<p>Do you know of any programs that place less emphasis on GPA? I have only a 3.5 GPA, but my extracurriculars, SAT 2's, letters of req, and my experience in the medical field are all pretty good. My sat 1 is decent (2100), and im guessing my essay will be good. Im just worried that all these programs will throw out my app because I decided to sacrifice my GPA for my extracurriculars, and risked to make mistakes which I learned and grew from (I am SO much better at time management now)</p>
<p>^You are going to compete with people all of whom have EC’s both medically related and otherwise. They are all very good at time management…but most of them will have higher GPA and SAT. This is reality. However, there is no reason to dwell on it at this point. Apply widely and see what happen. Best wishes.</p>
<p>oh really
My sat 2’s are 760 (bio, taken freshman year), and 800 (math 2c)
Should i retake bio? Im retaking SAT and aiming for 2200+ (1500 CR +math). My AP scores are also all 5’s (bio, stat, psych), but i did get B’s in the classes.
Will that help any? Right now i think im going to be setting a record for number of rejections from colleges.
Also, do these colleges weight the GPA? My school doesnt, but I have been taking at least 3 honors or AP classes each year starting freshman year (Hardest classes available to take).
What about schools where a large percent make it to the interview stage?</p>
Your perception of “clear” seems to differ from mine.
My original post was not directed at you anyway.
You might try actually answering the question the OP posed in the title next time?
I wouldn’t worry about Bio at this point (unless you have time and you’re sure you can improve). Focus on bringing the SAT score up and perfecting your essays.
They look at your UW GPA along with the rigor of your courseload all in context of your school.</p>
<p>OP, here is real life case. It is my D’s example. She is finishing off UG portion in bs/md program. She earned her spot at Med. School (one still needs to maintain certain college GPA and her program require certain MCAT score). She graduated #1 in her HS class with perfect GPA. She got into about 50% of programs that she has applied. She applied primarily to state schools, one private. </p>
<p>I am not being negative, just realistic. However, as I have mentioned before, do not waste your energy in researching. Apply to all bs/md and regular route that you personally would like and see what happen. There is nobody who can look into cristal ball and say to you right now what will happen. No matter where you end up going, be prepared to work extremely hard (at any lowest ranked, off ranking charts school). Set your priorities differently. Your college GPA is priority #1, your MCAT score (some combined programs require MCAT) is priority #2, medically related EC is priority #3, the rest is lower priority at college. But, you should be able to enjoy your 4 years at UG. As of now, you cannot change greatly your situation. What you got, you got, be content with it. Use this as learning experience, do not let yourself down, look forward.</p>
<p>@MiamiDap
May I ask which programs she applied to?
And why do you rank medically related EC’s third? That has always been a 1st priority for me, and i believe it does show in my app. Of course, GPA does come first, but after that MCAT and ECs are fairly equal in my humble opinion.
If not, then that just reconfirms my belief that the US medical system is screwed up…i would rather have a physician who has been seeing cases his entire life than someone who studied more hours for a stupid test.
Which premed undergraduate schools would you recommend for me? As of now, im considering Irvine and SD, but other than the UC’s im only applying to joint med programs.</p>
<p>Are you not considering LA and Berkeley? I know a lot of my friends that have been very successful there and have gone on to great med schools. But of course, they are also very tough schools too, so you have to work hard.</p>
<p>As for college, yeah depending on what program you get into, you will be able to have a much much more chill time than other pre-meds knowing you are in med school. At least, I know that was true for me, which I’m grateful for. But, you can definitely focus during undergrad and get into med school. </p>
<p>As for the whole GPA vs. MCAT vs. ECs in college to get into med school, the truth is that using GPA and MCAT as an objective measure just simply makes sense…generally, the harder working people and people who are more serious about getting into med school WILL have a higher GPA and MCAT. Remember, you’ll be competing against people with great grades AND great ECs. Unless you’ve done something truly truly spectacular with your ECs, they will NOT make up for below average grades. So, definitely spend the majority of your time on the grades, MCAT etc…but of course make sure you’re working slowly to get some volunteering, research, leadership positions in campus organizations, etc all under your belt as well by the time you’re applying for med school.</p>
<p>“@MiamiDap
May I ask which programs she applied to?
And why do you rank medically related EC’s third? That has always been a 1st priority for me, and i believe it does show in my app. Of course, GPA does come first, but after that MCAT and ECs are fairly equal in my humble opinion.”</p>
<p>She has applied to state schools that are not in your area. The only private one was PPSP at Case - rejection before interview. </p>
<p>Sorry, your opinion is not correct. GPA and MCAT are of about the same importance, EC’s come third. I put GPA as #1 because it takes 4 years and because your good grades will make your MCAT prep easier. Yes, you will compete with top caliber students. However, GPA and MCAT scores vary a lot. 3.5/31 will not be as competitive as 3.9/36. It is extremely hard to get 3.9. Brain alone will not do it, it takes certain character and hard working attitude. On the other hand, most who apply to Med. Schools have various Medically and non-medically related EC’s. There are stand outs in this area, but most people are about the same: shadowing, volunteering, Med. Research Lab internships/job, any other job, leadership position on campus, other EC’s like music, sport…whatever your personal interest.</p>
