Averaging Grades

[hightower]

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Hi, I was curious if the majority of podiatry schools average the two grades if you repeat a science course, or only look at the most recent. I emailed DMU and NYCPM and they said they consider the most recent grade but I did not hear back from another school I emailed. California said "as a general rule" they average the two. I assume a lot of you know about the various school procedures for calculating your science GPA. The reason I ask is because early on in college I got an E in the first part of biology, then repeated it years later and got an A-. Also even earlier on in a general (non-prerequisite) biology class I had a similar thing happen. Do they even calculate non-prerequisite science into your science GPA? I left the idea of doing a health professions career then decided I wanted to do podiatry after I was almost graduated so I have spent the last two years taking all the pre-requisites and have done fairly well. My science GPA will be around a 3.1 if they don't consider the repeated courses.

Also, I just wanted to pass on my stats just to see if you guys think I'll be competitive:

Major: Political Science
School: Brigham Young University
Overall GPA: 3.08
Science GPA: 3.1 (ish)
MCAT: Hopefully in the mid to higher 20's (I take it Sept. 6th)
Extracurricular: Lots of service, will have lots of shadowing by the time I apply, Eagle Scout (don't laugh ), etc. etc.

 

[Feli]

...MCAT: Hopefully in the mid to higher 20's (I take it Sept. 6th)...

Basically impossible to comment until you have a hard number there.

Keep studying hard for the test, and GL 👍

 

[hightower]

Basically impossible to comment until you have a hard number there.

Keep studying hard for the test, and GL 👍

thanks for your reply...If I got around the average for accepted students (23 or whatever) what would you think?

 

[Feli]

thanks for your reply...If I got around the average for accepted students (23 or whatever) what would you think?

At the pod schools, the averages vary quite a bit from year to year. Among the ones you mention, DMU is pretty competitive in terms of stats, and NYCPM is not so much. It all varies year to year, though.

My advice would be to just do the best you can on MCAT, and everything will fall into place. Just be sure you also do the best you can once pod school starts. GL

 

[hightower]

Just be sure you also do the best you can once pod school starts. GL

For sure, I have been focused on doing podiatry for quite awhile and know that the course work/load is very tough. My brother in law is a podiatrist and he has given me great insight about podiatry school and the profession. He went to DMU. I am married and have a kid so I am not going into this whole thing on a whim. Its a very grounded decision for me. Anyway, I am not saying that you thought I was a slacker or anything, I just know there are a certain percentage that you probably come across that just do it to do it without much thought and end up failing out the first year. I feel bad for them, what a rude awakening 🙁 Thanks for your comments! I know my overall GPA is a little low which stems from a year or so when I was very unfocused and was going through some relationship issues. Anyone else know about the whole thing about averaging grades?

 

[TheBee]

To answer your questions from above...

-Non pre-req science classes are calculated in the science GPA. It's all science courses within a list of subjects, not just pre-reqs. So ALL biology, chemistry, histology, physics, etc. courses are used for the calculation.

-I too retook a course in undergrad, and I had to enter both scores into the calculation.

Hope that helps and good luck on the MCAT. I'd say if you get a 23 or above, you should be okay for getting in somewhere. If you're looking at the more competitive schools you should shoot for a 25+ with your GPA. IMO

 

[j0ez0r]

yep, aim for the 25+ and you'll have a good shot at most schools

 

[hightower]

thanks guys, also one more thing (I'll actually probably have a million more questions 🙄)... Is there any advantage to me applying right when things open up on September 2nd before I have my MCAT score back versus waiting until late September/early October for them to come in and then apply? Just an FYI, I am done with all coursework and just graduated.

 

[Denny55]

Apply EARLY.....schools are on rolling admissions! The earlier the better!

 

[hightower]

Apply EARLY.....schools are on rolling admissions! The earlier the better!

So you are saying do it before I get my scores in?

 

[TheBee]

Your situation is tricky because your GPA's are a bit low. Call the admissions depts of the schools you're most interested in and get their opinion.

I wouldn't think it could hurt you to apply early with your GPA, but best to be sure. If your GPAs were a bit higher, I'd definitely say to apply as early as possible, because some schools will offer you conditional acceptances.

 

[Snake Doctor]

To answer your questions from above...

-Non pre-req science classes are calculated in the science GPA. It's all science courses within a list of subjects, not just pre-reqs. So ALL biology, chemistry, histology, physics, etc. courses are used for the calculation.

Does math count towards the science GPA? I know for allopathic med. schools math is included in the calculation (at least for BCPM) but for osteopathic I think it's just BCP.

 

[j0ez0r]

Does math count towards the science GPA? I know for allopathic med. schools math is included in the calculation (at least for BCPM) but for osteopathic I think it's just BCP.

if i remember right, math is included in pod calculations

 

[Buspar]

if i remember right, math is included in pod calculations

I remember that math is not included and this sucked for me because most of my A's were in Math.🙁

 

[184013]

Gents,

Here is the link to the 2007 application instructions
<http://www.aacpm.org/apply/2007/PDF07APPINSTR.pdf>
The links is useful as this faq shows the breakdown of exactly which classes will and will not count in the science gpa calculation (math does not). Either way it's useful to read through the instructions - 2008 related admin data should be out very soon.