Question ?

**younggscholar** · 10-08-2006, 05:23 AM

Assuming an individual has a 3.2 GPA what is the minimum score one needs to be considered by med-schools? (Freshman- went through a death in the family)

**Scottish Chap** · 17-08-2006, 12:30 AM

Originally Posted by younggscholar

Assuming an individual has a 3.2 GPA what is the minimum score one needs to be considered by med-schools? (Freshman- went through a death in the family)

U.S. medical schools are ruthless when it comes to statistics, sadly, and they literally close their ears to any extenuating circumstances. While there is no minimun MCAT score for a given school, with a 3.2 GPA, you're really looking at 32+ on the MCAT to have the slimmest of chances; keep in mind that the average matriculant with a 3.5-3.6 GPA has scored 30 on the MCAT.

If you have publications, this will help. If you have a M.S. or a Ph.D., this will also help at the research-focused schools. Keep in mind that many U.S. medical schools have 'screens' at the front line (my own medical school uses a 3.2 GPA and a 8 or less on any subsection of the MCAT as evidence of expected academic difficulty in the M.D. program - based on past experience).

My best advice is to apply to many schools and apply widely. No school is a sure-bet and some 'reach' schools just might look at you. Based on my own humble experience, the school where I was statistically most likely to be interviewed at (based on GPA and MCAT) rejected me and the school I was least likely to interviewed at accepted me without waitlist, so it really is tough to say and the competition from year-to-year also varies. I have a friend with a GPA of 3.0 and an MCAT of 30 who was rejected three years running from every school he applied while he interviewed at the same school all three years - with a rejection for the first two years and an acceptance after waitlist in the third...publications pulled him over iin year 3, I feel. Numbers alone cannot get you in, but numbers alone can keep you out so take an MCAT prep course to maximize your chance of admission. After this Saturday's final paper administration of the MCAT, the test will be offered multiple times every year by computer. Good luck, and don't give up!