Will a 38 MCAT make up for a 3.4 GPA?

[GeraldMonroe]

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I finally got around to taking the MCAT on 9/11. I studied for only 3 weeks for it, so I planned to merely try to get over 30 in order to go SGU in the Carribbean. (I had an accident, that pushed my schoolwork and everything back 6 months, so I didn't think I could apply to 2008 MD schools if I wanted to)

Well, I was surprised to find that I am very good at the MCAT. I scored 38 on 3 of the AAMC practice tests, adhering to the time constraints and with no cheating or notes or anything. I felt like I had equaled that performance on the real test. Let's suppose that October 15 rolls around and I DO have a 38. Would I be able to get into a US school? Can I apply to US schools, or is October 15 past the deadline for all of them? (I looked at the deadlines for some of the schools in my state : they were in September)

Whoa. I just went here : http://www.aamc.org/students/amcas/2008deadlines.htm

Maybe it's possible.

 

[ChubbyChaser]

38 and 3.4 Gpa will make you competitive in the mid and low tier, as long as everything else is good.

 

[drizzt3117]

You would be competitive if you were applying early. Applying October 15 will most likely leave you applying for waitlist spots at best. I believe there is a poster that had 3.52/39 last year who only got two interviews and no acceptances b/c of applying in october, but has 5-6 interviews already this cycle with no change except applying in June.

 

[detvar]

from experience, i'd say it depends on what school u're coming from

 

[BrokenGlass]

You would be competitive if you were applying early. Applying October 15 will most likely leave you applying for waitlist spots at best. I believe there is a poster that had 3.52/39 last year who only got two interviews and no acceptances b/c of applying in october, but has 5-6 interviews already this cycle with no change except applying in June.

He/she can apply now. There is no need to wait for the scores to come out, right? by the time the scores come out, his/her applications should be verified or should at least be close to being verified...

 

[FIREitUP]

i think so. don't expect to get into harvard, but you will definitely have a good chance at most schools.

 

[UnderdogMD]

I finally got around to taking the MCAT on 9/11. I studied for only 3 weeks for it, so I planned to merely try to get over 30 in order to go SGU in the Carribbean. (I had an accident, that pushed my schoolwork and everything back 6 months, so I didn't think I could apply to 2008 MD schools if I wanted to)

Well, I was surprised to find that I am very good at the MCAT. I scored 38 on 3 of the AAMC practice tests, adhering to the time constraints and with no cheating or notes or anything. I felt like I had equaled that performance on the real test. Let's suppose that October 15 rolls around and I DO have a 38. Would I be able to get into a US school? Can I apply to US schools, or is October 15 past the deadline for all of them? (I looked at the deadlines for some of the schools in my state : they were in September)

Whoa. I just went here : http://www.aamc.org/students/amcas/2008deadlines.htm

Maybe it's possible.

The answer to your question is yes you will competitive at low tiers but other factors come into play like activities, clinical experience, and LORs. The real answer to your question is come back when you have a 38.

 

[GeraldMonroe]

I read this and thought "ok, it's hopeless, stick with the original plan"

The original plan is simple : get into SGU with that high 30s score and attend starting January 29. Retake the MCAT this summer, and apply in June to U.S. med schools. I'll go to whatever interviews I am offered from the position of already BEING in an acceptable medical school. If I get in, great, get to restart having already taken my first year, knowing everything. If not, I'm a year ahead. (true, surgery is tough to get coming from SGU, but plenty of people do it every year...and I suspect I don't actually want to be a surgeon, I just want the option in case I turn out to have talent)

So, based on this, I am not going to even waste time and money applying this year to anywhere but SGU, and SGU and sackler/B.G. in the spring if I am somehow denied by SGU.

 

[catfishshe]

I would kill to have a 3.4 g.p.a and a killer score like 38. Why r u trippin. All you need now is a killer letter as to why u want med school and u will be fine. I have a 3.0 g.p.a and a lower science g.p.a. I have to make a 45 to even be considered. So you are fine

 

[apoptos]

...................

 

[waterbuffalo]

You are very competitive. You should apply.

 

[Give me vicodin]

dude u aint got anything to worry about, u could definately get into alot of US medical schools, youre mcat score will weigh in alot, just make sure your ECs are good

 

[Meatwad]

You won't be denied by SGU. I think you're competitive for admission to many US schools. What are the average GPAs for Sackler?

Sackler? 3.5+/29, from what the school sends new students in orientation packages, or so I've heard.

 

[ChubbyChaser]

3.4 and 38 Mcat= competitive??


short answer..... yes

 

[cleothecat]

Many US schools will not consider you because you will then be classified as a transfer student.

 

[bubbachuck]

wait a year, APPLY EARLY, and take some post bacc to raise your GPA or research and you will be competitive for top 20 schools as long as your ECs, LORs, etc. are up to snuff. it doesn't hurt to have a strong undergrad school too.

 

[halekulani]

...
if you got a 38 and 3.4
why would you go to SGU just to go there? get a year up on exp? got money to blow? that's just backwards thinking IMO.

 

[ghostfoot]

What about a 38M?

 

[halekulani]

who cares if you write horribly
it's a freakin 38

 

[ghostfoot]

who cares if you write horribly
it's a freakin 38

That's the thing...writing has always been my strength!? WTH AAMC!?

The test is so backwards, I swear. The Bio section tests your reading, PS tests memorization, who knows WTH VR and WS are supposed to test.

 

[Blade28]

I'm a big fan of the high MCAT trumping the low GPA. I like the concept of the "standardized" test.

Having said that, don't rely on your practice test scores TOO much. Totally different, IMHO.

 

[BrokenGlass]

wait a year, APPLY EARLY, and take some post bacc to raise your GPA or research and you will be competitive for top 20 schools as long as your ECs, LORs, etc. are up to snuff. it doesn't hurt to have a strong undergrad school too.

Which schools do you consider strong undergrad schools for med school admission purposes?

 

[smuwillobrien]

I think it all depends on the schools you are applying to - 38 with a 3.4 won't be that impressive at Harvard or Yale or a place like that, but at other schools it would be great.

 

[rahulkghosh]

I finally got around to taking the MCAT on 9/11. I studied for only 3 weeks for it, so I planned to merely try to get over 30 in order to go SGU in the Carribbean. (I had an accident, that pushed my schoolwork and everything back 6 months, so I didn't think I could apply to 2008 MD schools if I wanted to)

Well, I was surprised to find that I am very good at the MCAT. I scored 38 on 3 of the AAMC practice tests, adhering to the time constraints and with no cheating or notes or anything. I felt like I had equaled that performance on the real test. Let's suppose that October 15 rolls around and I DO have a 38. Would I be able to get into a US school? Can I apply to US schools, or is October 15 past the deadline for all of them? (I looked at the deadlines for some of the schools in my state : they were in September)

Whoa. I just went here : http://www.aamc.org/students/amcas/2008deadlines.htm

Maybe it's possible.

oh damn, I'm in a somewhat close situation. I got a 3.65 with a 36 MCAT. =(. Damn, I really want to go to USC. But their median GPA is a 3.67!

 

[ghostfoot]

oh damn, I'm in a somewhat close situation. I got a 3.65 with a 36 MCAT. =(. Damn, I really want to go to USC. But their median GPA is a 3.67!

You made a valiant effort, you can take pride in that. Unfortunately, you really shouldn't waste your parents money applying to the MD schools. SMP?

 

[spicedmanna]

Hypotheticals... Yeah. Take the MCAT and let's see. Hypotheticals don't mean much until you actualize them.

Anyway, my personal opinion is that both your GPA and your MCAT score are important elements in the application process; they tell different stories about you. While schools may vary in how they use and interpret these values, it is my opinion that you cannot readily make up for a deficiency in one through the other. If your GPA is lacking, then address it. Likewise, if it is your MCAT that isn't competitive, then address it. Both need to be as good as you can readily and reasonably make them.

Numbers are important, but they aren't the end all of the application process. There are many other elements to a successful application, including how wisely you play the application game itself. Your GPA isn't so horrible, in my humble opinion. As long as the rest of your application is decent, you'd have a good game, in my opinion, if you applied broadly and early. Nevertheless, we can't say much without an actual MCAT score.

Anyway, moving this to pre-allo, which is a more appropriate forum for this thread.

 

[TheRealMD]

No official MCAT score means you have no idea what your chances are.

 

[Revenant]

You made a valiant effort, you can take pride in that. Unfortunately, you really shouldn't waste your parents money applying to the MD schools. SMP?

I'm hoping against hope this is sarcasm.

 

[jsegalBSD]

ALSO, and this is very important, dont let the AAMC practice exams fool you into a sense of confidence either. in my experience, the actual MCAT is very different from the practice exams given online... especially PS. anyone else agree?

 

[MrBurns10]

If you don't care where you go, I think you'll have a great chance at a US med school this year. But I would wait a year if you want to get into a top tier, which is totally possible...my boyfriend got into Duke with a 3.4/39 two years ago and I know other people in similar situations. Wait a year, apply early, and maximize your options.

 

[scowdeva]

I just wanted to put this out there...I retook the MCAT in July, was consistently scoring in the 35-37 range on practice tests AND ENDED UP WITH A 26!!!! I seriously considered contacting them to see if there was an error in the scoring. I even left feeling like I had gotten a mid-thirties score.

Moral of my story: I dont think that you can assume what you got on the MCAT. The first time I took it, I thought I bombed and got a 28. The second time I studied my butt off, thought I aced it, and did not so great. Maybe you would be better off to just wait and find out, take a year, and then be in the first batch next year?

 

[ClockworkDoc]

A 38 will make up for a 3.4, but nothing makes up for bad interview skills. :-(

 

[DianaUT06]

A 38 and only 3 weeks of studying?!? 😱 I envy you.

 

[Green Apple]

I would say apply early next year. I mean, if you don't want to be ridiculously late this year and have almost no chance, you'll have to submit your primaries immediately, without knowing your MCAT score. You can't count on a good score until you receive it. If you do end up getting 38, you still have to apply very widely to have a good shot at getting in somewhere. So basically you'll be applying to a ton of schools rather late without knowing for sure what your MCAT score will be. I think it'll cost you way too much money and headache if it doesn't work out.

Waiting a year is the better option. You want to maximize your chances any way you can.

btw, I'm the applicant Drizzt was talking about. I'm doing much better this year (7 invites so far) by applying early and by applying to a lot more schools.

 

[tacrum43]

I read this and thought "ok, it's hopeless, stick with the original plan"

The original plan is simple : get into SGU with that high 30s score and attend starting January 29. Retake the MCAT this summer, and apply in June to U.S. med schools. I'll go to whatever interviews I am offered from the position of already BEING in an acceptable medical school. If I get in, great, get to restart having already taken my first year, knowing everything. If not, I'm a year ahead. (true, surgery is tough to get coming from SGU, but plenty of people do it every year...and I suspect I don't actually want to be a surgeon, I just want the option in case I turn out to have talent)

So, based on this, I am not going to even waste time and money applying this year to anywhere but SGU, and SGU and sackler/B.G. in the spring if I am somehow denied by SGU.

Why would you retake the MCAT if you get a high 30s score? They last for multiple years, you know.

Also, I think it would be a tremendous waste of time and money to start at SGU. If you can get that 38 MCAT and your extra curricular activities, letter of recommendation and personal statement are all good, then you should have no problem getting in somewhere in the US. And there's still a good chance you would get in this year too, even with an October app (just have your AMCAS, secondaries and LOR's all down and then you'll be complete as soon as the schools get your MCAT score). Also, this idea you have about interviewing at US med schools while at SGU: you will simply not have time to be jetting about the country while in med school.

Bottomline: US MD >>> Caribbean MD for residency purposes. Wait an extra year if you have to. And the money you spend applying this year will still be much less than starting at SGU.

Just my $0.02.

 

[drizzt3117]

You don't need to start at SGU. Like other posters said, work on your ECs, apply next year, and you'll get a lot of interest.

 

[midn]

I haven't looked at all the replies, but I would wait to apply next year since it's very late now. You have very competitive stats that may help you even to get into a top-tier school (granted that your 3.4 GPA is warranted because of some sort of difficulties you had).

Congrats on the fantastic score.

 

[ask1andy]

I'm in the same boat as this guy. 3.37 and a 39R. Screw it, I applied to the schools I want to go to. It's only money and possible rejection right?

 

[etf]

take a year off, boost that 3.4 up to a 3.6 if possible, get some harcore research under your belt, and the sky's the limit.

 

[jebus]

in my experience with a 3.35 36 and a ginormous peen, the answer is no and you won't get any interviews.

 

[GeraldMonroe]

I ended up with a 37 on the MCAT, and I was accepted to Texas Tech.

 

[Midifelder10]

Congratulations! Did they give you hard time about your GPA and how did you counter it. Did you try any other place also?

 

[BlueElmo]

Well, I guess it all worked out at the end. Bump on those questions above.

 

[tacrum43]

I ended up with a 37 on the MCAT, and I was accepted to Texas Tech.

Cool. Congrats! 👍

And thanks for coming back to let everyone know.

 

[GeraldMonroe]

Congratulations! Did they give you hard time about your GPA and how did you counter it. Did you try any other place also?

Ok, here's some facts : one school let me look at my actual scoring sheet, so I was able to tell how "good" my personal statement, ECs, and LoRs were. My personal statement got an 8/10, my LoRs got a 9/10, and my ECs 6/10 on this school's point system. About as good as I could reasonably get, and I'll assume that the other schools I applied to saw them roughly the same way.

I was rejected without interview at all the out of state schools I applied to. 3.4 is a low GPA. Out of all my state schools, only 3/7 choose to interview me. And out of those, only Tech accepted me.

I made careful note of the circumstances under which I got a low GPA, but only the interviewers at Tech really seemed to buy my story.

Oh, I did get accepted to SGU as well.

 

[testingpig]

Hey congrats! And thanks for sharing how they grade EC's, LORs,etc. I've read many posts on this topic lately and I guess a low gpa really puts you on an uphill battle despite what one could find on mdapps. I read Habeed's posts and in one of them he mentioned how he mightve been better off if he just went to a foreign med school without wasting several years to get into a lower tier med school. Either way it's possible to land a residency like EM(a moderately competitive specialty) with some work. If I knew 5yrs ago all that i know today I wouldve just gone to a Czech med school straight out of high school. My parents would have paid less money for it than for my ugrad and I mightve been in residency right now.

 

[nars etc]

k

 

[GeraldMonroe]

258 is a phenomenal Step 1 score. The average U.S. graduate who matches plastic surgery or neurosurgery has a lower score than that. This is why I choose not to go to SGU in the end, because I read some articles on neurosurgery and I realized that I would like the opportunity to pursue it. It might be a tough gig to match, but one person manages it every other year at Texas Tech. On SGU's website, they list the specialties people have matched over the past 5 years, and there is not a single neurosurgeon out of thousands of graduates. Tech has an annual class of 140 people, while SGU accepts over 300 folks twice a year.

It would be soul crushing to earn perfect grades and a sky high boards at a Carribbean medical school knowing that I'd have an excellent chance at a spectacular residency if the name of my school were different.

 

[Stixman28]

I had a friend who came out of harvard with a 3.01

rocked a 37 on the mcat and got into columbia

 

[batman1983]

I think the MCAT can compensate for low GPA(look at my case as an example). Btw, Nar congrats on your app sucess. If you dont mind me asking, what do you think helped you out so much? Did you do research or have some kind of life hardships(economic, etc)?