Those extra experiences are certainly valuable and in many ways expected (heck, I spent a couple of years working FT in the medical field and still talked about it when interviewing for residency!), but what puts you in the running are grades and MCAT. The numbers are the deciding factor for most people, not their experiences or desires. I am just being honest here because I and many others were working on our applications while picking up the pieces of poor grades. It has been my experience that this is a stressful time for the applicants and their families. I wanted to share my experience because I think it’s worth thinking ahead to avoid the stress involved. I think the path certainly provides room for self discovery. However, it’s best to feel like you’re in the driver’s seat at 22, picking among many available options, and that requires some thinking ahead.
Yes… I agree that GPA and mcat scores are the most important factors. But… they are not the only factors. From what my daughter was told this past semester, following grades and scores… you need to answer the “why medicine” question sincerely, and you really need to show work with underserved populations and communities… and it should be because you love serving the community and helping people… in a variety of ways… And not just to check off a box. And this is evidenced in your application and during the interview process.
If MCAT and GPA were th only defining criteria…than there would not be a range of MCAT and GPA scores from accepted students. All would accept only the tip top MCAT and GPA kids…
And that is NOT the case.
@WayOutWestMom any statistics to support this?
Also, the change in course requisites to include social sciences and the humanities is a shift as well.
Hmmm… how about the fact that even with a GPA >3.8 and MCAT >520, 12% of applicants with those stats still fail to gain a single acceptance?
Or that 30% of applicants with a GPA between 2.8-2.99 and MCAT scores between 510-513 (median for those accepted in 2017 was 512) got a med school acceptance.
Or that 15% of applicants with GPAs below 2.8 and MCAT scores between 500-502 (50th percentile) were accepted.
https://www.aamc.org/download/321508/data/factstablea23.pdf
I’m sure there’s more, but I need to leave if I’m going to to make it to the theater to see The Last Jedi w/ D2.
BTW, college isn't a "job"--it's a ticket. One that you need to get punched first in order to move onto what you really want to do in life. It's a means to an end. That's all. @WayOutWestMom, thank you for your links yesterday on BA/MD programs. I have, unsuccessfully, been trying to fine these resources. You seem to have them at your fingertips. Thank you for so generously sharing them! It’s a lot of info I will need time to digest and think about.
@worth2try Wow, input from a med student. Thank you for being honest. I love to hear it like it is (from the trenches).
As to taking one gap year: this comes in very handy when one needs grade repair and/or time to add in some ECs while still in college, but what one does during this one single gap year may have little, if any, impact on one’s application (or help answer question why medicine), as application process takes one year and it’s better to apply earlier than later (aka summer after graduating).