Decline in GPA during senior year and taking gap year

[pillowsnice]

I was able to maintain a GPA of around 3.8 throughout undergrad, but a multitude of non science classes during senior fall caused my GPA to to be 3.65 for the fall semester. Will this be looked upon poorly even if I bring it back up during the spring with science classes? For some reason, I just cannot earn A's in non-science, but I had to take them to graduate. Am I just worrying too much or is it a problem?

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[OnePunchBiopsy]

Based on my experience medical schools are more concerned about low grades in science classes than low grades in humanities. You should be able to compensate by doing well in your spring science classes.

In the grand scheme of things, your GPA will be factored in with your MCAT and your leadership/volunteering/shadowing/research experiences. If there are no major red flags in these areas (and a 3.65 GPA is NOT a red flag at every medical school), then you should be fine!

 

[Catalystik]

I was able to maintain a GPA of around 3.8 throughout undergrad, but a multitude of non science classes during senior fall caused my GPA to to be 3.65 for the fall semester. Will this be looked upon poorly even if I bring it back up during the spring with science classes? For some reason, I just cannot earn A's in non-science, but I had to take them to graduate. Am I just worrying too much or is it a problem?

Keep in mind that your GPAs will be displayed on the AMCAS application year-by-year and not term by term, so spring grades will give you a chance to "look better" in your self-estimation. A 3.65 wouldn't ring any alarm bells in my mind, even if that would be your average over the entire academic year, though.

 

[pillowsnice]

Keep in mind that your GPAs will be displayed on the AMCAS application year-by-year and not term by term, so spring grades will give you a chance to "look better" in your self-estimation. A 3.65 wouldn't ring any alarm bells in my mind, even if that would be your average over the entire academic year, though.

So, how much of a drop from a 3.8 would be a cause for concern?

 

[Catalystik]

So, how much of a drop from a 3.8 would be a cause for concern?

Schools will vary in their preferences, but I think that for you keeping your cGPA above the average for all matriculants would be a good general goal (3.69).