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When the MD/PhD programs are themselves saying that their median GPA is 3.7+, why on earth should I believe otherwise? I mean, look, I have no problem believing that they look for different things, but when you say that the GPA doesn't matter as much (when the top programs say they do), you're just making stuff up here.
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<p>Because the median GPA of the MD schools is high too, in fact, even higher than 3.7.</p>
<p>In fact, the point you've raised doesn't actually weaken my argument, it actually STRENGTHENS my argument. To wit: I suspect that the average GPA for the Johns Hopkins MD/PhD program is above 3.7 or above. But what's the average GPA for the regular Johns Hopkins MD program? It's a 3.84 (according to USNews). Hence, if any conclusion can be drawn from that, it's that it's actually EASIER for somebody with a lower GPA to get into a MD/PhD program than into the corresponding MD program. Hence, when you say that I don't have a point, I think it is you that is the one that is making stuff up. You know I have a point here. </p>
<p>Nobody is denying that you need a strong GPA and a strong MCAT to get into the MD/PhD program. But what I am saying is that you probably don't need AS STRONG of a MCAT and GPA as you would for just the regular MD program. Instead, weaknesses in your MCAT and GPA can be made up for through pure research accomplishments in a way that is not true for the regular MD program. For example, having already published a bunch of respected scientific papers will do more to make up for relatively weaker GPA/MCAT in MD/PhD admissions than it will in just MD admissions.</p>