How does my uGPA affect my chances?

[ridethecliche]

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Hey everyone!

I just wanted to ask around and see what people think of my uGPA trend.

These are not cumulative.

Frosh: 3.38, sGPA: 3.47 (1st sem: 3.16, 2nd: 3.58)
Soph: 3.71, sGPA: 3.66
Jr: 3.325, sGPA:3.33 (1st sem:3.075, 2nd: 3.58)
Sr: 3.67, sGPA 3.85

Cumulative: uGPA 3.51, sGPA 3.53

At the end of sophomore year, I had a cycling crash that left in the hospital for 5 days. I decided to keep the course schedule I had decided for the fall, and ended up doing pretty poorly as I was constantly driving home for physicians visits, follow up surgeries, etc.

I couldn't afford to lose my scholarships or insurance, so I had to stay in school.

The two bad grades that brought me down the first semester jr year were a C+ in vectors and matrices and a B- in biochem, both grades fell a letter due to poor performance in the final (lots of travel/appointments before). It is what it is, so that's not an excuse but a statement of fact. So it goes.

My last 3 semesters, I had a cGPA of 3.64 and an sGPA of 3.85 so that shows that it was just that one semester where I had a tough time.

As I get the rest of my application in order, I'm curious how adcomms might see the GPA trend and how that will reflect on my application.

Thanks!

 

[803]

I hope you enjoy the weather in the Caribbean....

 

[ridethecliche]

This is the AAMC chart I was referring to in the OP.

https://www.aamc.org/download/157450/data/table24-mcatgpagridall2008-10.pdf.pdf

I hope you enjoy the weather in the Caribbean....

Wouldn't know. I've never been there.

 

[startswithb]

The Blip isn't that noticeable IMO. However, I would suggest mentioning in secondaries about your crash and insurance issues as that is a very valid reason for a dip in grades. Secondaries usually have a section to "tell us anything else you'd like us to know."

 

[ridethecliche]

The Blip isn't that noticeable IMO. However, I would suggest mentioning in secondaries about your crash and insurance issues as that is a very valid reason for a dip in grades. Secondaries usually have a section to "tell us anything else you'd like us to know."

Haha yeah. I'm pretty certain that my parents insurance required me to be a full time student. Not being in school from April (when i crashed) till jan would have kicked me off.

Breaking your face is expensive! I didn't know that secondaries have that section. That's reassuring. Thanks.

Do you want to know the best part?
I was supposed to race that day but didn't because my mom was hounding me to stay away from racing till finals were over. I crashed on a training ride...

That and I missed a chance to intern at the UN for that following summer. It was quite the 'expensive' crash indeed. Monetarily and from an opportunity cost perspective. I started racing again that fall though. My parents weren't so happy about that hahaha.

 

[ridethecliche]

(Mini-bump for the morning crew)

Thanks!

 

[Pons Asinorum]

Haha yeah. I'm pretty certain that my parents insurance required me to be a full time student. Not being in school from April (when i crashed) till jan would have kicked me off.

Breaking your face is expensive! I didn't know that secondaries have that section. That's reassuring. Thanks.

Do you want to know the best part?
I was supposed to race that day but didn't because my mom was hounding me to stay away from racing till finals were over. I crashed on a training ride...

That and I missed a chance to intern at the UN for that following summer. It was quite the 'expensive' crash indeed. Monetarily and from an opportunity cost perspective. I started racing again that fall though. My parents weren't so happy about that hahaha.

I would also note that the expository parts of the AMCAS primary app are changing and may or may not include such a "Anything else?" section. I'm not entirely sure, but you should look into it. Most secondaries will include some opportunity to explain something like a GPA aberration that was caused by an external influence. Take advantage of it, explain why you had difficulty and highlight for them again how you performed in follow-on semesters, taking more difficult courses, when you weren't impacted by a smashed face 🙂

 

[ridethecliche]

Smashing!

Thanks for the info.