Help Please...Questions about my situation...

[medstu110]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Okay here goes... I was a biology major undergrad and had a 4.0 GPA. I hadn't taken any business classes prior to my masters but I wanted to get an MBA so that I could practice medicine and be a healthcare administrator. So I got my MBA, the problem is that my GPA was only a 3.6 in my masters. My question is does it look bad that I had a 4.0 in undergrad as a bio major and then a 3.6 in my MBA. How do schools look at my grades.... which is more important... do they even really factor in my MBA GPA. Are the med schools going to look at it like well bio was really his thing and business wasn't. Do they even factor in the fact that I hadn't taken a business course prior to my master's. Also I know some schools have cutoff formulas, how does my master's GPA factor into it... do they add my undergrad and grad GPA together... emphasize my undergrad GPA? My other question was what's a good master's GPA. Do people think MBA's are easy to get compared to other master's? Also I've applied to med school before but since then I've improved my MCAT score and done other extracurricular activities... does it help my application that I now have a master's ... do schools look at it. I'm just trying to assess my situation and need some feedback... maybe someone has gone through the same thing as me. I would appreciate any feedback. Thanks.

 

[medstu110]

Why do you think my chances are pretty much blown, please explain.

 

[EvoDevo]

Why do you think my chances are pretty much blown, please explain.

He's kidding.

Look, don't worry about it. Really. For most schools it's your UGPA that really counts, not so much your grad GPA. And 3.6 isn't bad. So really, honestly, fuggedabowdit. 🙂

 

[skypilot]

Sheesh, look at the averages before asking questions. You are right in the ballpark for most schools. Your personal statement should explain how the MBA will contribute to your career in medicine.

🙂

 

[bigdan]

You're fine. Many would kill to be in your spot.

Good luck.


dc

 

[skypilot]

Your most important average is your BCPM. Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Math average from undergrad. All other averages are much less important. As yours is a 4.0, you are a competitive applicant with a decent 30+ MCAT.

🙂

 

[cokoMD]

Okay here goes... I was a biology major undergrad and had a 4.0 GPA. I hadn't taken any business classes prior to my masters but I wanted to get an MBA so that I could practice medicine and be a healthcare administrator. So I got my MBA, the problem is that my GPA was only a 3.6 in my masters. My question is does it look bad that I had a 4.0 in undergrad as a bio major and then a 3.6 in my MBA. How do schools look at my grades.... which is more important... do they even really factor in my MBA GPA. Are the med schools going to look at it like well bio was really his thing and business wasn't. Do they even factor in the fact that I hadn't taken a business course prior to my master's. Also I know some schools have cutoff formulas, how does my master's GPA factor into it... do they add my undergrad and grad GPA together... emphasize my undergrad GPA? My other question was what's a good master's GPA. Do people think MBA's are easy to get compared to other master's? Also I've applied to med school before but since then I've improved my MCAT score and done other extracurricular activities... does it help my application that I now have a master's ... do schools look at it. I'm just trying to assess my situation and need some feedback... maybe someone has gone through the same thing as me. I would appreciate any feedback. Thanks.

Actually, you gpa in grad school may represent you as a better choice for med school than your undergrads...alot of times schools see a perfect gpa as a marker for someone who is incapable of dealing with failure or being less than perfect. As a physician, in some point in time you will have to deal with failure (losing a patient,misdiagnosis, etc. ) and learn to overcome.

 

[medstu110]

Thanks for the input everyone but I still have some unanswered questions.

My question is does it look bad that I had a 4.0 in undergrad as a bio major and then a 3.6 in my MBA. I know that a lot of schools look at master's GPA but those are usually science master's, how does it work for MBA's which have nothing to do with my undergrad major or med school per say. How do schools look at my grades.... which is more important... do they even really factor in my MBA GPA.

What's a good master's GPA in my case.

I know that my GPA is in the right range but I also know some schools have cutoff formulas, how does my master's GPA factor into it... do they add my undergrad and grad GPA together... emphasize my undergrad GPA?

I don't really know anyone personally who got a MBA and then decided to go to med school but for those of you that do; do people think MBA's are easy to get compared to other master's?

Also I've applied to med school and gotten rejected but since then I've improved my MCAT score and done other extracurricular activities... does it help my application that I now have a master's ... do schools look at it as a plus.


I'm sorry for all the questions you guys but this is the only place I can get feedback it seems.

 

[Slash]

My question is does it look bad that I had a 4.0 in undergrad as a bio major

Yes, it looks very bad. Consider joining a traveling circus for future employment.

 

[shocker]

These things don't look bad. Are you shooting for only top 10 or something?

 

[Severus]

You sound like a great candidate. Your grades are fine... and with a good MCAT, you have a much better shot than most.

Sev

 

[pushkin]

First, a 3.6 is not a bad GPA. When you average it with your undergrad you're STILL above any likely cutoffs. (And I doubt schools average grad and undergrad together anyway.) Second, even if it was a bad GPA, it might be a good thing for you. What kind of med school wants to admit some business nut with a 4.0 in their MBA? Most MBA's are hard enough to get along with as it is! I bet med schools don't care in the slightest about MBA grades, not unless you say in your personal statement that you want to be CEO of their school or something.

 

[skypilot]

All the schools care about is your BCPM average and your MCAT. Your MBA is a slight plus, but not a big plus unless you have run a hospital or something. No school is going to microanalyze a 3.6 versus a 4.0 the way you are. No admissions committee has the time to stew over every course you took in your college career either. It is all about numbers and yours are fine. By the way I have an MBA and a CPA!

🙂

 

[medtechv79]

I think an MBA can only help u in yer situation. Many doctor open their own practices and know diddly squat about opening a business! So it should help u right there if u include that in yer application. I heard but don't quote me...they don't factor in Grad GPA with undergrad. I think its counted seperately.....U have a 4.0. I wouldn't worry so much. Are u really that worried u need like a 4.0 all the time? I wouldn't worry so much.
And I have no idea if an MBA is easier than a science masteres. They're both masters degrees....u work equally hard for both of them....Why are u comparing??

 

[Twitch]

Where you went to for b-school also plays a role - IMHO. Dropping a HBS name or any of the other top 20 clearly shows that you were competitive enough to get in there and did fairly well - judged by your 3.6

I'm wrapping up my MBA at a top 20 this year and I should finish some where around 3.8 or so. However my undergrad gpa was pretty close to that. So it's not too far apart. The 4.0 -> 3.6 drop may raise some questions for some people. Though, as someone mentioned this above, your BCPM matters more than your grad school grade. So don't sweat it and good luck!

-Y_Marker

 

[SanDiegoSOD]

NM

 

[medstu110]

NM

 

[SanDiegoSOD]

Look, I didnt mean to hurt any feelings or be an A**hole. But so many threads come out here with an "I got a 4.0 and 44S; do I stand a chance?" that you cant help but be skeptical when someone comes around with a similar thread. It just seemed to me that someone who has likely been knowledgeable about med school for quite some time would already be in-the-know about their current standings.
So I apologize if my criticism was hasty and ignorant. I'll delete my previous statement.

 

[medstu110]

Sorry I'm wasn't trying to be rude or come off as arrogant either I really was just trying to get some advice about what my chances were. I was just worried about the big drop in my GPA and how it would affect my chances. None of my friends were in the same situation as me or could help advise me which is why I posted on this site. Anyway I hope there's no hard feelings and I'll delete my previous post also. 🙂

 

[SanDiegoSOD]

Ok, so my real response? Grad school is a different beast than the undergrad years. You essentially dropped from a solid A average to an A- average; still an impressive resume if you ask me. Throw in a decent MCAT score and a few life experiences, and you should be good as gold! 👍

 

[medstu110]

Thanks for the advice. 🙂

 

[calstudent]

honestly, you are in superb shape. good work.
and, there is also nothing you can do to change your GPA now, right? so, take it with a smile and give it your best shot

 

[snapdad]

My question is does it look bad that I had a 4.0 in undergrad as a bio major and then a 3.6 in my MBA. I know that a lot of schools look at master's GPA but those are usually science master's, how does it work for MBA's which have nothing to do with my undergrad major or med school per say. How do schools look at my grades.... which is more important... do they even really factor in my MBA GPA.

What's a good master's GPA in my case.

I've got an MBA and will be starting med school this fall. A 3.6 is fine...combined with a 4.0 ugrad gpa, I think you're in good shape. The thing about grad programs is that they're graded differently from undergrad. A "B" is the lowest passing average in most programs, so basically the grade spread gets compacted between "A"s and "B"s, with most students' grades falling somewhere into the A-/B+ range. This makes comparing undergrad and grad gpas kind of like comparing apples and oranges. Med schools know this, and what I experienced during my application process was that they were mostly just concerned with undergrad grades as a result. This might be different if your grad grades threw up any red flags, but with a 3.6, you should be just fine.

I don't really know anyone personally who got a MBA and then decided to go to med school but for those of you that do; do people think MBA's are easy to get compared to other master's?

I've never heard anyone say anything along those lines. I wouldn't worry about it. 🙂

 

[45408]

Actually, you gpa in grad school may represent you as a better canidate for med school than your undergrads...alot of times school see a perfect gpa as a marker for someone who is incapable of dealing with failure or being less than perfect. As a physician, in some point in time you will have to deal with failure (losing a patient,misdiagnosis, etc. ) and learn to overcome.

Perfect GPA is often a good indicator of somebody who's really smart and diligent.