Do you think someone with a 2.7 gpa and an upward (3.7+) trend in upper division science couses during his fianl undergrad year and a 36 MCAT stands any chance of getting into one of the Israeli schools (either Sackler or BGU?) My GPA sucks but my MCAT is decent, so this is a predicament I'll face. I know I can't get in stateside, so I'd like to go to the best foreign medical school I can possibly get into, which puts the Israeli schools well above the Caribbean schools on my list of top choices. Also, I think living in a foreign country like Israel for several years would be a really cool, fun experience, and I could travel to Europe, Asia, and Africa. Doesn't sound like a bad deal to me, a top notch medical education that, as far as the quality of the school goes, is on par with its us conterparts, and a once-in-a-lifetime cultural experience. Should I even bother with that dismal a GPA?

Thanks,

Mike UGAChemDawg@yahoo.com

Dude a 36 is really good. I think you can get into a US school. oK your GPA wasn't very good in the begining, but you finished well. that is what you will need to convince the admissions board of. I think this is a common thing for applicants.

Look this whole avarage GPA thing is just that its and average. Your MCAT scores are good enought that they may offset some of the GPA factor.

Try applying to some of the less prestigiues medical schools in the US. You may be surprised.

Check out this list and see what you think.

Dude a 36 is really good. I think you can get into a US school. O.K. your GPA wasn't very good in the beginning, but you finished well. That is what you will need to convince the admissions board of. I think this is a common thing for applicants.

Look this whole average GPA thing is just that it’s and average. Your MCAT scores are good enough that they may offset some of the GPA factor.

Try applying to some of the less prestigious medical schools in the US. You may be surprised.

If you take a look at this list you will see that University of Washington students have an average of 11.4 on the MCAT. You are higher than that. However, you will also see that your over all GPA doesn’t even show up on the list. I think you could get into one of the schools somewhere in the middle and almost for sure a school at the bottom.

Listed by highest MCAT and then GPA

Washington University Average MCAT: 11.4 Average GPA: 3.8
Harvard University Average MCAT: 11.0 Average GPA: 3.7
Johns Hopkins University Average MCAT: 11.0 Average GPA: 3.7
University of California at San Francisco Average MCAT: 11.0 Average GPA: 3.7
Vanderbilt University Average MCAT: 11.0 Average GPA: 3.7
University of California at San Diego Average MCAT: 11.0 Average GPA: 3.6
Yale University Average MCAT: 11.0 Average GPA: 3.6
University of California at Davis Average MCAT: 11.0 Average GPA: 3.5
Duke University Average MCAT: 10.8 Average GPA: 3.6
Stanford University Average MCAT: 10.8 Average GPA: 3.6
Mayo Medical School Average MCAT: 10.7 Average GPA: 3.6
New York University Average MCAT: 10.7 Average GPA: 3.6
University of Pennsylvania Average MCAT: 10.7 Average GPA: 3.6
University of Michigan at Ann Arbor Average MCAT: 10.7 Average GPA: 3.6
Columbia University Average MCAT: 10.7 Average GPA: 3.5
University of California at Los Angeles Average MCAT: 10.5 Average GPA: 3.6
Cornell University Average MCAT: 10.5 Average GPA: 3.5
University of Utah Average MCAT: 10.5 Average GPA: 3.5
University of Pittsburgh Average MCAT: 10.4 Average GPA: 3.5
Baylor College of Medicine Average MCAT: 10.3 Average GPA: 3.7
University of Texas,Southwestern Medical School at Dallas
Average MCAT: 10.3 Average GPA: 3.6

Ohio State University Average MCAT: 10.2 Average GPA: 3.6
University of VirginiaAverage MCAT: 10.2 Average GPA: 3.6
University of California at Irvine Average MCAT: 10.2 Average GPA: 3.5
University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine Average MCAT: 10.2 Average GPA: 3.5 University of Washington Average MCAT: 10.0 Average GPA: 3.6
Albert Einstein College of Medicine,Yeshiva UniversityAverage MCAT: 10.0
Average GPA: 3.5

Georgetown University Average MCAT: 10.0 Average GPA: 3.5
MCPHU Medical College of Pennsylvania andHahnemann University (MCP//HU)
Average MCAT: 10.0//9.2 Average GPA: 3.5//3.3
SUNY at Stony BrookAverage MCAT: 10.0 Average GPA: 3.5
University of Massachusetts at Worcester Average MCAT: 10.0 Average GPA: 3.5 University of Southern CaliforniaAverage MCAT: 10.0 Average GPA: 3.5
New York Medical College Average MCAT: 10.0 Average GPA: 3.3
University of Colorado Average MCAT: 9.9 Average GPA: 3.7
Oregon Health Sciences University Average MCAT: 9.9 Average GPA: 3.6
St. Louis University Average MCAT: 9.9 Average GPA: 3.6
Albany Medical College Average MCAT: 9.9 Average GPA: 3.4
Emory University Average MCAT: 9.8 Average GPA: 3.6
University of Maryland at Baltimore Average MCAT: 9.8 Average GPA: 3.6
Uniformed Services University of the Health SciencesAverage MCAT: 9.8
Average GPA: 3.4

University of South FloridaAverage MCAT: 9.7 Average GPA: 3.7
University of Alabama at Birmingham Average MCAT: 9.7 Average GPA: 3.6
University of Minnesota at Twin Cities Average MCAT: 9.7 Average GPA: 3.6 Northwestern University Average MCAT: 9.7 Average GPA: 3.5
University of Connecticut Average MCAT: 9.7 Average GPA: 3.5
Wake Forest University, Bowman Gray School of Medicine Average MCAT: 9.7
Average GPA: 3.4

SUNY at BuffaloAverage MCAT: 9.6 Average GPA: 3.6
Dartmouth Medical School Average MCAT: 9.6 Average GPA: 3.5
UMDNJ New Jersey Medical School Average MCAT: 9.6 Average GPA: 3.3
University of Wisconsin Average MCAT: 9.5 Average GPA: 3.6
Case Western Reserve University Average MCAT: 9.5 Average GPA: 3.5
Loyola University of Chicago Stritch Average MCAT: 9.5 Average GPA: 3.5
Thomas Jefferson University, Jefferson Medical College Average MCAT: 9.5
Average GPA: 3.5

Tulane University Average MCAT: 9.5 Average GPA: 3.5
University of Cincinnati Average MCAT: 9.5 Average GPA: 3.5
University of Hawaii at Manoa Average MCAT: 9.5 Average GPA: 3.4
Virginia Commonwealth University,Medical College of Virginia Average MCAT: 9.5
Average GPA: 3.3

Indiana University at Indianapolis Average MCAT: 9.4 Average GPA: 3.6
University of Iowa Average MCAT: 9.4 Average GPA: 3.6
University of Miami Average MCAT: 9.4 Average GPA: 3.6
George Washington University Average MCAT: 9.4 Average GPA: 3.5
Medical College of Georgia Average MCAT: 9.4 Average GPA: 3.5
University of Arizona Average MCAT: 9.4 Average GPA: 3.5
UMDNJ Robert Wood Johnson Medical School Average MCAT: 9.4 Average GPA: 3.5
Temple UniversityAverage MCAT: 9.4 Average GPA: 3.3
University of Florida Average MCAT: 9.3 Average GPA: 3.7
University of Missouri at Columbia Average MCAT: 9.3 Average GPA: 3.6
University of South Alabama Average MCAT: 9.3 Average GPA: 3.6
University of Texas at San Antonia Average MCAT: 9.3 Average GPA: 3.6
SUNY at Brooklyn Average MCAT: 9.3 Average GPA: 3.5
Texas A & M University Average MCAT: 9.3 Average GPA: 3.5
University of Texas at Galveston Average MCAT: 9.3 Average GPA: 3.5
Michigan State UniversityAverage MCAT: 9.3 Average GPA: 3.4
Texas Tech University Average MCAT: 9.3 Average GPA: 3.4
University of Illinois at Chicago Average MCAT: 9.3 Average GPA: 3.4
University of Nebraska Average MCAT: 9.2 Average GPA: 3.6
University of Oklahoma Average MCAT: 9.2 Average GPA: 3.6
Tufts University Average MCAT: 9.2 Average GPA: 3.5
University of Nevada Average MCAT: 9.2 Average GPA: 3.4
Northeastern Ohio University Average MCAT: 9.1 Average GPA: 3.6
Pennsylvania State University Average MCAT: 9.1 Average GPA: 3.5
SUNY at Syracuse Average MCAT: 9.1 Average GPA: 3.5
University of Kansas Average MCAT: 9.1 Average GPA: 3.5
Mount Sinai School of Medicine Average MCAT: 9.1 Average GPA: 3.4
Rush University Average MCAT: 9.1 Average GPA: 3.4
Boston University Average MCAT: 9.1 Average GPA: 3.3
University of Mississippi Average MCAT: 9.0 Average GPA: 3.6
Medical College of Wisconsin Average MCAT: 9.0 Average GPA: 3.5
University of Tennessee at Memphis Average MCAT: 9.0 Average GPA: 3.5
University of Kentucky Average MCAT: 9.0 Average GPA: 3.44
Medical University of South Carolina Average MCAT: 9.0 Average GPA: 3.4
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Average MCAT: 9.0 Average GPA: 3.4
University of South Carolina Average MCAT: 9.0 Average GPA: 3.4
Eastern Virginia Medical School Average MCAT: 9.0 Average GPA: 3.3
Chicago Medical School, Finch University for Health Sciences Average MCAT: 9.0
Average GPA: 3.2

Loma Linda UniversityAverage MCAT: 8.9 Average GPA: 3.6
University of Minnesota at DuluthAverage MCAT: 8.9 Average GPA: 3.5
University of New Mexico Average MCAT: 8.9 Average GPA: 3.5
University of Louisville Average MCAT: 8.9 Average GPA: 3.4
Wayne State UniversityAverage MCAT: 8.9 Average GPA: 3.4
University of VermontAverage MCAT: 8.9 Average GPA: 3.3
Creighton UniversityAverage MCAT: 8.8 Average GPA: 3.6
Southern Illinois University at Springfield Average MCAT: 8.8 Average GPA: 3.5
University of Rochester Average MCAT: 8.8 (Most years, U of R MCAT average is > 9)Average GPA: 3.5

Louisiana State University in Shreveport Average MCAT: 8.8 Average GPA: 3.4
Medical College of Ohio Average MCAT: 8.8 Average GPA: 3.4
University of North Dakota Average MCAT: 8.7 Average GPA: 3.6
East Tennessee State University Average MCAT: 8.7 Average GPA: 3.4
University of Texas at Houston Average MCAT: 8.7 Average GPA: 3.4
West Virginia University Average MCAT: 8.6 Average GPA: 3.6
Louisiana State University at New Orleans Average MCAT: 8.6 Average GPA: 3.4
Mercer University Average MCAT: 8.6 Average GPA: 3.3
University of South Dakota Average MCAT: 8.5 Average GPA: 3.6
Marshall University Average MCAT: 8.2 Average GPA: 3.5
Wright State University Average MCAT: 8.0 Average GPA: 3.5
East Carolina University Average MCAT: 8.0 Average GPA: 3.4
University of Missouri at Kansas City Average MCAT: 8.0 Average GPA: 3.0
University of ArkansasAverage MCAT: 7.6 Average GPA: 3.5
Meharry Medical College Average MCAT: 7.5 Average GPA: 3.1
University of Puerto Rico Average MCAT: 7.0 Average GPA: 3.4
Howard University Average MCAT: 7.0 Average GPA: 3.0
Morehouse School of Medicine Average MCAT: 7.0 Average GPA: 3.0
Ponce School of Medicine Average MCAT: 6.1 Average GPA: 3.3
Universidad Del Caribe Average MCAT: 6.0 Average GPA: 3.1

I think it also depends on other things like what school you graduated from- i think if you are a harvard grad your chances are better as opposed to being a communtiy college grad. I think that if you want to stay in the states you should definitely try mainly because you have a good MCAT, and as for Israeli schools I would also give them a try seeing as even if you don't get in you can still try next year (after showing some kind of improvement). Plus they give you a very fast response which is good.
Good luck

Usually, a MCAT score of 30 or more is seen as competitive for US schools, so on that count you're certainly competitive. GPA of 2.7 is very low. However, it seems that it's not your final GPA. Also, you don't state if its overall or science GPA. Also, remember that ANY adcom will not only look at numbers, but also ec's, LoR's, personal statements etc etc.

If I was in your shoes I'd probably apply to some of the mid- and lower tier US allo schools, several DO schools and Sackler, SGU or other reputable non-US school as backup. I'm pretty sure that'll land you a place somewhere, unless there's issues with your background.

Best of luck

I agree with the others in this post... you shouldnt have a problem at some of the "second tier" U.S. schools with lower overall requirements. But to answer your question more directly... I dont know how well you would do with the Israeli schools. They are actually more competitive than many of the less selective U.S. schools - but it doesnt hurt to apply. The worst thing that they can say is "no".

36 mcat and 2.7 gpa will not even get you into podiatry school. I just went through the same process with state school and will tell you that those stats that are posted are jokes. I was in the same position like you. 2 yrs research with publications. 3.75 Overall gpa, 3.65 science and 24/25 mcat. Applied to 20 schools(All Allopathic and lowtier). 5 interviews. 0 acceptance.
At my interviews almost every student there had >30 mcat and gpa > 3.75.
3.2 and 36 mcat will not even get you into Meharry. Same as D.O schools. This is reality..and guys are now extremely serious about medicine. Gone are those days when your mcat can balance your low gpa..vice versa.

__________________
A little money. A taste of wine. The caresses of a strange woman. Destruction is not far off. For the road to destruction is built on the pinnacle of foolishness.
Harry Omoregie. Words of the Masked Traveler: Poems of Struggle, Hope and Love

Saba University School of Medicine - MS III
The University Of Missouri-Kansas City: B.A [Summa Cum Laude]

Anyone know of anyone getting in with these stats? I have a 25 and a 3.6 from University of Miami with a ton of publications and research but little volunteer work....

I don't know.. I have a 34 MCAT and a 3.4 GPA (top ten university), haven't heard back from them yet. I'm not Jewish though, but med school in Israel would be a great experience for me.

A low mcat/hi gpa says less than vice versa bc the mcat is a level playing field, IMHO

From talking to the admin, I think Sackler favors high MCAT/low GPA over low MCAT/high GPA. Makes sense to me since they want their students to do well on the boards and get good residencies, and MCAT correlates well with Step 1.