GPA is going down

[cloudmurder1]

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So I'm currently studying abroad and taking humanities courses to work toward a history minor. Unfortunately, one of these courses has been so tough for me and my peers that I don't think I'm going to be able to pull of an A in it this semester, and this is with 10 credit hours for a summer semester (I'm not sure what people think, but I think 10 summer hours is extremely rigourous for a study abroad summer semester). Now my cGPA is probably going to go from a 4.0 to a 3.9375. Some of you may have cringed at that last sentence, but my questions will assure that this is a sincere post: Does a downward trend like this raise any red flags? And if this semester of mine is considered an unrigourous one, will that raise another red flag? Just to put it in perspective, I had 14 hours in the fall and 17 in the spring, and took physics II in the fall and orgo I in the spring. Lastly, should I continue this history minor? I have a decent interest in history, and it would only take me 6 more credit hours (i.e. 2 more classes)?

Edit: I'm also a bit concerned that this trend may continue into next semester, and my GPA will go down further when I'm taking Orgo 2, Synthesis Lab, Pchem1, a history class, and research. And it seems like most of my friends finished fall and spring with 4.0's and will still have them when the next fall semester starts.

 

[missmd123]

So I'm currently studying abroad and taking humanities courses to work toward a history minor. Unfortunately, one of these courses has been so tough for me and my peers that I don't think I'm going to be able to pull of an A in it this semester, and this is with 10 credit hours for a summer semester (I'm not sure what people think, but I think 10 summer hours is extremely rigourous for a study abroad summer semester). Now my cGPA is probably going to go from a 4.0 to a 3.9375. Some of you may have cringed at that last sentence, but my questions will assure that this is a sincere post: Does a downward trend like this raise any red flags? And if this semester of mine is considered an unrigourous one, will that raise another red flag? Just to put it in perspective, I had 14 hours in the fall and 17 in the spring, and took physics II in the fall and orgo I in the spring. Lastly, should I continue this history minor? I have a decent interest in history, and it would only take me 6 more credit hours (i.e. 2 more classes)?

Edit: I'm also a bit concerned that this trend may continue into next semester, and my GPA will go down further when I'm taking Orgo 2, Synthesis Lab, Pchem1, a history class, and research.

That's not significant enough of a drop for it to raise red flags. Don't let this downward trend continue, though! You have control over how well you do next semester.

 

[md-2020]

...You're seriously concerned about dropping down to "only" a 3.94? Lol you're fine bro

 

[cloudmurder1]

...You're seriously concerned about dropping down to "only" a 3.94? Lol you're fine bro

I'm concerned for what may happen later. Also, I've had an enjoyable time this summer abroad, but now I feel like I did all of it to make a dent in my GPA that didn't need to be there.

 

[md-2020]

Depending on your MCAT any medical schools in the US will consider you with that type of GPA. no need to go 4.0 or bust, that just causes undue stress.

 

[Lancer]

I'm concerned for what may happen later. Also, I've had an enjoyable time this summer abroad, but now I feel like I did all of it to make a dent in my GPA that didn't need to be there.

Next thing you know you'll be sitting at a 2.9, screened out of all the schools.

 

[missmd123]

I'm concerned for what may happen later. Also, I've had an enjoyable time this summer abroad, but now I feel like I did all of it to make a dent in my GPA that didn't need to be there.

Don't be ridiculous. You're GPA is fine.

 

[missmd123]

Next thing you know you'll be sitting at a 2.9, screened out of all the schools.

🤣

 

[cloudmurder1]

Also, I'm Indian, so I wanted to try and maintain a 4.0 for at least freshman through sophomore year because of the unavoidable strike against me.

 

[genericpremedstudent]

yeah man, I hear med schools HATE indians.

 

[ofthesaints]

Can there just be one day SDN doesn't show its neuroticism?

1) Stop comparing your GPA to your friends GPA. It will only lead to disappointment.
2) There is really no need to take your GPA to the ten thousandths decimal place. (3.9375)
3) Why are you concerned about your next semester's GPA trend if it hasn't even happened?

 

[cloudmurder1]

yeah man, I hear med schools HATE indians.

I see the tint of sarcasm, but I'm not remotely implying that. The reality is that there are a lot of Asians/Indians who want to be doctors, and med schools need to have a diverse class for multiple reasons upon which I will not expound lest a can of worms be opened.

 

[md-2020]

I see the tint of sarcasm, but I'm not remotely implying that. The reality is that there are a lot of Asians/Indians who want to be doctors, and med schools need to have a diverse class for multiple reasons upon which I will not expound lest a can of worms be opened.

I'm an Asian male and I know what you're getting at but holding yourself to a 4.0 standard is unrealistic in any scenario. In upperclass years and med school etc, this stress will cause problems. I'd point you towards the Asian cGPA/MCAT graphs in the WAMC subforum as justification.

Edit: also, med school admissions is not just about numbers--your EC's will get you through the door. So don't expect people to line up acceptances for you just b/c you have a 4.0 (which, again is unnecessary to get into MD). You mention that "all of your friends got 4.0s".....what type of school has that many A+ students? There might be some bias in that observation.

 

[Goro]

CHILL!!!!

So I'm currently studying abroad and taking humanities courses to work toward a history minor. Unfortunately, one of these courses has been so tough for me and my peers that I don't think I'm going to be able to pull of an A in it this semester, and this is with 10 credit hours for a summer semester (I'm not sure what people think, but I think 10 summer hours is extremely rigourous for a study abroad summer semester). Now my cGPA is probably going to go from a 4.0 to a 3.9375. Some of you may have cringed at that last sentence, but my questions will assure that this is a sincere post: Does a downward trend like this raise any red flags? And if this semester of mine is considered an unrigourous one, will that raise another red flag? Just to put it in perspective, I had 14 hours in the fall and 17 in the spring, and took physics II in the fall and orgo I in the spring. Lastly, should I continue this history minor? I have a decent interest in history, and it would only take me 6 more credit hours (i.e. 2 more classes)?

Edit: I'm also a bit concerned that this trend may continue into next semester, and my GPA will go down further when I'm taking Orgo 2, Synthesis Lab, Pchem1, a history class, and research. And it seems like most of my friends finished fall and spring with 4.0's and will still have them when the next fall semester starts.

 

[Goro]

Yeah, they're only 10-20% of my OMSI Class, and make up a whole 1-5% of my state.

So OP, STOP being the hyperacheiver, or you'll burn out.

yeah man, I hear med schools HATE indians.

 

[cloudmurder1]

Alright, I have a followup question if you all wouldn't mind answering. Is there much marginal benefit in me working my arse off the rest of this semester and possibly getting an A in the class and giving up two weekends of travel, or just waving the white flag, taking a 3.9375, and having those two weekends of travel?

 

[deleted393595]

Alright, I have a followup question if you all wouldn't mind answering. Is there much marginal benefit in me working my arse off the rest of this semester and possibly getting an A in the class and giving up two weekends of travel, or just waving the white flag, taking a 3.9375, and having those two weekends of travel?

Yousa fine OP. Just focus on doing well on the MCAT.

 

[Goro]

Relax, take B or B+ and enjoy the trip!

Will it kill you not to make 100% A's?

Academic excellence is alway appreciated, but perfectionism is not. There are differences between the two.

Alright, I have a followup question if you all wouldn't mind answering. Is there much marginal benefit in me working my arse off the rest of this semester and possibly getting an A in the class and giving up two weekends of travel, or just waving the white flag, taking a 3.9375, and having those two weekends of travel?

 

[efle]

are you certain you will be transferring grades back to your home university? many places take the grades earned abroad and convert to only Pass/Fail awarded on the home institution transcript.

 

[doc05]

what kind of ridiculous school do you attend that everyone gets a 4.0??

 

[md-2020]

what kind of ridiculous school do you attend that everyone gets a 4.0??

My question exactly.

 

[efle]

what kind of ridiculous school do you attend that everyone gets a 4.0??

is Harvard ridiculous

 

[md-2020]

is Harvard ridiculous

4.0 is still very very difficult at Harvard. 3.5 is the average, but anything above that is still good, not expected.

In any case before this devolves into a Harvard vs. Yale thread I'd venture that the OP doesn't go to H

 

[efle]

4.0 is still very very difficult at Harvard. 3.5 is the average, but anything above that is still good, not expected.

A-/3.7 is the median, A/4.0 the mode

 

[md-2020]

A-/3.7 is the median, A/4.0 the mode

http://www.thecrimson.com/article/2013/12/9/stats-grade-inflation/

As this article points out, your assertion can be easily misconstrued. Mean (average) is thought to be roughly 3.5 among all undergrads.
Students with >3.7 are still regarded highly at Harvard. Especially in consideration of majors, I'd argue the proportion of humanities and arts majors (no disrespect) earning ultra-high GPAs would heavily outclass pre-med/science/engineers.

 

[Oncie]

4.0 is still very very difficult at Harvard. 3.5 is the average, but anything above that is still good, not expected.

In any case before this devolves into a Harvard vs. Yale thread I'd venture that the OP doesn't go to H

Why would anyone want to go there with the intention of doing pre-med? Grade deflation would kill your gpa.

 

[md-2020]

Why would anyone want to go there with the intention of doing pre-med? Grade deflation would kill your gpa.

?

Harvard sees widespread inflation, not deflation. I was just pointing out that it still isn't as extreme as people sometimes think.

 

[efle]

http://www.thecrimson.com/article/2013/12/9/stats-grade-inflation/

As this article points out, your assertion can be easily misconstrued. Mean (average) is thought to be roughly 3.5 among all undergrads.
Students with >3.7 are still regarded highly at Harvard. Especially in consideration of majors, I'd argue the proportion of humanities and arts majors (no disrespect) earning ultra-high GPAs would heavily outclass pre-med/science/engineers.

Do you have any legitimate source to say the mean is so far skewed down from the median? Any source on the grading in humanities being so insanely inflated to bring a respectable STEM median up to a 3.7 overall? I mean if STEM classes had even 3.3 medians you'd essentially have to have every single humanities class full of 4.00s...students with >3.7 may be highly regarded, but not in the way a >3.7 is among comparable student bodies with low 3's medians!

?

Harvard sees widespread inflation, not deflation. I was just pointing out that it still isn't as extreme as people sometimes think.

And your evidence is? All the official info I can find says you're more likely to get an A than anything else and being middle of the pack gets you a 3.7

 

[md-2020]

Do you have any legitimate source to say the mean is so far skewed down from the median? Any source on the grading in humanities being so insanely inflated to bring a respectable STEM median up to a 3.7 overall? I mean if STEM classes had even 3.3 medians you'd essentially have to have every single humanities class full of 4.00s...students with >3.7 may be highly regarded, but not in the way a >3.7 is among comparable student bodies with low 3's medians!


And your evidence is? All the official info I can find says you're more likely to get an A than anything else and being middle of the pack gets you a 3.7

I'm not arguing that Harvard doesn't inflate, and I agree that it is significantly harder at schools where ~3.2 is the mean/medians.

I'm afraid I might have driven this thread off-topic; yes, H inflates grades. We all know that. My original point was than the OP was unlikely to be at a school where 4.0's were as common as he believes.

 

[efle]

I'm not arguing that Harvard doesn't inflate, and I agree that it is significantly harder at schools where ~3.2 is the mean/medians.

I'm afraid I might have driven this thread off-topic; yes, H inflates grades. We all know that. My original point was than the OP was unlikely to be at a school where 4.0's were as common as he believes.

Agreed. I just wanted to point out that a school giving out tons of A's does not mean it's ridiculous unless you view places like Harvard or Brown or Rice as ridiculous!

 

[ZedsDed]

Agreed. I just wanted to point out that a school giving out tons of A's does not mean it's ridiculous unless you view places like Harvard or Brown or Rice as ridiculous!

Finally found some hard numbers!
Rice's average MCAT for applicants: 32
Brown's average MCAT for ADMITTED applicants: 34
Harvard, as expected, has no data anywhere on this.

 

[efle]

Finally found some hard numbers!
Rice's average MCAT for applicants: 32
Brown's average MCAT for ADMITTED applicants: 34
Harvard, as expected, has no data anywhere on this.

Now if only there were GPA distributions reported to the government...

 

[ZedsDed]

Now if only there were GPA distributions reported to the government...

Meh. The MCAT is the great equalizer imo.

 

[efle]

Meh. The MCAT is the great equalizer imo.

That's what I mean. Now we have evidence of similar MCATs between rice brown vandy wustl and a few others so I want to see grades to compare !

 

[ZedsDed]

That's what I mean. Now we have evidence of similar MCATs between rice brown vandy wustl and a few others so I want to see grades to compare !

I really want to find Harvards average MCAT. If I remember correctly, One of their faculty made a statement a few years back that the average MCAT for their applicants was in the low 30s; national average was like a 28 at the time. If so, that would be a pretty strident example of grade inflation when coupled with their average GPA. I don't trust my own memory enough to render judgment, but yeah.

 

[cloudmurder1]

The school is GT (time for me to make another account). It was soul crushingly hard many years ago, but now things have slightly softened up, so more people have higher gpa.

 

[md-2020]

The school is GT (time for me to make another account). It was soul crushingly hard many years ago, but now things have slightly softened up, so more people have higher gpa.

There's no need to make another account simply because a few people know what school you go to. Plenty of others share that information freely.