8. Can I get in with my grades? What will my health profession school be looking for in my application?

Like undergraduate institutions, the competition level among applicants to professional schools varies from school to school. It is true that the process of admission into almost all schools offering degrees in health professions is highly competitive. It is not true, however, that all hope is lost unless you have a grade point average of 4.0.

While demonstrated success in academics, particularly the sciences, is a vital component in any application to a health profession school, it is one component in a comprehensive process. The application can be described as having three sections:

1. Grades and entrance examination scores (objective data)
2. Clinical experience (translation of theory into practice)
3. Recommendations and Personal Statement (subjective data)

You can see that grades and test scores are only part of the picture. You need to show that you have the ability to perform well in professional school, but equally important is the ability to apply the information you learn to a real-life setting. The subjective data in the recommendations and an applicant’s own personal statement reveal an applicant’s commitment, skills and strengths. Remember that the medical schools are looking for evidence of altruism, motivation and dutifulness, qualities that can be more adequately demonstrated outside the classroom or testing environment. A deficiency in any part of the application can result in a rejection.

Nationally, the average GPA for students accepted into medical schools is usually close to 3.5 on a scale of 1-4. Average MCAT scores for admitted students are generally in the 9-10 point range for each section of the MCAT. See the section about entrance exams for more information.