GPA Calculations?

[MK017]

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besides the obvious blemishes on a transcript how do schools figure in
-W's
-Retakes
-Online classes
-P/NP classes
-spring/summer term classes

Do all schools calculate the same, somewhere i read that a certian number of retakes just replace grades then after that it is the average of the two.

 

[dr.z]

Schools don't calculate GPA of applicants. ACOMAS will do it for them. When you re-take a class, they take the most recent grade for the class. I don't think Ws are factored into your GPA. P/NP will also be not included in your GPA and does not affect your GPA.

 

[kaikai128]

AACOMAS will always dump the old grade and replace a retake with the new grade. AAMCAS on the other hand averages the two.

 

[jules0328]

Also, I believe (and someone call me out on this one if I am wrong), AACOMAS considers science vs. non science instead of the AMCAS BCMP gpa cumm. In other wordsm AACOMAS factors in classes like Oceanography, whereas AMCAS may not. Also, your math will be in its own non science category. So if you didnt do so well in say calculus, that will not allow for your science gpa to fall.

It's really quite interesting, my BCMP for AMCAS is a 2.9 and my AACOMAS science gpa is a 3.4 and overall is 3.29. I get such a kick out of this considering the AACOMAS just makes everything look so much better from the outside. Oh, I hope I get into med school.

 

[stoleyerscrubz]

If a class is retaken and a higher grade is achieved will the old grade even show up on the AACOMAS transcript? Will adcoms be able to tell if you retook classes?

 

[Buckeye(OH)]

If a class is retaken and a higher grade is achieved will the old grade even show up on the AACOMAS transcript? Will adcoms be able to tell if you retook classes?

They will know if you retook the class.

 

[jules0328]

Yes, your entire academic history will be seen by adcoms. However, your science and non science gpa calculations will only be from the most recent classes you have taken. Its really a numbers game. For example, I had gotten a B in physics last spring and decided to retake physics in the fall only to get a C+. So, now my C+ will be counted instead of my B. What can I say, sometimes, you better think about retaking a class and if it is really worth retaking.

 

[acarson]

Just so I get this straight...say I went through a period of braindeadness a few years ago at a previous school and quit going to a class without actually dropping it (big ol' F), when I retook the class later and got an A will that replace/average into the old grade?

 

[jules0328]

Just so I get this straight...say I went through a period of braindeadness a few years ago at a previous school and quit going to a class without actually dropping it (big ol' F), when I retook the class later and got an A will that replace/average into the old grade?

Yes, the big ol' F will be replaced by that A in your gpa, however, it will still show up on your transcript. Like I mentioned before, it wont get averaged in (like the AMCAS) it will not even be considered into your gpa, however, it will still show up in your transcript.

 

[kaikai128]

When it all comes down to it, I would say that the GPA would matter less than what your transcript actually says. During interviews I had several questions about, "Why do you think this was a rough semester for you?" or "Why this grade in this class?" I never had any questions asking why my science GPA was so low. As long as your GPA is good enough to get to to the interview, at that point it is all up to you.

 

[acarson]

Okay, let me take it one step further. For those of you who have similar experience, what does an adcom make of a transcript like mine? I had the aforementioned braindead period a few years back. I was going through kind of a rough stretch in life in general. I basically stopped going to class resulting in the ugly grades. However, since I regained my sanity I have made it through 2 years of school with a 3.98 GPA overall (my school uses the +/- system), 4.0 in the sciences. I'll have another 2 semesters in the books before I apply. My ECs and LORs are all good. I know my GPA will probably be adequate, but like you said, the record will still be there haunting me.

 

[PublicEnemy]

they give you the benefit of the doubt. they let your most recent academic performance speak for itself. and if you've had to retake classes to replace bad grades, they don't really question it so long as you've done well in the retakes. in fact, if you've been able to retake your classes and get your stats up enough, they may not even notice. a few bad grades in your past won't hold you back, strong performance in retakes/postbacc classes goes a long way. this is why i strongly reccommend postbacc work for anyone really considering DO schools, you can make exponential differences to your gpas both science and overall in a pretty short amount of time.

bottomline, if you can show you're doing well now, then thats the best indicator that you're ready.