Top Post-Bac: What does it take?/New MCAT

[Slinkycoils]

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Hi,

What does it take to be admitted to a top notch post-bac (career changer) program? (e.g.: Goucher, Bryn Mawr, Scripps)

Specifically with regard to:

SATs
GPA
College type (e.g.: is an Ivy, top-LAC advantageous?)
Extracurriculars

Moreover, how competitive--in terms of raw acceptance stats--are these?

I've found a couple of threads on the subject but several are pretty dated; I'd love additional insight/perspective.

Finally, any thoughts on how MCAT revisions will affect these opportunities?

Thanks.

 

[Slinkycoils]

......bump.....

 

[prolixity29]

At JHU the average SAT score (I was told by the office when applying) was about 1400 for accepted students (on the old 1600 scale). I would say from my conversations with people a cutoff GPA would have been around a 3.5. There were a large proportion of students from Ivy and elite universities, though by no means everyone. I heard it was about a 20% acceptance rate.

 

[drizzt3117]

When I was at scripps (keep in mind it was quite awhile ago) the average GPA was about 3.7 and the average sat was ~1400/1600.

 

[darkjedi]

I would say that to be considered a competitive candidate you should have around a 3.6 GPA, 1400 SAT and significant and meaningful medical experience. I would say that your stats can be lower than the numbers I mentioned, provided you have some great experiences to talk about. However you can have wonderful stats and still be considered boring as well. Good experiences are absolutely key.

 

[postbacspec]

I can't speak to the new MCAT, but here are my stats (which seem to be at least on par with the candidates at JHU, Bryn Mawr, & Goucher when I interviewed):
ACT: 32
GPA: 3.8
College type (e.g.: is an Ivy, top-LAC advantageous?): top-LAC
Extracurriculars: hospital volunteering, medically-related internship, student-athlete, some research experience

 

[Evidence Based]

Similar stats to above. 3.9+ GPA and 1470 on the SATs. Got into both Goucher and Bryn Mawr, attending BM starting this fall. Went to a NESCAC (probably a "Top" Liberal Arts College). Volunteered in a mental health setting, clinical research experience, some shadowing.

The top programs are looking for two things:
-People who will get into and succeed in medical school. Thus, you need a demonstrated record of academic success. My guess is that your odds of acceptance would decline pretty steeply once you got lower than a 3.5 or so GPA (and possibly higher).
-However, these programs also want people with good stories. You need to demonstrate that you are sure you want to go this route, and have the experiences to back it up. I interviewed with people who had worked for Partners in Health, been in the Peace Corps, spent years in the military, etc. (I felt way too ordinary compared to them). The sense I get is that there is almost a floor for grades which you definitely have to be above. After that point, however, who you are as a whole person and applicant almost matters more.

 

[Slinkycoils]

Any thoughts on taking the GREs if my math SAT score is low (600) despite >750 on writing & reading?

Am I screwed as these numbers stand?

 

[darkjedi]

Any thoughts on taking the GREs if my math SAT score is low (600) despite >750 on writing & reading?

Am I screwed as these numbers stand?

That would depend entirely on your GPA and ECs. Without those, it's too hard to know for sure. It will likely be fine provided the rest of your application is strong. My SATs were 670 Verbal and 740 Math, so you're not that far off.