To those who have already applied to med schools: Did you bother applying to...

[alexfoleyc]

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Did you bother applying to med schools that you knew were going to reject you? For example, there are at least 3 med schools in my state that are statistically driven; thus, if you do not meet a certain high gpa/mcat, requirement, they don't even bother looking at secondaries, PS, etc. I believe the range of mcat is 34-38 and gpa is 3.6-4.0 for couple of these schools.
1. If you don't meet the stats, should you bother applying?
2. Did you apply?
3. What were the results?
4. Additionally, is it a bad idea to apply only to in-state schools?

 

[BrainBuff]

Always reach for the stars. Just have a good safety net for the landing....

 

[MilkmanAl]

UAMS states explicitly that they do not accept OOS applicants with less than a 3.6 GPA. Does that tell you anything?

 

[bonsaitree1]

How do you know for sure that there's strict cutoffs??? I thought most schools actually look at most of the application and if they have cutoffs, it's really really low.

 

[alexfoleyc]

How do you know for sure that there's strict cutoffs??? I thought most schools actually look at most of the application and if they have cutoffs, it's really really low.

True. But my premed adviser told me that certain schools put more weight on stats.

 

[anbuitachi]

is there a place w/ these info? like which ones place more on stats

 

[Colonol Forbin]

Its very simple.

If a school states there are strict cutoffs, and you don't meet those cutoffs, you are wasting your time and money applying bc they won't even look at you.

Just like if a school states they only take instate, and you are out of state, if you apply you have NO shot

 

[FuSoYa]

Did you bother applying to med schools that you knew were going to reject you? For example, there are at least 3 med schools in my state that are statistically driven; thus, if you do not meet a certain high gpa/mcat, requirement, they don't even bother looking at secondaries, PS, etc. I believe the range of mcat is 34-38 and gpa is 3.6-4.0 for couple of these schools.
1. If you don't meet the stats, should you bother applying?
2. Did you apply?
3. What were the results?
4. Additionally, is it a bad idea to apply only to in-state schools?

1) If it is a stated, strict cut-off then you can probably skip the school. But don't just take your advisor's word for it. Average applicant numbers (like those posted in MSAR) are just general guidelines, don't take them as cut-offs.

2) Apply to as many schools as your mind and wallet can handle.

4) Depends on what state you live in and what your stats are. It's probably good to apply broadly and leave yourself some options.

 

[metallica81788]

My school list consisted of about 50% reaches. I received interviews from 4 of them, so it worked out well for me (even though I wasn't accepted by any of them). It never hurts to try if you want it badly enough.

 

[Mast Cell]

Which schools say they don't accept MCAT scores below a 34? Isn't that kinda ridiculous??

The only "strict" requirements that u need to pay attn to are residency requirements. When u see that schools accept between 0 and 2 OOS students/yr...well, u shouldn't even waste ur time, unless it's one of ur state schools, of course.

Other than that, I only really noticed silly requirements like a minimum of a 2.5 GPA at some schools (off the top of my head, I remember Iowa having this). I mean...be reasonable. Don't waste money applying to a ton of schools where u're far below their avgs, or their reported 10th percentile numbers (u can obtain this info from the MSAR). Still apply to a few reach/dream schools cuz u never know what's gonna happen.

Best of luck!

 

[Mast Cell]

Oh, and to ur 4th question, yes I believe it is a bad idea to only apply in-state. Unless u're from Texas or New York (maybe Ohio), u're gonna extremely limit ur chances cuz most states don't have that many schools to begin with. I know California has a lot of schools but cali doesn't even count since they're sooo competitive. No matter where u're from, I'd say to apply IS and OOS but be smart about which OOS schools u pick. It might be a good idea to give med school admissions offices a call to discuss ur application.

 

[mvenus929]

The only school I applied to that had any sort of strict requirements was University of South Carolina, which basically said that they would reject you if you were OOS and didn't have strong ties to the state. I went to high school there, though, so I had strong ties. I got accepted.

This cycle was a little weird. I was expecting an interview from NYU, and didn't get one. I wasn't expecting an interview from UVA and ended up with an acceptance. I also expected to get into my state school, and they rejected me post-interview.

 

[phantomx87]

Many many schools have strict GPA and/or MCAT requirements (and no, I'm not talking about the 2.5 that some schools list in the MSAR). One of my personal advisors for the past several years is also an adcom director at one of the local medical schools, so I am not speaking out of turn here.

Her school has strict 3.0 cum and science GPA cutoffs. Even though she and I have a great relationship, and she's made many phone calls in support of my candicacy, I didn't meet the schools criteria. Her words verbatim to me on more than one occasion were "XXX has a strict GPA cutoff. You know if I could bend the rules, I would do it for you."

That being said, you should definitely have some reach schools (but not too many... that's just unrealistic). Two or three tops. IMHO, you're just wasting your time and money after that. I work at one of the top medical schools in the nation with 5 LORs from very well known attendings here... Didn't bother applying.

Point of the story: Actually call and speak with the admissions office if you're not sure whether you're competitive or not. The MSAR is a great guide, but nothing beats getting news from the horse's mouth.


RE: IS vs OOS applications - Again, be smart about it. If you're not from GA, don't apply to GA public schools (or LSU, MS, etc etc). As stated previously, look at the MSAR. Some schools state flat out that they don't take OOS applicants. That being said, if you're from a state like the aforementioned (and also TX!), you HAD BETTER apply to your state schools. Unfortunately, I come from a state where no real preference is shown to its residents. All of my interviews and acceptances (sans 1) were OOS. It's all about playing your odds and remember to KISS.

 

[Mast Cell]

Many many schools have strict GPA and/or MCAT requirements (and no, I'm not talking about the 2.5 that some schools list in the MSAR). One of my personal advisors for the past several years is also an adcom director at one of the local medical schools, so I am not speaking out of turn here.

Her school has strict 3.0 cum and science GPA cutoffs. Even though she and I have a great relationship, and she's made many phone calls in support of my candicacy, I didn't meet the schools criteria. Her words verbatim to me on more than one occasion were "XXX has a strict GPA cutoff. You know if I could bend the rules, I would do it for you."

That being said, you should definitely have some reach schools (but not too many... that's just unrealistic). Two or three tops. IMHO, you're just wasting your time and money after that. I work at one of the top medical schools in the nation with 5 LORs from very well known attendings here... Didn't bother applying.

Point of the story: Actually call and speak with the admissions office if you're not sure whether you're competitive or not. The MSAR is a great guide, but nothing beats getting news from the horse's mouth.


RE: IS vs OOS applications - Again, be smart about it. If you're not from GA, don't apply to GA public schools (or LSU, MS, etc etc). As stated previously, look at the MSAR. Some schools state flat out that they don't take OOS applicants. That being said, if you're from a state like the aforementioned (and also TX!), you HAD BETTER apply to your state schools. Unfortunately, I come from a state where no real preference is shown to its residents. All of my interviews and acceptances (sans 1) were OOS. It's all about playing your odds and remember to KISS.

ME TOO!!! ...stupid pennsylvania! haha

now i'm stuck paying a trillion dollars for med school

 

[Excelsius]

Most schools do not have strict or explicit cutoffs. This also applies to top schools. If you fit the criteria that the school emphasizes, or if you bring diversity to the class that is not being met by the other applicants, you might get it. If you don't fit their criteria, you won't get in. This is almost GPA independent. There are some people who get rejected by DOs, but get into MD. Others don't make it into their "safety" schools, but those top 10 schools accept them. It just depends on your MCAT, GPA, research experience, and LORs. Premeds often argue about what criterion is more important, but the variability among schools is too great to have any one aspect on top. Statistically, MCAT ranks first, followed by GPA. Top schools also prove this concept since they tend to accept students with very high MCAT scores even if the GPA is not at the top. The opposite doesn't happen much. On the other hand, if you have the right connection, your LOR could be more important than the rest of the criteria. Therefore, barring any explicit cutoffs, you don't want to automatically skip over any schools where one of your numbers is lacking.

 

[phantomx87]

Most schools do not have strict or explicit cutoffs. This also applies to top schools. If you fit the criteria that the school emphasizes, or if you bring diversity to the class that is not being met by the other applicants, you might get it. If you don't fit their criteria, you won't get in. This is almost GPA independent. There are some people who get rejected by DOs, but get into MD. Others don't make it into their "safety" schools, but those top 10 schools accept them. It just depends on your MCAT, GPA, research experience, and LORs. Premeds often argue about what criterion is more important, but the variability among schools is too great to have any one aspect on top. Statistically, MCAT ranks first, followed by GPA. Top schools also prove this concept since they tend to accept students with very high MCAT scores even if the GPA is not at the top. The opposite doesn't happen much. On the other hand, if you have the right connection, your LOR could be more important than the rest of the criteria. Therefore, barring any explicit cutoffs, you don't want to automatically skip over any schools where one of your numbers is lacking.

I'm sorry, but what are your qualifications again? I know you see yourself as this self-appointed MCAT and school admissions guru, but I have yet to see anything that substantiates anything you say. Basically, all I can gather is that you peruse the forums, read whatever you think makes sense, and regurgitate. Even when your comments are irrelevant! Case in point: your completely irrelevant comments in the neurosurgery forum, completely disregarding both the original question and the subsequent responses from RESIDENTS (not pre-meds).

You see, my friend, this is where you are wrong... Having worked VERY closely (read: HAVING BEEN EMPLOYED BY AND SPENT 80hrs/wk WITH) over the past several application cycles with many admissions committee members (voting and non-voting) and adcom directors, I think I have a little bit of ground on which to stand on here... Unless you're calling these people liars...?

 

[Excelsius]

I'm sorry, but what are your qualifications again? I know you see yourself as this self-appointed MCAT and school admissions guru, but I have yet to see anything that substantiates anything you say. Basically, all I can gather is that you peruse the forums, read whatever you think makes sense, and regurgitate. Even when your comments are irrelevant! Case in point: your completely irrelevant comments in the neurosurgery forum, completely disregarding both the original question and the subsequent responses from RESIDENTS (not pre-meds).

You see, my friend, this is where you are wrong... Having worked VERY closely (read: HAVING BEEN EMPLOYED BY AND SPENT 80hrs/wk WITH) over the past several application cycles with many admissions committee members (voting and non-voting) and adcom directors, I think I have a little bit of ground on which to stand on here... Unless you're calling these people liars...?

Re: cutoffs - my information is based on my communication with adcoms in CA - some in-person, some not. Many schools follow their model. While some schools might have strict cutoffs, I have yet to read about a single one that does have explicit GPA cutoffs. If you can read FAQs from school websites, understand what their mission statements mean, know what's in the MSAR, and can interpret AMCAS admissions statistics, the conclusions are not that intractable to surmise. If you have information to the contrary, please enlighten us with just a few links that negates the plethora of information that suggests otherwise. Premeds would be thankful to you since it would save them a lot of money and make the schools selection much easier.

Finally, I would question the veracity of the information you provide about your employment with an adcom for 80hrs a week - I didn't know adcoms work as many hours as neurosurgery residents and on top of that want a student to be present with them during all those 80 hrs! I know an adcom member as well who wants me to be at his school, but there is no such thing as "I can get in if you want me to with your sub 3.0" as you were promised. Why? Because the decision is never up to a single adcom, no matter how special you think you are.

I had to visit that thread in the NS forum to realize that you're the OP there. Your arrogant response in that thread warranted no reply, but instead of getting a hint, you just made another post in the same spirit on a completely unrelated topic. Dude, try to reread what was said to you again and see if you can figure out how it applies to your original post. Good luck with your endeavors in NS. You might need it since you don't seem to understand the information available on forums like this, which, incidentally, is primary regurgitated information.

Overactive ventral tegmental area? I apologize in advance if I stepped on your limbic system again. I assure you it won't happen again.

P.S.: I think you violated one of SDN commandments or something by hastily changing your status to "med student" before you actually are one.