cGPA vs sGPA

[ichor]

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So I saw this post:

I think an important point that hasn't been noted is how many courses have you taken that are science compared to non-science. Since your sGPA>>cGPA (relatively), it seems like you haven't taken very many science courses overall. At least not enough to make a large dent against your much lower grades in non-science classes. Graduating with a high sGPA is not significant enough to trump your cGPA if you only took the entry level, required classes(~30 credits depending on the school).

What your cGPA vs your sGPA tells me is that you're struggling in a majority of your courses (which are non-science), even though you do well in sciences. I would suggest taking more higher level science courses and avoiding non-science as much as you can because they're a detriment to your GPA. That would both boost your cGPA and give more importance/weight to your sGPA.

1. This post has the assumption that people with a sGPA > cGPA just don't have that many science classes. But what if someone does? sGPA is generally more important that cGPA, is it not? (I've heard that MCAT and sGPA are the best predictors of med school success.

Probably weighted average of the two with CGPA being 2/3 and SGPA being 1/3.

2. So then how is this true? Shouldn't sGPA matter more than cGPA?

3. What kind of non-sGPA classes did you all take? Right now, I'm doing a double major (econ and math) in addition to being pre-med, so just about every non-pre-med class I'm taking is for my major...meaning that these classes aren't exactly easy introductory level classes. I'm still not sure this is a good idea.

 

[aspiring20]

cGPA includes your grades in science courses, so it makes sense that it is slightly more important.

your sGPA is only a small subset of your cGPA

 

[neekzg]

Not sure if you've seen this thread but it could be helpful: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/cgpa-vs-sgpa-vs-mcat.1047032/

Also, I wouldn't say that introductory level courses are "easy." In most cases, they're usually weeder courses with only a small portion of the class getting As.

 

[edgerock24]

Not sure if you've seen this thread but it could be helpful: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/cgpa-vs-sgpa-vs-mcat.1047032/

Also, I wouldn't say that introductory level courses are "easy." In most cases, they're usually weeder courses with only a small portion of the class getting As.

100% agree. Tons of students drop even GENERAL Biology and Chemistry within the first few weeks/month of the class starting. Others don't put in the time and fail/get lower grades (just like any other course). Typically the students who are obviously serious about their coursework do the best (the majority of these students are likely premeds).

Personally, I think that introductory biology and chemistry are definitely tougher than introductory humanities classes. You really have to work for your A.

 

[darkjedi]

my cGPA (3.5-3.6) was significantly worse than my sGPA (4.0) because I was a non traditional student who only had maybe 12 semesters of BCPM courses total. cGPA is definitely super important but I think my high sGPA is what 'saved' my application from being considered a mere 3.5ish application. It also probably helped that I did well on the MCAT. The point being I think is that adcoms are more wiling to be lenient to doing less well in non BCPM classes than having poor grades in BCPM.

 

[QuentinT88]

my cGPA (3.5-3.6) was significantly worse than my sGPA (4.0) because I was a non traditional student who only had maybe 12 semesters of BCPM courses total. cGPA is definitely super important but I think my high sGPA is what 'saved' my application from being considered a mere 3.5ish application. It also probably helped that I did well on the MCAT. The point being I think is that adcoms are more wiling to be lenient to doing less well in non BCPM classes than having poor grades in BCPM.

@LizzyM and @Goro does the sgpa and cgpa comparison depend on the medical school? Do some schools really weight the sgpa over the cgpa and vice-versa?

 

[orangeman25]

cGPA and sGPA are usually so close for a given school that it really doesn't matter. Both are important.

 

[Goro]

I concur. Most schools seem to allow for a slightly lower floor on the sGPA. Must be the effect of all those Orgo courses. But I think you'l lbe fine, Quentin

cGPA and sGPA are usually so close for a given school that it really doesn't matter. Both are important.

 

[LizzyM]

The numbers aren't considered in a vacuum unless they are used as a screen... and as a screen it varies by school and I couldn't tell you what schools use or how they decide and it can change from year to year, even at teh same school. Do your best; hope for the best.

 

[mrh125]

The numbers aren't considered in a vacuum unless they are used as a screen... and as a screen it varies by school and I couldn't tell you what schools use or how they decide and it can change from year to year, even at teh same school. Do your best; hope for the best.

So they wouldn't be used in any interpretation at all even if they're kind of interesting and show something about a particular applicant? Like my scigpa is a 3.73 and and my cgpa is a 3.62. That's a .11 difference. I'm probably looking way too deeply into it.

 

[LizzyM]

So they wouldn't be used in any interpretation at all even if they're kind of interesting and show something about a particular applicant? Like my scigpa is a 3.73 and and my cgpa is a 3.62. That's a .11 difference. I'm probably looking way too deeply into it.

An interpretation would require far more information.... that's what I mean by not looking at them in a vacuum. Is this a traditional student or a non-trad who did the science courses in a post-bac? What school(s)? Were all the courses taken at the same school? Were some of these classes taken while still in HS? What's the major? Is this just the required science courses or does it include upper level courses? Is the applicant a science major? Was there a trend over time? Did o-chem hurt the sGPA? All of these questions taken together paint a picture.

 

[Goro]

This is NOT a big deal.

So they wouldn't be used in any interpretation at all even if they're kind of interesting and show something about a particular applicant? Like my scigpa is a 3.73 and and my cgpa is a 3.62. That's a .11 difference. I'm probably looking way too deeply into it.