how do schools look at senior year?

[medicalmnt]

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I've went through the similar threads about this topic but they are all pretty dated.

I have a huge upward trend compared to my abysmal freshman year. How do schools look at senior year GPA? I've heard all sorts of things but I just wanted to be sure. I'm really hoping my sophomore/junior/senior year can really show schools that freshman year was a huge mistake. unfortunately my freshman year is still taking a huge bite into my gpa.

Is there another method you guys would suggest? Should I take winter/summer term classes to boost my GPA asap before applications?

I will become a junior this upcoming fall semester. I plan on taking the MCAT in Jan 2015, submitting the application June 1st.

 

[Jojokarade]

If you apply after your senior year is done, then they will look at those grades and the overall trend. If you haven't completed senior year by the time you apply, you have to maintain a somewhat equivalent GPA. If you are accepted and then tank your senior year, they can revoke your acceptance. Also, if you get wait listed, you can then send in your senior grades, and that might be the extra little push you need.

Don't worry about the freshman year. A lot of people have problems their first year and as long as your grades go up and you explain that the transition to college was difficult at first, then you should be fine.

 

[nemo123]

The question is how low your freshman year GPA was. The overall GPA is most important and if it wasn't too abysmal and you've done very well in your years after that, you should be fine (plus an upward trend is good).

On that note, taking summer and winter classes won't make much of a dent on your GPA anyway. It would be a better of use that time to pursue research, volunteering, or doing stuff that you enjoy.