What does it take to get into a top 10 program?

[janey243]

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Over on the reddit premed forum, someone posted this:

I applied this cycle and earned acceptances at multiple top 10 schools, including a full tuition merit scholarship at one of those schools.

A student admitted to one of these schools has the following qualities with room for deficiencies in only one or two:

• GPA: 3.7+
• MCAT: 35+
• Research: publications encouraged, should last at least a year (2+ ideal)
• Volunteerism: 2+ years of commitment to one or two organizations, leadership in organizations (ie, exec board positions and/or president)
• Clinical volunteering and physician shadowing (to prove interest in medicine)
• Very good letters of recommendation (from professors with whom the student has built rapport through office hours, lunches, good grades, etc.)
• Something extra to make them unique or human, usually arts or sports related (varsity athlete, published writer, newspaper editor, dancer who has performed for an audience, rock climber w/ awards or significant accomplishments, etc.)
• A well written, persuasive, and endearing personal essay

Again, one or two of these categories can be slightly deficient. The interview can hold great import for applicants and move them up a notch even with slightly weaker applications. More than two deficiencies can be made up for with something stellar:

• Rhodes/Marshall/Fulbright scholarship
• Non-traditional applicant with impressive work experience
• Many scientific publications in top journals
• Peace Corps/TFA
• Underrepresented minority or military background
• Olympic athlete

Edit: of course, this all assumes you apply to multiple top 10 schools. Any one school can be a crapshoot. If you apply to 5 or so of the top 10 (with convincing "Why X?" essays), then with this checklist and some proper interview etiquette you will probably get into one of them.

How accurate is that post? Is it really so easy as to simply finish a checklist to get into a top medical school?

 

[Frazier]

Yes, it is that easy. Check off everything outlined above and you will get into a top 10.

The problem is that this referent checklist contains boxes that only <5% of applicants can mark (i.e. 35+ mcat, etc).

But other than that pesky detail, it's that easy!

 

[neuro nephrons]

If you have to ask, you probably don't have it lol.

 

[Frazier]

Also, it is comforting to hear that, for those applicants that don't meet the main requirements, there are simple backdoor options that will compensate.

I imagine it is pretty easy for premeds to become "Rhodes scholars" and "Olympic athletes"... I mean they are premed after all.

It's that easy.

 

[IncognitoGuy]

Also, it is comforting to hear that, for those applicants that don't meet the main requirements, there are simple backdoor options that will compensate.

I imagine it is pretty easy for premeds to become "Rhodes scholars" and "Olympic athletes"... I mean they are premed after all.

It's that easy.

 

[487806]

Blais is 100% accurate in his statements.

 

[chronicidal]

Is it really so easy as to simply finish a checklist to get into a top medical school?

Absolutely.

 

[Lamel]

That list is all false, here is what it actually takes.

Bone of the father, unknowingly given, you will renew your son! Flesh of the servant, willingly sacrificed, you will revive your master. Blood of the enemy, forcibly taken, you will resurrect your foe.

Guaranteed to get into Harvard.

 

[A7X]

that list is all false, here is what it actually takes.

Bone of the father, unknowingly given, you will renew your son! Flesh of the servant, willingly sacrificed, you will revive your master. Blood of the enemy, forcibly taken, you will resurrect your foe.

Guaranteed to get into harvard.

+10000000000

 

[jr93]

Not sure what the hell "top 10" means but when it comes to the schools that people think highly of that accepts students with high MCAT scores, it also doesn't hurt to have a family member that donates to the university if your stats aren't quite on par with some other comparable students.

 

[darkjedi]

Also, it is comforting to hear that, for those applicants that don't meet the main requirements, there are simple backdoor options that will compensate.

I imagine it is pretty easy for premeds to become "Rhodes scholars" and "Olympic athletes"... I mean they are premed after all.

It's that easy.

Funny you should say that because we actually have an Olympic medalist in our class haha.

 

[Frazier]

Funny you should say that because we actually have an Olympic medalist in our class haha.

Sucks to be him/her. According to this checklist -- someone is "compensating for two or more deficiencies"!

 

[RogueUnicorn]

Funny you should say that because we actually have an Olympic medalist in our class haha.

and a rhodes scholar in mine...

 

[mcloaf]

Over on the reddit premed forum, someone posted this:



How accurate is that post? Is it really so easy as to simply finish a checklist to get into a top medical school?

That's fairly accurate. TBH I wish I'd discovered these things before my junior year...

 

[tantacles]

Where is that poop hotdog thread again? I think it's time to revive it.

 

[Juan Solo]

Also, it is comforting to hear that, for those applicants that don't meet the main requirements, there are simple backdoor options that will compensate.

I imagine it is pretty easy for premeds to become "Rhodes scholars" and "Olympic athletes"... I mean they are premed after all.

It's that easy.

I agree.

 

[nysegop]

Also, it is comforting to hear that, for those applicants that don't meet the main requirements, there are simple backdoor options that will compensate.

I imagine it is pretty easy for premeds to become "Rhodes scholars" and "Olympic athletes"... I mean they are premed after all.

It's that easy.

Rhodes scholars maybe, but I don't think we're all pro athletes. At least I'm not :\
I guess my chances at med school are shot.

 

[Narmerguy]

I would say that if you check those lists, you will be competitive at all the top 10 schools. These schools have very low acceptance rates and look to fill their class with diversity where possible. We can't all check the same boxes and expect it to work for all of us. Just remember that the median/avg GPA for most of these top schools is above 3.8 now, and the MCAT is 36-37.

 

[911 Turbo]

I guess I'll just have to cure cancer

 

[circulus vitios]

Be like this guy.

 

[sliceofbread136]

High MCAT, high GPA, great research with multiple pubs and you are in. 😱

 

[Lollygag]

Be like this guy.

Ahhhhh thats hilarious LOL