat? I'm asking because my MCAT is really high, but my GPA not so much ...

So far, I've been rejected from Georgetown and I've been put on hold at NU (complete 8/6), GW (complete late July), and Penn State (complete 8/4). I've also been complete at Hopkins since 8/24, Penn since 8/22, and Pitt since 8/22. I hear all these threads saying that maybe schools won't interview you because they think your stats are too high and you won't go there, but it would really suck for some lower-tier schools to say "we're not taking her -- she has a 42 MCAT," and the higher-tier schools saying "we're not taking her -- she has a 3.5." I mean, shouldn't I have heard something from NU (my alma mater and first-choice school) or GW by now?

I think both of your stats look fine to me. Remember that it is still early on in the game. They will be interviewing well into the spring semester. So, perhaps you still have time. Maybe they are taking into consideration other aspects of your application like your personal statement and activities.


Was your personal statement strong or weak??? How good were your recommendation letters??? What kind of clinical experiences have you had??? Those are other factors they will look at as well as secondary responses.

So don't stress it.

You'll be fine, I'm sure and get in somewhere. With your scores and a 3.5 from a top school like Northwestern, you should be able to get in somewhere.

 

[gujuDoc]

I also wanted to add, that maybe you want to apply to schools like some of the lower tier ones, just in case, cuz a lot of top 25 schools have a lot of people with 35 and above MCATer's and 3.5-4.0 range GPA's.

So there is no guarantee that you will get into those schools.

Some schools that you may want to add to your list include: NYU, which is top 30 school, but pretty good about getting interviews with from what I have heard.

Also some schools that I would think are good to apply to are: Drexel, NYMC, Albany, Ohio State University, and maybe even the UMDNJ MD school.



In other words, don't apply to all top tier schools, apply to some lower tier schools.

 

[superdevil]

May I ask for some advice please? I know this may sound silly, but do you think it's bad to have one high stat and one mediocre stat? I'm asking because my MCAT is really high, but my GPA not so much ...

So far, I've been rejected from Georgetown and I've been put on hold at NU (complete 8/6), GW (complete late July), and Penn State (complete 8/4). I've also been complete at Hopkins since 8/24, Penn since 8/22, and Pitt since 8/22. I hear all these threads saying that maybe schools won't interview you because they think your stats are too high and you won't go there, but it would really suck for some lower-tier schools to say "we're not taking her -- she has a 42 MCAT," and the higher-tier schools saying "we're not taking her -- she has a 3.5." I mean, shouldn't I have heard something from NU (my alma mater and first-choice school) or GW by now?

some small-time schools may be put-off by a high stat combo, but i would seriously doubt that a 3.5 GPA is "too low", if you will, for an interview at UPitt/NU/GW. something seems amiss to me (not to make you paranoid or anything). do you have a pre-med advisor who has access/has read your LORs? would they know if something was fishy on that end?

true, time is still on your side, but it does seem a bit unsettling to me.

good luck!!!!

 

[superdevil]

oh, i just checked your profile...you have 4 really solid interviews and i guarantee that you'll get an invite from WashU, so no worries 👍 😉

 

[aparecida]

I also wanted to add, that maybe you want to apply to schools like some of the lower tier ones, just in case, cuz a lot of top 25 schools have a lot of people with 35 and above MCATer's and 3.5-4.0 range GPA's.

So there is no guarantee that you will get into those schools.

Some schools that you may want to add to your list include: NYU, which is top 30 school, but pretty good about getting interviews with from what I have heard.

Also some schools that I would think are good to apply to are: Drexel, NYMC, Albany, Ohio State University, and maybe even the UMDNJ MD school.



In other words, don't apply to all top tier schools, apply to some lower tier schools.

I agree with this -- it seems like everywhere you applied is a top tier school. There's nothing wrong with applying to top tier schools, but you should also add at least a couple of lower tier schools so that you have all your bases covered. This process is just such a crapshoot.

 

[VFrank]

Thanks everyone. So, is it not too late to add some schools to AMCAS?

 

[Pinkertinkle]

I think a lot of us are in this situation of being complete at many schools but receiving only a few interviews. I have not been through this application process before, but I'm sure not immediately receiving an interview doesn't means you won't get any, so just wait, I'm sure we'll all be bumping the C/O 2009 interview thread soon.

 

[marr]

Wait a little longer or that your essays make you appear to be really cocky/arrogant. Good Luck

 

[medstylee]

i agree that you should add some more less-competitive schools too, but you might also want to add columbia. i went to northwestern and my mcat is a lot lower than yours and my gpa is about the same and i was interviewed there last year. in fact, there were 2 other interviewees from nu that same day. columbia seems to especially like the top school pedigree (in addition to the high mcat scores), so i think that will help you out with them. you only have a short time to finish the secondary, and it is kind of a pain, but i think you have a very good chance at getting an interview there. just a suggestion. good luck.

 

[VFrank]

i agree that you should add some more less-competitive schools too, but you might also want to add columbia. i went to northwestern and my mcat is a lot lower than yours and my gpa is about the same and i was interviewed there last year. in fact, there were 2 other interviewees from nu that same day. columbia seems to especially like the top school pedigree (in addition to the high mcat scores), so i think that will help you out with them. you only have a short time to finish the secondary, and it is kind of a pain, but i think you have a very good chance at getting an interview there. just a suggestion. good luck.

What do you mean by "kind of a pain"? Lots of essays, long essays, strange essays that really weren't on any other applications?

 

[medstylee]

What do you mean by "kind of a pain"? Lots of essays, long essays, strange essays that really weren't on any other applications?

well, there's an essay, but it's pretty generic. i'm sure you could pull stuff from other essays. the part that sucks is that they make you basically fill in your amcas contents over again. you have to list all your courses. and, of course, because of the quarter system, not all of the classes for each year fit on the page. in any case, it's not difficult. it's just tedious. you can just go onto their website and log in, they don't send you a link or anything. also, the original deadline is oct 15, i think. but, they always extend it (i think last year it went into november). anyway, good luck with everything.

 

[45408]

42 = ridiculous, I tell ya

I actually just found out that a friend of mine got a 42. I was in shock. I mean, I had no reason to think he wasn't pretty sharp, but not quite like that.

So, why exactly do you have such a disparity? A 3.5 isn't really bad or anything, but half A's and half B's and a 42 are a little off.

 

[VFrank]

42 = ridiculous, I tell ya

I actually just found out that a friend of mine got a 42. I was in shock. I mean, I had no reason to think he wasn't pretty sharp, but not quite like that.

So, why exactly do you have such a disparity? A 3.5 isn't really bad or anything, but half A's and half B's and a 42 are a little off.

Trend:
frosh: 3.0
soph: 3.6
junior: 3.9

Just took me a little while to get warmed up 🙂

 

[medstylee]

Trend:
frosh: 3.0
soph: 3.6
junior: 3.9

Just took me a little while to get warmed up 🙂

did you live in bobb when you were a freshman or something? 👍

on a more relevant note, the upward progress will probably make your gpa seem better than it is.

 

[VFrank]

did you live in bobb when you were a freshman or something? 👍

on a more relevant note, the upward progress will probably make your gpa seem better than it is.

LOL. No, but I partied a lot and rushed and took classes that I really hated (Chem and Calc). I did live in Allison which is kind of like Bobb (although not really).

 

[gobblety_gook]

VFrank,

I honestly wouldn't worry if I were you...I sincerely doubt schools are looking at your GPA/MCAT combination and wondering "gee she's got the mcat score...but her GPA is a little shaky...I don't know" Plus you also have a great upward trend and good EC's and unless your LORs are a pile of dog poo...I'm sure you're going to get all the high profile interviews you're looking for.

But don't be alarmed if you don't get the GW/Georgetown interview since they may not interview the people with high stats, which you definately fall under. As for the other schools, give them some time...from what I hear, they've basically only begun (UPenn at least) interviewing. I'm sure you'll hear from them in due time.

Best,
GG 👍

 

[mimi1]

Remember, there is a lot more to getting in than GPA and MCAT score.

VFrank,

I honestly wouldn't worry if I were you...I sincerely doubt schools are looking at your GPA/MCAT combination and wondering "gee she's got the mcat score...but her GPA is a little shaky...I don't know" Plus you also have a great upward trend and good EC's and unless your LORs are a pile of dog poo...I'm sure you're going to get all the high profile interviews you're looking for.

But don't be alarmed if you don't get the GW/Georgetown interview since they may not interview the people with high stats, which you definately fall under. As for the other schools, give them some time...from what I hear, they've basically only begun (UPenn at least) interviewing. I'm sure you'll hear from them in due time.

Best,
GG 👍

 

[VFrank]

Thanks everyone for your replies. I really appreciate the support/advice.

 

[liverotcod]

My 39 and 2.95 got me a pre-secondary invite at Pitt, which really surprised me... but I'm more surprised to see that you haven't gotten an invite from them yet. Seems certain that you will.

 

[DrThom]

May I ask for some advice please? I know this may sound silly, but do you think it's bad to have one high stat and one mediocre stat? I'm asking because my MCAT is really high, but my GPA not so much ...

So far, I've been rejected from Georgetown and I've been put on hold at NU (complete 8/6), GW (complete late July), and Penn State (complete 8/4). I've also been complete at Hopkins since 8/24, Penn since 8/22, and Pitt since 8/22. I hear all these threads saying that maybe schools won't interview you because they think your stats are too high and you won't go there, but it would really suck for some lower-tier schools to say "we're not taking her -- she has a 42 MCAT," and the higher-tier schools saying "we're not taking her -- she has a 3.5." I mean, shouldn't I have heard something from NU (my alma mater and first-choice school) or GW by now?

How did you find out that NU put you on hold?

 

[VFrank]

How did you find out that NU put you on hold?

I called them and they told me my application had already been reviewed once, placed in a hold pile, and is in line to be reviewed again. Not a good thing, I imagine.

 

[Medikit]

Do you think your personal statement is decent?

I doubt people would reject you simply because of your "low GPA" (It's really not) and your "high MCAT" (It really is)

 

[Fermata]

A 3.5 is not "low".

Btw, nice MCAT score.

 

[i61164]

May I ask for some advice please? I know this may sound silly, but do you think it's bad to have one high stat and one mediocre stat? I'm asking because my MCAT is really high, but my GPA not so much ...

So far, I've been rejected from Georgetown and I've been put on hold at NU (complete 8/6), GW (complete late July), and Penn State (complete 8/4). I've also been complete at Hopkins since 8/24, Penn since 8/22, and Pitt since 8/22. I hear all these threads saying that maybe schools won't interview you because they think your stats are too high and you won't go there, but it would really suck for some lower-tier schools to say "we're not taking her -- she has a 42 MCAT," and the higher-tier schools saying "we're not taking her -- she has a 3.5." I mean, shouldn't I have heard something from NU (my alma mater and first-choice school) or GW by now?

Whenever I hear of things like this it makes me sick. I mean, what the hell is wrong with these schools? I really don't buy any of these possible explanations like "maybe your PS wasn't that good." Bull****. I'll bet that an applicant with the exact same PS and LORs, but with a 32/3.5 would sitting on like 5 interviews right now. There is no justice here.

On the bright side, WashU is obligated to accept you based on your MCAT alone, even if you don't apply. I think it's written in their charter...

 

[gujuDoc]

42 = ridiculous, I tell ya

I actually just found out that a friend of mine got a 42. I was in shock. I mean, I had no reason to think he wasn't pretty sharp, but not quite like that.

So, why exactly do you have such a disparity? A 3.5 isn't really bad or anything, but half A's and half B's and a 42 are a little off.

Prowler there is nothing off about that, cuz I know someone who once had close to 8 F's on his transcript in Junior college, but went into the navy and got severely disciplined. After 2 yrs in there he came back to college for a postbac and took 90 credits worth of hard core science and got mostly straight A's. His gpa was only 3.2

But guess what, he also got a 37N on his MCAT and had 4 interviews. Two in NY and 2 in Florida (home state) and is in one of the Florida med schools now.

 

[gujuDoc]

VFrank,

Good luck to you. I'm sure you'll get in somewhere.

 

[DrRads101]

VFrank I go to Northwestern Med and I can almost gaurantee you will get at least an interview with those stats. They like Northwestern graduates here, and that MCAT score will definetly help you out, so you have a lot more going for you than most applicants. The only thing you may have going against you with NU is your age is a wee bit younger than I think they would like, but I wouldn't worry about it. And you need clinical experience to be considered. It looks a little low to me. But if I was a betting man I would bet you get in here. Were you clear with them on the essays that they were your top choice? I was very clear about that and told them flat out that they were my top choice, and I think that really helped me.

Also, only apply to Columbia if you are willing to spend 8 hours a day in lecture. Their curriculum is extraordinarily traditional whereas NU's is extraordinarily progressive. Someone who likes NU's curriculum would hate it at Columbia and vice versa--they are TOTALLY different (NU has 2 hours of lecture per day).