Question about GPA and MCAT

[pbehzad]

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I'm sure this has been talked about before, but I'm wondering when they say that a strong gpa can make up for a mediocre MCAT score (around 28), how strong of a gpa are we talking about?
I am still waiting on my april score, but I'm wondering would like a 3.75 overall and a 3.55 science be considered strong from a top 20 undergrad school? If your gpa is above a school's average by like more than .1, do you think that'll make up for an mcat taht would be below the school's average.
I feel my EC's are good and LOR's are real good. I'm also double major in Intl Studies and Bio. I know the whole process is crapshoot, but I'm wondering if there is a point for me to apply to any top 20 schools, or just save money and apply to mid-tier schools with an MCAT <30? Also would you take the MCAT in August if you got a 28 with the other stats and info, if you wanted to go to a school like Temple or GW?

Thanks and I appreciate anyone's advice.

 

[Please!]

I'm sure this has been talked about before, but I'm wondering when they say that a strong gpa can make up for a mediocre MCAT score (around 28), how strong of a gpa are we talking about?
I am still waiting on my april score, but I'm wondering would like a 3.75 overall and a 3.55 science be considered strong from a top 20 undergrad school? If your gpa is above a school's average by like more than .1, do you think that'll make up for an mcat taht would be below the school's average.
I feel my EC's are good and LOR's are real good. I'm also double major in Intl Studies and Bio. I know the whole process is crapshoot, but I'm wondering if there is a point for me to apply to any top 20 schools, or just save money and apply to mid-tier schools with an MCAT <30? Also would you take the MCAT in August if you got a 28 with the other stats and info, if you wanted to go to a school like Temple or GW?

Thanks and I appreciate anyone's advice.

It's difficult for anyone to comment on your particular situation w/o seeing your entire application. An MCAT score of 28 can be ok depending on the breakdown of the numbers ( if you scored well on the science and not so well on the verbal but made up for it with a great PS or something like that). I think you should apply broadly: a few top schools, mostly middle schools, and a few safety schools.

Only you know in your heart what you are capable of. If you strongly believe that you can do much better by retaking the MCAT then do so. However, you should be sure that you can do much better (at least 3pts)

 

[pbehzad]

Thanks for the advice. I'd really appreciate it if anyone else could give their opinion. Is a 3.55 sci. gpa strong enough for mid tier schools like temple and gw? Would it be pointless to apply to any top 20 med schools?

 

[jeonsied]

That could be enough as long as you have ECs and a PS that makes you stand out some way. Also I would not recommend you to take the MCAT again unless you think there is a concrete valid reason for getting that low score. You were sick? Had not completed a required course? Did not study? Otherwise normally most people get the same score the second time around. I have a friend who took the MCAT a first time just to see how it was and then a second time after taking reviews and got the exact same score. Maybe it is better if you focus on your GPA (any chance of raising it a little bit with what is left of your undergrad), ECs and doing your best on the AMCAS and secondaries. If you get interviews then all you have to do is give your best and show them you have what it takes in spite of your score. I would still apply to some top 20 but definitely have some less ranked schoold you woudl like to go in your list.

 

[derf]

I'm sure this has been talked about before, but I'm wondering when they say that a strong gpa can make up for a mediocre MCAT score (around 28), how strong of a gpa are we talking about?
I am still waiting on my april score, but I'm wondering would like a 3.75 overall and a 3.55 science be considered strong from a top 20 undergrad school? If your gpa is above a school's average by like more than .1, do you think that'll make up for an mcat taht would be below the school's average.
I feel my EC's are good and LOR's are real good. I'm also double major in Intl Studies and Bio. I know the whole process is crapshoot, but I'm wondering if there is a point for me to apply to any top 20 schools, or just save money and apply to mid-tier schools with an MCAT <30? Also would you take the MCAT in August if you got a 28 with the other stats and info, if you wanted to go to a school like Temple or GW?

Thanks and I appreciate anyone's advice.

although you can never predict your fate, I would think your numbers are very good for schools like temple which you have mentioned. If you delay the app process for the August MCAT, you could risk not getting in anywhere, including the schools you mentioned. If you want a top 20, then your success would depend on the other factors on your app.
If you just want any school, then I would apply in June to mitigate your risk.

 

[jlee9531]

i thought it was the higher mcat score can make up for a lower gpa, which has certainly been the case for me.

but a higher gpa combined with a lower mcat is obviously not the ideal situation since if you did well in school, you should have shown this through your mcat score. but some people just dont test well, weren't feeling their best, or their program wasnt as difficult as other schools'.

now assuming your mcat is decent and the rest of your application is nice a 3.55 science gpa is solid. your application should be competitive at all range of schools. good luck and i hope you get the score you want.

a 28 is a decent score and should be ok. i would not take the august one. hopefully the break down is something like 9 9 10.

 

[Mistress S]

Wow pbezhad, I have almost the exact same situation as you: 3.75 overall GPA, 3.5 sci, 29 MCAT. I am planning to retake the Aug MCAT though, because my score breakdown sucks: 12 VR, 7 PS, 10 BS. It sounds like some people on this board are saying that I risk not getting any acceptances by delaying my app if I take the Aug MCAT. I was under the impression that schools will still consider me with my current score, and I may get some interviews with my current qualifications as everything else (EC's, LOR's) is solid; then after I take the Aug test, assuming it goes up, the other schools that just held onto my app may consider me at that point. Is this not accurate? This seems to be the same sort of thing the OP is considering with taking the Aug test, and I would like to know what people think about this also. If you have already taken the MCAT and have an okay score (28-29) and plan to retake in Aug, will schools consider your app as is when they recieve it (before the Aug scores) and possibly interview you, or will they automatically put your app in a hold pile and not consider you for an interview until they get your new scores?

 

[derf]

Wow pbezhad, I have almost the exact same situation as you: 3.75 overall GPA, 3.5 sci, 29 MCAT. I am planning to retake the Aug MCAT though, because my score breakdown sucks: 12 VR, 7 PS, 10 BS. It sounds like some people on this board are saying that I risk not getting any acceptances by delaying my app if I take the Aug MCAT. I was under the impression that schools will still consider me with my current score, and I may get some interviews with my current qualifications as everything else (EC's, LOR's) is solid; then after I take the Aug test, assuming it goes up, the other schools that just held onto my app may consider me at that point. Is this not accurate? This seems to be the same sort of thing the OP is considering with taking the Aug test, and I would like to know what people think about this also. If you have already taken the MCAT and have an okay score (28-29) and plan to retake in Aug, will schools consider your app as is when they recieve it (before the Aug scores) and possibly interview you, or will they automatically put your app in a hold pile and not consider you for an interview until they get your new scores?

mistress s, I heard of schools providing secondaries before the august scores return and this can definitely help facilitate the app process life cycle. But I never heard of any schools providing an interview/acceptance before MCAT scores return, especially in light of the fact that a student literally checked off a box indicating he/she will take the august test. I may be wrong though...If that were the case, then all applicants would take advantage of this privledge by checking that box and having nothing to lose. If they take me before the august scores come back, great!! If not, oh well, they'll just wait for my august scores. win-win situation