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6/25/99 Question
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Hi,
That's the question that requires many "buts" and "ifs" in the answer. But basically, nationally, the average GPA for all those who are admitted (as opposed to those who applied) to medical schools is close to 3.5. If you look at particular schools, you will find those who admit students with average science/nonscience GPA of 3.3 and those whose average GPA is 3.6 as well as everything in between.
You are probably also aware, or if not then now you will be, that medical schools actually do not see your GPA the way you have it on your school's transcript. Instead, when you apply to medical schools, by filing the AMCAS application, two kinds of GPA are calculated from your grades: science GPA which includes all classes in math, biology (and related sciences ie biochem), chemistry and physics, and "all-other classes" GPA which is basically the "non-science" GPA. Though, you overall GPA is also available, it seems that more attention is paid to the broken-down GPAs, with science GPA being especially important. So what medical schools see looks something like this:
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Freshman year:
list of classes list of credits/grades
Freshman year: science GPA, Non-science GPA, Overall GPA
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and the same for all 3 or 4 years of your education. Plus overall science, non-science and total GPA for all four years.
Regarding the MCAT.
Average scores for MCAT are pretty low--but they don't really matter since the reality is that most people don't get in or don't even apply. Again, what matters are the average scores for those who are actually admitted to medical school. I do not know the national statistics with any degree of precision, but I'm pretty sure the combined score from all three sections (english, biology/orgo, and chemistry/physics) is about 28-30, with something like 9.5 per section being the national average. People with less than about 9 per section will have a tougher time making a case for admission even though grade on one section can probably balance out another. Of course, all the average scores are just what they are "average" and there exists significant deviation from the average. Depending on your state of residence, for example you may have either little to worry about admissions even with relatively mediocre grades or a lot to worry about even with good grades. Your recommendations, application, interview and all other things eventually come into play too.
Admissions is not entirely a rational process. The best advice I can give is what I have read today in Investor's Business Daily: they have a daily section on successful people and one of the lessons they preached there today is this one: "Believe in yourself, for if you don't no one else can and no one else will." I hope my prose is more or less readable. If there is any point that you want to clarify, let me know.
Best luck to you, Alex
