How Far Back Do Grades Count?

[jules0328]

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I took a Molecular Bio class about 8 years ago and got a D. Silly partying/pledging undergrad days. I am now in a formal post bacc and doing very well in my classes. Will my D from 8 years ago be averaged in the BCMP gpa? Is there a cut off point as far as time is concerned?

 

[junebuguf]

Every grade you took since graduating high school will be counted towards your BCMP and overall GPA. If you manage to get past the intial screening process and get a secondary, most schools will probably give more weight to your recent grades.

 

[blankguy]

Do they just glance at your overall grades or do they carefully scrutinize your transcript? Because if they just glanc at your overall grades the recent progress thing may not amount to much since it will be weighed down by poor grades from years past.

 

[junebuguf]

Do they just glance at your overall grades or do they carefully scrutinize your transcript? Because if they just glanc at your overall grades the recent progress thing may not amount to much since it will be weighed down by poor grades from years past.

I think this varies. Some places they scrutinize, others they just glance...depends on the number of applicants and the size of the admissions office. Regardless, any school will notice a strong post-bacc as offsetting a poor ugad performance, and will catch the recent trend, as long as you get past the initial screening. How much that recent trend means is variable and depends on the emphasis placed by the particular school. With questions like these, as with most admissions questions, its best just to contact a few schools you might be interested in applying to, and inquiring about their policies/preferences.

 

[Singing Devil]

I think this varies. Some places they scrutinize, others they just glance...depends on the number of applicants and the size of the admissions office. Regardless, any school will notice a strong post-bacc as offsetting a poor ugad performance, and will catch the recent trend, as long as you get past the initial screening. How much that recent trend means is variable and depends on the emphasis placed by the particular school. With questions like these, as with most admissions questions, its best just to contact a few schools you might be interested in applying to, and inquiring about their policies/preferences.

Very true. One of the oddest trends is that the really top schools are actually more willing to forgive a candidate who had poor performances a long time ago if the recent performance is exceptional. Just shows that they don't care what their GPA averages are--their reputation will be solid regardless.

I have quite a nasty undergraduate record, and even though it ended 7 years ago, I'm still getting heat from some schools. But, I've also gotten some interviews, so it's a mixed bag.

 

[rambo]

Do college classes taken during or before high school count towards your overall, and must they be reported? I took a forced language elective during Junior High, and I have no clue what grade I got.

 

[Wednesday]

Do college classes taken during or before high school count towards your overall, and must they be reported? I took a forced language elective during Junior High, and I have no clue what grade I got.

Yes. Any college class you ever took should be reported. I had to report a volleyball class I took at a CC during high school. Very silly. If you contact the school they should be able to send the transcript. It might also be on your high school transcript. That's where I found my SAT scores (which I needed for a secondary). Best to play it safe and start tracking that stuff down early.

 

[NYCmed]

Agreeing with Wednesday that college courses taken in or before high school should be reported, even if it's a "silly" course or a phys ed/sports course. If they happen to discover it in the process of viewing your application, it might look odd if you didn't report it. Not that it would necessarily happen, but it's always a good idea not to take chances.