HELP! 9 credits left for Bio+Chem double maj,should I forget it to get higher GPA?

[sn2doctor]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Which is better:

Double Major Chemistry and Biology with 3.65 Sci GPA at Cornell
or Biology Major with 3.72 Sci GPA at Cornell?

Would the boost to above 3.7 be significant for top 20 schools? I am looking at schools with 3.8+ average GPA, so that is why GPA concerns me so much.

My MCAT is really high and above the average for these schools, but GPA is my main concern.

I feel like the double major almost doesn't matter at all, and GPA would be more important. BUT I only need 3 classes to finish the double major...

 

[Gauss44]

What I've previously heard on this forum: GPA rules. Double major won't make much of a difference.

A third option, if you can afford it, is to hire a tutor and get both.

 

[Holmwood]

I'm not sure how you're factoring in your GPA. When you calculate the science GPA, you take everything into account. This means that even if you are a bio major, the extra science courses you took for the chemistry major have to be factored in as well.

GPA is more important. In fact, those last 3 courses can bring down your GPA significantly if you do terribly on it.

Double majoring in both very interrelated majors is pointless in most situations.

 

[sn2doctor]

Those are some good points Gauss, I really appreciate the response.

Holmwood, I mean that I'm debating whether to take additional chemistry courses to complete the double major. I've calculated it out. If I don't take the chem courses, I will have a 3.73 Sci GPA, but if I do take them, I expect to have a 3.65 (This is the lowest I expect it to g0, so it is a safe estimate).

 

[sn2doctor]

Any other thoughts? Do Adcomms when they give out interviews really see a difference between 3.65 and 3.72?

 

[Holmwood]

Those are some good points Gauss, I really appreciate the response.

Holmwood, I mean that I'm debating whether to take additional chemistry courses to complete the double major. I've calculated it out. If I don't take the chem courses, I will have a 3.73 Sci GPA, but if I do take them, I expect to have a 3.65 (This is the lowest I expect it to g0, so it is a safe estimate).

Oh I see.
From what I've read, 3.6 is already very competitive, and anything higher would give you diminishing returns.
How does your cumulative GPA stack up against the schools you are thinking of applying to?

 

[Afford]

Oh I see.
From what I've read, 3.6 is already very competitive, and anything higher would give you diminishing returns.
How does your cumulative GPA stack up against the schools you are thinking of applying to?

It depends for which school. From the MSAR, Harvard has the highest 10th percentile GPA cutoff at 3.73, so >3.7 can help.

 

[ponyo]

I was a double major with a 3.65 gpa and also a high MCAT. I don't think the 3.65 held me back from getting any interviews and actually I talked about trying to challenge myself academically in both PS and interviews, and I think it was generally received positively. I did have a lot more classes than the two majors warranted, but I also come from a much more obviously grade-inflationary school than Cornell. During interviews, I kind of got the impression that after you meet a basic academic cutoff they really don't care about your academics and only focus on your personality, ECs, your view of medicine etc.

 

[sn2doctor]

Holmwood, my cumulative is 3.71 and my top 5 choices have a 3.8 median GPA.

Really great point Afford. I will check out the stats on MSAR. Thanks so much!

Good to know ponyo. I just hope I get to the interview, and my GPA doesn't cut me out before. Fingers Crossed.

 

[Lamel]

A double major won't really matter, unless you personally want it. But either way 3.6-3.7 from Cornell with a "really high MCAT" isn't going to have problems getting interviews at top schools (as long as everything else is in check).

As far as I remember from MSAR, the only schools with a 10%ile GPA of 3.7 are Harvard and Hopkins.