Horrible GPA, don't know what to do

[DBC03]

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OP says she is not an engineer...

I may have misinterpreted, but I this this is how she sees herself. I felt the same way as the OP in college - in an engineering major, clearly not an engineer. My fellow engineers were shocked that I actually became an engineer. Since she is still majoring in engineering she may want/need to enter the field for a few years after graduation. Unless she is switching majors (but that would be next to impossible by senior year. It's almost impossible freshman year), we still have to consider her an engineering major.

 

[DBC03]

Maybe you can't, but I know a boat-load of engineers who can. 😀

I'm. So. Jealous.

Honestly, most of the engineers I've talked to who have gone to medical school seem to think medicine was easier than engineering because "it's all memorization." Not sure how accurately they remember engineering or medical school, so I am going in assuming that this is going to be the most difficult four years of my life (before residency).

 

[DBC03]

Interesting. Do you have any theories as to why? I would think that an engineering foundation could serve a med student and future doctor well. Engineering training seems to encourage creative thinking, problem solving, thinking outside the box, critical thinking skills, logic, etc.

I'll take a second stab at this - my classes did teach me some of these skills, but it was clear that the best engineering students did not necessarily have the creative thinking, problem solving, thinking outside of the box skills. They seemed to think in a very rigorous, somewhat logical manner. But creativity was not always at the forefront. Imagine Spock being a doctor, and I can imagine why this might be difficult for some of them!

 

[astrostellar]

OP, I have a <2.5 GPA and am looking at a 4-year wait before I can apply. There are ways to get in, they just take a long time. If you really want to go US MD/DO (which you should), you probably need to spend a good bit of time figuring out how to get As, getting them, and killing the MCAT.

 

[PreMedMissteps]

I'll take a second stab at this - my classes did teach me some of these skills, but it was clear that the best engineering students did not necessarily have the creative thinking, problem solving, thinking outside of the box skills. They seemed to think in a very rigorous, somewhat logical manner. But creativity was not always at the forefront. Imagine Spock being a doctor, and I can imagine why this might be difficult for some of them!

Spock! Lol...well, Mr. Non-Personality would be a bedside-manner fail. 😛

Good engineers strive to find the most elegant solutions.

 

[DBC03]

Spock! Lol...well, Mr. Non-Personality would be a bedside-manner fail. 😛

Good engineers strive to find the most elegant solutions.

Yes, I agree. I think I realized after majoring in engineering and working in the industry for years that we have a plethora of engineers, but a dearth of good engineers.

 

[Goro]

I'll take a second stab at this - my classes did teach me some of these skills, but it was clear that the best engineering students did not necessarily have the creative thinking, problem solving, thinking outside of the box skills. They seemed to think in a very rigorous, somewhat logical manner. But creativity was not always at the forefront. Imagine Spock being a doctor, and I can imagine why this might be difficult for some of them!

And this.

To illustrate this, I had one former engineer who was struggling in my class. Whenever I would talk to him, he would say "But as an engineer, I was trained to think this way..."

He finally shut that up when my pathologist colleague said to him "Your days as an engineer ended the day you put on that white coat."

 

[om1man]

Hi! Wow a lot of responses! I appreciate the criticism (no matter how harsh).
My GPA is actually a 2.6 (rounded) and for past 2 semesters I have had a 3.5+
I do not plan on applying to med school for at least 1-3 years.
I said I could score near perfect on MCAT just because I have on every practice exam. (I happen to be one of the lazy students who slacks in class but really can nail a test when I put in the effort).
I think my depression is under control and it was the kind that just kind of came with being an angsty unmotivated teenager. I was top of class in biochem, molecular biology, and tissue engineering because those are more medical focused classes (and therefore I actually didn't put off studying for them until the night before). I suck at the more thermodynamics and programming parts of my major. Administrators say that graduates of our program notoriously find med school easier than peers, so I'm just hoping that will be true (if I even get in).

 

[om1man]

Also - just want to add that average GPA at Hop is a 2.8

 

[gyngyn]

Also - just want to add that average GPA at Hop is a 2.8

I see plenty of applicants from there and none of them have a gpa anywhere near that!

 

[cactusman]

Also - just want to add that average GPA at Hop is a 2.8

In 2015, the average GPA was a 3.38...
National Trends in Grade Inflation, American Colleges and Universities

 

[om1man]

In 2015, the average GPA was a 3.38...
National Trends in Grade Inflation, American Colleges and Universities

sorry i meant my program but this was word of mouth

 

[om1man]

I see plenty of applicants from there and none of them have a gpa anywhere near that!

Hopkins is all over the place w GPA. I'd assume most people applying to competitive programs (idk what you do) have really great GPAs as there are a lot of smart people here...
My professors/advisors have told me my GPA is not out of the ordinary (but I can only speak for one department)
Also I'm not saying that it's an excuse for my GPA - the only reason it is where it is happens to be me and not the "system". Just pointing out that I'm not the WORST student ever considering.

 

[Toutie]

In 2015, the average GPA was a 3.38...
National Trends in Grade Inflation, American Colleges and Universities

Those charts are amazing. So do we really think students are THAT much smarter now than they were 10 years ago? 20 years ago? 30 years ago? 40 years ago? Can it possibly be that students are smarter at almost every school out there? Even though people are going to college in much higher numbers than ever?

As I brought up recently in a different thread AP courses that are being taught in HS are basically the equivalent of what was taught in regular HS courses 30-40-50 years ago. The whole education system in this country has been dumbed down and the grades inflated up in the past (mostly) 30 years. Kids are not necessarily smarter. They do have more tools at their disposal than students in the past...calculators, computers, etc. Those advantages do not make them smarter or more intelligent, it just makes it easier for them.

 

[lolpremed22]

Those charts are amazing. So do we really think students are THAT much smarter now than they were 10 years ago? 20 years ago? 30 years ago? 40 years ago? Can it possibly be that students are smarter at almost every school out there? Even though people are going to college in much higher numbers than ever?

As I brought up recently in a different thread AP courses that are being taught in HS are basically the equivalent of what was taught in regular HS courses 30-40-50 years ago. The whole education system in this country has been dumbed down and the grades inflated up in the past (mostly) 30 years. Kids are not necessarily smarter. They do have more tools at their disposal than students in the past...calculators, computers, etc. Those advantages do not make them smarter or more intelligent, it just makes it easier for them.

I disagree. I think courses are becoming harder and students are becoming more competitive. Also the Flynn effect would disagree with what you are saying about kids not becoming smarter. My friend's dad got into Stanford with a 3.2 and basically no ECs in the 80s.

 

[gyngyn]

Hopkins is all over the place w GPA. I'd assume most people applying to competitive programs (idk what you do) have really great GPAs as there are a lot of smart people here...
My professors/advisors have told me my GPA is not out of the ordinary (but I can only speak for one department)
Also I'm not saying that it's an excuse for my GPA - the only reason it is where it is happens to be me and not the "system". Just pointing out that I'm not the WORST student ever considering.

I have been told that we are a "competitive program!"

 

[Toutie]

students are becoming more competitive.

I will agree with that point. More competitive does not mean more intelligent though.

 

[lolpremed22]

I will agree with that point. More competitive does not mean more intelligent though.

What do you have to say about the Flynn effect then?

 

[sliceofbread136]

I don't think you understand that even at state schools, engineering is a very demanding major. There may be some weaker programs at some directional state schools, but the flagships and similar state schools usually have excellent engineering programs.

Where did I even refer to the difficulty of engineering at state schools? Look closely at what I said. Hopkins has more grade deflation than a state school, and engineering has more grade deflation than non-engineering. Two separate statements, don't mix them

 

[cactusman]

In 2015, the average GPA was a 3.38...
National Trends in Grade Inflation, American Colleges and Universities

. . .

What do you have to say about the Flynn effect then?

I take credit for this thread derailment.

 

[om1man]

I agree with several of the points from other posters, for now your game plan should be:

- Wait to apply / Finish this year strong.
- Do 1 year *full-time* course load of DIY post-bacc (consider a nearby 4-year state school) & study for MCAT. That will demonstrate consistency and ability to handle a steep workload plus get a good MCAT.
- Find some service/volunteer activity you enjoy and do
it consistently during this year and the SMP year. (Shows you can prioritize and coordinate)
- Now you can Apply for SMP.

(Don't try the shortcut of taking the MCAT first and skipping ahead --- those SMPs are looking for volume and consistency, not your isolated ability to crap out a high test score when you have all the time in the world to prepare for it.)

Thanks so much for this. I do have the ability to bring my GPA up to a 2.9/3.0 upon graduation. Would you still recommend doing a DIY post-bacc or would it be appropriate for me to try and get into an SMP program?

 

[Toutie]

What do you have to say about the Flynn effect then?

We can around and around on this all night long and I will still stand on my point and you on yours. Kids today absolutely have more advantages in learning due to technology, but they are not necessarily more intelligent and deserving of all the A's being given in colleges these days.

edit...Okay I will un-derail this. Sorry. Get back to the original point. I'll stop.

 

[Goro]

Hi! Wow a lot of responses! I appreciate the criticism (no matter how harsh).
My GPA is actually a 2.6 (rounded) and for past 2 semesters I have had a 3.5+
I do not plan on applying to med school for at least 1-3 years.
I said I could score near perfect on MCAT just because I have on every practice exam. (I happen to be one of the lazy students who slacks in class but really can nail a test when I put in the effort).
I think my depression is under control and it was the kind that just kind of came with being an angsty unmotivated teenager. I was top of class in biochem, molecular biology, and tissue engineering because those are more medical focused classes (and therefore I actually didn't put off studying for them until the night before). I suck at the more thermodynamics and programming parts of my major. Administrators say that graduates of our program notoriously find med school easier than peers, so I'm just hoping that will be true (if I even get in).

Get 3.7+ over the next year, and along with a good MCAT, and ECs, you'll find that there are med schools that reward reinvention.

 

[lolpremed22]

We can around and around on this all night long and I will still stand on my point and you on yours. Kids today absolutely have more advantages in learning due to technology, but they are not necessarily more intelligent and deserving of all the A's being given in colleges these days.

edit...Okay I will un-derail this. Sorry. Get back to the original point. I'll stop.

So you're basically saying you're just going to ignore the almost universally agreed upon fact by experts in the field of intelligence that crystallized intelligence has significantly increased in the past few decades? I can respect you standing by your point if you can actually defend it rather than just saying "you have your opinion and I have mine". It's okay to be wrong but to stand by your point despite overwhelming contradictory evidence? Actual scientific evidence shows that kids today are more intelligent. This is a fact. The reasons behind why this is true are heavily debated, but the fact that it is is not. The point about having advantages in resources for learning (such as technology) are actually accounted for in studies of this phenomena, as these tests measure crystallized intelligence and not general intelligence. The difference is that crystallized intelligence is what we traditionally view as "innate intelligence" where as general intelligence includes skills and knowledge that can be learned in school. I can link some articles if you'd like.

 

[Coltuna]

So you're basically saying you're just going to ignore the almost universally agreed upon fact by experts in the field of intelligence that crystallized intelligence has significantly increased in the past few decades? I can respect you standing by your point if you can actually defend it rather than just saying "you have your opinion and I have mine". It's okay to be wrong but to stand by your point despite overwhelming contradictory evidence? Actual scientific evidence shows that kids today are more intelligent. This is a fact. The reasons behind why this is true are heavily debated, but the fact that it is is not. The point about having advantages in resources for learning (such as technology) are actually accounted for in studies of this phenomena, as these tests measure crystallized intelligence and not general intelligence. The difference is that crystallized intelligence is what we traditionally view as "innate intelligence" where as general intelligence includes skills and knowledge that can be learned in school. I can link some articles if you'd like.

I wouldn't mind reading these articles for knowledge sake.

 

[Professional Student]

So you're basically saying you're just going to ignore the almost universally agreed upon fact by experts in the field of intelligence that crystallized intelligence has significantly increased in the past few decades? I can respect you standing by your point if you can actually defend it rather than just saying "you have your opinion and I have mine". It's okay to be wrong but to stand by your point despite overwhelming contradictory evidence? Actual scientific evidence shows that kids today are more intelligent. This is a fact. The reasons behind why this is true are heavily debated, but the fact that it is is not. The point about having advantages in resources for learning (such as technology) are actually accounted for in studies of this phenomena, as these tests measure crystallized intelligence and not general intelligence. The difference is that crystallized intelligence is what we traditionally view as "innate intelligence" where as general intelligence includes skills and knowledge that can be learned in school. I can link some articles if you'd like.

I always knew I was smarter than my parents...

 

[PreMedMissteps]

That hopkins is a huge grad deflator and engineering is also a grade deflator. Honestly that 2.4 is probably similar if not harder to acheive than a 3.5 at a state school.

I don't think you understand that even at state schools, engineering is a very demanding major. There may be some weaker programs at some directional state schools, but the flagships and similar state schools usually have excellent engineering programs.

Where did I even refer to the difficulty of engineering at state schools? Look closely at what I said. Hopkins has more grade deflation than a state school, and engineering has more grade deflation than non-engineering. Two separate statements, don't mix them

It sure seems to me that you were comparing eng'g.

 

[sliceofbread136]

It sure seems to me that you were comparing eng'g.

Not really sure how I can help you there. Try reading more closely?

 

[altblue]

Guys, chill about the perfect MCAT thing. Yes, he's probably underestimating how hard it is, but in his previous experience with standardized testing (SAT/ACT) he probably WAS near perfect. He's facing an uphill battle but this is a perfect example of what SMPs are a good last resort, high risk high reward option for.

Like another poster alluded to with the 508+ from 99th percentile scorers, the MCAT is on an entirely different level and OP may not be able to score well enough to compensate for that GPA to get into an SMP, no matter how hard they work... Like half the ACT/SAT testing body doesn't give two ****s about the exam and there is no complex, relatively specialized body of knowledge needed to do well on it. These aren't so for the MCAT

A 2.4 is a low GPA period and honestly suggests to me OP lacks basic mastery or understanding of the subjects, even if they did come from Hopkins. Even at a difficult school you should be able to break a 3.0 GPA, noncompetitive but much higher than a 2.4, if you work moderately hard but she failed to clear that hurdle. Given the difficulty of the MCAT and her performance I don't have a lot of faith in her. Especially with that attitude. Like god

 

[efle]

Like another poster alluded to with the 508+ from 99th percentile scorers, the MCAT is on an entirely different level and OP may not be able to score well enough to compensate for that GPA, no matter how hard they work... Like half the ACT/SAT testing body doesn't give two ****s about the exam and there is no complex, relatively specialized body of knowledge needed to do well on it. These aren't so for the MCAT

A 2.4 is a low GPA period and honestly suggests to me OP lacks basic mastery or understanding of the subjects, even if they did come from Hopkins. Even at a difficult school you should be able to break a 3.0 GPA, noncompetitive but much higher than a 2.4, if you work moderately hard but she failed to clear that hurdle. Given the difficulty of the MCAT and her performance I don't have a lot of faith in her. Especially with that attitude. Like god

Haha well, they did just mention above that they're confident because they've been scoring near-perfect on multiple practice exams...

 

[altblue]

Haha well, they did just mention above that they're confident because they've been scoring near-perfect on multiple practice exams...

Ahh I gotcha

 

[om1man]

Like another poster alluded to with the 508+ from 99th percentile scorers, the MCAT is on an entirely different level and OP may not be able to score well enough to compensate for that GPA to get into an SMP, no matter how hard they work... Like half the ACT/SAT testing body doesn't give two ****s about the exam and there is no complex, relatively specialized body of knowledge needed to do well on it. These aren't so for the MCAT

A 2.4 is a low GPA period and honestly suggests to me OP lacks basic mastery or understanding of the subjects, even if they did come from Hopkins. Even at a difficult school you should be able to break a 3.0 GPA, noncompetitive but much higher than a 2.4, if you work moderately hard but she failed to clear that hurdle. Given the difficulty of the MCAT and her performance I don't have a lot of faith in her. Especially with that attitude. Like god

well i have scored near perfect on my practice exams (was i supposed to lie about that? i don't know how that makes me have an attitude..) My low GPA is solely from classes that are above MCAT level mastery. In my original post I indicated that had finished premed reqs by end of freshman year... Sounds like you have great bedside manner. Like godddd

 

[altblue]

well i have scored near perfect on my practice exams (was i supposed to lie about that? i don't know how that makes me have an attitude..) My low GPA is solely from classes that are above MCAT level mastery. In my original post I indicated that had finished premed reqs by end of freshman year... Sounds like you have great bedside manner. Like godddd

Forgive me, I screwed up and only read like your original post and like 7 others. In the future I will also read every single reply before I contribute, I promise, I really really will

That's actually incorrect regarding your GPA, unless you started flunking your upper levels left and right you gotta have done mediocre in your prereqs to have gotten a 2.4. I'm happy you're doing well on the mcat regardless, I guess?

 

[PreMedMissteps]

However, my GPA is a 2.4. Abysmal. I didn't try at the beginning of my college career because in high school I never needed to,

Hi! Wow a lot of responses! I appreciate the criticism (no matter how harsh).
My GPA is actually a 2.6 (rounded) and for past 2 semesters I have had a 3.5+

I do have the ability to bring my GPA up to a 2.9/3.0 upon graduation.

My low GPA is solely from classes that are above MCAT level

That's actually incorrect regarding your GPA, unless you started flunking your upper levels left and right you gotta have done mediocre in your prereqs to have gotten a 2.4.

I agree with @altblue that the story behind your GPA doesn't ring true. You started out by saying that when you started college you didn't try, and you implied that your GPA suffered.

You also say that your low GPA is due to courses beyond the basic premed prereqs. You mentioned that during your last two semesters (your junior year), you got a 3.5+.

You also mention that your real cum is about a 2.6 and that after senior year, you can bring it up to a 2.9/3.0.

Things just don't seem to be adding up.

 

[cactusman]

well i have scored near perfect on my practice exams (was i supposed to lie about that? i don't know how that makes me have an attitude..) My low GPA is solely from classes that are above MCAT level mastery. In my original post I indicated that had finished premed reqs by end of freshman year... Sounds like you have great bedside manner. Like godddd

Spotted: Half-Burnett
Is a half-spot worth any points??

 

[On_The_Way_Up]

Sorry bud but medical school isn't for everyone. Not when you have a 2.4 GPA anyway.

 

[GnomeBeGone]

Thanks so much for this. I do have the ability to bring my GPA up to a 2.9/3.0 upon graduation. Would you still recommend doing a DIY post-bacc or would it be appropriate for me to try and get into an SMP program?

If you can realistically make it to a 2.9 by your on-time graduation, take an extra term; How many more units would you need to cross the 3.0 threshold if you're getting a realistic GPA? (Want to get a minor in anything??) I suggested picking a nearby state university since that would isolate your GPA on the AMCAS form for Post-Bacc undergrad GPA (last I saw anyway) and presumably would be easier for you to hit your target numbers. The other reason I suggested that is because several of the well-known SMP's have a ~3.0+ cutoff which can be satisfied by Post-Bacc GPA. However, great MCAT or not, Cincy, Temple, and Tulane ACP are not remotely in striking range for you unless you have a year of consistent academic performance first. Georgetown might consider you with fewer additional credits just because it's so large. Case & BU I've heard good things about from people I know, but their SMP programs are longer.

I should add the qualifier that this plan of action is if you want a fighting chance at brand name MD schools. It carries the price tag of 2 to 3 years of your life. (post-bacc, SMP, potential post-SMP gap year). If that's not something you're willing to see through to the end, just finish strong, get that 510+ MCAT score, retake any glaringly bad pre-req's plus a few new upper level Bio courses (Immunology, Physiology, Genetics, Anatomy are good course areas to consider), and apply exclusively to DO schools.

 

[PreMedMissteps]

If you can realistically make it to a 2.9 by your on-time graduation, take an extra term; How many more units would you need to cross the 3.0 threshold if you're getting a realistic GPA? (Want to get a minor in anything??) I suggested picking a nearby state university since that would isolate your GPA on the AMCAS form for Post-Bacc undergrad GPA (last I saw anyway) and presumably would be easier for you to hit your target numbers.

She would have to do what she's never done, and that's get a 4.0 for this school year. Her best year so far has been her junior year:
"My GPA is actually a 2.6 (rounded) and for past 2 semesters I have had a 3.5+"

So, realistically, she'll probably get a 3.5+ this year as well. That puts her cum GPA at about 2.8

 

[Lyoness]

It takes at least 3 years of serious dedicated work for a typical premed to have a chance at med school. So if you want to start from scratch, you need to dedicate at least 3 years to prove that you can handle the track to becoming a doctor.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[om1man]

If you can realistically make it to a 2.9 by your on-time graduation, take an extra term; How many more units would you need to cross the 3.0 threshold if you're getting a realistic GPA? (Want to get a minor in anything??) I suggested picking a nearby state university since that would isolate your GPA on the AMCAS form for Post-Bacc undergrad GPA (last I saw anyway) and presumably would be easier for you to hit your target numbers. The other reason I suggested that is because several of the well-known SMP's have a ~3.0+ cutoff which can be satisfied by Post-Bacc GPA. However, great MCAT or not, Cincy, Temple, and Tulane ACP are not remotely in striking range for you unless you have a year of consistent academic performance first. Georgetown might consider you with fewer additional credits just because it's so large. Case & BU I've heard good things about from people I know, but their SMP programs are longer.

I should add the qualifier that this plan of action is if you want a fighting chance at brand name MD schools. It carries the price tag of 2 to 3 years of your life. (post-bacc, SMP, potential post-SMP gap year). If that's not something you're willing to see through to the end, just finish strong, get that 510+ MCAT score, retake any glaringly bad pre-req's plus a few new upper level Bio courses (Immunology, Physiology, Genetics, Anatomy are good course areas to consider), and apply exclusively to DO schools.

It would take 40 more credits to get to a 3.0 which I have the room to do by graduation or a semester after. I'm willing to sacrifice the years of my life because I truly think it's all worth it. What about a formal postbacc program as opposed to a DIY postbacc?

 

[om1man]

I agree with @altblue that the story behind your GPA doesn't ring true. You started out by saying that when you started college you didn't try, and you implied that your GPA suffered.

You also say that your low GPA is due to courses beyond the basic premed prereqs. You mentioned that during your last two semesters (your junior year), you got a 3.5+.

You also mention that your real cum is about a 2.6 and that after senior year, you can bring it up to a 2.9/3.0.

Things just don't seem to be adding up.

Can you help me understand where you're seeing the gaps here? I would need 40 credits of As in order to bring up to a 3.0, and I have 40 something credits left to graduate. This is overly ambitious but I think I'm going to take an extra semester. What doesn't make sense?

 

[AttemptingScholar]

Can you help me understand where you're seeing the gaps here? I would need 40 credits of As in order to bring up to a 3.0, and I have 40 something credits left to graduate. This is overly ambitious but I think I'm going to take an extra semester. What doesn't make sense?

I'm a little confused that your low GPA in freshman year isn't from prereqs. Did you start them all sophomore year? How did you fit them all in? Most people, even those who don't start on the premed track, take either a year's basic science or math freshman year. As an engineering major, I'd assume even more so. Did you fit in bio, chem, physics, math, ochem, biochem, English in two years around an already intensive, science based major? Did you not take math your freshman year?

 

[om1man]

I'm a little confused that your low GPA in freshman year isn't from prereqs. Did you start them all sophomore year? How did you fit them all in? Most people, even those who don't start on the premed track, take either a year's basic science or math freshman year. As an engineering major, I'd assume even more so. Did you fit in bio, chem, physics, math, ochem, biochem, English in two years around an already intensive, science based major? Did you not take math your freshman year?

Hi! So my GPA freshman year was only from second semester (first semester grades did not count at hopkins). My course load was orgo2, differential equations, an english course, orgo lab, and a course that is an accelerated biochem/molecular biology. I had finished physics, intro chem, and my base calculus courses by then.

 

[AttemptingScholar]

Hi! So my GPA freshman year was only from second semester (first semester grades did not count at hopkins). My course load was orgo2, differential equations, an english course, orgo lab, and a course that is an accelerated biochem/molecular biology. I had finished physics, intro chem, and my base calculus courses by then.

That makes even less sense! Orgo2, oro lab, and that biochem/moleccell cell class are some of the most important parts of the prereqs, and the English and differential equations courses also count (for English and math). It sounds like you only took prereqs for that year's grades. Even more, those are the 'end' of the prereqs--you've probably already finished intro to bio and gen chem (or tested out of them). Also how did you finish a year's worth of physics and intro chem+orgo1 in your first semester?

Keep in mind, AMCAS calculates GPA it's own way. Just because Hopkins doesn't count some classes in it's reporting of your GPA, AMCAS will. Considering that, what is your cGPA and your sGPA?

 

[PreMedMissteps]

Can you help me understand where you're seeing the gaps here? I would need 40 credits of As in order to bring up to a 3.0, and I have 40 something credits left to graduate. This is overly ambitious but I think I'm going to take an extra semester. What doesn't make sense?

First of all, you hadn't said that you had 3 semesters (40+ credits) to finish. It sounded like you had only 2. Secondly, it doesn't appear that you've ever had a year of 4.0 at JHU, so it's less likely that you'd have a 4.0 for the final 3 semesters. If you do, then great.

What does that mean: "first semester grades did not count at Hopkins"? Did you have graded classes that first semester? If so, what were THOSE grades? JHU might not count them but AMCAS will.

 

[lolpremed22]

First of all, you hadn't said that you had 3 semesters (40+ credits) to finish. It sounded like you had only 2. Secondly, it doesn't appear that you've ever had a year of 4.0 at JHU, so it's less likely that you'd have a 4.0 for the final 3 semesters. If you do, then great.

What does that mean: "first semester grades did not count at Hopkins"? Did you have graded classes that first semester? If so, what were THOSE grades? JHU might not count them but AMCAS will.

Hopkins has a policy where first semester grades are "covered" and don't factor into GPA

 

[PreMedMissteps]

Please tell us what classes you took each semester and their grades....including that semester of grades that JHU doesn't count. Please list the courses by semester and year.

 

[PreMedMissteps]

Hopkins has a policy where first semester grades are "covered" and don't factor into GPA

Whoopee for JHU, but AMCAS won't give a rip...they'll still count

 

[cactusman]

First of all, you hadn't said that you had 3 semesters (40+ credits) to finish. It sounded like you had only 2. Secondly, it doesn't appear that you've ever had a year of 4.0 at JHU, so it's less likely that you'd have a 4.0 for the final 3 semesters. If you do, then great.

What does that mean: "first semester grades did not count at Hopkins"? Did you have graded classes that first semester? If so, what were THOSE grades? JHU might not count them but AMCAS will.

No, they won't. If a transcript reports it as P/F, it's kind of impossible for AMCAS to change them back.

 

[AttemptingScholar]

Whoopee for JHU, but AMCAS won't give a rip...they'll still count

I had to look it up because no one knows what "covered" means. It looks like their first semester is completely pass/fail except for language courses. They're stopping this program for the incoming class of 2021 because "'[F]aculty members say that too often covered grades merely delay development of study skills and adaptation to college-level work,' they wrote. 'At the same time, covered grades negatively impact students who perform well as first-semester freshmen.'" And "the practice is not well-understood and at times not well-received by graduate schools and potential employers"

source

Ridiculous grading policy aside, what grades did you get in your prereqs, which prereqs did you take without a grade ('covered'/AP).