Dumb question regarding GPA rounding

[huskydock]

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A search yielded no answers, so please bear with this question (I think it's probably really simple, but I want to make sure):

Say one has a 3.47. Would that be considered a 3.5 or a 3.4 in ADCOM's eyes? I know people say stuff like "Oh, you need at least a 3.5 to be competitive." But would a 3.46-3.49 fall in that "3.5" group?

Thanks. 😀

 

[Pacna]

The rounding that you're talking about doesn't happen. For example, a school might only send secondaries to people with GPA*10 +MCAT = 60 or more. You would have 3.47*10 = 34.7 + MCAT. There is no rounding. It's done with a computer. If your total is 59.7, you don't get a secondary.

When people say "Oh, you need a 3.5 to be competitive," they're talking in general. They're not saying that a 3.49 isn't enough and that you shouldn't bother applying.

 

[AdmAckbar]

A search yielded no answers, so please bear with this question (I think it's probably really simple, but I want to make sure):

Say one has a 3.47. Would that be considered a 3.5 or a 3.4 in ADCOM's eyes? I know people say stuff like "Oh, you need at least a 3.5 to be competitive." But would a 3.46-3.49 fall in that "3.5" group?

Thanks. 😀

The GPA numbers are rounded to the hundredth. So a 3.47 would show up just as that, a 3.47. Adcoms will see it for what it is: .03 below a 3.5, and .07 above a 3.4.

 

[Doctor Strange]

Never round GPA. In the case that you do, never round up. A 3.47 is a 3.47 and is not considered a 3.5. Period.

 

[PanRoasted]

For these types of questions, it's better to just think about it to yourself...Do you think that an adcom, a regular human being in most cases, is going to look at your 3.47 and agonize over whether or not s/he should consider it as a 3.4 or a 3.5? It's just not a relevant question.

 

[AdrianVeidt]

The rounding that you're talking about doesn't happen. For example, a school might only send secondaries to people with GPA*10 +MCAT = 60 or more. You would have 3.47*10 = 34.7 + MCAT. There is no rounding. It's done with a computer. If your total is 59.7, you don't get a secondary.

When people say "Oh, you need a 3.5 to be competitive," they're talking in general. They're not saying that a 3.49 isn't enough and that you shouldn't bother applying.

Are these actual precedents or just made up values?

 

[Pacna]

Are these actual precedents or just made up values?

That specific one is for Mayo last cycle.

 

[AdrianVeidt]

That specific one is for Mayo last cycle.

Muchos gracias.

 

[jr93]

Are these actual precedents or just made up values?

Some would say that some schools use it as a real screening tool. People call it the LizzyM score on here. I don't think my school uses it but they don't get GWU-type applicant numbers. I think (and this is strictly my observation/opinion) that my school would take a high MCAT score and lower GPA over lower MCAT and compensating GPA if their LizzyM score was the same. As in 33/3.2 would beat a 29/3.6 all day long even though the Lizzy M is the same.

 

[AdmAckbar]

Are these actual precedents or just made up values?

That specific one is for Mayo last cycle.

Mayo was a "LizzyM" score of 62 this year for secondaries. It's info they will gladly share if you call them up.

edit: ya know it may have been 60, I thought I remember them saying it was 62. But either way its a moot point.

 

[Pacna]

Mayo was a "LizzyM" score of 62 this year for secondaries. It's info they will gladly share if you call them up.

edit: ya know it may have been 60, I thought I remember them saying it was 62. But either way its a moot point.

👍

I just read the Mayo-specific discussion, and I recall 60 was what the man said.

He could have been wrong, too.

 

[PanRoasted]

60 seems low for Mayo...I mean, you could have a 3.2/28 to get a secondary from them? Sure, it's just a secondary...but why bother?

 

[jr93]

60 seems low for Mayo...I mean, you could have a 3.2/28 to get a secondary from them? Sure, it's just a secondary...but why bother?

Because they like taking your money if you're willing to give it to them. Just ask GWU.

 

[AdmAckbar]

60 seems low for Mayo...I mean, you could have a 3.2/28 to get a secondary from them? Sure, it's just a secondary...but why bother?

It's because Mayo is known for taking people with unique stories and experiences, even if they might not have "stellar" stats. Although based on their admission #'s they usually end up with students that have both. Also, I'm pretty sure Mayo doesn't have a secondary.

 

[Pacna]

It's because Mayo is known for taking people with unique stories and experiences, even if they might not have "stellar" stats. Although based on their admission #'s they usually end up with students that have both. Also, I'm pretty sure Mayo doesn't have a secondary.

^True, true, and true.

I wasn't invited for an interview last year 🙂o), but I can confirm that there is no secondary. Just $100 fee.

 

[huskydock]

Thanks all! Especially for the info on the pre-screening formula.

For these types of questions, it's better to just think about it to yourself...Do you think that an adcom, a regular human being in most cases, is going to look at your 3.47 and agonize over whether or not s/he should consider it as a 3.4 or a 3.5? It's just not a relevant question.

I suppose I was wondering how certain "borderline" GPAs are perceived, colloquially speaking. Also for MSAR percentile interpretation, but that's fairly simple.