Freshman vs. Junior year GPA

[csgirl]

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Is it really bad if your GPA dips up and down from semester to semester? My gpa for my first, second, third and forth semesters are ~3.7, 4.0, ~3.6, and 4.0 respectively... for a total of 3.84. But I'm really afraid I'm going to bomb this semester (by comparison)... like get a 3.6 or even a 3.5. Would that look really bad? I've heard that medical schools mostly look at the junior year grades... and that they don't like to see inconsistencies. I know that a 3.5 isn't bad. I'm just worried about being inconsistent... and that medical schools will focus on my junior year grades (i.e. this year's grades). Anybody know about this?

 

[jargon124]

I would not say that Junior year grades are what schools "focus" on. All your grades are important. Perhaps your grades in Junior year courses like Biochem/Cell Bio/Mol Bio are given a bit of special attention, but this does not mean that they are unequally weighted. Consistency is important, but in your case I don't think you're looking at much of a problem. It's not like you're going from 2.5 to 4.0 to 2.5...If you stay above 3.5 throughout your college career I think that's consistent enough...So don't worry, be happy. 🙂

 

[csgirl]

Even if I get a 3.5 this semester?

 

[Big_Poppa DDS]

you guys worry way to much. why don't you have some fun!

 

[csgirl]

Fun? What's fun?

 

[jargon124]

Big Poppa's right. It's time to chill out and have some fun. There will always be plenty of time to worry about stuff...the time to relax, have fun and live like is NOW!

Note: Just so you know, I am taking some of my own advice. I'm turning off my computer, pouring myself a beer, and getting ready to watch AZ beat up on the Yankees.

 

[elle]

Hey csgirl,
I would say don't sweat at 3.5 I'm no expert, but that's still a pretty strong GPA, and if that's your lowest ever, that's pretty awesome! Personally, my GPA has gone all over the place, I think the lowest was 3.1 And at interviews, no one has commented on my grades at all. And even if someone here posted that 3.5 was awful and would keep you out of med school, would that change what grades you got? 🙂 Sounds silly, but I really believe that if you just do your best and maintain a decent GPA (around the average of the schools you'll apply to) I'd think you'll be fine.

just my opinion...
elle 🙂

 

[csgirl]

I'm still worried about getting a 3.5 this semester... I just think that would look pretty bad... but oh well.

 

[Sonya]

When I told my advisor i had a "bad semester" and got a 3.5 she laughed. then said 3.5 is not considered a bad semester. for me it was 7 units and 3.5 though... and a lot of stuff in life were really messed for me. but, chill out. try your hardest in classes, and do as best as you can. medschools look at trends in grades. it better to do good in later semesters. and 3.5 to 4.0 is not that inconsistent.

umm i had 4.0 first 3.96 second (actually overal it was 3.96.. i think). 3.5 third, 3.8X fourth.
I think 3.5 to 4.0 is just common variation ppl see with hard vs. easy classes.

just work as hard as you can, and do your best in classes, and well, what happens, happens.

Sonya

... no someone tell me to get off SDN and study neuroanatomy 😀

 

[csgirl]

Thanks, elle and Sonya... I guess it's not that big a deal. I am at a state school though... and I keep being told that my GPA has to be higher than that of private school students. I know that a 3.5 is awesome from a private school (or comptetive state school)... but from a no-name state school... it's not so hot. But I hope you're right that med schools might not care about one semester. Thanks 🙂

 

[elle]

csgirl,
you sound like you're worrying so much about this! 🙁 Lots of people from state schools do just fine in the interview process, without perfect GPAs. I am from a state school and it hasn't been a problem at all, and I doubt my GPA is higher than most private school folks. I honestly didn't put stock in this before, but I really feel that admissions committees will evaluate your application as a whole package and not just focus on your school and GPA. your grades sound very strong and consistent.

sorry about the preaching, it's like I can't help it lately... 🙂

 

[Original]

Hey csgirl:
You have nothing to worry about. I wish I was in your shoes. I'll be extremely happy to make like a 3.0 gpa this semester. I'm contemplating pulling out of all my classes cause I'll be in town for only 2 days throughout November. I'm scared I might not get my master's after busting my butt so much.

 

[csgirl]

It's this damn Numerical Computing class! So what if I can't compute the norm of the residual of a permutated hilbert matrix?!

I think it's the nature pre-med students to worry too much about everything.

 

[Resident Alien]

csgirl, which state school in Ohio are you at? Just wondering. 🙂

 

[csgirl]

Kent State University (Honors)... how about you? (I really hope I don't know you... I'm kinda embarrassed about this thread I started)

 

[Resident Alien]

You are safe. Cleveland State University, not so honors 😉 (our honors program is just doing some research for 3 semesters and defending it -- not my cup of tea).

Where are you applying?

 

[vixen]

Damn, I wish I had your problems...

I think some of you guys need to loosen up a bit 😛

 

[jimjones]

CSgirl, I'm afraid that with that overall gpa, I would seriously consider applying to Caribbean medical schools. Unless you have a 40+ MCAT, you don't stand a chance with a 3.84.

🙄

 

[TiBore]

I think that you're worried about nothing (I got a 2.95 Freshman year, yea!). To tell you the truth I'm kind of embarrassed to tell people I'm a premed because of people like you. Did you really want advice or did you post to brag about your grades? I like how you tagged (Honors) on to the name of your school. You see in all reality it doesn't matter what school you went to or how high your grades are, as long as you did decent, your MCAT score is the only thing that is going to count. It levels the playing field so to speak, so why don't you stop posting your stats and start studying if you're so worried. I mean no offense by this post I am mostly letting off steam. By the time I get an angry reply (and I know I will) I won't even care. I'm just sick of dealing with proud premeds. 😡

 

[jimjones]

My freshman gpa is 1.6. No joke. 🙁

 

[csgirl]

TiBore: And it's people like you that make people like me afraid to post on these boards! Believe it or not there are lots of 3.9-ers and 4.0-ers at my school that look down on me! I understand that it's good to have a 3.5. I was worried more about the inconsistency issue. If I had gotten a 3.5 all 4 semesters I wouldn't care. It's going from a 4.0 last semester to a 3.5 this semester (maybe) that I'm worried about. That, at least it seems to me, is a huge drop... and I was just wondering how medical school would look at that! Geez...

I was not trying to brag. If I could have posted anonymously I would have!!

Thanks to all those people out there who were annoyed by my post but choose not to yell at me... I really appreciate it. 🙂
I'm sorry if I really annoyed anyone... at the time I posted I had just talked to someone with a 3.95 who was telling me "you really should try to raise your gpa"... and he was serious!

Resident Alien: My top choices are U. of Maryland or Georgetown... how about you?

JimJones: Don't feel bad... I was talking to a guy the other day that got a 0.9 his freshman year... good thing my schools has a "freshman forgiveness" policy.

 

[Original]

Hey TiBore:
You need to chill out dude. There's nothing wrong with trying to get into med school. Anger, Judgementality, and sociopathic tendencies are much worse than stressing over med school. This process is stressing. Its natural to stress.

 

[TiBore]

I think that you could have posted your question without having to list your stats. You could have said that your GPA was going to be lower this semester then it has in the past and you were wondering if this would have any negative affects on your application. Also when you said the name of your school you added Honors after the name, how did this help clarify your situation? I understand that the application process is stressful and that, people are unsure about themselves so they come to this board to post questions hoping to extinguish their fears, I have done this same thing; the situation that enrages me is when someone includes their stats when it is unnecessary. I believe that there is no such thing as a bad question (clich?), but I do believe that the question should only contain relevant information. I constantly see people toss in their stats to serve no other purpose then to boost their own egos and this is what pisses me off.

 

[Sonya]

listen TiBore... if there proud of their stats... LET THEM BE! there's nothing wrong with it.

But i do know how you feel. i feel that way when i'm talking to my classmates at time... like my friend.. he always takes taking 20+ units, and he still does great. I'm telling him I'm kindof worried that i haven't studied for neuro class since the exam (couple weeks ago), and he's like yeah... did you ever study for that class at all. he thinks all the classes are sooo easy... and i'm working realing hard w/ everything. somehow, i can take like only 12 to 14 units.. and always fully busy with just that.

so... forget it. don't compare your self to others... it only makes yourself more depressed. at least it does for me... knowing others aren't studying close to as much as me... and they're getting perfect lab reports and acing the classes.

let ppl boast if they want. don't let it get to you.

I don't think anyone hear was trying to boast (don't ask me why i posted my stats... I was kindof doubting i should). Look... people don't mind sharing their stats, so they give it. just so others understand their situation.
I can see how putting honors looks blatantly like boasting... i thought it had some other special meaning. but... big deal... let them if it makes them happy.
Just... don't let it get to you. I learned that soon being in a prestigous private univ... there's always ppl better than you, no matter how good you are.

 

[csgirl]

Look... I posted my stats because if I didn't sooner or later someone would say "Well it depends on how big a drop and what your current gpa is" I thought I'd save some time by just posting them up front. It's not like I included my MCAT scores or list of ECs. I but (honors) after my school because it really does make a difference. A gpa from the honors college is different than from the regular university.

I really wasn't trying to brag. There are so many people out there with way better stats than mine that get rejected from medical school. I've never felt secure as a pre-med. I know this may seem hard to believe but I was really shocked when people started accusing me of bragging. I thought a 3.6+ was run of the mill for pre-meds.

 

[gooloogooloo]

CSgirl, it's ok and no problem that you posted your stat. Did it intimidate me? WHOLE LOT! But too bad, if I have to compare myself with others, I really should just smash my head into the computer monitor in front of me right now. Life is so unfair. There are people worrying about their cancer-ill parentl there are people worrying their shrink pay from 40k to 38k. Well, I guess I have to cope with my <3.0 GPA with an effort of holding back tears then.

🙁 (is there a crying icon?)

 

[csgirl]

If it makes anybody less irritated and/or intimidated... I don't have to work during the school year at all. My mom supports me through the school year...

 

[Resident Alien]

csgirl, try your best. 🙂
What about Ohio schools? Personally, i prefer OSU. That can change though (unlikely).
I think as long as your gpa is b/w 3.6 and 3.7, medschools wouldnt want to find the time to frown on jumps in between. There are many things they worry about in an application. Part of the reason they grant interviews is that they are confident you can do well academically.

Best of luck! 🙂

 

[csgirl]

Oh, I'm going to apply all over... I'm not taking any chances. I'm especially going to apply to Ohio schools. OSU is awesome... and Case is too... but that's a reach.

Good luck to you too! I hope you get into OSU!

 

[maphilips]

Here is a wake up call csgirl! GPA over a 3.4 will get you into most medical schools. At that point your gpa is pointless. Taken with a decent MCAT 29+ and life experience you will get an interview. This is how it goes(at least if you apply to more than 5 schools). At the interview is where you let the school know if they want you. If you act at neurotic as you sound on this site, then you have problems. Your supposed drop in gpa doesn't strike me as an application sinker, but I'm still not sure you will get accepted without a little more confidence.
🙄