How does the centralized PTCAS work

[amjadjamal]

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We send original transcripts to the PTCAS+insert our grades into the system manually, and then PTCAS just sends the same transcript copies to schools or do they just give the letter grades of the completed classes or how does this work?

I've never used the PTCAS or any centralized application service before and Im trying to understand.

 

[aroszko]

You send your transcripts to PTCAS and then enter in your information as well, they will confirm the transcript with what you entered in to make sure they match. Once you have completed your application and designate your schools they send everything electronically to each school.

 

[amjadjamal]

You send your transcripts to PTCAS and then enter in your information as well, they will confirm the transcript with what you entered in to make sure they match. Once you have completed your application and designate your schools they send everything electronically to each school.

I read sometimes the PTCAS gpa is lower than the one on the actual official transcripts...so does PTCAS send the designated schools copy of our transcripts also or just grades in every completed class? I dont know if the schools catch onto this discrepancy.

 

[southernswimmer]

I read sometimes the PTCAS gpa is lower than the one on the actual official transcripts...so does PTCAS send the designated schools copy of our transcripts also or just grades in every completed class? I dont know if the schools catch onto this discrepancy.

PTCAS does forward transcripts along with the rest of the application to your designated schools. I believe the discrepancy between PTCAS and transcript GPAs that some people have is due to retakes. When I applied, my transcript and PTCAS cumulative GPAs were identical, since I hadn't retaken any classes. PTCAS also calculates a bunch of other arbitrary GPAs, such as social science/math/etc. that few (no?) schools care about.

Many schools take your transcripts and calculate your prereq and cumulative GPAs themselves according to their own policies and requirements. If you're worried about GPA calculations, you can always ask each school about their formulas and then calculate the GPAs yourself.

 

[HughLee]

PTCAS does verify that the grades that you input online are the same as the ones that are on your transcipts.

We get grades in several different ways.
1. PDF copies of your transcripts
2. PTCAS calculations of your GPAs. This can be viewed by year, school, subject, local GPA, or prerequisite GPA. As an example, if you went to 3 different schools, I can see the number of credits and your GPA for each of the three schools. I can also look at your total undergraduate, post-baccalaureate, or cumulative credits and GPA.
3. An electronic transcript. We can select the courses that we will use to determine specific GPAs, such as your prerequisite GPA. We can select courses that you have in progress or will be taking, so it helps us if you put these courses into PTCAS.

My program calculates your prerequisite GPA, rather than using the PTCAS calculated GPA. We do use the PTCAS determined overall GPA.

 

[abynormal]

3. An electronic transcript. We can select the courses that we will use to determine specific GPAs, such as your prerequisite GPA. We can select courses that you have in progress or will be taking, so it helps us if you put these courses into PTCAS.

When selecting courses to determine specific GPAs do you choose higher grade courses? For example gen chem 1/lab grades C/B, gen chem 2/ lab grades A/A, biochemistry/lab grade A/A.
Will you pick biochemistry over gen chem 1/lab grades?

Thank you for posting this information.

Also, I realize this is different for each school, just curious on your take.

 

[HughLee]

When selecting courses to determine specific GPAs do you choose higher grade courses? For example gen chem 1/lab grades C/B, gen chem 2/ lab grades A/A, biochemistry/lab grade A/A.
Will you pick biochemistry over gen chem 1/lab grades?

Thank you for posting this information.

Also, I realize this is different for each school, just curious on your take.

In general, we tend to pick the better grades. We prefer to use both the first and second courses that go together. So Gen Chem 1 and 2, versus Gen Chem 1 and Org Chem 2. One problem with Biochemistry is that many students only take one semester (vs. two semesters of gen or organic chem). If I were to look at a single biochemistry class, I would probably substitute for Chem 2 rather than Chem 1, but that would be my preference.