Re-applicant with higher MCAT but lower GPA: What will adcoms think?

[princessbooty]

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Hi guys,

I am a re-applicant this cycle who improved my MCAT from a 25 to a 37. However, my GPA dropped from a 4.0 to a 3.97 non-science, 3.96 science GPA after I got one B in this biochemistry course that left my senior GPA as 3.75. Do you think the drop in my GPA will be looked down upon or will it not matter much at all? I'm interested in top 10 schools especially. I'm glad to know what you guys think. Thanks.

 

[Feelgood Inc]

Nah, quit stressin'.

Your GPA is still above the averages for top schools so I'd begin focusing on other parts of the app.

 

[On Eagle's Wings]

There is almost no difference between 4.0 and 3.96 or 3.97. The huge increase in MCAT score looks great.

Was the MCAT score the main reason you got rejected your first cycle, or were there other issues? Have you improved your extracurricular activities, shadowing, volunteering, research, leadership, etc? Or are you reapplying with mostly the same application with a higher MCAT score?

 

[Goro]

You're fine, except for that SDN-esque neurosis about GPA. Fix that, will ya?

 

[Catalystik]

I am a re-applicant this cycle who improved my MCAT from a 25 to a 37. However, my GPA dropped from a 4.0 to a 3.97 non-science, 3.96 science GPA after I got one B in this biochemistry course that left my senior GPA as 3.75. Do you think the drop in my GPA will be looked down upon or will it not matter much at all? I'm interested in top 10 schools especially.

I don't think your GPA drop will matter much at all. But keep in mind that more schools are averaging MCAT scores, which would give you a 31, so call around to "top schools" before wasting application dollars on them to be sure of which are primarily considering the most recent score. And include some less-selective schools on your list.

Have you improved your extracurricular activities, shadowing, volunteering, research, leadership, etc? Or are you reapplying with mostly the same application with a higher MCAT score?

I'd be interested to know this as well.

 

[princessbooty]

A lot of the top schools I'm interested in don't post how they evaluate multiple MCAT scores. I have to look up past threads from 2004 on SDN and it seems that most schools take the recent or highest score. As for my application, I have improved other aspects of my application as well. I added more clinical hours and experiences, started a job at a health biotech company, and got a research paper out.

 

[gyngyn]

A lot of the top schools I'm interested in don't post how they evaluate multiple MCAT scores. I have to look up past threads from 2004 on SDN and it seems that most schools take the recent or highest score. As for my application, I have improved other aspects of my application as well. I added more clinical hours and experiences, started a job at a health biotech company, and got a research paper out.

Schools publish and report the highest score. All scores are considered, though. We can't unsee the first score. You should be fine as long as you plan accordingly.

 

[princessbooty]

I just hope adcoms think of my improved application and think that I am academically prepared to succeed in medical school and I am wondering if you guys feel the same way about my stats.

 

[Catalystik]

The article that encouraged changes in how multiple MCAT scores are evaluated was published in Oct 2010: http://journals.lww.com/academicmed...f_Four_Approaches_of_Using_Repeaters_.19.aspx

If you don't wish to call schools personally, you might check out the School Specific Pre-Allo threads to see if anyone addressed this in a post.

 

[gyngyn]

The article that encouraged changes in how multiple MCAT scores are evaluated was published in Oct 2010: http://journals.lww.com/academicmed...f_Four_Approaches_of_Using_Repeaters_.19.aspx

If you don't wish to call schools personally, you might check out the School Specific Pre-Allo threads to see if anyone addressed this in a post.

This needs to be a sticky in the MCAT forum.

 

[FFH]

@princessbooty, you've been asking this question on various threads multiple times since quite some time ago and it didn't seem that any answers were sufficient to calm you down. I understand your anxiety and I understand that certain school like Stanford can make one be obsessive about it. I certainly know how that felt.

But think about it this way, if you can't get pass your old score, who else would? So work on accepting the fact that you do have an old score, and let it be. If anything might keep you out of reach from your dream school, obsession and pointless neuroticism will do the job way more effectively.

As I said when you PMed me about the same topic, It would be beneficial for you if you learn to stop wasting your valuable attention and thoughts on things you can't have a control of. Instead use them on thinking about what changes you can make in the external world that might mean something for other people. And the later will make the greatest difference in your application to medical school.

 

[NothingWasTheSame]

@princessbooty How did you go from a 25 to a 37?? Did you have a panic attack during the first exam? Or did you not have enough time to study?

 

[JuanPabloCastel]

Stahp

 

[princessbooty]

@princessbooty How did you go from a 25 to a 37?? Did you have a panic attack during the first exam? Or did you not have enough time to study?

1) I had a panic attack
2) I only did 2 practice tests (so yes, I ran out of time to study)
3) I was dealing with some personal issues and I couldn't concentrate when I did try to study.
4) I was a bit sick going into the test (coughing mostly)

Second time around, I made sure the same things didn't happen and my score improved tremendously.

 

[gyngyn]

1) I had a panic attack
2) I only did 2 practice tests (so yes, I ran out of time to study)
3) I was dealing with some personal issues and I couldn't concentrate when I did try to study.

These reasons (and others) are all part of the differential that we consider when we see a split like this.
This is why the first score is not merely disregarded.

 

[justadream]

Do adcom's really look at GPA that closely (e.g., monitor trend of BCPM GPA over 4 years) when the overall GPA is like, in the OP's case, 3.85+.

 

[gyngyn]

Do adcom's really look at GPA that closely (e.g., monitor trend of BCPM GPA over 4 years) when the overall GPA is like, in the OP's case, 3.85+.

No.

 

[Goro]

What my learned colleague is saying is that some Adcom members have allergies to people who make poor choices, especially ones concerning career-deciding, high stakes exams.

These reasons (and others) are all part of the differential that we consider when we see a split like this.
This is why the first score is not merely disregarded.

 

[FFH]

What my learned colleague is saying is that some Adcom members have allergies to people who make poor choices, especially ones concerning career-deciding, high stakes exams.

I'm no adcom, but I would be on the conservative side when making assumptions regarding multiple MCATs. I would wonder if it was due to poor advising that some otherwise great candidate chose to take it without being fully prepared.

I would also wonder if the test taker had a physical illness impeding performance, although in that case, there is less excuse because one should have just cancel the grading at the end of the exam if knowing his or her performance wasn't ideal

 

[gyngyn]

I'm no adcom, but I would be on the conservative side when making assumptions regarding multiple MCATs. I would wonder if it was due to poor advising that some otherwise great candidate chose to take it without being fully prepared.

I would also wonder if the test taker had a physical illness impeding performance, although in that case, there is less excuse because one should have just cancel the grading at the end of the exam if knowing his or her performance wasn't ideal

Yes, bad advice, not taking good advice, mental or physical illness, social problems, substance problems, poor preparation, good preparation poor execution...
These and many more things are considered. That's why a single strong score is so much better.
I'm not saying that multiple takers can't get in. They should know however, that they open themselves to the type of speculation that does not benefit them, even when the second score is higher.

 

[Louis C.K.]

Hi guys,

I am a re-applicant this cycle who improved my MCAT from a 25 to a 37. However, my GPA dropped from a 4.0 to a 3.97 non-science, 3.96 science GPA after I got one B in this biochemistry course that left my senior GPA as 3.75. Do you think the drop in my GPA will be looked down upon or will it not matter much at all? I'm interested in top 10 schools especially. I'm glad to know what you guys think. Thanks.

Oh goodness you are worrying about nothing with regards to grades. So what does that mean, you got one AB (or A- or B+)? So the AdComs will see the grade report and it will be all As and one AB towards the end of your degree program? I cannot imagine this being a problem. Also, the 25 to 37 is quite the improvement, the only question I would pose during an interview is, "What happened the first time you took the test? Clearly you are very smart." Be able to answer that question while considering some of the advice mentioned above and you should be fine. Also, be sure to apply to schools other than top 10s.