AMCAS Grade Conversion: Are we getting screwed?

[The One Who Knocks]

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Hi all,

I am a canadian citizen currently attending a U.S. University, and when it comes time for me to apply, I look forward to applying to both Canadian and U.S. medical schools. My school, like many others, grades on a letter scale (highest being A, then A-, and so on). However, after taking a look at AMCAS grading conversion guide, I feel like the students attending U.S. institutions are getting screwed.

For example, for Canadians who are attending schools with a percentile grade, anything from an 87-100 % in a class is converted to a letter grade of A on AMCAS. However, at my school, the letter grade of A for most of my classes is typically around 93% or higher!?

I don't know if I am looking at this wrong, but it seems Canadians have a considerable advantage at attaining As on AMCAS. Am I wrong?

Take a look at the following page, and scroll all the way to the bottom to the last table. You'll see what I mean.

https://www.aamc.org/students/download/181676/data/amcas_grade_conversion_guide.pdf

 

[LChristmas]

Canadians may have a small advantage when it comes to a lower threshold for grades, but this advantage is heavily outweighed by the "international applicant" label.