How do D schools view GPA when different undergrad programs use different scales

[Kef318]

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I just finished my first semester at Pitt with a 3.5. Because Pitt considers 94 and higher an A, I have 1 B and a few A-. Friends of mine that are attending schools where an A is a 90 have a better GPA than I do, even though my numerical grades are higher. Knowing how important GPAs are to dental schools, is any consideration given to this?

 

[DentalGunner]

I just finished my first semester at Pitt with a 3.5. Because Pitt considers 94 and higher an A, I have 1 B and a few A-. Friends of mine that are attending schools where an A is a 90 have a better GPA than I do, even though my numerical grades are higher. Knowing how important GPAs are to dental schools, is any consideration given to this?

Some schools look at the "caliber of your undergrad" and "difficulty of your program", however those things are very subjective. I'm not sure what their criteria are. One adcom I spoke to said they have a book of every institution, with stats on attrition rate, graduation rate, median GPAs, post-grad placement rates, etc., and they judge from that.

With that being said, your grade discrepancy isn't too much of a factor. Schools with high cutoffs for an A, are generally seen as having easier tests, so they need a higher minimum for an A to separate the top students. Many schools have 80-85 as an A, just because it's very difficult to get 80-85% correct.

 

[SupDanLOL]

Every person on admissions that I've asked (and have actually gotten an answer from) has basically told me that they have "formulas" and/or ways of trying to best compare GPAs.

I'm sure it's not perfect, but they certainly do try to take a deeper look than maybe some people are inclined to think. Of course DAT is a good equalizer as well-- but to say that they are oblivious to the huge various in undergraduate GPAs from institution to institution (and even major to major) would be foolish.

 

[dentalWorks]

I just finished my first semester at Pitt with a 3.5. Because Pitt considers 94 and higher an A, I have 1 B and a few A-. Friends of mine that are attending schools where an A is a 90 have a better GPA than I do, even though my numerical grades are higher. Knowing how important GPAs are to dental schools, is any consideration given to this?

I don't believe DS differentiate between GPAs from different schools (if they did, they would remove the DAT from the application process all together right?).... its not like dental schools advertise this type of GPA from XYZ institution is more "favorable" than from some other place.

So maybe your right, your 3.5 is "stronger" than your buddy's 4.0 (but to DS, trust me, they get hard-ons when they see a 4.0)...... However, since you went to a "tougher" undergrad curriculum, its hypothesized that you'll score better on the DAT (especially the sciences), so it sorta evens itself out.....

 

[hail2pitt]

I just finished my first semester at Pitt with a 3.5. Because Pitt considers 94 and higher an A, I have 1 B and a few A-. Friends of mine that are attending schools where an A is a 90 have a better GPA than I do, even though my numerical grades are higher. Knowing how important GPAs are to dental schools, is any consideration given to this?

From my Pitt experience, this is purely dependent upon your professor. In most intro level courses a 92 or higher is an A, with 90 and 91 being an A-. However, I've taken MANY (upper-level) courses where even an 85 can get you an A.

 

[doc toothache]

I just finished my first semester at Pitt with a 3.5. Because Pitt considers 94 and higher an A, I have 1 B and a few A-. Friends of mine that are attending schools where an A is a 90 have a better GPA than I do, even though my numerical grades are higher. Knowing how important GPAs are to dental schools, is any consideration given to this?

The courses you have taken may well have considered 94 an A, however, that surely is not the standard for the university.

 

[mr24]

They look at your DAT score.