You’ve probably heard of this mysterious thing called the 32-Hour Rule for medical school admissions. If you are wondering how it fits into the application process and hoping it can help your less-than-stellar GPA, you’re in the right place!
If you’ve been grinding through your pre-med coursework but your GPA has stumbled a bit along the way, I’m going to share what exactly this 32-hour rule means, how it can make a difference in getting accepted, and the best steps to demonstrate to those admissions committees that you are, indeed, capable of handling the rigor of medical school despite not having the best stats.
This post is all about the 32 hour rule for medical schools.
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All About 32 Hour Rule for Medical Schools
What is the 32 Hour Rule for Medical Schools? And, why is it important?
Some medical schools follow this rule where they focus on evaluating your most recent 32 credit hours of coursework. That’s around two semesters of college classes, give or take. So, even if your overall GPA isn’t stellar, if you’ve shown significant improvement in these recent classes, it could sway the admissions committee in your favor.
Think of it as a chance to showcase your growth and determination. It’s like saying, “Hey, I may have encountered some challenges in the past, but look at me now, crushing it in my recent courses!”
This rule can totally turn things around if your GPA is below average or you took multiple gap years. It’s a way for medical schools to see beyond your overall cumulative GPA and recognize the hard work you’ve put in to improve coursework and show your passion for a career in medicine.
Do all medical schools accept the 32 Hour Rule?
Unfortunately, only a few schools are on board with this rule. However, some places have been known to take the 32-hour rule into account (be sure to check updated information on this):
- Wayne State University’s College of Medicine
- LSU’s Health Sciences Center
- Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine
- Michigan State University College of Human Medicine
So, before you start applying everywhere, make sure to do your research on each school’s stance regarding this rule. The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) offers resources and tools to help you crunch the numbers. They will also help you figure out where you stand. These tools can give you a clearer picture of how the 32-hour rule might play into your application.
Also, consider this – most medical school admissions committees usually check out two main things: your cumulative GPA and your science GPA. The cumulative GPA covers all your undergrad classes. While the science GPA zooms in on how you did in those crucial med school pre-requisite courses. So, excelling with your science GPA can help offset a lower cumulative GPA.
3 Strategies to Best Use the 32 Hour Rule to Your Advantage
Whether you’re coming from a nontraditional background, have a lower undergrad GPA, or just want to boost your med school application, understanding how to best apply this rule to your unique situation can do wonders to help your application shine. Here are three ways you can turn this rule into a secret weapon for getting into the medical school of your dreams!
Create an Upward Trend with Post-Bacc Programs
One way to really boost those last 32 credit hours is by enrolling in a post-baccalaureate (post-bacc) program. These programs are awesome for students with lower GPAs who want to strengthen their medical school applications. By rocking it in a post-bacc program, you can showcase your academic growth. You can also prove that you’re ready for the challenges of medical school.
If your undergrad GPA isn’t where you want it to be and you weren’t able to show enough of an upward trend in your grades before you graduated, a post-bacc or Master’s program could be a game-changer. Sure, it can be pricey (I’ve been there!), but it’s a smart investment in your future if you need to prove to admissions committees that you can handle those tough science courses.
I completed a couple of quarters of a post-bacc program at CSU East Bay after not getting accepted to medical school when I first applied. These completed courses helped me nudge my GPA from 3.1 to 3.3. This showed the upward trend that admission committees love to see. It was just one piece of the puzzle, but it definitely made a difference—I ended up with 10 acceptances the second time around!
Explain Your Upward Trend in Your Essays
Your primary application and secondary essays are ideal places to highlight your experiences, challenges, and triumphs. So, use this perfect opportunity to talk about why GPA may be on the lower side. Also what you did to turn it around and get it trending upward.
Go into detail! How did your struggles pave the way for a better version of you? Zero in your grit and growth. Maybe you hit a rough patch – were you clocking in too many work hours? Or did life throw you a curveball? Paint that picture in your essay.
Keep in mind though that your personal statement should be focused on your “why medicine”. Since so many premeds misunderstand this essay, reducing their chances of truly impressing the admissions committee.
If you don’t want to make the same mistakes, my course The Ultimate Guide to Writing Your Personal Statement gives you a clear step-by-step framework, tons of examples from successful applicants, worksheets, checklists and more. So that you can put your best foot forward and create the unique essay your story deserves.
To help explain my low GPA, I centered one of my extracurricular descriptions around my gig as a server. I told the story of how I had been balancing 30 hours a week on my feet, plus school and being part of the equestrian team when it hit me: I needed a roadmap for my future. I was only getting C’s and had no major in sight during my sophomore year, so I scaled back on work and found my passion for premed.
It might seem odd to spotlight my server job, but it showcased my journey. So, make the most of your essays to share meaningful activities. Remember, admissions teams generally prefer to get to know the person behind the grades. Plus, the admission committee could see that the story I told in my essay directly correlated with transcripts showing my grades picking up steam during my sophomore year.
Aim for a Strong MCAT Score
While the 32-hour rule puts a spotlight on your coursework, a great MCAT score can definitely tip the scales in your favor.
Schools often take a holistic view, considering both your GPA and MCAT scores to size up your academic prowess as a complete package. In many instances, a stellar MCAT score can make up for a not-so-perfect GPA (as it was my case with scoring a 516). So, it’s worth putting in the effort to score big on the MCAT.
As you’re gearing up to take the MCAT for the first time, get ready to buckle down and study hard. I recommend at least 3 months to prep. But if you’re aiming for one of the top percentiles due to a below-average GPA, stretch it to 6 months to make sure your dedication and hard work pays off.
If your first MCAT score isn’t high enough, consider a retake. It can be totally worth it. Not only is it cheaper than taking post-bacc classes, but the improvement you can make is often surprising. I had to retake my MCAT when my first score expired and my second score was a whopping seven points higher! So, if you believe you can level up, go for it!
More Steps for Overcoming a Low GPA and Earning Acceptances into Medical School
Getting into medical school with a lower GPA is about more than just the numbers – it’s about who you are, what you’ve overcome, and how you present yourself. I know – I snagged 10 med school acceptances (6 MD and 4 DO) with a 3.3 science and cumulative GPA. Even though my GPA was below average, I made it work by covering all my bases.
So, beyond focusing on your upward trend, crafting compelling essays, and scoring well on the MCAT, here are some additional factors you should consider if you’re in a similar boat and aiming for that white coat.
Apply Early
One of the best things you can do is to get a head start on your applications. By applying early, you show medical schools that you are serious. This also shows that you are proactive about your education and future career in medicine. So, beat the rush and submit those applications as soon as you can!
Cast a Wide Net
It’s important to cast a wide net when applying to medical schools. Consider applying to a mix of MD and DO schools to increase your chances of acceptance. I personally applied to 28 schools, both MD and DO, and it gave me more options and opportunities to secure a spot.
Ace the Interviews
Once you start receiving interview invitations, it’s time to nail those interviews by being yourself, showing confidence, and demonstrating why you are a great fit for their program. Remember, they already like you on paper, now it’s your chance to show them why you belong in their medical school. So, take extra time to prepare well, so you’re confident and ready to impress.
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The Bottom Line on the 32 Hour Rule for Medical Schools
The 32 Hour Rule can really work in your favor if you know how to use it wisely. By understanding how this rule affects your application and strategically planning your coursework, you can showcase your improvement and commitment to your medical education.
Remember, whether you’ve had a rough semester or just made some mistakes along the way, the 32 Hour Rule gives you a chance to outshine your lower-than-average cumulative GPA. So, use it to your advantage by focusing on acing those recent classes, showing improvement, and proving to the admissions committee that you’ve got what it takes to excel in medical school.
Remember, it’s not just about where you’ve been, but where you’re headed. So, make those last 32 credit hours count, and let your dedication and passion for medicine lead the way!
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