Low GPA and/or Low MCAT score

…to DO (osteopathic) Schools, and to Carribean medical schools — you’ll get into both. You’d just waste your money applying to regular med schools through AMCAS — unless you happen to live in Alabama or Missisippi or a couple of other states where your numbers are actually close to “competitive” for the med schools there. For most other schools in most other states, you’re not even in the same ballpark as “competitive”. Sorry if it sounds harsh.

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Originally posted by JJJD

I have a 3.20 GPA and a 24 MCAT score. Should I apply this year? and if yes, where should I apply?

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It’s certainly not impossible to get into medical school with a 3.2 and a 24 on the MCAT. The data, however, on med school admissions shows that the middle-50% of all matriculants (not accepted students necessarily) had a GPA of 3.56 and a 29-30 on the MCAT. This assumes certain things being equal among all matriculants, however, so extrapolation of your chances at admission would be a little difficult without more data points.

My best advice is to hold off on applying this year to medical school. You should take a year (or more) off to revamp your application and make yourself much more competitive.

If you’d like our expert advice on how to make yourself more competitive, please give us a call and try our services.

Timothy Wu, MD
AdmissionsConsultants
703.242.5885

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Originally posted by JJJD

I know that my chances are very low[], but would it help if on my resume I have six scientific publications and have been doing research for the past seven years?? (ranging from HIV/AIDS to Oncology to Molecular Biology to Prostate cancer and now I am doing Immunovirology research). I had the opportunity to shadow about five doctors, three MD’s and two DO’s. I have volunteers in one hospital, three clinics and I am involved in social work in my community.

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Of course all that stuff will help.

As I’ve been posting all along numbers aren’t the only things the AdComs look at when determining who gets in and who doesn’t.

What you’re looking to do as an applicant is tell a good story about why you want to become a physician. A good application will convey this story well and get your accomplishments to work for you. A poorly written application will blind the AdComs to your qualifications.

We can help you with putting your best foot forward.

Let us know if you are interested in our services.

Timothy Wu, MD
AdmissionsConsultants
703.242.5885

You haven’t provided much info to make your question easier to answer. But now is kind of late to apply, so you should probably use that master’s program to work on your grades/scores.

Ok I need help. I have a 3.925 GPA at UCSD and a total MCAT score of 28. What are my chances to get into a Med school in California?

stnne, your chances aren’t too bad with a great GPA, but of course at least 40% of your chances depend on your application, essays, extracurriculars, etc (outside GPA and MCAT). The MCAT could be higher, and applying to only schools in california might limit you to one or two acceptances at most. Make sure to apply to plenty of schools.

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Originally posted by thymol_blue

…to DO (osteopathic) Schools, and to Carribean medical schools — you’ll get into both. You’d just waste your money applying to regular med schools through AMCAS — unless you happen to live in Alabama or Missisippi or a couple of other states where your numbers are actually close to “competitive” for the med schools there. For most other schools in most other states, you’re not even in the same ballpark as “competitive”. Sorry if it sounds harsh.

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I’d just like to point out that the University of Alabama School of Medicine, in Birmingham, is one of the most competitive medical schools in the world, as well as one of the most respected research environments. UAB consistently ranks alongside such brand name institutions as Duke, Harvard, Johns Hopkins, etc., for its ability to educate and prepare physicians. There’s really no need for geographical prejudices like those above.