YES! Grades mean a lot when applying to medical school, but they are not everything. If your grades are not as competitive as our averages, (GPA: 3.7; MCAT: 30.2) then you want to have strong health care exposure, solid letters of evaluation, and an upward grade trend to name a few. There is no specific formula for success in the application process, but keep in mind that it is the Dean's goal to look for specific sets of reasons to invite you for an interview, not to eliminate your application.

The answer to this question changes slightly from program to program and is influenced by other factors. Typically, a science GPA of 3.5 or higher combined with a 30 on the MCAT (at least 10 on each section) will make a student competitive. For example, the Oregon Health Sciences University School of Medicine (http://www.ohsu.edu/som/) 2005-2006 entering class had an average total GPA of 3.63, an average science GPA of 3.57, and average MCAT score of 31.

GPA's and MCAT scores do not offset one another. Both have predictive value for success in medical school, particularly in the first two years, which everyone seems to think are the hardest. Therefore, the Admissions Committee generally prefers students who have both good GPA's and good MCAT scores.

All applicants to the RMED Program need to have competitive GPA and MCAT scores. Talk to your premedical advisor at your university.

Eligible applicants must have a GPA of 3.0 or better and an MCAT average score of 7.0 or better. Interviews are based on the competitiveness of the applicant pool.

If you are hoping to matriculate in a professional school the year after you graduate, you should take these exams in the spring of your Junior year. If you plan to do a gap year after you graduate, you should take the MCAT or GRE in the spring two years before you hope to matriculate. For example, if you plan to matriculate in Fall 2010, you will be applying in Fall 2009, which means you should take the MCAT or GRE no later than the Spring of 2009.

You need to be aware of a sobering reality: admission to a health professions school is a highly competitive process. This means, of course, that these schools will draw candidates from the high end of the GPA range. Consider these statistics. The most common GPA for applicants admitted to medical schools nationwide, for example, is 3.75. At Upstate Medical University, the median overall GPA for accepted applicants is around 3.65 (3.57 for the science GPA).

It depends on the applicant pool in a given admissions cycle. Since it is a very competitive process, GPA's and health care experience type and duration vary from year to year. To provide a perspective, the WCMC PA Program's currently enrolled class has an overall mean GPA of 3.43.

To be accepted to an impacted program or a high demand campus, the GPA for admission should be considerably higher than the minimum requirements. A GPA of 3.0 and higher may be required for students to be competitive for transfer admission, with the most competitive institutions expecting much higher grade point averages. The desired GPA will vary each year according to the specific applicant pool at that time.

Our mission is to help students develop the skills, understanding and inspiration to create a better world. We are looking for students who want and are ready to take advantage of our transformational educational opportunities. Our admissions decisions are based on looking at the whole person, and not just a grade point average. While we like to see a 2.

The Committee on Admissions has established threshold levels for both the undergraduate GPA and the total numerical score on the MCAT exam. The minimal acceptable levels are an undergraduate GPA of 3.0, with a C or better in all prerequisite course work, plus a total numerical score of 22 on the MCAT examination. Applicants who do not meet the undergraduate GPA threshold of 3.0 may be considered if they have a GPA of 3.

Although there is no set "minimum" GPA or MCAT scores, all applications are reviewed based on a combination of factors including the GPA, MCAT results and level of research experience. Based on the data from the past five years, students who were admitted to the MSTP generally had a strong GPA (average 3.8) and MCATs (average 11-13) and a significant research experience (average of 2 years). In addition, letters of recommendation are given considerable weight in the admissions process.

Applicants to Texas Tech are encouraged to take the April administration of the MCAT. The Office of Admissions will not receive the scores until mid-July. This is important to remember because an early, completed application can make all the difference between interviewing and not. This doesn't mean the August MCAT is not desirable. All applicants should note however that the August MCAT scores are not received until mid October. Back to Top

Admission to the DPT Degree Program is highly competitive. The charter DPT class averaged a 3.40 GPA.

Again, this is a myth that does not stand up to much scrutiny. There are lots of wannabes, who clutter up the bottom rungs of the ladder. But most will not make it - not because the competition is too strong but because they do not really have what it takes. When BBC R4 and the Guardian ran a writers' competition a few years ago they were deluged with entries. But presenter and judge John Diamond reports that the standard was very low.