How Does My Graduate GPA Affect My Medical School Application?

[TheJauntyMen]

I am currently enrolled at John's Hopkins for an MS in biotech, I was wondering how does my graduate GPA (Currently 4.0) affect my chances to get into medical school (More importantly, the schools I can apply to/have a better chance of getting in to)? I had a 3.73 in undergrad (Similar science GPA) at Wake Forest University too.

I was wondering because I am not sure how my AAMC application will be inclusive of grades, and how AAMC MSAR only has the undergraduate GPA/MCAT options in terms of looking at potential schools.

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[LizzyM]

Your graduate GPA won't hurt but it won't help much either. With a 3.73 undergrad GPA there is no question that you have the smarts and the work ethic to do well in medical school. So in that regard the 4.0 in a grad program adds nothing. If you were lacking in research experience and are building skills and getting some bench experience that you'd like to highlight, that MS can help if you are shooting for schools that value research experience.

Your state residency, undergrad GPA and MCAT will be the biggest drivers of your potential list of schools to apply to.

 

[TheJauntyMen]

Your graduate GPA won't hurt but it won't help much either. With a 3.73 undergrad GPA there is no question that you have the smarts and the work ethic to do well in medical school. So in that regard the 4.0 in a grad program adds nothing. If you were lacking in research experience and are building skills and getting some bench experience that you'd like to highlight, that MS can help if you are shooting for schools that value research experience.

Your state residency, undergrad GPA and MCAT will be the biggest drivers of your potential list of schools to apply to.

I see, that is a bit unfortunate to hear, I really thought that they would consider this to a slightly higher degree than what you are stating, especially since I am kind of struggling with the MCAT at the moment, I was hoping that my masters GPA would offset it a bit (Allowing me to score a slightly lower MCAT score)

 

[LizzyM]

A 4.0 in a grad program and a less then stellar GPA suggests a few possibilities to someone reading your application:
there is grade inflation in the grad program
you don't do well on long, high stakes exams despite doing well in coursework
you didn't manage your time well and prioritized GPA over MCAT

 

[TheJauntyMen]

A 4.0 in a grad program and a less then stellar GPA suggests a few possibilities to someone reading your application:
there is grade inflation in the grad program
you don't do well on long, high stakes exams despite doing well in coursework
you didn't manage your time well and prioritized GPA over MCAT

I see, thank you, but it doesn't necessarily have to imply a negative notion right? Especially if it [referring to the 4.0] was from a prestigious institution (Same goes for the undergraduate GPA)?

 

[gyngyn]

Graduate gpa's have little influence at MD schools and they will appear in an entirely separate line (apart from undergrad gpa's) in AMCAS.
We expect a 4.0 from graduate schools. Most candidates do not have graduate grades so there is no way to compare the two groups.
What you learn in a Master's program is still useful, though.
DO schools see things differently.

 

[LizzyM]

I see, thank you, but it doesn't necessarily have to imply a negative notion right? Especially if it [referring to the 4.0] was from a prestigious institution (Same goes for the undergraduate GPA)?

"Prestigious" schools are not immune from grade inflation. It is also possible that you are whip smart and work hard but just don't do well on long, high stakes exams. Each school will look at the totality of your application and make a decision that feels right for them, based on their past experience with simillar applicants and what they are looking for in a student.

 

[TheJauntyMen]

"Prestigious" schools are not immune from grade inflation. It is also possible that you are whip smart and work hard but just don't do well on long, high stakes exams. Each school will look at the totality of your application and make a decision that feels right for them, based on their past experience with simillar applicants and what they are looking for in a student.

Understood, thank you 🙂

 

[TheJauntyMen]

Graduate gpa's have little influence at MD schools and they will appear in an entirely separate line (apart from undergrad gpa's) in AMCAS.
We expect a 4.0 from graduate schools. Most candidates do not have them so there is no way to compare the two groups.
What you learn in a Master's program is still useful, though.
DO schools see things differently.

Ok cool, thank you very much for your input 🙂