Which student would you pick?

[evilolive]

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b

 

[marylandpharm]

erm...i would pick the harvard student hands down if the PCATs were around the 90s. since the PCATs are "supposed" to be a standardized measurement, this would mean that the harvard student knew less than the state school student.

but still...harvard is harvard. getting there is tough, which shows that you once (or maybe still am) were a diligent student.

all in all, id still pick the harvard person only if he/she would say "ha-vahd" to me. xD

 

[TennisBoy78]

Ceteris paribus, I would select the student with both the higher GPA and higher PCAT score.

The PCAT score is a way to equivocate/standardize everyone's educational background.

If the Harvard graduate with the lower GPA would have scored higher on the PCAT, I would have selected him/her.

It is important to note that the magnitude of differences between students play a role. If the margins are great, it is a no-brainer who should be selected. However, if the differences between two students are minute (a half of a tenth of a point separates two GPAs, PCAT scores are within a few (lets say up to 5) percentiles apart), then I would think that the interview would determine who is selected.

That's why it is extremely important to take your interview seriously. If a student with the highest GPA/highest PCAT score shows the admissions committee that he/she is not taking it seriously, it may hurt his/her chances. However, it is also important to note that each school assigns different weights (percentages) to the importance of the interview. Some schools value the interview more than others. Thus, I would try to do my best at interview, regardless of what position I think I'm in.

 

[vsfan]

I would pick the state school student since the Harvard student only has a 2.9 gpa, and Harvard is notorious for massive grade inflation. The low gpa indicates to me that the Harvard student is not giving much of an effort.

 

[evilolive]

I would pick the state school student since the Harvard student only has a 2.9 gpa, and Harvard is notorious for massive grade inflation. The low gpa indicates to me that the Harvard student is not giving much of an effort.

I don't think it's grade inflated in the sciences though. Everywhere you go there will always be a standard bell curve.

 

[nerdystar]

I'd choose the state school student as well. The higher PCAT score would be the deciding factor, if everything else (ECs, work/volunteer exp, etc.) was equal.

It seems as if the state school student is more prepared for pharmacy school and took advantage of his/her educational opportunities.

The Harvard student may have blossomed in high school and not felt like putting any effort into his/her courses b/c he/she was going to end up with a "Ha-vahd" degree that would get him/her through life 🙄

 

[pokey83]

I agree with most of you. I would pick the state student. High school now a days isn't really that tough, aspecially if you take honors classes. You will graduate with a GPA higher then 4.0
PCAT is equilibrated and shows who knows more about the topic. ALso, like someone also said that grades are kind of inflated in the IVY league schools. It is hard to get in, but to get good grades. I am NOT saying it is a joke, but there is some inflation and the percent of students that graduate with honors in ivy leagues are much higher then in state schools. There has to be a reason for that.
That all been said, i would definitely pick the state student.

 

[TennisBoy78]

It is hard to get in...and the percent of students that graduate with honors in ivy leagues are much higher then in state schools. There has to be a reason for that.

You offered that reason. It is hard to get into Ivy League, and the percentage of smart people at the Ivy League is 100% (although "smart" is subjective here, who ever got into Ivy League (other than George W) that wasn't smart? Maybe people can buy Ivy League Degrees too.

Whoops, I opened a new can of worms there.

 

[WVUPharm2007]

I know several people that go to Ivy League schools. They aren't that great. Sure, above-average, but not frickin' Stephen Hawking. Just because you go to Harvard doesn't mean your class is going to be more difficult; especially with the infamous grade inflation (over 90% graduate w/ Honors? Puh-lease.)

 

[All4MyDaughter]

Student B

 

[shal]

Student B, reasons being similar to what others mentioned.

 

[blizz]

Out of curiosity:

Student A
2.9 from Harvard with a PCAT in the low 80s.

Student B
3.5 from a state school with a PCAT in the 90s.

Assuming all other things about them equal:

If you were an admissions officer and could only pick one of the two, which would you pick and why?

I would interview both, and also look at other qualities such as work or extracurricular experiences, life experiences, etc. I think GPA and test scores don't really say much about the person, I would like to see if they can contribute to the school other than academics.

 

[StormyGirl]

I'd go for the state student. I'm not that easily impressed by a Harvard student. Now if he had a GPA higher than the state student maybe I would pick the Harvard student. If they both have the same GPA then I would look for who has EC and who seems to be more passionate.

 

[Nimue619]

I'm student B. hehe

 

[evilolive]

Aww, no pities for the poor harvard student? To play devil's advocate, (and possibly justifying my own situation in some way) just because he has a 2.9 doesn't mean he's not working hard as obviously not everyone can get As. That means that he's a B average student, probably about average of all the Harvard graduates which are of very high calibre. Harvard classes probably are not the same as other universities as a more capable student body also means you can take for granted that the students are capable of grasping larger quantities of complex material with higher standards. Also, it's my own personal opinoin that the PCAT doesn't test indepth information but rather rudimentary basic stuff. My two cents 🙂

Harvard grade inflation is only in liberal arts as with any institution due to the subjectivity of the matter - also, I think that only 30% of the class graduates with honors.

 

[Pintobeans]

Student B

GPA and PCAT are facts and they show this student is doing consistently well.

 

[flor]

Then poor me, student C!

 

[usi]

Who is hotter?!

 

[KUMoose]

Who is hotter?!

The state college person, have you seen the size of egos on Haaaa'vard students? Second only to Notre Dame students! 😀

And an ego as massive as a blackhole is really unattractive. 😎