Realistically, how much do the following NON stats part of the application help?

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lnguyen1412 said:
To be honest, I think it is all matter once you pass the initial screening.

No amount of ECs can make up for bad stats though (as many people on this forum said).
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So basically after you get the secondaries, that's where the EC's and extras come into play?
 
hopefullyafutureDOstudent said:
So basically after you get the secondaries, that's where the EC's and extras come into play?
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I have heard after secondary is submitted, they started the throughout screening process where they take a look at your application in-and-out. Maybe someone like Goro can give you better inside on how adcom works. But that just my guess.
 
hopefullyafutureDOstudent said:
-upward gpa trend
-extracurriculars:lots of patient exposure/leadership
-great PS
-well rounded interests (music, other activities)
-great LOR

Given all of these are stellar, can it outshine bad/low stats?
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ECs come in handy during tie breakers when on a waitlist or just general screening post interview. They come in handy when you are a tad below the average for the school, but not more than two SDs, but they do have to be unique to wow them.

Everyone will have the typical "save the world" experience just be able to have something different is what really helps.
 
It depends on how low your stats are, there is a point where no ECs can make up for them. If you are just a bit below their averages not your ECs match their mission and what they are looking for then yeah it can totally help you out
 
Nothing can make up for too low of gpa/mcat stats. Those help say how likely you are to be successful academically. The other suggests you might have what it takes interpersonal wise to be a dr. Why take a really nice person if they are likely to fail med school?

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hopefullyafutureDOstudent said:
-upward gpa trend
-extracurriculars:lots of patient exposure/leadership
-great PS
-well rounded interests (music, other activities)
-great LOR

Given all of these are stellar, can it outshine bad/low stats?
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ADCOMS want to make sure the students they accept can pass boards and become competent physicians.

Unless an LOR says you taught the attending a revolutionary procedure it's not going to fix a 2.5 GPA.
 
chizledfrmstone said:
ADCOMS want to make sure the students they accept can pass boards and become competent physicians.

Unless an LOR says you taught the attending a revolutionary procedure it's not going to fix a 2.5 GPA.
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Yeah definitely not 2.5 gpa... What if it's a 3.4 cGPA and 3.13 sGPA?
 
Sorry, but don't think a pre-do forum will generate the most accurate results to this question. People may say valid points, but overall it's speculation and none of us have worked in an admissions committee to tell you.
 
Keep in mind that one has to define "bad/low stats". A 3.4/3.13 will get some IIs, but not from my school or CCOM, for example. That sGPA is too low even for some new schools like BCOM or CUSOM!



This always helps, even at MD schools.
upward gpa trend

There are such things as "killer ECs that make people worth a look. These can include Peace Corps, or being a veteran.
-extracurriculars:lots of patient exposure/leadership


None of these will overcome poor stats.

-great PS
-great LOR
-well rounded interests (music, other activities)

It's stats that get you to the door, ECs get you through the door. No one is done any favors by being admitted if they're at high risk of failing out of med school, even if they have a Nobel Prize.
Given all of these are stellar, can it outshine bad/low stats?[/QUOTE]
 
Goro said:
Keep in mind that one has to define "bad/low stats". A 3.4/3.13 will get some IIs, but not from my school or CCOM, for example. That sGPA is too low even for some new schools like BCOM or CUSOM!



This always helps, even at MD schools.
upward gpa trend

There are such things as "killer ECs that make people worth a look. These can include Peace Corps, or being a veteran.
-extracurriculars:lots of patient exposure/leadership


None of these will overcome poor stats.

-great PS
-great LOR
-well rounded interests (music, other activities)

It's stats that get you to the door, ECs get you through the door. No one is done any favors by being admitted if they're at high risk of failing out of med school, even if they have a Nobel Prize.
Given all of these are stellar, can it outshine bad/low stats?
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[/QUOTE]
I actually have been emailing the director of admissions at BCOM and he said the minimum gpa is 3.0...... So yes I think they would still take it....
 
Well, there are actual floors, and then there are effective floors. For example, our stated minim is something like 3.1 or 3.2, but we never interview people <3.25.

I actually have been emailing the director of admissions at BCOM and he said the minimum gpa is 3.0...... So yes I think they would still take it....[/QUOTE]
 
Goro said:
Well, there are actual floors, and then there are effective floors. For example, our stated minim is something like 3.1 or 3.2, but we never interview people <3.25.
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Well looks like whatever school you're at just got thrown into the pile of schools that are making me work my butt off this first half of summer to get a quick boost in GPA before my app goes in. Hoping it's worth it


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MADD!!! said:
Sorry, but don't think a pre-do forum will generate the most accurate results to this question. People may say valid points, but overall it's speculation and none of us have worked in an admissions committee to tell you.
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Some of us had multiple acceptances and spoke to the ADCOMs about our application in detail. They are pretty blunt about what they want sometimes.


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This question has probably been asked a thousand times...with the same feedback/response...Stats (GPA and MCAT) will always and forever be heavily weighted (cake) than stellar extracurricular activities (awesome tasting icing on cake). Stellar extracurricular activities won't cut you some slack. OP you need to focus on bringing that science gpa up cause that is really low...save yourself from being a re-applicant (apply with the strongest app the first time)
 
Goro said:
Well, there are actual floors, and then there are effective floors. For example, our stated minim is something like 3.1 or 3.2, but we never interview people <3.25.


I actually have been emailing the director of admissions at BCOM and he said the minimum gpa is 3.0...... So yes I think they would still take it....
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[/QUOTE]

Is that sGPA or cGPA? My cumulative is 3.34 but my science is 3.29, close to that 3.25 cutoff


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Goro said:
sGPA



Is that sGPA or cGPA? My cumulative is 3.34 but my science is 3.29, close to that 3.25 cutoff


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[/QUOTE]
So do you interview people with less than 3.25cGPA? Or are you just placing emphasis on the sGPA?
 
Goro said:
No, it holds for both at my school.

So do you interview people with less than 3.25cGPA? Or are you just placing emphasis on the sGPA?
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[/QUOTE]
Ah I see. Out of curiosity, do you interview people with close to the cutoff? Or does the cutoff have a sort of intrinsic upwards standard deviation that you use for interview criteria?
 
I think our effective floor is 3.3 for both. It's probably 3.4 or 3.35 for CCOM.


Ah I see. Out of curiosity, do you interview people with close to the cutoff? Or does the cutoff have a sort of intrinsic upwards standard deviation that you use for interview criteria?[/QUOTE]
 
Goro said:
I think our effective floor is 3.3 for both. It's probably 3.4 or 3.35 for CCOM.



Ah I see. Out of curiosity, do you interview people with close to the cutoff? Or does the cutoff have a sort of intrinsic upwards standard deviation that you use for interview criteria?
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[/QUOTE]
GAHHH my sGPA = 3.29!!!!..... Why couldn't i have that .01 more :laugh::laugh:

Edit: Technically its 3.293, so I'd need .002 more +pity+:beat:
 
Goro said:
Just apply broadly. And skip LUCOM.
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Hi goro, I'm just curious, if our MCAT exceeds the average but the sGPA falls below the "floor" you're talking about, they won't make adjustments or overlook it? shouldn't that compensate? thanks 🙂
 
Depends upon the schools. We're strict on our floors. Newer schools will probably be more lenient.

hopefullyafutureDOstudent said:
Hi goro, I'm just curious, if our MCAT exceeds the average but the sGPA falls below the "floor" you're talking about, they won't make adjustments or overlook it? shouldn't that compensate? thanks 🙂
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Goro said:
I think our effective floor is 3.3 for both. It's probably 3.4 or 3.35 for CCOM.



Ah I see. Out of curiosity, do you interview people with close to the cutoff? Or does the cutoff have a sort of intrinsic upwards standard deviation that you use for interview criteria?
Click to expand...
[/QUOTE]

So if I had like a 3.25 now but could break 3.3 by the end of the summer. Would it be wise to apply to lower gpa schools initially then add schools like CCOM post summer? Or just send all and then update them as grades are received?


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Apply when you have the best possible app. You're getting too grade obsessed.


So if I had like a 3.25 now but could break 3.3 by the end of the summer. Would it be wise to apply to lower gpa schools initially then add schools like CCOM post summer? Or just send all and then update them as grades are received?


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile[/QUOTE]
 
^also relating to improving gpa, could i take classes on my weaknesses and present the improvements at interviews, would that help? or would it be too late
 
I am going to be brutally honest here......MED SCHOOLS LOOK AT 2 THINGS! MCAT and GPA that is it! Done. I know someone who had no ECs whether he lied or not on his app I don't know but he got into a very competitive school b/c he sent a letter of intent and had a 4.0/32

Med Schools only look for stats the whole EC thing is really to make sure you know what you're getting into.....secondaries are to make sure you're not crazy and that your good app isn't a fluke or something.

Focus on those 2 factors and you'll get in

Good Luck to you
 
Think of it like being a marathon runner and you're trying to get people to sponsor you for the race. Yeah sure, the potential sponsors might like someone who did a bunch of side projects about the importance of running and was involved in a research project dedicated to design the most efficient running shoe. You can look at that and say "Hey, this guys pretty interested in running." That's what ECs do.

But ultimately, you wanna sponsor someone who's proven that they're good at running. You want someone fast (MCAT) and someone who won't tire out over the course of the race (gpa). So of course, no cares if someone who's dying at the end of a 15 minute mile comes off as interested in running. You want someone who's good at it.


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