Odds are, you remembered the application and have an OK GPA and MCAT score. But just OK scores wont get you into Harvard.
Your chances of getting into medical school are greatly increased depending on your grades and scores.
The Association of American Medical Colleges¹ reported that more than 56 percent of medical school applicants were rejected in 2011.
The mean GPA and means MCAT of those accepted to medical schools were 3.67 and 31.1, respectively.
But dont let those numbers deter you.
Between 2010-2012, there were 1,085 people accepted into medical school with a GPA of less than 2.9. There were 2,054 people with a GPA of 3.0 to 3.19 and still got in.
Chances are about probability and statistics. There will always be people who beat the odds and have chances that are slim to none.
Yet they still get accepted. You can increase your likelihood of getting into medical school by reviewing what you bring to the table.
1. See how your GPA and MCAT score fare
You can’t dance around the grade-point average (GPA) and Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) score required by medical schools.
Deal with the biggest hurdle first: Improve your GPA and be prepared for the MCAT.
Your initial assessment of your academic potential will be based on these 2 indicators.
From the first step to the final, the GPA and MCAT are often important information that the admitting committee glances on from time to time.
If your numbers are solid, you shouldn’t worry too much. If they aren’t, then read on.
Here is the rundown:
The trend between 2010-2012 showed that students with a GPA of higher than 3.6 had greater chances of qualifying for medical school.
Those with GPAs between 3.8 and 4.0 had a 71.5 percent chance of acceptance, according to AAMC data.
Those with a 3.6 to 3.79 GPA had a 54.4 percent chance to get into medical school, and students with a GPA between 3.4 and 3.59 fared a 38.8 percent chance.
Odds for those with a GPA of 3.2 to 3.39 dropped to 26.7 percent.
While some schools send secondary applications to all applicants regardless of GPA and MCAT, most med schools have a cutoff due to the volume of applicants versus available seats.
Some low cutoffs set by universities were recorded at 3.2 GPA and 24 MCAT, according to US News². These cutoff scores determine only who can receive secondary applications. Further qualifying tests will need to be taken by applicants.
Learning about the schools cut-off points and how well they adhere to them is important. It allows you to size up your competition and determinie if the odds of getting into that school are good.
2. Check out the competition
If you dont have an awesome application package, dont apply to Harvard.
Pick schools that fit with the package you offer. (The package includes your grades, MCAT score, personal essay, extra-curricular activities, and any other supporting materials.)
You should be able to find 5-7 different schools to apply to.
3. Inch up with extra-curricular activities
Improve your extra-curricular activities. The admitting committee looks into the whole package.
Stellar GPA and MCAT score will certainly merit a nod of recognition, but you can still shine through with not-so-glitzy numbers.
Participate in activities that show your leadership and community concern, environmental awareness, scientific explorations and research, and other involvement that showcase your abilities.
Clinical experience is beneficial, too.
4. Letters of recommendation
Letters of recommendation from people who vouch for your compassion, dynamism and interpersonal characteristics will strengthen the impression that the admitting committee will have of you during the interview.
These non-tangibles are difficult to quantify. Letters, essays, and personal statements are documents that testify to your strength and personal character; they are important because they accompany your application from the initial stages until the day the committee makes the decision.
Medical school is one of the most difficult graduate programs to get into.
It won’t hurt to calculate your chances first before finally taking the leap of faith.
If you find that you have good odds, then by all means, take a deep breath and plunge.
REFERENCES:
¹TABLE 17: MCAT SCORES AND GPAS FOR APPLICANTS AND MATRICULANTS TO US MEDICAL SCHOOL, 2001-2012. ASSOCIATION OF AMERICAN MEDICAL COLLEGES. RETRIEVED ON OCTOBER 28, 2013. HTTPS://WWW.AAMC.ORG/DATA/FACTS/APPLICANTMATRICULANT/
²BUSNAINA, I., M.D. HOW MEDICAL SCHOOL APPLICATIONS ARE EVALUATED. RETRIEVED ON OCTOBER 25, 2013. HTTP://WWW.USNEWS.COM/EDUCATION/BLOGS/MEDICAL-SCHOOL-ADMISSIONS-DOCTOR/2011/10/31/HOW-MEDICAL-SCHOOL-APPLICATIONS-ARE-EVALUATED
I hope this has helped you with information about the chances of getting into medical school.