GPA Conversion -- :(

[Aletheia]

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Well, I was quite excited to hand in an application to a few Optometry schools in the states. I am a Canadian applicant, however, and my university uses a percentage grading system. I didn't think this would be a problem, until I used the conversion scale provided on the online application system (90-100 is a 4.0, 80-89 is a 3.0, etc). If I calculate my GPA using many conversion scales (those typically used by Canadian Universities that do a 4.0 scale or letter systems and must convert), it is perhaps a 3.3 or a 3.5, however, when I calculate using the method on the online application system, it is a 2.9 for my past four years! A lot of schools don't list what GPA is too low, but I'm thinking this might be it. I was simply wondering what it's looking like based on this not so great average.

Thanks so much!

 

[yyk]

Hello, I had the same issue, but after reading this thread, I decided to convert my percentage grades into 4.0-system using the OMSAS chart (for Canadian Universities).

Using the Search function really helps in this forum 😛

 

[ruskyline]

Well, I was quite excited to hand in an application to a few Optometry schools in the states. I am a Canadian applicant, however, and my university uses a percentage grading system. I didn't think this would be a problem, until I used the conversion scale provided on the online application system (90-100 is a 4.0, 80-89 is a 3.0, etc). If I calculate my GPA using many conversion scales (those typically used by Canadian Universities that do a 4.0 scale or letter systems and must convert), it is perhaps a 3.3 or a 3.5, however, when I calculate using the method on the online application system, it is a 2.9 for my past four years! A lot of schools don't list what GPA is too low, but I'm thinking this might be it. I was simply wondering what it's looking like based on this not so great average.

Thanks so much!

hey dude, do you think can a 2.9 get in to Opoto school?? cuz im in a same boat to be honest!

 

[Aletheia]

YYK - I would do that, as the OMSAS conversion chart is awesome, however, I don't think that would work as my transcript has no set conversion scale. As a result, I believe the online application system will use THEIR system to convert my grades, which puts me at a great disadvantage.

ruskyline - I'm not sure, but it'd be great if anyone else has some insight!

 

[blysssful]

YYK - I would do that, as the OMSAS conversion chart is awesome, however, I don't think that would work as my transcript has no set conversion scale. As a result, I believe the online application system will use THEIR system to convert my grades, which puts me at a great disadvantage.

ruskyline - I'm not sure, but it'd be great if anyone else has some insight!

Call the schools and explain the situation. Of course you're not the first Canadian applying to American schools, and I'm sure there is a fair conversion.

 

[captainnerd]

hey dude, do you think can a 2.9 get in to Opoto school?? cuz im in a same boat to be honest!

Aren't you a 2.6? And you're not even close to finishing all your classes. Get back to studying and stop posting on these fora. These fora are for people who are done with most of their prereqs and have time to talk about nonsensical things such as what to wear to interviews.

You kids.

 

[Jenboo23]

Well, I was quite excited to hand in an application to a few Optometry schools in the states. I am a Canadian applicant, however, and my university uses a percentage grading system. I didn't think this would be a problem, until I used the conversion scale provided on the online application system (90-100 is a 4.0, 80-89 is a 3.0, etc). If I calculate my GPA using many conversion scales (those typically used by Canadian Universities that do a 4.0 scale or letter systems and must convert), it is perhaps a 3.3 or a 3.5, however, when I calculate using the method on the online application system, it is a 2.9 for my past four years! A lot of schools don't list what GPA is too low, but I'm thinking this might be it. I was simply wondering what it's looking like based on this not so great average.

Thanks so much!

I hope you read the thread posted above. I had exactly the same GPA as you. DO NOT USE THE OPTOMCAS GRADING SCALE. OUR POOR CANADIAN GPA'S ARE DEFLATED ENOUGH BY RIDICULOUSLY COMPETITIVE CANADIAN UNIVERSITIES. YOUR GPA SHOULD PROBABLY BE AT LEAST HIGH 3 POINT SOMETHING TO BE COMPARABLE TO YOUR COMPETITORS SINCE US SCHOOLS HAVE CLASS AVERAGES AT LEAST 10% HIGHER THAN CANADIAN UNIVERSITIES. SOME OPTOMETRY SCHOOLS WILL ADD A FEW POINTS TO YOUR GPA AND YOU'LL PROBABLY NOTICE YOUR GPA IMPROVE WHEN YOU GO TO THE OPTOMETRY SCHOOL IN THE US (CLASS AVERAGE IN OPTOMETRY SCHOOL IS AT LEAST 10% HIGHER THAN IT WAS IN MY UNDERGRAD). SO DO NOT GO BY OPTOMCAS GRADING SCALES OR YOU'LL GET REJECTED WHEN YOU WOULD HAVE PROBABLY BEEN AN ABOVE AVERAGE STUDENT!! GOOD LUCK 🙂 !!!

 

[Aletheia]

Thanks JenBoo23! That is good to know.

 

[Rusty Ryan]

I'm a Canadian and took the advice of many on here and sent in my application entering in the numeric scale that my undergrad university uses (80+ = 4.0). I get an email back from OptomCas saying to convert all my grades to their scale and then re-submit my application. This of course will grossly deflate my GPA.

Will schools look at my actual raw % grades? Are all of us Canadian's doomed?

 

[Rusty Ryan]

Nevermind...I spoke to OptomCas and they said individual schools will calculate their own GPA's (not using the OptomCas scale). So I guess that's a sigh of relief for some of us.

 

[vis10]

Nevermind...I spoke to OptomCas and they said individual schools will calculate their own GPA's (not using the OptomCas scale). So I guess that's a sigh of relief for some of us.

hey, do you know what the individual schools use to calculate our gpa's? is it by checking the coursework grades that we entered in on OptomCAS because i thought OptomCAS doesn't forward transcripts?

 

[waterautumn]

So Optomcas photocopy our transcripts and then send to schools?