Thread for the average and below average applicants

[Cerbernator]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Represent! Give advice to other borderline applicants.

GPA: 3.56
BCMB: 3.48
MCAT 29O

Come on, we can all suck together!

 

[CaptainJack02]

stop complaining. you're not a borderline applicant. you will get in somewhere with those #s.

*edit* can't tell you to stop omplaining, but i'm just saying you're belittling yourself when you're actually in a good position.

 

[Heal&Teach]

Cerb... you are soooo not average man.

 

[ornis4]

Represent! Give advice to other borderline applicants.

GPA: 3.56
BCMB: 3.48
MCAT 29O

Come on, we can all suck together!

GPA: 3.4
MCAT: 30P

I am completing my Master's Degree though, so perhaps that will help my application become less "suckier" or perhaps more "unsucky"...

 

[bigblackjeeps]

you're not a borderline applicant. you will get in somewhere with those #s.


Just out of curiosity, what is an example of "average" GPA/MCAT? You always hear what to shoot for and what med schools look for, but what is the average?

 

[Cerbernator]

Bump, how many schools you average joes applying to? I'm gonna go with about 15 since I dropped all "top" schools due to my 29 MCAT.

I am well endowed just not in numbers.

 

[liverotcod]

Overall GPA: 2.95
BCPM GPA: 3.4
MCAT: 39Q

I'm applying to ~25 schools, currently finalizing the list. I'm not excluding the long shots because I figure, what the heck.

 

[Premedtomed]

Overall GPA: 2.95
BCPM GPA: 3.4
MCAT: 39Q

I'm applying to ~25 schools, currently finalizing the list. I'm not excluding the long shots because I figure, what the heck.

You call yourself borderline! give me a break dude.
This thread is for people like me and Cerbernator who feel completely devasted.

 

[Wahooali]

Overall GPA: 2.95
BCPM GPA: 3.4
MCAT: 39Q

I'm applying to ~25 schools, currently finalizing the list. I'm not excluding the long shots because I figure, what the heck.

Dude, you killed the MCAT! Way to go!

 

[liverotcod]

Dude, you killed the MCAT! Way to go!

It did indeed die a horrible death at my hand. It was not something I wanted to do, but honor called for it. 😉

But, given my GPA, I pretty much had to, eh?

 

[Cerbernator]

i tried to kill it but it fought back, I am glad someone put it down though🙁

 

[krebse]

It did indeed die a horrible death at my hand. It was not something I wanted to do, but honor called for it. 😉

But, given my GPA, I pretty much had to, eh?

I've got one...

3.0 BCPM
3.4 cum
30Q MCAT

pretty much had to kill the MCAT given my GPA, huh?

anyhow, I'm going for about 15 schools too...if I get through the numbers game I think I'll have a shot, but that BCPM's pretty rough...

Liz

 

[ForensicPath]

I was a boderline applicant who was accepted to 2 schools and waitlisted at a few others. I think I had 8 interviews all together (no post-interview rejection so far). As long as you numbers can get your foot in the door, you should be all right. Your ECs and interview do the rest of the talking.

GPA: 3.33 when I applied, 3.4 upon graduation
Science GPA: 3.3ish
MCAT: 31 O

 

[Cerbernator]

Heres to getting through the initial numbers game then!

 

[DSM]

Cerb, quit being so insecure! You will do fine! Now Pluck that banana up and get ready for a flood of interviews....sheesh! 👍

 

[Cerbernator]

Cerb, quit being so insecure! You will do fine! Now Pluck that banana up and get ready for a flood of interviews....sheesh! 👍

I am not being negative, just realistic🙂 I am not so insecure as to base my self worth on numbers despite my dissapointment with the MCAT.

 

[DSM]

I am not being negative, just realistic🙂 I am not so insecure as to base my self worth on numbers despite my dissapointment with the MCAT.

If you are as outspoken in real life as you are here on SDN, ya won't be havin' any problems!

 

[cytotech27]

GPA 3.45
BCPM 3.3
31Q

I consider these numbers to be average, or slightly below, so I applied to 37 schools. We'll see how many secondaries get returned. I feel like once I put a school on the list there was no way to take it off, it might be "the one". Is anyone else freaked by all these waitlist threads of people who applied last year and don't know if they are in yet??? If by this time next year I am on only one waitlist I will be very dissapointed.
In India don't they have just one big test for all the engineering schools or something and then the top 200 get in and that is it, no waiting, no quesswork, finito!

 

[curlycity]

what's BCPM mean?

 

[HARLEY D.]

BCPM: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Math.

 

[premyo2002]

So far I am the lowest of the low

GPA: 3.36
BCPM: 3.43
mcat: 27O (7 verbal)
middle class, white male, from socal

 

[kito]

Cerb, quit being so insecure! You will do fine! Now Pluck that banana up and get ready for a flood of interviews....sheesh! 👍

Herb in a medical school interview? Now that's high comedy.

 

[curlycity]

BCPM: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Math.

Thanks!

Thanks again! (my post wasn't long enough!)

 

[DriNDT]

Hey all,

Chins up! I too was a borderline applicant (well, my GPA was 3.9, but my MCAT was only 29O) and things turned out ok for me. I tried my best to balance out the MCAT devastation with a handful of extracurriculars, some leadership stuff and medical mission work and I wrote a really candid (not bs) personal statement. I ended up applying to 8 schools. I interviewed at 5 and was accepted at all 5. Because I'm an in-state applicant at a top 10 (US News) school I lucked out a bit, but that's where I'll be headed come July. Dreams really do come true... just hang in there and don't get discouraged. The first rejection letter hurts, but then you can shrug off the others a bit more easily. Don't count yourself out until it's really over. This process really is as random as they say!! GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!! 👍

 

[Cerbernator]

Hey all,

Chins up! I too was a borderline applicant (well, my GPA was 3.9, but my MCAT was only 29O) and things turned out ok for me. I tried my best to balance out the MCAT devastation with a handful of extracurriculars, some leadership stuff and medical mission work and I wrote a really candid (not bs) personal statement. I ended up applying to 8 schools. I interviewed at 5 and was accepted at all 5. Because I'm an in-state applicant at a top 10 (US News) school I lucked out a bit, but that's where I'll be headed come July. Dreams really do come true... just hang in there and don't get discouraged. The first rejection letter hurts, but then you can shrug off the others a bit more easily. Don't count yourself out until it's really over. This process really is as random as they say!! GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!! 👍

I would say the 3.9 makes you above average ap since 29-30 is the average MCAT. Thanks for the motivation though 👍

 

[yakinola]

Aloha,
I am about to take the Aug 2004 MCAT. I currently have a GPA of 3.3, I'm an international student from Africa, I'm not giving up on American schools but i want to try foreign schools most especially Australia.

Can anyone recommend schools both in the U.S. and outside. I dont care about the Location, I'm currently in Hawaii but i'm willing to relocate.
Mahalo.

 

[Cerbernator]

Aloha,
I am about to take the Aug 2004 MCAT. I currently have a GPA of 3.3, I'm an international student from Africa, I'm not giving up on American schools but i want to try foreign schools most especially Australia.

Can anyone recommend schools both in the U.S. and outside. I dont care about the Location, I'm currently in Hawaii but i'm willing to relocate.
Mahalo.

I would reccomend checking the International applicants forum. It is difficult to get into a US school as an Internation Student even with excellent stats, so your chances are probably very low🙁

 

[novangel81]

YOu guys are all pretty silly. You should all have a lot of confidence in yourselves that you will get in somewhere. I am on my way to DREW/UCLA and I did not have that good of stats. True, I had great LORs and ECs, but stats wise I was on the low end..but hey I made it. People always said I wouldn't but here I am and I even get to stay in CALI which is most exciting out of everything!

GPA: 3.3
BCPM: 3.3
MCAT: 24N

So there...all you guys should feel better about yourselves. I hope I boosted some people's ego. I got invited to interview at about 10-12 schools, but turned down most cause I had an idea of where I wanted to go. Interviewed at 3 CALI schools so stats aren't everything. Interviewed or got invited to interview at some good schools...so don't worry just go with the flow. Oh and I was accepted to 4 schools before I made the decision on where to go and let go of all the other waitlists. So be proud about your stats no matter what and find other things to make up for it if you feel they aren't satisfying.

Congrats to all the future doctors. i am sure you all will get in somewhere.

PEACE

 

[Premedtomed]

YOu guys are all pretty silly. You should all have a lot of confidence in yourselves that you will get in somewhere. I am on my way to DREW/UCLA and I did not have that good of stats. True, I had great LORs and ECs, but stats wise I was on the low end..but hey I made it. People always said I wouldn't but here I am and I even get to stay in CALI which is most exciting out of everything!

GPA: 3.3
BCPM: 3.3
MCAT: 24N

So there...all you guys should feel better about yourselves. I hope I boosted some people's ego. I got invited to interview at about 10-12 schools, but turned down most cause I had an idea of where I wanted to go. Interviewed at 3 CALI schools so stats aren't everything. Interviewed or got invited to interview at some good schools...so don't worry just go with the flow. Oh and I was accepted to 4 schools before I made the decision on where to go and let go of all the other waitlists. So be proud about your stats no matter what and find other things to make up for it if you feel they aren't satisfying.

Congrats to all the future doctors. i am sure you all will get in somewhere.

PEACE

You beat us all! You are like God

 

[katiekate]

Hey all, I'm really in the average boat.
Overall GPA: 3.4
BCMP: 3.3
Non-BCMP: 3.58
27R (10B, 9P, 8V)
I have quality EC's and am doing 18months of research with the NCI/NIH.

Anybody apply and get accepted to Albany Med, NYMC, MCW, Tulane, or Drexel with numbers like these? I'm from IL, will also apply to SIU, Loyolla, UIC, and Rush as well as two dream schools (UCLA and Emory).

 

[ForensicPath]

I was a boderline applicant who was accepted to 2 schools and waitlisted at a few others. I think I had 8 interviews all together (no post-interview rejection so far). As long as you numbers can get your foot in the door, you should be all right. Your ECs and interview do the rest of the talking.

GPA: 3.33 when I applied, 3.4 upon graduation
Science GPA: 3.3ish
MCAT: 31 O

I guess I should mention my status as a white, middle-class, male, from Long Island, which, let's be honest, does not help things. Apparently my New York State residency didn't help me either since I was rejected preinterview from all SUNY schools, including Stony Brook, which I have worked at since I was in high school and was published in a couple of studies that came out of SB. Not to mention that 2 of my LORs came from higly respected researchers (1 MD and 1 PhD) at Stony Brook.


Moral: Nothing is certain, but then again, nothing is impossible.

 

[Cerbernator]

I guess I should mention my status as a white, middle-class, male, from Long Island, which, let's be honest, does not help things. Apparently my New York State residency didn't help me either since I was rejected preinterview from all SUNY schools, including Stony Brook, which I have worked at since I was in high school and was published in a couple of studies that came out of SB. Not to mention that 2 of my LORs came from higly respected researchers (1 MD and 1 PhD) at Stony Brook.


Moral: Nothing is certain, but then again, nothing is impossible.

Ouch! Man, if my state school does that to me I will cry like a little girl

 

[nina512]

I think I may have you guys beat in the GPA department...

ugpa: 3.2
bcmp: 2.9
grad gpa: 3.8
MCAT: 30

I'm hoping my ECs, grad gpa and MCAT will balance out my undergrad performance. *crossing fingers* 🙂

 

[sprsonic75]

Represent! Give advice to other borderline applicants.

GPA: 3.56
BCMB: 3.48
MCAT 29O

Come on, we can all suck together!

Hey cerb, how'd you study for the mcat dude! man o MAN do i need to sweep the mcat . . :-( . . .help me hahaha . . . haven't taken it yet so my stats are 3.52, 3.55bcpm . . .but i'm applying next june . . btw CONGRADULATIONS on the INSANELY great score :-D . . .

 

[Mistress S]

Hey Cerb,

GPA 3.75, BCPM ~3.5

MCAT 29Q

I'm retaking the Aug MCAT while I apply this year and am hoping that with an improvement on that (specifically in PS) and my extensive (6+ years, paid) clinical experience that I will get in somewhere. I don't think we're in such bad shape, especially you with your nice well-balanced 29. 😉 Good luck to everyone!

 

[Premedtomed]

Also guys, would the adcoms know about this if I take the Aug. MCAT.

I mean I have already submitted my appl. and did not select yes for Aug. MCAt. coz I wasn't sure (and I still am not, but building courage towards taking it )
or do I have to tell them about it? Does AMCAS automatically change the MCAT status??

Please help. 😕

 

[Cerbernator]

So where are you guys applying?

I've applied to:

UVM
UVA
UTENN
Tulane
UMICH
Temple
Rochester
NYU
NYMC
Albany med
Einstein
Mt Sinai
Penn State
GWU
Stanfurd

 

[krebse]

So where are you guys applying?

I've applied to:

UVM
UVA
UTENN
Tulane
UMICH
Temple
Rochester
NYU
NYMC
Albany med
Einstein
Mt Sinai
Penn State
GWU
Stanfurd

I'm doing a bunch from that list and:
EVMS
Loyola
my two MN state schools
U of HI
Drexel
Jefferson
Pitt
U of CO

by the way, I've got a problem with the posters that go on here to post their average stats but then tell how they're retaking the MCAT! You're clearly trying NOT to apply as an average applicant, why are you posting on this thread? Go hit up the 6 million other threads for 29+/3.5+ MCAT retakers and quit making me feel like I should think about retaking the beast on this thread - every other thread is more than capable of making me feel that way

Liz

 

[LUBDUBB]

Guess I'll jump in


Cum: 3.52
BCPM: 3.52
MCAT: 30L


Lacking a bit in the EC's dept...but oh well, I'll still give it the old college try

 

[Scubadoc]

GPA 3.45
BCPM 3.3
31Q

I consider these numbers to be average, or slightly below, so I applied to 37 schools. We'll see how many secondaries get returned. I feel like once I put a school on the list there was no way to take it off, it might be "the one". Is anyone else freaked by all these waitlist threads of people who applied last year and don't know if they are in yet??? If by this time next year I am on only one waitlist I will be very dissapointed.
In India don't they have just one big test for all the engineering schools or something and then the top 200 get in and that is it, no waiting, no quesswork, finito!

Yeah me too...My pre-med advisor said for me to apply to my state schools and 1 or 2 reach schools (what! that would only be around 4 schools!!!). I started putting schools on and ended up with around 30 schools. Had to seriously pare the list down b/c I don't have enough money for that many schools but I totally agree-it was so hard to take one off because it might be "the one" that lets you get that foot in the door! All these waitlist threads definitely contributed to my freaking out about that.

 

[Cerbernator]

thats funny, after getting my craptastic mcat score I scaled down the number of schools i'm applying to by droppingpretty much all the big name schools.

 

[theworst22]

I'm doing a bunch from that list and:
EVMS
Loyola
my two MN state schools
U of HI
Drexel
Jefferson
Pitt
U of CO



Liz,
You might want to try MCW and Univeristy of Illinois at Chicago also. i had similar stats as you (damn those small libral arts college science classes) and I got in at both of those schools this year. Plus, I'm almost in at the U of M and I wasn't a MN resident. You'll be fine...

 

[theworst22]

My cumulative GPA was 3.4, science GPA was ~3.2. MCAT was 30 (11V, 10 BS, 9 PS). I went to Carleton College 😀 (in Northfield, MN) and applied as a Wisconsin resident. I had pretty strong extracuriculars (varsity football & baseball, a decent amount of clinical volunteer experience) and I spent this past year after graduating as a research assistant in the medical school at the University of Minnesota (though I don't think this played a huge role, since my applications were in before I had done much work). Hope that helps

 

[Mistress S]

by the way, I've got a problem with the posters that go on here to post their average stats but then tell how they're retaking the MCAT! You're clearly trying NOT to apply as an average applicant, why are you posting on this thread? Go hit up the 6 million other threads for 29+/3.5+ MCAT retakers and quit making me feel like I should think about retaking the beast on this thread - every other thread is more than capable of making me feel that way

Liz

Liz,
I posted on this thread because with my current scores, I AM an average applicant. No one wants to be just "average" when they apply, we all want to stand out and that is why I'm retaking the test; but there is no guarantee that my scores will go up substantially. Nobody is trying to make you question your decisions; personally, I think a 29 is a decent score, but as I got a 7 in PS I decided it is worth my time to try to improve my scores. You have to look at your own overall app (MCAT, GPA, EC's, LOR's) and make the decision that is right for you; as I'm sure you've heard time and time again on this board, numbers are not the whole story. Besides, if I understand correctly from other posts the OP (Cerb) is also debating whether or not to retake in Aug.

 

[superdevil]

thats funny, after getting my craptastic mcat score I scaled down the number of schools i'm applying to by droppingpretty much all the big name schools.

i think your MCAT is just fine for the schools you're applying to (with the *possible* exceptions of UMich and maybe some of the NY schools???--don't know for sure, i'm not applying anywhere you are execpt for UVa.)

btw, cerb, i thought you were a TN resident??? why not ETSU or meherry? am i wrong (probably)?

 

[coffeeluver]

YOu guys are all pretty silly. You should all have a lot of confidence in yourselves that you will get in somewhere. I am on my way to DREW/UCLA and I did not have that good of stats. True, I had great LORs and ECs, but stats wise I was on the low end..but hey I made it. People always said I wouldn't but here I am and I even get to stay in CALI which is most exciting out of everything!

GPA: 3.3
BCPM: 3.3
MCAT: 24N

So there...all you guys should feel better about yourselves. I hope I boosted some people's ego. I got invited to interview at about 10-12 schools, but turned down most cause I had an idea of where I wanted to go. Interviewed at 3 CALI schools so stats aren't everything. Interviewed or got invited to interview at some good schools...so don't worry just go with the flow. Oh and I was accepted to 4 schools before I made the decision on where to go and let go of all the other waitlists. So be proud about your stats no matter what and find other things to make up for it if you feel they aren't satisfying.

Congrats to all the future doctors. i am sure you all will get in somewhere.

PEACE

Thanks for the info. Just curious, are you a URM?

Good luck in med school.

 

[krebse]

I'm doing a bunch from that list and:
EVMS
Loyola
my two MN state schools
U of HI
Drexel
Jefferson
Pitt
U of CO



Liz,
You might want to try MCW and Univeristy of Illinois at Chicago also. i had similar stats as you (damn those small libral arts college science classes) and I got in at both of those schools this year. Plus, I'm almost in at the U of M and I wasn't a MN resident. You'll be fine...

Thanks...I hope I'm alright...I know another one of us small-liberal-arts-school-devestated-my-gpa people, who had the same stats as the two of us and she got in and will be attending UVM this august...you got in to UIC out of state, huh? I guess I'll add it...you think I'd have a shot at MCW as a MN resident? My list is already at 23 schools - maybe I'll drop a few more big guys...

Liz

 

[Perrin]

GPA: 3.02
GPA (when I graduate): 3.34
BCMP: 3.17
MCAT: 31N

I am applying now, but I am unsure if med schools will reject me and tell me to reapply when my GPA gets a little higher.

My GPA is due to 4 years of architecture school. It is almost impossible to get an A in design studio, I got mostly B's. I got into a very bad disagreement over my disign philosophy...he wanted it designed his way, I thought he should be more open to other ideas. Anyways that resulted in an F for that 6 credit course. That is the main reason that my GPA is low and that I became disillusioned with Arch. My concern is, will adcoms look down on me leaving arch school the semester after I recieved an F.

sorry for the long post

 

[Premedtomed]

they took our jjoooooobbbs

Sorry I had to post this since we are all a bit screwed not much just lil

 

[stinkycheese]

I guess I should mention my status as a white, middle-class, male, from Long Island, which, let's be honest, does not help things. Apparently my New York State residency didn't help me either since I was rejected preinterview from all SUNY schools, including Stony Brook, which I have worked at since I was in high school and was published in a couple of studies that came out of SB. Not to mention that 2 of my LORs came from higly respected researchers (1 MD and 1 PhD) at Stony Brook.


Moral: Nothing is certain, but then again, nothing is impossible.

The ****ing SUNY's are no longer showing preference to in-staters because they want to be number ******. It's a real letdown for those of us who have dedicated ourselves to staying in NYS and practicing medicine at home; I have ties to one of the SUNY's that are probably going to be considered worthless given my very average application.

GPA: 3.45
BCPM: 3.47
MCAT: 34