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MCAT® vs. GPA: Which Matters More to Medical Schools?
Articles
December 15, 2024
Pre-med students are under pressure to excel in every aspect of their undergrad preparations. However, nobody is perfect, and as you approach the end of your undergrad career, you may be wondering which matters more: your MCAT score or your grade point average (GPA)?
Both these numbers are crucial components of your application, but each plays a different role in how admissions committees evaluate you. Understanding the nuances of each factor can help you prioritize your efforts and build a competitive application.
The Importance of the MCAT
The Medical College Admissions Test® (MCAT) is a standardized test designed to assess your readiness for medical school. It evaluates your critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and knowledge of natural, behavioral, and social sciences. Admissions committees value the MCAT as a standardized tool of comparison. A 4.0 GPA from one college might not hold the same weight as a 4.0 from another, for example, but a 515 MCAT is the same everywhere.
The MCAT is also somewhat predictive of success in the early part of medical school. Studies show that MCAT scores may correlate with performance on the U.S. Medical Licensing Exam (USMLE) Step 1. A strong score, therefore, reassures schools of your potential to excel academically during the pre-clinical phase of medical school.
Finally, if your GPA isn’t stellar, an impressive MCAT score can offset academic shortcomings and show you’re capable of handling rigorous coursework—especially if you have strong extenuating circumstances that explain your soft GPA, such as long-term illness or another issue.
Why GPA Matters
Your GPA reflects your academic performance over an extended period, showcasing your consistency, work ethic, and ability to succeed in various subjects. GPA provides a more comprehensive view of your academic dedication. Excelling over multiple semesters shows resilience and a sustained commitment to excellence.
Admissions committees often examine your transcript closely. A strong science GPA is especially critical, as it demonstrates your ability to handle the coursework you’ll encounter in medical school. A high GPA (or one that improves steadily over time) is also a risk-mitigation signal. It reassures schools that you’re less likely to struggle with the demands of medical education.
GPA vs. MCAT: Which Matters More?
It depends. While a low MCAT score was most likely to be the biggest deal-breaker for admissions officers who answered a recent survey by test-prep company Kaplan, different schools weigh these factors differently, and the relative importance can vary based on your overall application.
Ideally, you want to be a well-balanced applicant with both a strong GPA and MCAT score. A solid GPA can reflect strong study habits, but a lower MCAT score might raise questions about your critical thinking or readiness for medical school exams.
A standout MCAT score can offset a lower GPA by showing your ability to rise to the occasion. However, schools may still press you for reasons why your GPA was lower—was there a genuine outside issue, or does your score reflect poor time management?
Holistic Admissions and Post-Bacc Programs
While GPA and MCAT are critical, they are just two pieces of your application. Admissions committees try to take a holistic approach to evaluating your application, considering:
- Clinical Experience: Have you demonstrated a genuine interest in patient care?
- Research: Did you engage in meaningful scientific inquiry?
- Extracurriculars: Do your activities show leadership and genuine interest in healthcare as a career?
- Personal Statement and Letters of Recommendation: How do others perceive your character and potential as a physician?
You can also pursue a post-bacc program to address either your GPA or your MCAT score—or both. Many pre-med post-bacc certificate programs and special master’s programs will incorporate MCAT prep into their curricula along with medical school coursework. If you’re pursuing a post-bacc primarily to boost your GPA, however, make sure you understand how your post-bacc GPA impacts your overall GPA before you apply!
Striking the Balance
GPA and MCAT scores are both essential to your medical school application, but they serve different purposes. Think of your GPA as your academic backbone and the MCAT as your moment to shine. If one is weaker, strengthen the other and leverage your extracurriculars, post-bacc experience (if any) and your personal story to create a compelling narrative for your application.
Pre-med students are under pressure to excel in every aspect of their undergrad preparations. However, nobody is perfect, and as you approach the end of your undergrad career, you may be wondering which matters more: your MCAT score or your grade point average (GPA)?
Both these numbers are crucial components of your application, but each plays a different role in how admissions committees evaluate you. Understanding the nuances of each factor can help you prioritize your efforts and build a competitive application.
The Importance of the MCAT
The Medical College Admissions Test® (MCAT) is a standardized test designed to assess your readiness for medical school. It evaluates your critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and knowledge of natural, behavioral, and social sciences. Admissions committees value the MCAT as a standardized tool of comparison. A 4.0 GPA from one college might not hold the same weight as a 4.0 from another, for example, but a 515 MCAT is the same everywhere.
The MCAT is also somewhat predictive of success in the early part of medical school. Studies show that MCAT scores may correlate with performance on the U.S. Medical Licensing Exam (USMLE) Step 1. A strong score, therefore, reassures schools of your potential to excel academically during the pre-clinical phase of medical school.
Finally, if your GPA isn’t stellar, an impressive MCAT score can offset academic shortcomings and show you’re capable of handling rigorous coursework—especially if you have strong extenuating circumstances that explain your soft GPA, such as long-term illness or another issue.
Why GPA Matters
Your GPA reflects your academic performance over an extended period, showcasing your consistency, work ethic, and ability to succeed in various subjects. GPA provides a more comprehensive view of your academic dedication. Excelling over multiple semesters shows resilience and a sustained commitment to excellence.
Admissions committees often examine your transcript closely. A strong science GPA is especially critical, as it demonstrates your ability to handle the coursework you’ll encounter in medical school. A high GPA (or one that improves steadily over time) is also a risk-mitigation signal. It reassures schools that you’re less likely to struggle with the demands of medical education.
GPA vs. MCAT: Which Matters More?
It depends. While a low MCAT score was most likely to be the biggest deal-breaker for admissions officers who answered a recent survey by test-prep company Kaplan, different schools weigh these factors differently, and the relative importance can vary based on your overall application.
Ideally, you want to be a well-balanced applicant with both a strong GPA and MCAT score. A solid GPA can reflect strong study habits, but a lower MCAT score might raise questions about your critical thinking or readiness for medical school exams.
A standout MCAT score can offset a lower GPA by showing your ability to rise to the occasion. However, schools may still press you for reasons why your GPA was lower—was there a genuine outside issue, or does your score reflect poor time management?
Holistic Admissions and Post-Bacc Programs
While GPA and MCAT are critical, they are just two pieces of your application. Admissions committees try to take a holistic approach to evaluating your application, considering:
- Clinical Experience: Have you demonstrated a genuine interest in patient care?
- Research: Did you engage in meaningful scientific inquiry?
- Extracurriculars: Do your activities show leadership and genuine interest in healthcare as a career?
- Personal Statement and Letters of Recommendation: How do others perceive your character and potential as a physician?
You can also pursue a post-bacc program to address either your GPA or your MCAT score—or both. Many pre-med post-bacc certificate programs and special master’s programs will incorporate MCAT prep into their curricula along with medical school coursework. If you’re pursuing a post-bacc primarily to boost your GPA, however, make sure you understand how your post-bacc GPA impacts your overall GPA before you apply!
Striking the Balance
GPA and MCAT scores are both essential to your medical school application, but they serve different purposes. Think of your GPA as your academic backbone and the MCAT as your moment to shine. If one is weaker, strengthen the other and leverage your extracurriculars, post-bacc experience (if any) and your personal story to create a compelling narrative for your application.