When you apply, you submit a pile of information that includes your MCAT scores, GPA (OGPA, BCPM GPA, and AO GPA), essays (personal statement, etc.), letters of recommendation, etc. Of these, MCAT scores and OGPA often get the most atttention from students because they’re easy to understand, but they aren’t the be all, end all of the admissions process.

Instead, once your application comes in and is complete, the Admissions Office enters your hard data into their database, and they make an assessment as to whether or not you’ve met the *minimum* qualifications for their institution (e.g., MCAT 24+, all GPAs 3.0+, essays complete, letters complete, etc.). IF you’ve met the minimums, your application *will* be reviewed by the admissions committee, even if you’re at the low end of that spectrum. Remember… the top 1/3 of admitted students makes the worst 1/3 of physicians, so they aren’t simply looking for great scores.

So, since the average MCAT score among admitted students tends to hover right at 30, anyone that’s above average tends to get a closer look from the committee, but by definition… they’re letting in a lot of students below that 30 mark or it wouldn’t be the average. The same is true of GPAs of course. The average OGPA last year was right around 3.6. Since the high must be 4.0 (no such thing as weighted grades here), the low end of this last year was around 3.1. In other words, your GPA isn’t likely a problem unless your AO GPA is actually driving it up. All three GPAs should be 3.0+ really…

So say that you’re on the low side for both GPAs and MCATs… The truth is that you could still be in the game if you have excellent extra curricular activities, truly passionate essays (with good grammar of course), and great letters, particularly your school’s committee letter. Any combination of those other factors could tip the scales in your favor. Some schools consider the PS to be terribly important, while others really focus on the committee letter.

Finally, don’t make the mistake so many of my students make… Don’t limit your opportunities by not choosing schools to apply to carefully. Meet with your pre-med advisor BEFORE deciding these things (though you can add them late if needed). They should have a copy of the AMSAR which can help you decide which schools to spend your time researching and applying to when it’s your time.

Good luck!