GPA vs. MCAT

[connie95]

---

Members don't see this ad.

My sGPA by the time I graduate will be ~3.76 and my cGPA will be ~3.82.

If I take a few summer classes this year, my sGPA will be ~3.80 and my cGPA at ~3.86 but this means that I will have to sacrifice almost two months of studying for the MCAT (my original plan was to put my full focus on this during the summer, but if I take summer classes, I won't be able to do that)

Considering my situation, is this GPA increase worth it?


*I am planning to take my MCAT hopefully in Sept. - early Oct.

 

[Lamel]

I would devote the entire summer to MCAT studying so you can get a killer score, instead of juggling between classes and MCAT and getting a couple points lower than you could have.

Why not take 1 or 2 extra classes during the year to boost your GPA? Not that you really need it, but it looks good to have 3.8+.

 

[connie95]

I would devote the entire summer to MCAT studying so you can get a killer score, instead of juggling between classes and MCAT and getting a couple points lower than you could have.

Why not take 1 or 2 extra classes during the year to boost your GPA? Not that you really need it, but it looks good to have 3.8+.

I can't take any more extra classes. I am taking 22 credits my last semester just to reach the 3.76 sGPA I mentioned. Also, I will be taking 17 credits this fall…I don't want to take more and jeopardize my MCAT score. So, as you can see, I'm already loaded with classes. The only way to increase my GPA slightly would be to take like 10 science credits during July-August.

 

[BZG64]

Questions similar to this have been answered many, many times. Your GPA is at/ slightly above average. Focus on MCAT because without a good MCAT score, your GPA doesn't mean much, unless you're URM.

 

[connie95]

I just want to know if I am at a significant disadvantage with a 3.76 sgpa and 3.82 cgpa….I still want to make sure I have a chance at top 10/20 md schools

 

[connie95]

Questions similar to this have been answered many, many times. Your GPA is at/ slightly above average. Focus on MCAT because without a good MCAT score, your GPA doesn't mean much, unless you're URM.

Yeah, I'm not URM so my best bet is probably to do very well on the MCAT!

 

[BZG64]

I just want to know if I am at a significant disadvantage with a 3.76 sgpa and 3.82 cgpa….I still want to make sure I have a chance at top 10/20 md schools

If you want know the best answer to that question, get MSAR and look at the schools' that you want to apply to average admittance GPA

 

[Being]

I just want to know if I am at a significant disadvantage with a 3.76 sgpa and 3.82 cgpa….I still want to make sure I have a chance at top 10/20 md schools

Most likely, MCAT and other factors will be what determine how competitive you are for top tiers.

 

[OneTwoThreeFour]

Yeah, I'm not URM so my best bet is probably to do very well on the MCAT!

On this site, as per adcoms, 1 point on the MCAT is worth .1 of your GPA. Do you believe that taking the summer off to study for the MCAT will add at least 1 point to your potential score?

 

[ridethecliche]

There should be an epic-rap battle for this topic.

 

[Lamel]

I just want to know if I am at a significant disadvantage with a 3.76 sgpa and 3.82 cgpa….I still want to make sure I have a chance at top 10/20 md schools

You'll be fine. You just need to focus on your MCAT if you're aiming for top 20.

 

[mrh125]

if you get below a 30 mcat expect to be discouraged like hell (although 70% never get a 30 or above). the mcat can make or break your application so do the best you can.

 

[ridethecliche]

if you get below a 30 mcat expect to be discouraged like hell (although 70% never get a 30 or above). the mcat can make or break your application so do the best you can.

Comparing yourself to the population of test takers is useless. The better comparison is to the scores etc of those that matriculate.

 

[Heday]

How is this even a topic for debate? OP, 0.04 points on your GPA for the amount of work and opportunity cost is a TERRIBLE decision. Your current GPAs are good for any school. Study for the MCAT if you want to go to a top 20. Don't even question this.

PS. Yes a 3.76 and 3.82 are less than a 4.0, but no one is going to think twice about it. Obviously a 4.0 is better to have, but the difference between 3.82 and 3.86 is meaningless. I'd rather have a 34 and a 3.82 than a 32 and a 3.9.