Academic Advising for MD: Get 34 on ACT, GPA 3.9/4

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around academic advising for a prospective medical student aiming for a BS/MD program that does not require the MCAT. Participants explore the implications of GPA and ACT scores on medical school applications, particularly focusing on the competitiveness of applicants and the requirements of various programs.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant mentions a desire to enter a straight program without the MCAT, highlighting a GPA of 3.9 and an ACT goal of 34.
  • Another participant suggests that few programs do not require the MCAT and questions the uniqueness of a 3.9 GPA among applicants.
  • Some participants reference BS/MD programs as potential options for the original poster (OP) and provide a link to a list of such programs.
  • Concerns are raised about the competitiveness of the OP's application without an MCAT score, with suggestions that a high GPA alone may not be sufficient.
  • One participant shares a personal connection to a seven-year medical program, indicating a specific example of a program that may accept students with certain GPA requirements.
  • There is a debate about the significance of a 3.9 GPA, with some arguing it is high by medical school standards, while others assert that it may not stand out without an accompanying MCAT score.
  • Participants express differing views on the perceived difficulty of premed requirements and the importance of being well-rounded in applications.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a mix of agreement and disagreement regarding the importance of GPA and the necessity of the MCAT for medical school applications. There is no consensus on the best approach for the OP, with multiple competing views on the significance of academic metrics and program requirements.

Contextual Notes

Some participants reference the average GPA and MCAT scores of medical school matriculants, but there is uncertainty about the relevance of these averages to the OP's situation, particularly since the OP is discussing high school performance rather than undergraduate metrics.

rqureshi24
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Hello,

I want to be a doctor but I want to go into a straight program (one that doesn't require a MCAT). My GPA is around 3.9 out of 4 and my first ACT was 25 (with no preparation), but I take another one in June where I am going to try to get a 34.

Hypothetically, let's say I get the 34 ACT score, which colleges are the best for me?
 
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Probably those few and far between ones that don't require the MCAT.
 
Are you looking to attend an US medical school?

There are a few, I think, who do not require an MCAT score, although I'm sure it would hinder your application a great deal.

A straight program? What?

You won't be special with a 3.9 GPA. We all have those. Just take the MCAT like everyone else. Get a score around 90th percentile, and do a bunch of other crap to make you seem well-rounded and mature. Then you will be an average med school matriculant. Congratulations!
 
USN2ENG said:
I think they might be referring to one of the BS/MD programs. Check out this list:
Yes, that is what i am talking about.

Rear Naked said:
Are you looking to attend an US medical school?

There are a few, I think, who do not require an MCAT score, although I'm sure it would hinder your application a great deal.

A straight program? What?

You won't be special with a 3.9 GPA. We all have those. Just take the MCAT like everyone else. Get a score around 90th percentile, and do a bunch of other crap to make you seem well-rounded and mature. Then you will be an average med school matriculate. Congratulations!
Yes, I am looking to attend in the US.

My weighted GPA is: ~ 4.18
My unweighted GPA: ~ 3.98

My unweighted is a ~3.9 of 4 and I am in 3 sports, NHS, volunteer at church and hospitals, and a couple clubs at school too.

A straight program would be a BS/MD program and I'm not looking to be an average med school matriculate.
 
How do you know you want to be a doctor?
 
TCNJ mannnn, my girlfriend's a SMED (seven year med program) so as long as she maintains a 3.5 every semester, she gets into this med school in new jersey that is reputable (can't remember which at the moment, something like UMDNJ). So, good luck with that
 
Rear Naked said:
You won't be special with a 3.9 GPA. We all have those. Just take the MCAT like everyone else. Get a score around 90th percentile, and do a bunch of other crap to make you seem well-rounded and mature. Then you will be an average med school matriculant. Congratulations!
Actually, a 3.9 GPA is pretty damn high, even by medical school standards and a 90th% MCAT is very high, well above the average MCAT of a matriculant.

Premeds drastically overestimate how hardcore what they do really is.
 
Jorriss said:
Actually, a 3.9 GPA is pretty damn high, even by medical school standards

Do we have to get technical? :eek: My point was that nobody will care about a 3.9 with no MCAT. A 3.9GPA and 90th percentile MCAT score will in no way "guaranteee" a slot.
Average is 3.7

Code: 
and a 90th% MCAT is very high, well above the average MCAT of a matriculant. 

Premeds drastically overestimate how hardcore what they do really is.

The real average is 80-85th
This is all irrelevant though, since apparently he was talking about his high school GPA.

Good luck OP. Save yourself a year and some stress.
 
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