GPA drop junior year (ugly)

[freneticFil]

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I’ve averaged about a 3.8/3.9 for the first two years of undergrad, however this first semester of junior yr, I got absolutely smoked. My GPA is probably going to be a 3.5

Im taking a gap year to apply so I still have 3 semesters to go. But just curious if anyone has evidence-based input on how this will affect my app. Is there a need to explain this?

Reasons really were the classes were harder, I took too upperlevel courses that I werent expecting the increased workload, research during the week, living off campus for first year so had more responsibilities, etc..

 

[Wahkoon]

Do you mean your semester gpa or cumulative gpa will be 3.5?

 

[freneticFil]

Do you mean your semester gpa or cumulative gpa will be 3.5?

Semester

 

[Wahkoon]

Semester

I would not consider a 3.5 semester “absolutely smoked.” That’s still above an A- average. I am doing quite fine with a 3.5 total, but that’s more anecdotal than evidence-based. The bottom line is that your cumulative is still above median for accepted students.

I wouldn’t draw any attention to this - it’s unlikely that admissions will either. Keep your head up and keep finding ways to improve in the future... just try not to make this a trend

 

[Goro]

I would not consider a 3.5 semester “absolutely smoked.” That’s still above an A- average. I am doing quite fine with a 3.5 total, but that’s more anecdotal than evidence-based. The bottom line is that your cumulative is still above median for accepted students.

I wouldn’t draw any attention to this - it’s unlikely that admissions will either. Keep your head up and keep finding ways to improve in the future... just try not to make this a trend

Yup.
/thread

 

[jarednogeek]

A 3.5 is not a “horrible gpa” chill and focus on improving it

 

[TurtleyReady4Med]

Snort. I had a 3.5 cumulative and got into med school. You'll be fine just take a more balanced course load / figure out life balance skills.