Difference between a 3.47 and a 3.50 in science GPA large??

[informme]

I hear that 3.5 is the "magic number" (not a good number, but the number that sets you on the playing field to fight off candidates).

The thing is, with the classes I am taking at the moment, it seems that I will be able to attain a 3.47 science GPA by the time I graduate if I do well.
However, if I take risks and work an unhealthy amount, I believe I can raise it further to a 3.5 (I will also need to take some expensive summer classes).



I was wondering, in your opinion, is the money and effot worth the .03 point improvement in sGPA??
If it is worth it, how much will it help me??

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[oaklandguy]

It really isn't a HUGE difference, I think they would round up the 3.47 anyways but am not 100% sure. The reality is, there's no surefire way to get that 3.5, unless u take a couple easy classes that fall under the science gpa category. I would recommend making yourself an overall better candidate rather than just working one on aspect of your application. If you have great EC's it's going to make up for a lack in science GPA, and if you have a legit MCAT score no one is going to question your ability at science classes. The only reason why I wouldn't put all the extra money and work in is because if you screw up one exam you might not get that 3.5, but it's all up to you if having that 3.5 would make you more comfortable as an applicant than go for it.

 

[CoolWhipp]

Won't do much.

 

[informme]

Bump!!

The essential question is:

"Will this difference possibly keep me out of medical school?"

 

[SirGecko]

"Will this difference possibly keep me out of medical school?"

No. If you don't get into medical school the difference between a 3.47 and 3.5 science GPA will not be the reason.

 

[Count Chocula]

Your application will go straight to the incinerator because of that .03 difference.

 

[vin5cent0]

Of course it wouldn't. Plenty of people have gotten it with lower than even a 3.4 or 3.3. Naturally your chances are less, but I severely doubt the difference between a 3.47 and a 3.5 would even be one interview.

 

[shemarty]

A 3.47 won't keep you out of med school and spending a ton of money to potentially raise it to a 3.5 won't help significantly, either.

In my opinion you should *not* take extra classes for the possibility of raising it by .03.

 

[ILikeDrugs]

Spend your time at a free clinic or a homeless shelter instead of on courses that won't bring your GPA up. That's what I'm doing. Sometimes you just have to accept your GPA for what it is. After a while it just won't budge and if it does it really isn't worth it.

 

[BrainBuff]

^^^ Agree.

 

[NotSur]

IDK, isn't 3.5 an automatic cutoff for a lot of schools?

 

[informme]

What?
Is this true?

 

[mmmcdowe]

IDK, isn't 3.5 an automatic cutoff for a lot of schools?

Not to my knowledge, and even if it were you're not going to get any love by being the bottom of the barrel anyways.