BUCKET #1: ACADEMICS
Academics are naturally a huge part of the admissions process. This includes:
• GPA
• MCAT Score
Many pre-meds think it takes a 4.0 GPA and 45 MCAT score to get into medical school. They are wrong.
As Andy says,
"THERE ARE MOTHERFUCKERS WITH 4.0 GPAs AND 45 MCATS THAT DON’T GET INTO MED SCHOOL. WHY? BECAUSE THEY DON’T HAVE THE OTHER BUCKETS OR THEY’RE FUCKING ASSHOLES.
It IS true, good grades and a decent MCAT score are generally required to gain acceptance to medical school, but there is no exact GPA or MCAT that guarantees admission. Medical school admissions committees look at pre-meds’ “whole package^TM” when deciding whom gets into medical school. Lots of other stuff will make up your app. Think of the Academics Bucket as being filled with hurdles. You kick the GPA and MCAT hurdles in the testicles and move on to more exciting items that fill the other OH MY GOD IM GONNA BE A DOCTOR ONE DAY BUCKETS."
FAQ #1: (okay, my question, and I'm guessing its somewhat frequent :P)
The recommended prereqs--upper division cell bio, genetics, physiology--do we have to have these done by the time we apply? (aka, it seems impossible to fit it all in if we're not taking a gap year, but would we be penalized if we haven't taken them yet?)
>>Andy: I've never seen a significant penalty applied for that. What counts more is the g chem, ochem, g bio, phys big 4. so i wouldn't worry about it.
>>Anna: you gotta have all the prereqs they want by the time you matriculate. You can be doing them in progress. I'm not too sure if you can work on them in the summer. Not having pre-reqs will hurt your chances of getting in.
So how do I do this at Cal?
1) Choosing a major.
2) Link: BCPM (Biology Chemistry Physics Math) classes & AMCAS
3) Spacing out premed classes, studying efficiently, and getting C's
4) Can I use AP credit to satisfy med school requirements
5)Useful links
6) Fulfilling the English requirement.
• GPA
• MCAT Score
Many pre-meds think it takes a 4.0 GPA and 45 MCAT score to get into medical school. They are wrong.
As Andy says,
"THERE ARE MOTHERFUCKERS WITH 4.0 GPAs AND 45 MCATS THAT DON’T GET INTO MED SCHOOL. WHY? BECAUSE THEY DON’T HAVE THE OTHER BUCKETS OR THEY’RE FUCKING ASSHOLES.
It IS true, good grades and a decent MCAT score are generally required to gain acceptance to medical school, but there is no exact GPA or MCAT that guarantees admission. Medical school admissions committees look at pre-meds’ “whole package^TM” when deciding whom gets into medical school. Lots of other stuff will make up your app. Think of the Academics Bucket as being filled with hurdles. You kick the GPA and MCAT hurdles in the testicles and move on to more exciting items that fill the other OH MY GOD IM GONNA BE A DOCTOR ONE DAY BUCKETS."
FAQ #1: (okay, my question, and I'm guessing its somewhat frequent :P)
The recommended prereqs--upper division cell bio, genetics, physiology--do we have to have these done by the time we apply? (aka, it seems impossible to fit it all in if we're not taking a gap year, but would we be penalized if we haven't taken them yet?)
>>Andy: I've never seen a significant penalty applied for that. What counts more is the g chem, ochem, g bio, phys big 4. so i wouldn't worry about it.
>>Anna: you gotta have all the prereqs they want by the time you matriculate. You can be doing them in progress. I'm not too sure if you can work on them in the summer. Not having pre-reqs will hurt your chances of getting in.
So how do I do this at Cal?
1) Choosing a major.
2) Link: BCPM (Biology Chemistry Physics Math) classes & AMCAS
3) Spacing out premed classes, studying efficiently, and getting C's
4) Can I use AP credit to satisfy med school requirements
5)Useful links
6) Fulfilling the English requirement.