2013 Cumulative and subscore MCAT cutoffs?

[AMS1989]

Does anyone know what they were for this cycle?

 

Also, does queens just use MCAT scores as a cutoff, or do better scores increase your likelihood of getting an interview?

 

I have a 30Q, 10, 10, 10, and got rejected today. I have a solid wGPA (3.88) and above avg ECs. I'm trying to decide whether I should rewrite this summer and any helpful input would be very much appreciated

[duck_season]

I'm guessing here, but they seem to be similar to previous years. From the invites, I think the mimima might have been 9/10/10 Q in the respective sections, and the overall score needed to be higher than a 29. Again, just my educated guess.

 

MCAT is used a cutoff only, from the site:

"The MCAT and GPA evaluation scores fluctuate each year depending on the overall marks of our pool of applicants. Therefore, we cannot predict what the cuts will be from year to year. "

 

Assuming you mcat met the cutoffs, you can be sure your app was dropped in the later stages, for ECs and reference letters. It's unfortunate, because you seem like an exceptional applicant, but I guess there are only so many seats to go around with 3800 ppl applying :/

[AMS1989]

Thanks duck_season!

 

I really appreciate the thoughtful response and the sympathy

 

So just to make sure I understand --> for queens, once you make the cut offs for MCAT and GPA/ wGPA, everyone is on an even playing field? and then are evaluated relative to each other based on EC's and LORs?

 

Am I then correct in concluding that (assuming I did make the cut offs), I didn't get an interview because either:

a) one or more of my LORs wasn't as strong as I was expecting

my ECs are not as competitive as I thought?

[ralk]

Thanks duck_season!

 

I really appreciate the thoughtful response and the sympathy

 

So just to make sure I understand --> for queens, once you make the cut offs for MCAT and GPA/ wGPA, everyone is on an even playing field? and then are evaluated relative to each other based on EC's and LORs?

 

Am I then correct in concluding that (assuming I did make the cut offs), I didn't get an interview because either:

a) one or more of my LORs wasn't as strong as I was expecting

my ECs are not as competitive as I thought?

 

That appears to be the case, yes. Keep in mind that cutoffs are not published, and that total score is considered, not just the individual components - and that total may factor in the writing section as well.

 

From the current crop of invites/rejected in the thread this year, 9/10/10 Q appears to be the minimum for the individual scores, but those with weaker scores close to the threshold in one category seemed to make it up in others (worst combined score I saw was a 31, with a very respectable S in the writing section). You're at the threshold for almost every category, so I wouldn't completely write-off the possibility that you may have been eliminated at that stage.

 

Considering a better MCAT score would be an asset when applying to almost any other school in Ontario, I don't see any harm in rewriting it if you think you could do better. However, don't hesitate to further work on your ECs and consider if you could find better LORs - at worst, you're getting helpful experiences, building a better resume and gathering useful contacts. Those are valuable throughout life, in any career path!

[duck_season]

My pleasure!

 

I think I have just the info to answer your questions: http://meds.queensu.ca/education/undergraduate/prospective_students/method_of_selection

 

I'm taking the following text directly from this page:

 

 

Method of Selection

The following components are used in the listed order to select those candidates to be offered a position in our program.

 

GPA

 

The first form of evaluations is the cumulative GPA, based on the cumulative converted grade point average (see the OMSAS Conversion Scale) of all years of undergraduate study, including summer and supplemental courses. For applicants who do not meet this initial standard, we will consider the most recent two full time years of completed undergraduate study to determine if this GPA is at or above this determined cutoff. Successful candidates will be included in the group to be considered for the second cutoff.

 

Applicants who have completed a graduate degree and meet the MCAT cut but are slightly below the GPA cut will be reviewed on an individual basis by the Admissions Committee.

 

MCAT

 

The second form of evaluation is based on the results of the MCAT. We consider scores from the Biological Science, Physical Science, Writing Sample and Verbal Reasoning sections as well as the sum of these parts.

 

Autobiographical Sketches

 

Candidates should emphasize in the autobiographical sketch those areas of experience that include particular interest in advisory work, community work, fine arts, health care, employment, literature, organization, teaching and travel.

 

Reference Letters

 

Applicants are expected to choose appropriate referees to complete the Confidential Assessment Forms. Referees should have extensive personal knowledge of the applicant and be in a position to reasonably make statements concerning the applicant's character, personal qualities and academic capabilities. It is recognized that referees may not be in a position to evaluate all of the characteristics requested; however, applicants should ensure that, in choosing their three referees, the subject areas are covered. At least one referee should be a non-academic/character referee.

 

 

...and it goes on...

 

hope that helps!

[AMS1989]

wow, thanks guys!

 

if i call admissions, would they tell me what this years cut offs were?

 

If i do worse on my rewrite, would that hurt me?

[trojjanhorse]

maybe this will help?

 

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0ArlB46Pi6-RmdDVibG51YTE0YmJIWGJqS1ZQVUh2c1E#gid=0

[duck_season]

wow, thanks guys!

 

if i call admissions, would they tell me what this years cut offs were?

 

If i do worse on my rewrite, would that hurt me?

 

Queen's never shares their cutoffs :/

 

"Applications will be assessed based on the [mcat] scores from the candidate's best test results."

 

Also, there was one MSc student in trojjanhorse's excel file (thanks btw!) that got a 10/10/10 Q

 

"Applicants who have completed a graduate degree and meet the MCAT cut but are slightly below the GPA cut will be reviewed on an individual basis by the Admissions Committee."

 

based on this sentence, I don't think MSc students got a lower mcat cutoff (just gpa), so maybe the overall cutoff score this year was a 30?

[AMS1989]

oh man, so frustrating!!

 

Thanks guys, this is super helpful though.

 

Glad to know you get assessed based on BEST test results. I just don't want to screw myself over by doing worse.

 

Do all canadian schools use your best score (even if it wasn't your most recent attempt)?

[Savac]

Do all canadian schools use your best score (even if it wasn't your most recent attempt)?

 

No, some use your most recent attempt (I'm sorry, but I don't have the a list with me at the moment)

[psglegacy]

So yesterday I get a 3 emails at 6 am (pst) from a few of the medical schools in Ontario. Ottawa-rejected out of province gpa cutoff 3.89, did not make the cut. Toronto, rejected. But to my surprise I got an interview at Queens. My overal OMSAS GPA 3.47 best two years 3.75.... MCAT VR:10 PS:11 BS: 13 W: Q This was a pleasant surprise. I have to admit I do have a deadly combination of extracurricular activities, but still getting an interview as an out of province applicant with an overal gpa of 3.47 on the OMSAS scale is something else. I just want to give hope to those people out there that think their GPAs are too low for them to get in.