Early AMCAS application vs Increased GPA from Summer Classes

[Avicenna]

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I know everyone talks about how useful it is to apply early on the AMCAS. I could apply early but with a 3.68 GPA. I could probably bump this up to above a 3.7 with some cushy sociology classes I'll be taking in the summer, but then I'd be applying by July 1st. idk if that cutoff >3.7 or <3.7 would make a huge difference, looking for some adcoms to chime in on that one.

Which course of action would be best?

 

[Valkyro]

I would apply early in your situation. A gpa difference of .05 is unlikely to make any impact on the admissions process. Applying early puts you at a significant advantage to those that apply later on in the cycle.

 

[WedgeDawg]

Apply early. That GPA difference will be meaningless.

 

[Cookiess]

That GPA difference won't make a significant impact on your application. I would apply early.

 

[sss1219]

Having grades to report post secondaries also gives you substantial info to send via update letters throughout the year. Definitely apply first.

 

[The Knife & Gun Club]

Apply early! If you apply after summer grades post that puts your completion timeline at like late September at the earliest (assuming summer classes wrap up in early august, correct me if I'm wrong).

Everyone seems to have different opinions on what constitutes "Late" (IMO anything after the end of august is a measurable disadvantage), but I'd say the lost time does not justify the tiny GPA bump.

Also they're not BCPM classes, so you'll be bolstering the much less relevant AO portion of GPA.

 

[7331poas]

Sorry I am making you a class example. When will applicants learn that adcoms and the automated systems they use see your GPA separated by year into columns of BCPM and AO and rarely use a gross overall GPA as the main indicator. In a 2013 AAMC survey* with 127 medical admissions offices responding found that while uGPA (total science/math) and MCAT (total score) were top factors in the "highest importance ratings," immediately following them : 1) the upward or downward grade trend; 2) uGPA (cumulative total); 3) performance in a postbaccalaureate program (which likely includes SMP), and; 4) selectivity of undergraduate institution (for the private medical college only. Public college essentially have state residency replacing this factor. Of "medium importance" are on schedule to meet pre-medical coursework, uGPA (cumulative nonscience/math).

Moral to the story, overall GPA isnt looked at first

Not sure what your point is here. I agree that he should apply now in the game theory, but if he waited he improves every single category that you listed except for the MCAT.

 

[7331poas]

the point is 3.68 as an overall GPA is rarely used. adcoms see the standard grid that breaks down GPA. applicants get so focused on this single number, ,something that adcoms rarely do

Why would you say its rarely used? If anything, the overall sGPA is used the most out of anything. And at that, the overall GPA is used just as much as the "trends" .

 

[Espressso]

Why would you say its rarely used? If anything, the overall sGPA is used the most out of anything. And at that, the overall GPA is used just as much as the "trends" .

I think the point is that adcoms don't sift through stacks of applications that have the cGPA in big bold letters. They automatically see the semester breakdown.