Are engineering courses factored into the sGPA?

[xnfs93hy]

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The question is in the title. It may sound like a stupid question, but I generally hear of biochem and upper-level general science courses being factored into the sGPA. I'm a chemical engineering major and was wondering if AMCAS factors engineering courses in.

 

[Catalystik]

In general, no. But if you can make a case with AMCAS backed up by the course catalog that a given class consists of >50% hard science, then it might be recategorized and factored into the BCPM GPA.

 

[xnfs93hy]

In general, no. But if you can make a case with the AMCAS based on the course catalog that a given class consists of >50% hard science, then it might be factored into the BCPM GPA.

A lot of the upper-level engineering classes require physical chemistry, generaly chemistry, and organic chemistry. They build on that knowledge.

 

[Catalystik]

Nursing, nutrition, kinesiology, and physical therapy classes also require basic science backgrounds, but they aren't included in the BCPM either.

 

[gobigorgohome22]

No, they dont (this coming from an engineering major who applied this cycle

 

[xnfs93hy]

So, should I consider taking more upper-level chemistry, physics, and biology courses, then?

 

[Catalystik]

So, should I consider taking more upper-level chemistry, physics, and biology courses, then?

Have you figured out your BCPM GPA? If not, here's a good downloadable calculator:
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/amcas-gpa-calculator-revised.590424/

 

[xnfs93hy]

Have you figured out your BCPM GPA? If not, here's a good downloadable calculator:
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/amcas-gpa-calculator-revised.590424/

Yes, it's 3.83 with all of the prereqs. This isn't counting any upper-level science courses.

 

[Catalystik]

It should include the upper-level BIO, CHEM, MATH, and PHYS grades. If you've mainly gotten As in those, I doubt you need more classes, unless required by a given med school, like Biochem.

 

[xnfs93hy]

It should include the upper-level BIO, CHEM, MATH, and PHYS grades. If you've mainly gotten As in those, I doubt you need more classes, unless required by a given med school, like Biochem.

I still have yet to take Biochemistry. With upper-levels included (plus all the prereqs), my sGPA is closer to 4.0.

 

[Catalystik]

Well done.

Keep an eye on your target schools' requirements and recommendations. Some may want specific upper-level Bio.

 

[xnfs93hy]

Well done.

Keep an eye on your target schools' requirements and recommendations. Some may want specific upper-level Bio.

Thank you and will do! I've only looked at a few medical schools so far. I'm just starting my junior year this fall. I know that Biochemistry is a growing prerequisite at a lot of medical schools now. I'll probably take that class this summer. That ought to do it for the pre-reqs. I still have to check if they want more upper-level classes.

 

[darklabel]

I don't think engineering is included in sGPA. Straight from the AAMC:

https://www.aamc.org/students/download/181694/data/amcas_course_classification_guide.pdf

 

[BestDoctorEver]

A lot of the upper-level engineering classes require physical chemistry, generaly chemistry, and organic chemistry. They build on that knowledge.

They did not factor into my sGPA... I am glad classes like 'Formal Languages and Automata Theory' and 'Stochastic Models for Computer Science' did not factor into my sGPA because I would have been screwed... I still cant figure out if that 'Formal Language' class was a Philosophy class or a Math class.

 

[nabilesmail]

Seriously, engineering should be considered science. So math heavy etc

 

[pkwraith]

It's a case by case basis. I got in some of my BME classes into various Biochem/Thermo/Molecular Bio/etc categories depending on the curriculum, aka my BME Biothermodynamics fit in as Thermo.

 

[wizzed101]

Sorry for the necro!

So by default, they are not unless you argue for them to be listed as science? Good to know! My sGPA just shot up 😀

Is it true that schools weigh sGPA more than cGPA? 🙂

 

[Catalystik]

Sorry for the necro!
😀
Is it true that schools weigh sGPA more than cGPA? 🙂

On the average, across all med schools, yes.

 

[wizzed101]

Hmm interesting. On average, sGPA is rated even higher than MCAT scores? How come no school ever published sGPA data? All I've seen have been cGPA...

Is it safe to say that a candidate with 4.0 sGPA / 3.6 cGPA is rated more highly then one with 3.6 sGPA/ 3.9 cGPA?