Low overal GPA but high BCMP GPA

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Nasem

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According to my calculations, by May 2008, my overall GPA is only going to bairly touch 3.15 but my BCMP is around 3.55

There is a good chance, I am going to spend another year doing another year of post-bacc hoping to bring that 3.15 to maybe a 3.3, but by then my BCMP will be in the 3.6ish range....

Does a higher BCMP (than overall) give you a little bit of competitiveness or is the overall GPA the grand daddy of them all....
 
Nasem said:
According to my calculations, by May 2008, my overall GPA is only going to bairly touch 3.15 but my BCMP is around 3.55

There is a good chance, I am going to spend another year doing another year of post-bacc hoping to bring that 3.15 to maybe a 3.3, but by then my BCMP will be in the 3.6ish range....

Does a higher BCMP (than overall) give you a little bit of competitiveness or is the overall GPA the grand daddy of them all....
Click to expand...

I think BCMP is more important, but I think it's also important to have a good cum GPA. When your AO is low, I think that brings up red flags.

I could be wrong though!🙄
 
I think both are fairly important but the science one is slightly more. It will probably be worrisome to the admissions people though if there is a huge disparity between the two such as in your case. Still, having a higher BCPM is way better than having a low BCPM and high overall.
 
I'm kind of in the same boat...I piddled around for the first year and a half of school 🙄...and then got my act together and pushed out a 3.9 average for the next 3 years. My overall is a 3.35, but my Science is a 3.6ish. With obviously a very strong upward trend. I'm applying this year, so I'm kind of interested to see how adcoms looks at my application.
 
I think anything above a 3.5 is good😉

As a general rule of thumb, well-rounded is always good,no😕
 
I think a higher BCPM GPA is more important then AO GPA. Since med school is mostly science based.
 
I thought when people said "you need a 3.5 and a 30 MCAT to be competitive for medical school," they meant a 3.5 overall GPA. So how is the science GPA more important than the overall?
 
From what I know (and this is anecdotal from a few schools like UMich and SUNY Upstate), they give the science GPA slightly more weight because it reflects more of how well you'll do in medical school. However, most applicants have very similar overall/science GPAs and this is rarely an issue.


A lot of it also depends on your MCAT though. Your goal is to demonstrate that you're capable of succeeding and making their match list look good. A strong science GPA helps suggest that you can handle the curriculum. A strong overall GPA with a weak science GPA suggests you're a good student, but maybe not so hot at biology.
 
littlealex said:
From what I know (and this is anecdotal from a few schools like UMich and SUNY Upstate), they give the science GPA slightly more weight because it reflects more of how well you'll do in medical school. However, most applicants have very similar overall/science GPAs and this is rarely an issue.


A lot of it also depends on your MCAT though. Your goal is to demonstrate that you're capable of succeeding and making their match list look good. A strong science GPA helps suggest that you can handle the curriculum. A strong overall GPA with a weak science GPA suggests you're a good student, but maybe not so hot at biology.
Click to expand...

A lot of non-trads (such as myself) have vastly different science and OA GPAs. I think generally your science GPA will carry slightly more weight, but it's still important to have a strong overall GPA.
 
Nasem said:
According to my calculations, by May 2008, my overall GPA is only going to bairly touch 3.15 but my BCMP is around 3.55

There is a good chance, I am going to spend another year doing another year of post-bacc hoping to bring that 3.15 to maybe a 3.3, but by then my BCMP will be in the 3.6ish range....

Does a higher BCMP (than overall) give you a little bit of competitiveness or is the overall GPA the grand daddy of them all....
Click to expand...

Forget what others are saying, here is the truth: the overall matters more, AND the BCMP should be no less than a tenth of a point lower than the the overall, and here is the important part: BOTH should be above 3.6 to be reasonably competitive...so in your case, your GPA is not going to be very competitive no matter how high you get your BCMP.
 
postbacker said:
Forget what others are saying, here is the truth: the overall matters more, AND the BCMP should be no less than a tenth of a point lower than the the overall, and here is the important part: BOTH should be above 3.6 to be reasonably competitive...so in your case, your GPA is not going to be very competitive no matter how high you get your BCMP.
Click to expand...

He does have a strong upward trend going for him though.

I think if you do the postbac and apply with a 35+ MCAT, 3.3GPA/3.6BCPM, you'll be fine.
 
thanks for all your replays guys...
I am currently doing a post-bacc (informal) here at MSU.
I also work a fulltime job as a software engineer so I been hacking at my pre-med classes slowly and doing pretty good.

The main reason why I have a higher Science GPA than OA is becuase I was a double major in my undergrad (Computer Science and math) and my Science GPA from there (Computer science + math + physics) alone was close to 3.3 (this is without even including my post-bacc GPA).... and my OA was only a 3.01

Recienly I am starting to take my General chemistries / both biologies / and both organics and by May of 2008 I'll be done with all of them. My "projected" GPA for those classes will be about a 3.7 (if not higher), if you include that with my undergrad math+physcis GPA, it will add up to approx 3.6

Unfortunatly, OA GPA doesn't move up that much, it will bairly touch 3.15.

There is a good chance that I will not apply next year (for 2009 cycle) and actually take another year full of post-bacc upper level science classes (biochem / molecular bio / ect etc) and MAYBE just MAYBE hope my OA touches 3.3, then I'll be more ready for 2010 cycle....

I dunno... what do you guys think
 
Nasem said:
thanks for all your replays guys...
I am currently doing a post-bacc (informal) here at MSU.
I also work a fulltime job as a software engineer so I been hacking at my pre-med classes slowly and doing pretty good.

The main reason why I have a higher Science GPA than AO is becuase I was a double major in my undergrad (Computer Science and math) and my Science GPA from there (Computer science + math + physics) alone was close to 3.3 (this is without even including my post-bacc GPA).... and my AO was only a 3.01

Recienly I am starting to take my General chemistries / both biologies / and both organics and by May of 2008 I'll be done with all of them. My "projected" GPA for those classes will be about a 3.7 (if not higher), if you include that with my undergrad math+physcis GPA, it will add up to approx 3.6

Unfortunatly, AO GPA doesn't move up that much, it will bairly touch 3.15.

There is a good chance that I will not apply next year (for 2009 cycle) and actually take another year full of post-bacc uper level science classes (biochem / molecular bio / ect etc) and MAYBE just MAYBE hope my AO touches 3.3, then I'll be more ready for 2010 cycle....

I dunno... what do you guys think
Click to expand...

I think you're using some incorrect terms in your post. AO refers to "All Other" which isn't really an important number. I believe you're referring to OA (overall) GPA. Is that correct?
 
drizzt3117 said:
I think you're using some incorrect terms in your post. AO refers to "All Other" which isn't really an important number. I believe you're referring to OA (overall) GPA. Is that correct?
Click to expand...

Right except that when your AO is low it brings down your OA. I think it also indicates that you're a science dork that doesn't have any interest or aptitude outside of the sciences.
 
drizzt3117 said:
I think you're using some incorrect terms in your post. AO refers to "All Other" which isn't really an important number. I believe you're referring to OA (overall) GPA. Is that correct?
Click to expand...

yes... sorry that was a typo... I meant to say OA
 
Jolie South said:
Right except that when your AO is low it brings down your OA. I think it also indicates that you're a science dork that doesn't have any interest or aptitude outside of the sciences.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't say dork lol
but science classes are FAR MORE INTERESTING that history or english or public speaking or philosophy etc etc etc
 
Nasem said:
thanks for all your replays guys...
I am currently doing a post-bacc (informal) here at MSU.
I also work a fulltime job as a software engineer so I been hacking at my pre-med classes slowly and doing pretty good.

The main reason why I have a higher Science GPA than OA is becuase I was a double major in my undergrad (Computer Science and math) and my Science GPA from there (Computer science + math + physics) alone was close to 3.3 (this is without even including my post-bacc GPA).... and my OA was only a 3.01

Recienly I am starting to take my General chemistries / both biologies / and both organics and by May of 2008 I'll be done with all of them. My "projected" GPA for those classes will be about a 3.7 (if not higher), if you include that with my undergrad math+physcis GPA, it will add up to approx 3.6

Unfortunatly, OA GPA doesn't move up that much, it will bairly touch 3.15.

There is a good chance that I will not apply next year (for 2009 cycle) and actually take another year full of post-bacc upper level science classes (biochem / molecular bio / ect etc) and MAYBE just MAYBE hope my OA touches 3.3, then I'll be more ready for 2010 cycle....

I dunno... what do you guys think
Click to expand...

You need to check on whether the computer science classes will add to your BCPM - I think not, but that is not my situation so I have not researched it. But I think you are far overestimating your BCPM...

Also - have you done a spreadsheet and plugged in your actual and projected grades to see exactly how high you can raise your GPA? Because it is very hard to move a GPA of 3.01 weighted down with 4 years of quality points, and you really need to be shooting for a 4.0 to get that GPA up, not just a 3.7...
 
postbacker said:
You need to check on whether the computer science classes will add to your BCPM - I think not, but that is not my situation so I have not researched it. But I think you are far overestimating your BCPM...

Also - have you done a spreadsheet and plugged in your actual and projected grades to see exactly how high you can raise your GPA? Because it is very hard to move a GPA of 3.01 weighted down with 4 years of quality points, and you really need to be shooting for a 4.0 to get that GPA up, not just a 3.7...
Click to expand...

Actually, I didnot include computer science courses into my BCMP.
My BCMP from my undergrad was composed of the following:
pre-calc, Calc I, Calc II, Calc III, DFQ, Linear Algebra, Modern Algebra, Numerical Analysis, Math thesis, (2 or 3 more math courses than I just can't remember right now), Calc-based physics I and lab, Calc-based physics II and lab....
My GPA (for those classes alone) when I used the AAMC GPA calculator, came out to 3.3

Right now (currently in my past bacc), I am taking
General Chemistries (both) with labs
Both Biologies with labs
Both organics with lab

As I mentioned before, all my post-bacc classes will be complete by May of 2008. Right now, my GPA is a solid 4.0 (its a miracle) but I said 3.7 to give myself a little leanway (just incase I slip up)

AND, I am planning to take 1 more year of post-bacc classes (FALL2008 - SPRING2009) and taking full load of upper level science classes, so my projected post-bacc will be..... Dunno, thats a year from now, but Im pretty sure I'll never let it drop bellow 3.7

When I used the AAMC gpa calculator with all the classes I am planning to take for the next year and half in my post-bacc, I found out that my OA gpa isn't going to move too much (bairly touch 3.3) but my Science on the other hand was touching 3.6
 
If you can raise your GPA to 3.3 overall and 3.7 science (or whatever you said you could raise it to) and do well on the MCAT (35+), you should have a good chance at some acceptances if you apply broadly. If your MCAT score is lower, you may need to go SMP.

Nasem said:
Actually, I didnot include computer science courses into my BCMP.
My BCMP from my undergrad was composed of the following:
pre-calc, Calc I, Calc II, Calc III, DFQ, Linear Algebra, Modern Algebra, Numerical Analysis, Math thesis, (2 or 3 more math courses than I just can't remember right now), Calc-based physics I and lab, Calc-based physics II and lab....
My GPA (for those classes alone) when I used the AAMC GPA calculator, came out to 3.3

Right now (currently in my past bacc), I am taking
General Chemistries (both) with labs
Both Biologies with labs
Both organics with lab

As I mentioned before, all my post-bacc classes will be complete by May of 2008. Right now, my GPA is a solid 4.0 (its a miracle) but I said 3.7 to give myself a little leanway (just incase I slip up)

AND, I am planning to take 1 more year of post-bacc classes (FALL2008 - SPRING2009) and taking full load of upper level science classes, so my projected post-bacc will be..... Dunno, thats a year from now, but Im pretty sure I'll never let it drop bellow 3.7

When I used the AAMC gpa calculator with all the classes I am planning to take for the next year and half in my post-bacc, I found out that my OA gpa isn't going to move too much (bairly touch 3.3) but my Science on the other hand was touching 3.6
Click to expand...
 
I dunno about a 35 on the mcats...that sounds a bit harsh

I am expecting a 30 (I don't see myself as a good test taker esspecially when the test is lasting more than 4 hrs)
 
Nasem said:
I dunno about a 35 on the mcats...that sounds a bit harsh

I am expecting a 30 (I don't see myself as a good test taker esspecially when the test is lasting more than 4 hrs)
Click to expand...

Well, take the test and see what happens, you never know. At that point, you can evaluate your options. I think anything below a 33 and you'll be looking at a SMP if you want to get into an allo school, though.
 
I think a lot of the previous posts are overly negative: medical school admission is contingent on more things than gpa (although it is rather important). Other factors such as your ec's, research, and state of residency can greatly help or hurt your chances of admission into a US allopathic school. Good luck :luck:
 
Nasem said:
According to my calculations, by May 2008, my overall GPA is only going to bairly touch 3.15 but my BCMP is around 3.55

There is a good chance, I am going to spend another year doing another year of post-bacc hoping to bring that 3.15 to maybe a 3.3, but by then my BCMP will be in the 3.6ish range....

Does a higher BCMP (than overall) give you a little bit of competitiveness or is the overall GPA the grand daddy of them all....
Click to expand...

It's gonna be tough, shoot for 4.0s in the postbacc
 
My BCPM is a 3.3 and my AO is a 3.9... OA is a 3.59 what really hurt me is my second semester freshman year I took 12 hours of sci/math and only 3 other.. I had a car wreck and spent the semester in physical therapy- which resulted in 2 Cs and a B in the science classes. Other than that semester my GPA is very high but it really hurt the average so I am working hard to pull it up. As long as adcoms let me explain I am thinking I will do ok...

By the time I apply (next cycle) I should bring the BCMP to around a 3.5 and then hav a 3.65 overall! That is provided I make it through my last chemistry course!
 
postbacker said:
Forget what others are saying, here is the truth: the overall matters more, AND the BCMP should be no less than a tenth of a point lower than the the overall, and here is the important part: BOTH should be above 3.6 to be reasonably competitive...so in your case, your GPA is not going to be very competitive no matter how high you get your BCMP.
Click to expand...

That was rather harsh, but it's true. Both should be high, and I don't think it reflects well if you can only perform academically in science. Having no range is not attractive. If you can, do some things that show that you can perform well in other arenas, other ways of thinking. Improve your overall GPA and then worry about getting the extra tenth in BCMP.
 
But remember, having a BCPM much higher that the overall does not mean that the person had a low All Other GPA. This is especially true for post-bacs. I had a strong GPA before going into my post bac program and then got a really good GPA in my program. Thus I ended up (thanks to some other science courses) with a BCPM and a OA GPA that I am pretty happy with. My point is simply that you can't assume that the All Other GPA is low.

Having said that, I think you do need to have a strong GPA in both, but I do wonder if BCPM is weighted more. I think maybe that depends on individual reviewers and profiles. For instance, my MCAT isn't stellar so I hope they look at my BCPM, but it may not be as important for someone with a high MCAT.
 
In this case we can assume the AO GPA is low since his BCMP GPA is highish and he's taken a good number of BCMP...his AO GPA MUST (and is) on the low side to pull down his overall GPA despite a higher BCMP GPA.

The power of deduction.
 
unfortunately thats true, my all-other is not good (I had ALOT of Cs and Ds in classes like philosophy, ethics, public speaking, etc etc etc)

Oh well, I already have a plan for keeping my BCMP on a good range, my overall will be around 3.2-3.3 (which isn't too horrible), I can't do anything about my AO, I'd much rather spend the extra effort strengthening my ECs rather than bringing up the AO
 
It's not just the number...it's what it says about you to the ADCOMs. Basically it says, "I am great at science...but I cannot for the life of me figure out philosophy, public speaking, x, y, z." And that is not good. You need to do something that offsets this and taking more science probably isn't going to do it.

They will see you're good at science. They want to know that it's not all you do. A doctor has to be a scientist but if it didn't require other skills, every lab rat would be doing it. A doctor who can't [at least pretend to] grasp ethics?! Not going to fly.

Take some coursework in public health if you can, or anything non-scientific but still related to the sciences (I took a great class called "Science, Tech and Culture" or something...) and take them SERIOUSLY. Commit yourself to doing well the same way you must in science courses.
 
surfstarj said:
Take some coursework in public health if you can, or anything non-scientific but still related to the sciences (I took a great class called "Science, Tech and Culture" or something...) and take them SERIOUSLY. Commit yourself to doing well the same way you must in science courses.
Click to expand...

its probebly not such a bad idea...
I guess Since I have another full year of post-bacc to go, I can get a few non BCMP classes,

Does anyone know if ISB: Integrative Studies Biological is a BCMP course? Im hoping its not a BCMP.... but its got the "biological" name on it so, I am not too sure
 
there are lots of courses out there that could help you out in raising your AO.

do you play a musical instrument? if so take an ensemble course. the grade is usually whether you show up or not.

consider PE classes. again attendance = grade.

there were a bunch of famously easy classes at my undergrad such as human sexuality, children's literature, history of rock and roll.

enroll in some of these and go for it.

or might i suggest independent study. not based on tests and if you get along with prof you'll get an "A".
 
**** man, a 35+ ? That's pretty tough to just go out and get.
 
Jolie South said:
there are lots of courses out there that could help you out in raising your AO.

do you play a musical instrument? if so take an ensemble course. the grade is usually whether you show up or not.

consider PE classes. again attendance = grade.

there were a bunch of famously easy classes at my undergrad such as human sexuality, children's literature, history of rock and roll.

enroll in some of these and go for it.

or might i suggest independent study. not based on tests and if you get along with prof you'll get an "A".
Click to expand...

Im sorry... I do not know what PE or independent study courses are....
 
ive never heard of a PE class that actually gives out grades...rather, it is pass/fail, or just a requirement
 
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