Cumulative GPA (Graduate + Undergrad)

[CANgnome]

do schools usually weigh cumulative GPA or undergrad GPA more? I know they are given both to look at. I am starting to suspect the reason why I do not have more interviews is because my undergrad bcpGPA is low.

undergrad is about 3.1 overall but my bcp is only about 2.95. science is about 3.05.

now, i have 4.0 in masters so combining my grad and undergrad, my cumulative sci/overall/bcp goes up to about 3.2 in all sections.


is my undergrad holding me back the most? even though I have a 4.0 MSc.

my undergrad should go up past 3.05 since i took my physics undergrade pre-reqs this summer.

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[hoylematt]

I would say that there is no good definitive answer to this question, and the only responses you will get will be anecdotal at best.

I think some schools look at cumulative GPA as a first review point, but some schools place more emphasis on your most recent years in school. Other schools love high DAT scores, while other schools love Master's students and their insanely perfect 4.0 GPA's.

Notice that the words in red are ambiguous and probably reflect things that you have already ascertained from your research here on SDN. My advice would be to not worry about it, you have done your best and you have insane DAT scores. You will get into dental school this cycle I am almost positive. 👍

 

[jmt1984]

I agree with above, and to the OP, I am in a similar situation as you, but I would also say it depends on how you found yourself with the undergrad GPA (one or two really bad courses, or just a bunch of B's for example). In my situation, my undergrad used +/- and I had a bunch of B-s (2.7 for GPA calculation), so I think it depends on the person/situation

But to answer your original question, yes my low undergrad GPA has been a major limiting factor for my applications.

Good luck!👍

 

[americanpierg]

I am starting to suspect the reason why I do not have more interviews is because my undergrad bcpGPA is low.

Your stats are pretty good. Where did you take your masters at and how many years/credits was it. The quality of the masters program really does matter.

Also, your biggest issue isn't your undergrad GPA. Your biggest issue is your international student status. That international student status makes everything on your app that was bad look even worse. 3.0 US is bad, but 3.0 international is like twice as bad.

 

[CANgnome]

I did my undergrad in Canada, but am doing my Masters in the USA right now.

Ive gotten a NOVA interview in December, and another hold on my application until I get my fall grades in. I am sure that I am extremely lucky to get an interview from NOVA already, but seeing everyone get many interviews, I am hoping for some invites the NE coast schools as well. Hopefully I will get some post-december interview invites after the academic update, as my combined undergrad and grad GPA will all be above 3.30 by then.

 

[darkwalk]

Why do you prefer the NE schools, if you don't mind me asking. NOVA is pretty good and the weather is awesome!

 

[RedDevilDDS]

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[pinhi]

I did my undergrad in Canada, but am doing my Masters in the USA right now.

I did 2 semesters of 9 credits with research, and a summer doing 8 credits of Physics pre-reqs. I am now finishing up my Masters with a 18 credit semester.

I will have done research for 1.5 semesters while I am in the states, but no paper. I don't want to stay in the USA too long (variable time to complete thesis), so I am finishing it up without writing a thesis. It is at a school in the University of Texas system. 27 credits of didactic graduate courses. Only 3 credits of research credits from a faculty member.


Ive gotten a NOVA interview in December, and Case put me on hold for my fall grades. Perhaps I am extremely fortunate already? I am really hoping for the NE coast schools though. I am hoping to get another 4.0 semester, that should push me to 3.35 cumulative overall and 3.30+ cumulative science. Perhaps I will get post-dec interviews then.


Being a male Asian Canadian sucks too.

Where are you getting these calculations from?....if you have already graduated from your undergrad then your overall gpa will not be affected in any way by your masters courses.....Not to burst your bubble bro.....but usually people graduate from college with 125+ credits.....after that even getting 4.0 for the next 20 years wont raise your overall gpa.....
I graduated with a 2.9 undergrad......retook all of my dental school prereqs with a 3.9 overall and then took an accelerated masters program.....45 credits in 9 months.....got a 3.8 in that program and still only have a 2.94 ogpa......
I dont know if you can jump from a 3.1 to a 3.3 like that anymore....u simply have too many credits for it to make any significant dent
Again....im not trying to be a buzz kill here....just honest

 

[Destiny11]

I did a post-bac degree as well. My overall GPA went up ~0.2 after the program, but I don't think it's enough. I haven't had any positive news from schools, and I am hoping after the academic update would better, even though it would be really late in the cycle.

 

[CANgnome]

I thought that if you took post-bacc undergraduate courses that it raises your undergrad GPA???


I am taking undergrad pre-reqs along with my grad courses, so that might be an misunderstanding. Both my undergrad and grad GPAs should go up.


I am really hoping that I get some additional interviews after my academic update too.

My combined gpa would be pretty decent, 3.35-3.30 in all sections.