would a pub in nature and high mcat score make up for a lackluster gpa?

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ddalgi

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hi, i have a friend who is aiming to get a publication in a top tier journal (likely going to happen) and a high mcat score (36+). however, she has a low gpa (3.2 ish). would getting a pub at a top tier journal and a stellar mcat score compensate for her low gpa?

ps. this is not me. i already applied this cycle.
 
What do you mean likely going to happen? Getting into nature is rarely likely, unless you're a well-established and connected person in a given field.

It would look damn good if your friend is first author, but if your friend is an undergrad and his/her name is one of a list of like 5+ authors, it will matter a LOT less.

With a 3.2 your friend might even get screened out at a lot places so they'll never even look at the whole file, don't get your hopes up. Also, everyone AIMS for a high mcat...that means nothing.
 
I know a guy who knows a guy who knows a guy who would definitely admit your friend.

For everyone else reading this, if I am..err..."published" in Playgirl, would this help me the same way?
 
medzealot said:
I know a guy who knows a guy who knows a guy who would definitely admit your friend.

For everyone else reading this, if I am..err..."published" in Playgirl, would this help me the same way?
Click to expand...

Homer wrote a tragedy about me.
Shakespeare wrote a sonnet dedicated to my badassness.

So yes, I've been published. Do I get a prize?
 
ridethecliche said:
Homer wrote a tragedy about me.
Shakespeare wrote a sonnet dedicated to my badassness.

So yes, I've been published. Do I get a prize?
Click to expand...

OR for the sake of accuracy. 😛

"Homer wrote an epic about me
Aeschylus wrote a tragedy
Shakespeare wrote a sonnet dedicated to my badassness.

So yes, I've been published. Do I get a prize?"
 
ddalgi said:
hi, i have a friend who is aiming to get a publication in a top tier journal (likely going to happen) and a high mcat score (36+). however, she has a low gpa (3.2 ish). would getting a pub at a top tier journal and a stellar mcat score compensate for her low gpa?

ps. this is not me. i already applied this cycle.
Click to expand...

I think I might be your friend...

I had a 3.1 when I applied (last cycle) and a nature publication in 2009, and a decent MCAT (32). Didn't get in, 3 waitlists at respectable private MD schools.

So, no, I'd say Nature pub (unless you're first author, which I'm sure your friend is not) wont do much - you - I mean she- has to do something else special.
 
0919mmk said:
So, no, I'd say Nature pub (unless you're first author, which I'm sure your friend is not) wont do much - you - I mean she- has to do something else special.
Click to expand...

I initially read that as someone else special. Which might be another option, I guess.
 
0919mmk said:
I think I might be your friend...

I had a 3.1 when I applied (last cycle) and a nature publication in 2009, and a decent MCAT (32). Didn't get in, 3 waitlists at respectable private MD schools.

So, no, I'd say Nature pub (unless you're first author, which I'm sure your friend is not) wont do much - you - I mean she- has to do something else special.
Click to expand...

Something special? like what curing cancer lol? I didn't know getting to med schools was so hard:shrug:
 
wlee43 said:
Something special? like what curing cancer lol? I didn't know getting to med schools was so hard:shrug:
Click to expand...

Sorry bud. I've already cured a few things. I'm sitting on the manuscripts...

I'll put out one astounding pub prior to my med school application cycle.

Repeat for residency.
 
cowme said:
A pub in nature? yes.
Click to expand...

I don't know about this. If he/she doesn't get in I would aim for a Science pub and then reapply.

Everyone knows Science has more street cred, and it could totally take Nature's ass any day.
 
medzealot said:
:nono: Lancet, sons! First issue: 1823. Pasteur was 1 year old.
Click to expand...

lol 👍

To the OP: Also, realize that a constant 3.1 through UG is different from starting with a 2.5 and ending with a 3.7. A strong upward trend might work in her favor, if it's there.

I wouldn't solely rely on a publication (on which she isn't 1st author) to compensate for the gpa. So many people already have publications with good GPAs. The least she could do is make sure that her most recent courses produce a strong GPA. Anyone else want to chime in?
 
Naquadria said:
OR for the sake of accuracy. 😛

"Homer wrote an epic about me
Aeschylus wrote a tragedy
Shakespeare wrote a sonnet dedicated to my badassness.

So yes, I've been published. Do I get a prize?"
Click to expand...

Homer couldn't have written an epic about me. I was the first epic thing that ever happened. The word wasn't invented before my existence.

My name is EPIC. They used it to describe the big bang because that's how badass I am. No words could describe the big bang accurately before I came into existence.
 
0919mmk said:
I think I might be your friend...

I had a 3.1 when I applied (last cycle) and a nature publication in 2009, and a decent MCAT (32). Didn't get in, 3 waitlists at respectable private MD schools.

So, no, I'd say Nature pub (unless you're first author, which I'm sure your friend is not) wont do much - you - I mean she- has to do something else special.
Click to expand...

3.1/32 even with a nature pub is going to be rough sledding. 3.2/37 with a nature pub is a much better position to be in, especially if bad grades are in the distant past.

allo with a GPA like that is usually only possible with clear superlatives in every other category, and even then you're rolling the dice.
 
Depends largely on volunteerism and clnical experience. With average volunteering and clinical experience i think there's a fair chance you'd get in somewhere, but 3.2 gpa is a long shot at top tier universities unless you really are a stellar applicant otherwise. i think most top tier schools set the cut-off ~3.0, but making the absolute cut-off doesn't really mean anything
 
I think it will help a lot more for residency than med school. Thats a good thing! Some schools are trying to expand their basic research programs, and may be happy to take a risk on someone with a low GPA and good pubs. The only MD interview I got was at one of those places. (3.2, good pubs)
 
ridethecliche said:
Homer couldn't have written an epic about me. I was the first epic thing that ever happened. The word wasn't invented before my existence.

My name is EPIC. They used it to describe the big bang because that's how badass I am. No words could describe the big bang accurately before I came into existence.
Click to expand...

Well Homer didn't right about you persay. He wrote about what he hoped Epic would one day be. You are obviously the Rosetta stone the word epic. Before you came along it was all gibberish 😛
 
gravitywave said:
3.1/32 even with a nature pub is going to be rough sledding. 3.2/37 with a nature pub is a much better position to be in, especially if bad grades are in the distant past.

allo with a GPA like that is usually only possible with clear superlatives in every other category, and even then you're rolling the dice.
Click to expand...

Yeah dude, definitely rough sledding. Honestly, I was pretty happy to get 3 waitlists, and actually one of them turned in to an accept, but didnt work out due to unusual circumstances (USUHS - didn't pass the physical = boo). Hoping for better results this year (aiming to raise MCAT 1-3 points, apply broadly and DO etc.)
 
at first i thought your friend opened up a bar in the middle of the woods. i wasn't sure how that would have helped.
 
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