4.0 GPA- is it really possible?!!?!?!

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thegetupkid said:
I just graduated from UCLA, and besides my LAST class (titled sleep and dreams...) in which I got an A- for a 96% (WTF?), I had a 4.0. Admittedly, I was a neurotic pre-med my first two years. If I had a midterm or final to study for, I wouldn't do anything for the two days before the test except sit at my desk. I did do other activities and go out, but academics took precedence when they needed to.

However, I joined the greek system at the end of my second year, and my sole regret in college is now that I wasted too much time studying my first two years. I was stuck in a cycle of over-studying--a habit that is hard to break if you are seeing results. But, after joining a fraternity, I could only study the night before any tests (all-nighters 🙂 ) and my grades did NOT suffer. Still, I was able to workout, play IM sports, party, drink, chill, whatever, every night without any impact on my grades. M

My only regret is that I did not join an organization earlier in my undergrad years to force me to realize how to study more efficienty and "smarter."

Of course it's different for everyone (some need to study much more than others), but I challenge people with 4.0s to study less and savor their undergrad years more!
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👍 While over-studying is a safe way to go, it can be easy to get overly neurotic about it. I'm finally loosening up a bit but am still maintaining a 4.0 my senior year(during which I'm taking more credits/hard classes than ever..granted, no p-chem, but am graduating w/a degree in bio and a minor in chem after 3 years of school). However, its still really hard for me to go into a test knowing that I don't understand everything inside and out, and I'm worried about how much of a slap in the face med school is going to be this fall when I realize that its impossible to be that familiar with the material. Another thing- I have studied hard, but I definitely manage to have a social life/relationships/party almost every weekend. Until this year (obviously😎), I managed this by prioritizing social activities over any TV, internet browsing, etc....basically, I never sat still and was always either in the library or with my friends and didn't really use my room except to sleep in. Not sure this was the healthiest way to go, but just want to make the point that it is possible! And remember, everyone is different! Figure out what you want out of your college experience, stay as healthy and sane as you can, and enjoy!!
 
It's definitely possible! I don't have a 4.0 overall, but I have gotten 4.0's 3/7 semesters (and hopeully 4/8 after this one). I take ~20 credits a semester and definitely have a social life. It's all about balance🙂
 
I currently have a 4.0(I'm a junior). When I started college, I didn't think I would be 4.0 student. Coincidently, I ended up getting a 4.0 my first semester. As a result, I sort of got "hooked" on good grades; ie I spent many sleepless nights trying to maintain my 4.0. Looking back, I wish I got an A- my first semester of college: I wouldn't have had to worry so much about losing my 4.0.
 
Chemdude said:
I currently have a 4.0(I'm a junior). When I started college, I didn't think I would be 4.0 student. Coincidently, I ended up getting a 4.0 my first semester. As a result, I sort of got "hooked" on good grades; ie I spent many sleepless nights trying to maintain my 4.0. Looking back, I wish I got an A- my first semester of college: I wouldn't have had to worry so much about losing my 4.0.
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WORD!! haha
 
ksmi117 said:
Again, this is a stereotype that, for the most part, isn't true. I'm not going to go into the nitty gritty of it all, but I know that I have had a social life and done more extra-curricular activities than most. As has my friend who has a 4.0 and will be attending Columbia next year.

It is about studying smarter... not necessarily getting the old tests, but knowing how your brain works. I've learned how I best comprehend material and it doesn't take as much time as you think. I skip class, and I don't pay attention when I'm in class. I do best teaching myself, so that's what I do. But I understand that everyone isn't like that, so that's why I really can't tell you a secret to getting good grades. You have to figure out how you learn and take advantage of it.
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I agree with you, since I study in a very similar way. In most cases, I do best teaching myself. I had close to a 4.0, a 3.97, unfortunatley I received two A-'s throughout undergrad. But hey, it's still good 🙂
 
Chemdude said:
I currently have a 4.0(I'm a junior). When I started college, I didn't think I would be 4.0 student. Coincidently, I ended up getting a 4.0 my first semester. As a result, I sort of got "hooked" on good grades; ie I spent many sleepless nights trying to maintain my 4.0. Looking back, I wish I got an A- my first semester of college: I wouldn't have had to worry so much about losing my 4.0.
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SERIOUSLY:laugh: only on SDN can I find people who understand this...considering I've studied considerably less this year than I did during my first couple years, and because I have still done just as well, I cannot even imagine how much time I would have saved by getting an A-/B+ on occasion (time for sleeping/friends/ECs!!!).

WARNING RANT:But every semester, it became easy to convince myself to push through for another 4.0 semester. For example, after my first semester of gen chem (freshman year), my professor told me that I was the second person in 50yrs of teaching at multiple universities to get a perfect grade on his final=>I felt like there was no excuse to not get an A in my second semester of gen chem and, since my first semester prof is known for being one of the most ridiculously hard profs at the school, I also pushed myself to get As in bio and genetics=>4.0. From everything I had heard, I expected ochem to be almost impossible to pass=>worked my a** off during the summer course (at a different school) while being stressed and sleep deprived 24/7=>did well on each test, but assumed that they would just get harder and harder=>worked harder and harder=>figured that not getting an A=slacker/not worthy of med school=urggggh what was I thinking
 
shnuffles said:
SERIOUSLY:laugh: only on SDN can I find people who understand this...considering I've studied considerably less this year than I did during my first couple years, and because I have still done just as well, I cannot even imagine how much time I would have saved by getting an A-/B+ on occasion (time for sleeping/friends/ECs!!!).

WARNING RANT:But every semester, it became easy to convince myself to push through for another 4.0 semester. For example, after my first semester of gen chem (freshman year), my professor told me that I was the second person in 50yrs of teaching at multiple universities to get a perfect grade on his final=>I felt like there was no excuse to not get an A in my second semester of gen chem and, since my first semester prof is known for being one of the most ridiculously hard profs at the school, I also pushed myself to get As in bio and genetics=>4.0. From everything I had heard, I expected ochem to be almost impossible to pass=>worked my a** off during the summer course (at a different school) while being stressed and sleep deprived 24/7=>did well on each test, but assumed that they would just get harder and harder=>worked harder and harder=>figured that not getting an A=slacker/not worthy of med school=urggggh what was I thinking
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Yeah, I feel you guys. I'm proud of my grades and all, but this semester I've been a huge slacker and really really busy with my ECs, so I am on an A/B borderline in like 3 of my 8 classes. I know I can pull through on the finals, but still, it'd be easier if I didn't have the pressure of ruining a 5-semester perfect GPA.
 
ksmi117 said:
Yeah, I feel you guys. I'm proud of my grades and all, but this semester I've been a huge slacker and really really busy with my ECs, so I am on an A/B borderline in like 3 of my 8 classes. I know I can pull through on the finals, but still, it'd be easier if I didn't have the pressure of ruining a 5-semester perfect GPA.
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I feel ya. Although I just had a professor who is known for adamantly having no curve whatsoever-at-all announce that he will be curving the class. So I'm pretty happy.
 
Ahh so many of you have done it... great job🙂

Okay i am going to my second year in teh fall.. I need to take courses that will make it easier for me to get 4.0's.
Anyone has any tips for science/arts options?

So far i am thinking about health ed, since I am intrested in it, and psych.
Is physiology pretty easy?
 
I have a 4.00 after three semesters, but I may end up making an A- or two this semester. I think I'll be okay with a 3.98...
 
i got a B in film - the summer before my freshman year. My life is ruined. I feel suicidal.


nah, but seriously, it doesn't really matter... 3.9 or a 4.0 who cares?.. really.. other than it giving u a bit of edge during admission, its not gonna make ur life worse or better... i mean - out of so many matriculants.. im sure that only less than 5% would've had a 4.0 (all schools combined - probably even lesser...)... so the 4.0ers aren't going to decrease ur chance of getting into a med school by a lot..
 
WTF?!!!!!

LOL, I think I jinxed myself. I just lost my 4.0. All thanks to an A- in advanced inorganic chemistry. I hate solid state chemistry! I'm down to a 3.99 now.
 
Chemdude said:
WTF?!!!!!

LOL, I think I jinxed myself. I just lost my 4.0. All thanks to an A- in advanced inorganic chemistry. I hate solid state chemistry! I'm down to a 3.99 now.
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Posts like these have me thanking my lucky stars that my school doesn't employ the +/- system
 
Chemdude said:
WTF?!!!!!

LOL, I think I jinxed myself. I just lost my 4.0. All thanks to an A- in advanced inorganic chemistry. I hate solid state chemistry! I'm down to a 3.99 now.
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oh no your future is over!
 
ksmi117 said:
Agreed. Yay for 90 = A.
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I've only had one teacher do this in college. I had one ridiculous teacher make the cutoff at 95. 95%!!! That was bothersome.
 
^^ wait so do you have A-'s, or will you have a 4.0 amcas gpa as well?
 
ohhh i see i thought they just counted A-'s as 4.0. no A-'s...thats dope. i would prefer that to the normal system. i find myself on the A/A- border more than the A-/B+ one.
 
A 4.0 is entirely possible. Myself and my significant other have 4.0's (I actually have a 3.99, but close enough) and we're "normal." We both have time to hang out and do other things besides studying all the time. It's possible, but you have to resist temptations that could possibly interfere with your academics. It comes down to how you order your priorities. If academics are important to you, you'll do well. If they aren't the main reason you're at college, you will more than likely not do as well as you could have.

There are several people that say they party all the time and still manage a 4.0 or very close, however this is certainly the very rare exception rather than the rule. Unless there's just a host of geniuses somewhere that's missing at my school.

This has been my experience at least.
 
I think many people are capable of a 4.0 but do not achieve due to too many distractions. Here are my stats/info:

University of Michigan
ACT: 21, 21, 23
gpa: 4.0/4.0
MCAT: 32

...and yes, many extra-curricular activities

I was definitely not the smartest individual in my class but I was definitely hard working and very consistent.
 
894rty said:
I think many people are capable of a 4.0 but do not achieve due to too many distractions. Here are my stats/info:

University of Michigan
ACT: 21, 21, 23
gpa: 4.0/4.0
MCAT: 32

...and yes, many extra-curricular activities

I was definitely not the smartest individual in my class but I was definitely hard working and very consistent.
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I think this is very insightful. Hard work will beat "talent" any day when the "talented" people refuse to take their academics seriously.
 
Chemdude said:
WTF?!!!!!

LOL, I think I jinxed myself. I just lost my 4.0. All thanks to an A- in advanced inorganic chemistry. I hate solid state chemistry! I'm down to a 3.99 now.
Click to expand...

YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY! My "baby" is back...

I talked to the prof and I convinced her to bumb my grade to an A.

LONG LIVE FEMALE PROFESSORS!
 
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