Which is weighted heavier?

[tdkneo]

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This is the one question that ive always wonder.......a lot of people told me that GPA is weighted heavier than the MCAT score, and some just told me the opposite, while others think that GPA and MCAT are not everything.......i know GPA plays a crucial role in the admission process but what if the GPA is not that good, say 2.4 to 2.7 while the MCAT is around 36 to 40 with volunteer experience, some extracurricular activies, etc......does this person have a chance?

 

[mletter]

Well, you can have a 45 mcat but if the school has a cut off GPA, most around 3.0, then that eliminates you from even recieving a secondary.

 

[Kuba]

i think gpa is weighted more heavily if both are decent. It is going to be tough to get in with a 2.5ish gpa IMO unless there is a ridiculous upward trend. Take some more classes and nail them.

 

[tdkneo]

i think gpa is weighted more heavily if both are decent. It is going to be tough to get in with a 2.5ish gpa IMO unless there is a ridiculous upward trend. Take some more classes and nail them.

how do we actually show the admission committee if we are actually serious and dedicated towards the medical field, i mean besides the obvious like gpa, volunteer, etc......but some schools will only look at the GPA first and eliminate on the spot without looking at other stats, is there a way to make ourselves more appealing with average to below average gpa....

 

[Kuba]

how do we actually show the admission committee if we are actually serious and dedicated towards the medical field, i mean besides the obvious like gpa, volunteer, etc......but some schools will only look at the GPA first and eliminate on the spot without looking at other stats, is there a way to make ourselves more appealing with average to below average gpa....

yes, getting a masters degreee or doing a postbacc. But I dont think a "quick fix" exists..

 

[G.O.A.T.]

This is the one question that ive always wonder.......a lot of people told me that GPA is weighted heavier than the MCAT score, and some just told me the opposite, while others think that GPA and MCAT are not everything.......i know GPA plays a crucial role in the admission process but what if the GPA is not that good, say 2.4 to 2.7 while the MCAT is around 36 to 40 with volunteer experience, some extracurricular activies, etc......does this person have a chance?

start shadowing a DO. a 2.7 or even lower is not unheard of at a DO school, especially with a 36 MCAT. if your heart is set on the MD, probably do need the masters. if you are happy with a DO, you'll be ok. DO schools are more forgiving when it comes to gpa.

 

[Terpskins99]

start shadowing a DO. a 2.7 or even lower is not unheard of at a DO school, especially with a 36 MCAT. if your heart is set on the MD, probably do need the masters. if you are happy with a DO, you'll be ok. DO schools are more forgiving when it comes to gpa.

I disagree with this. If anything, as a whole DO programs place much more emphasis on GPA than they do the MCATs (relative to MD programs, anyway). Over here, we're much more willing to look past a sub-par MCAT than a sub-par GPA.

If you have a sub 2.7 gpa, then the school is going to want some very convincing evidence that you can handle the workload. Medical school exams are nothing like the MCAT's, and medical school classes are (imo) nothing like college courses. It is an EXTREMELY intense environment and the coursework won't slow down for anyone. If had trouble maintaining at least a 3.0 GPA in college, then you are probably not ready for medical school.

I'm being brutally honest here. You MAY get into medical school this time around, but what good will that do if you flunk out? One of my classmates had a likewise stellar MCAT score (I believe he had a 38) that failed out last year because he didn't put in the time studying for exams. And I don't care how smart you are, you HAVE to put in a LOT of time outside of lecture studying to get through medical school.

I would strongly recommend applying to a post-bacc program (eg Georgetown SMP, BU GMS, Chicago Med Masters) to both bolster your academic record along with actually preparing you for what medical school will really be like.

 

[MaximusD]

Two case studies are DRKUBA and myself.

Both around a 3.25 with a 3.00 sci gpa and with a MCAT of 31/32.

Now all you need to do is watch us receive many painful rejections and avoid laughing at our struggle. 😛 jk of course.

Anyone willing to be a case study for low MCAT (~21-24) with high GPA (3.7+)?

As always, check mdapps for much more info.

 

[DoctorMom78]

I think it really depends on the school. In general, I think the osteopathic schools weigh GPA more heavily, but that is just my opinion. Good luck!

 

[Micah6:8]

Two case studies are DRKUBA and myself.

Both around a 3.25 with a 3.00 sci gpa and with a GPA 31/32.

Now all you need to do is watch us receive many painful rejections and avoid laughing at our struggle. 😛 jk of course.

Anyone willing to be a case study for low MCAT (~21-24) with high GPA (3.7+)?

As always, check mdapps for much more info.

I will be the case study. 23 MCAT, 3.67 GPA, already accepted to my top choice school, CCOM with interview invites to others (declined after CCOM acceptance). Also have a Master's degree.

 

[the alchemist]

This is the one question that ive always wonder.......a lot of people told me that GPA is weighted heavier than the MCAT score, and some just told me the opposite, while others think that GPA and MCAT are not everything.......i know GPA plays a crucial role in the admission process but what if the GPA is not that good, say 2.4 to 2.7 while the MCAT is around 36 to 40 with volunteer experience, some extracurricular activies, etc......does this person have a chance?

from my personal experience, i'd have 2 give a vote that gpa is weighted more heavily. my ug gpa fell in ur range and i had a 3.62 from grad school w/ a masters in a hard sci, 9 yrs of research experience, and a 3.91 from random post-bacc classes at upenn (w/ letters saying that i got the 'highest grade' in the class in both physio and micro). my mcat was slightly lower than 36 but over 30 (and not just barely). i know ppl who have gotten in2 MD schools w/ 28 or 29 MCATs but they've all had spectacular GPAs. and i wouldn't agree w/ the poster who said DO schools will just take u w/ a really low GPA. most of my classmates seemed 2 have pretty high GPAs even if their MCAT is < 30. and i got in off the WL. i didn't apply 2 many DO schools but i found that the craptastic UG GPA really made it tough 4 me last yr - i only got 2 DO interviews (i only applied to 3) and 1 MD (drexel). i'd say improve on the things that u can 2 make urself a better candidate (shadowing, letters of rec, ECs, classes if it'll raise ur GPA) - in my case, classes wouldn't have raised the UG sci GPA since i was a hard sci major in college.

some schools also have a GPA cutoff...i couldn't apply 2 NYCOM or CCOM b/c my GPA was below that cutoff. i have yet 2 c an official MCAT cutoff.

 

[tdkneo]

from my personal experience, i'd have 2 give a vote that gpa is weighted more heavily. my ug gpa fell in ur range and i had a 3.62 from grad school w/ a masters in a hard sci, 9 yrs of research experience, and a 3.91 from random post-bacc classes at upenn (w/ letters saying that i got the 'highest grade' in the class in both physio and micro). my mcat was slightly lower than 36 but over 30 (and not just barely). i know ppl who have gotten in2 MD schools w/ 28 or 29 MCATs but they've all had spectacular GPAs. and i wouldn't agree w/ the poster who said DO schools will just take u w/ a really low GPA. most of my classmates seemed 2 have pretty high GPAs even if their MCAT is < 30. and i got in off the WL. i didn't apply 2 many DO schools but i found that the craptastic UG GPA really made it tough 4 me last yr - i only got 2 DO interviews (i only applied to 3) and 1 MD (drexel). i'd say improve on the things that u can 2 make urself a better candidate (shadowing, letters of rec, ECs, classes if it'll raise ur GPA) - in my case, classes wouldn't have raised the UG sci GPA since i was a hard sci major in college.

some schools also have a GPA cutoff...i couldn't apply 2 NYCOM or CCOM b/c my GPA was below that cutoff. i have yet 2 c an official MCAT cutoff.

What is a good way to RAISE GPA??? Im currently going back to school to take my prereqs and im almost half way done, but my undergraduate GPA was not that good and am not very proud of that .........am working my way up to raise my GPA but the road seems arduous and long......if my GPA is still not up to par after i finished the prereqs, what are your recommendations?

 

[dr.kicia]

I think that DO schools look more at the whole package rather then weighing more this or that. There are plenty of ppl who get in with lower GPA or MCAT or both....stats is not the only thing that ADCOMs look at.

and drmax & DRKUBA are not good case studies...they both are acepted already (yeah maybe not 1 choice but ACEPTED is pretty damn good).
That is all that counts after all...this whole process' goal is to get in to med school and they did.

We don't really know why your GPA was low. Maybe you have a good explanation for it and it is something that ADCOMs could consider.I always thought that GPA and MCAT can make up for eachother if one is on the low side... Since you have a good MCAT score retake some classes if you can take some new ones. Proove the school you can do it and eventually you will get in.
And as always...talk to admissions about your concerns. They know better then some people on the anonimous forums.
GL

 

[the alchemist]

What is a good way to RAISE GPA??? Im currently going back to school to take my prereqs and im almost half way done, but my undergraduate GPA was not that good and am not very proud of that .........am working my way up to raise my GPA but the road seems arduous and long......if my GPA is still not up to par after i finished the prereqs, what are your recommendations?

guess that depends on how bad the gpa is. my ug was so bad i'd have had 2 go to 4 more yrs of college 2 put a dent in the sci gpa. and i had already gone 2 grad school. if ur ug gpa isn't that bad, take some ug classes 2 boost it (esp the sci). if there's not much u can do about it, u could try a special master's program where they let u take some med school classes 2 show u can do well (but these r usually grad and don't raise that ug gpa). i'd say, work real hard 2 do well now on ur prereqs. u don't want them 2 confirm ur old bad grades. alot of it does dep on ur whole package (mcats, LORs, ECs, shadowing, etc) and how bad that ug gpa is. i'm guessing the pre-reqs will raise them a little cuz te pre-reqs r usually at the ug level. sorry i couldn't b more specific w/o knowing a little more of ur situation.

 

[Terpskins99]

What is a good way to RAISE GPA??? Im currently going back to school to take my prereqs and im almost half way done, but my undergraduate GPA was not that good and am not very proud of that .........am working my way up to raise my GPA but the road seems arduous and long......if my GPA is still not up to par after i finished the prereqs, what are your recommendations?

I already told ya. Work for a post-bacc. If your undergraduate GPA is already a lost cause (frankly, how much of a difference is one or two A's going to make a this point?), then your best bet is doing a post-bacc at a medical school (where you take med school classes WITH medical students).

At the very least it opens the door to getting into that particular medical school.

Just know that you better work your friggin ASS off when you get there. You MUST get at least a 3.5+ gpa or above (ideally as close to a 4.0 as possible), or you'll land in the same boat yet again. If you don't have that kind of confidence in your abilities to do so, then medical school may not be for you.

 

[D.O.Spot]

As the head of the adcom at a public MD school told me privately, "the MCAT is the great equalizer". He made this comment in regards to grade inflation/deflation and quality of courses at different levels of institutions (jr./community colleges, state & private universities). But he also preached on the importance of showing you can handle the workload in med school through your gpa, and it sounded like the school was more forgiving if your gpa was lower because you were a parent or full-time worker. That being said, the school's average incoming freshman in 2005 had an avg. MCAT of 9.4 and overall GPA of 3.7, sci GPA of 3.6. So I'm convinced the secret to getting in is

 

[G.O.A.T.]

Just know that you better work your friggin ASS off when you get there. You MUST get at least a 3.5+ gpa or above (ideally as close to a 4.0 as possible), or you'll land in the same boat yet again. If you don't have that kind of confidence in your abilities to do so, then medical school may not be for you.

grain of salt comes to mind. i got into an allopathic school with a crappy gpa and a mediocre mcat. no post-bac. to the op, you mentioned something about getting i high 30's mcat........if that is your score, great. if that is the score you are hoping to get, well that's another story.........it's easier said than done. averages are averages.........there are people who get in who are way above that average and people who get in way below that average. if you have a crappy gpa, but a high 30's mcat that puts you in the ninety-something percentile, you will get some love. if you are doing well in your pre-reqs which you are currently taking, it will show that you were a jagoff earlier in your undergrad but you got your head screwed on right now. i'm not saying your past screw ups in school won't hurt you at all, but if you can get an mcat that puts you ahead of the ninety-something percent of everyone else, that will open some eyes. the best advice i can give you is where there is a will, there is a way. beware of haters that tell you maybe med school is not for you. if i had a snickers bar for every person who told me i would never get in, i would be king of the gypsies......and i got in on my first attempt, and am doing just fine. numbers aren't everything.

 

[Terpskins99]

beware of haters that tell you maybe med school is not for you. if i had a snickers bar for every person who told me i would never get in, i would be king of the gypsies......and i got in on my first attempt, and am doing just fine. numbers aren't everything.

Listen, I'm not trying to discourage anyone from pursuing medicine. But I AM recommending that people take a realistic look at what they're getting into and to do what they can to prepare themselves for it. Imo, that means:

A. Getting into the very best medical school you can (and therefore not rushing into the process with anything less than your best effort at a polished application)

and

B. Giving yourself the best chance to FINISH med school on top of your game

I know this is a small sample to pick from, but a lot of you guys speak as if getting into medical school is the biggest hurdle you'll face towards becoming a doctor. I'm sorry its not. Not by a long shot. And anybody that thinks otherwise is in for a very rude awakening.

 

[redsoxfan]

I will be the case study. 23 MCAT, 3.67 GPA, already accepted to my top choice school, CCOM with interview invites to others (declined after CCOM acceptance). Also have a Master's degree.

see perfect example that DO schools weigh gpa significantlly over mcat score. i got rejected from CCOM w/a 3.2 gpa and 31Q mcat...

 

[Kuba]

see perfect example that DO schools weigh gpa significantlly over mcat score. i got rejected from CCOM w/a 3.2 gpa and 31Q mcat...

I havent gotten an invited from CCOM yet with a 32M, 3.24. I passively withdrew from the school now tho.

 

[MaximusD]

Yeah, I blame my awesome essay for my interview invite. Looks like I'm a likely reject post-interview eh?

 

[Kuba]

Yeah, I blame my awesome essay for my interview invite. Looks like I'm a likely reject post-interview eh?

i didnt right a very good essay.. could explain a lot

 

[G.O.A.T.]

i didnt right a very good essay.. could explain a lot

as opposed to wronging one?

 

[MaximusD]

as opposed to wronging one?

ouch

 

[confusedcoug]

I know this is a small sample to pick from, but a lot of you guys speak as if getting into medical school is the biggest hurdle you'll face towards becoming a doctor. I'm sorry its not. Not by a long shot. And anybody that thinks otherwise is in for a very rude awakening.

So I'm just now starting to prep for the MCATs, and take my last pre-reqs, calculus-based physics. So yes, I'm very wide-eyed at this point and still learning about the application process and the options to pick from.

So... what are bigger hurdles than getting into med school? Cuz for us undergrads dreaming of the acceptance letters, thats all we can think about.

 

[MaximusD]

I'm sorry, I'm too short-sighted to see that far. 😀

 

[Terpskins99]

...

 

[Terpskins99]

So I'm just now starting to prep for the MCATs, and take my last pre-reqs, calculus-based physics. So yes, I'm very wide-eyed at this point and still learning about the application process and the options to pick from.

So... what are bigger hurdles than getting into med school? Cuz for us undergrads dreaming of the acceptance letters, thats all we can think about.

Really, MCATs and GPA are the two most important things you can work on to improve your chances at any medical school.

Medically-related extracurriculars are nice if you have time for them and you don't let them negatively affect your studying time. Imo, the two strongest extracurriculars are 1) Research in basic sciences (with some form of first author publication... BY FAR the best)... and 2) Volunteering at a hospital/shadowing a physician.

Getting something published (even something as small as an abstract) takes a lot of time and commitment. But it is gold on any medical school application. And for those of you thinking about sub-specialty fields (eg cardiology, gi), you better prepare yourself to go back into that lab. No publications, no fellowship. Its that simple.