How is a Master's GPA factored in?

[ruecglias]

Hi all, I'm applying this upcoming cycle for MD. I got a BA in English from UCLA in 2017 and did all my pre-med prereqs, but came out with an embarrassing ~3.2 GPA. So then I did a one year MS in Biomedical Sciences where I got a 3.72. Can anyone tell me how these are considered? Is it averaged in? Or does the Masters get special consideration since it is closer to MD program curriculum, PLUS it better reflects my science abilities than my undergrad English courses?

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[Hi_I'mPaul]

Hi all, I'm applying this upcoming cycle for MD. I got a BA in English from UCLA in 2017 and did all my pre-med prereqs, but came out with an embarrassing ~3.2 GPA. So then I did a one year MS in Biomedical Sciences where I got a 3.72. Can anyone tell me how these are considered? Is it averaged in? Or does the Masters get special consideration since it is closer to MD program curriculum, PLUS it better reflects my science abilities than my undergrad English courses?

It's just another section on the AAMC GPA grid. Not averaged. Your 3.2 GPA will be on there under "Cumulative Undergraduate GPA", as well as your 3.72 separately under "Graduate GPA". The way each school views this is completely up to them. If it makes you feel any better, I had a 3.55 uGPA and a 4.0 grad GPA and went from 0 MD interview invites to 5 after the masters... but I also had a relatively high MCAT.

 

[candbgirl]

Unless things have recently changed, Master grades are not averaged in your GPAs for MD schools but I think they are for DO. Consensus on SDN is that not much consideration is given to graduate work unless it is a SMP. Why didn’t you do a post BACC? Those grades would have been averaged into your GPA.

 

[ruecglias]

Unless things have recently changed, Master grades are not averaged in your GPAs for MD schools but I think they are for DO. Consensus on SDN is that not much consideration is given to graduate work unless it is a SMP. Why didn’t you do a post BACC? Those grades would have been averaged into your GPA.

What is SMP? I think my program technically was a post bacc...i found it through the AAMC post bacc search engine

 

[Catalystik]

What is SMP? I think my program technically was a post bacc...i found it through the AAMC post bacc search engine

An SMP is a Special Masters Program, where one generally takes coursework along with med students, essentially engaging in an expensive audition to see if one has the necessary academic abilities to succeed in med school. An SMP is useless for any other purpose than applying to professional schools and doesn't give one a usable degree.

Technically, a postbac is any coursework that one takes after earning a bachelors degree, including additional undergrad classes, masters level, or SMP coursework. Here on SDN we tend to primarily use it to refer to the first of those.

 

[Catalystik]

1) Master grades are not averaged in your GPAs for MD schools but I think they are for DO.
2) Consensus on SDN is that not much consideration is given to graduate work unless it is a SMP.

1) Yes, DO schools do include all undergrad and grad grades in their final calculations, though they also appear on their own lines before they are calculated together.

2) There are exceptions to this general rule.

 

[candbgirl]

1) Yes, DO schools do include all undergrad and grad grades in their final calculations, though they also appear on their own lines before they are calculated together.

2) There are exceptions to this general rule.

Thank you so much for explaining all of this so clearly.

 

[candbgirl]

Hi all, I'm applying this upcoming cycle for MD. I got a BA in English from UCLA in 2017 and did all my pre-med prereqs, but came out with an embarrassing ~3.2 GPA. So then I did a one year MS in Biomedical Sciences where I got a 3.72. Can anyone tell me how these are considered? Is it averaged in? Or does the Masters get special consideration since it is closer to MD program curriculum, PLUS it better reflects my science abilities than my undergrad English courses?

OP are you thinking about applying to DO?

 

[ruecglias]

OP are you thinking about applying to DO?

I considered it but decided that since I want to do specialize eventually (not sure in what), it would be a little harder to do so with DO. This is my first cycle applying, if MD does not go well this time around I will reconsider for the second cycle.

 

[Dr.Gains]

I considered it but decided that since I want to do specialize eventually (not sure in what), it would be a little harder to do so with DO. This is my first cycle applying, if MD does not go well this time around I will reconsider for the second cycle.

Have you taken the MCAT yet?

 

[ruecglias]

Have you taken the MCAT yet?

Yes, 502 last June and 509 this past January.

 

[Dr.Gains]

Yes, 502 last June and 509 this past January.

I would make a post under WAMC sub section, so the adcoms can give you a proper school list. I personally think you are competitive for all DO schools, and your state MD schools depending on your state of residency.

 

[ciestar]

Yes, 502 last June and 509 this past January.

Your best chances are DO. You have below averagr stats across the board.

 

[Goro]

I considered it but decided that since I want to do specialize eventually (not sure in what), it would be a little harder to do so with DO. This is my first cycle applying, if MD does not go well this time around I will reconsider for the second cycle.

Beggars can't be choosy. With a cGPA of 3.2 (for MD) and a 2x MCAT taker whose median score for the exams is 506 and even the higher score is two basis points below the median, you should have DO schools on your list, unless you wish to lose a year of clinical salary.

 

[Med Ed]

I considered it but decided that since I want to do specialize eventually (not sure in what), it would be a little harder to do so with DO. This is my first cycle applying, if MD does not go well this time around I will reconsider for the second cycle.

You should apply to every mid/low-tier private MD school in the country.

 

[ruecglias]

I guess the point of my question was "where should I be looking to apply". When I'm looking at school stats and compiling a list I can't quite figure out what's going to be a reach with my GPA.

 

[ruecglias]

The candidate has an SMP of 3.7 and and a 509 MCAT. The low UG GPA cant be utilized unless there is an AMCAS GPA Grid with it. I would not rule this OP out of MD quite yet. Post your AMCAS GPA Grid.

Would you consider my program an SMP? What is AMCAS GPA grid?

 

[Catalystik]

What is AMCAS GPA grid?

 

[Dr.Gains]

Would you consider my program an SMP? What is AMCAS GPA grid?

Does the school you completed your master's degree have an associated medical school?

 

[DrStephenStrange]

I would apply to all low tier private MD schools, your in-state school(s), and all new MD schools like Seton Hall, Kaiser, NOVA MD, NYU long island, Cal U of science and Med., Cal. Northstate U., Carle Illinois, Hackensack, CUNY. I don't know about TCU or U of TX rio grande they are new, but it's still texas, and if you're not a TX resident it might be hard. Then throw in these reputable DO schools DMU, KCU KC campus, PCOM PA campus, RVU CO campus, NYIT NY campus. They are not better than MD but will still give you a decent chance at some specialties. LECOM, MUCOM, CUSOM aren't bad either, but depends on how you feel about dress code and mandatory attendance.

 

[ruecglias]

Does the school you completed your master's degree have an associated medical school?

No I went to UCLA for undergrad and did my masters at Regis in Denver.

 

[gyngyn]

I would apply to all low tier private MD schools, your in-state school(s), and all new MD schools like Seton Hall, Kaiser, NOVA MD, NYU long island, Cal U of science and Med., Cal. Northstate U., Carle Illinois, Hackensack, CUNY. I don't know about TCU or U of TX rio grande they are new, but it's still texas, and if you're not a TX resident it might be hard. Then throw in these reputable DO schools DMU, KCU KC campus, PCOM PA campus, RVU CO campus, NYIT NY campus. They are not better than MD but will still give you a decent chance at some specialties. LECOM, MUCOM, CUSOM aren't bad either, but depends on how you feel about dress code and mandatory attendance.

Are you aware that this school has chosen to deny its students access to federal loans and payback mechanisms?

 

[DrStephenStrange]

Are you aware that this school has chosen to deny its students access to federal loans and payback mechanisms?

I wasn't. Thanks for bringing it to my attention.

 

[ruecglias]

After some research I've found out that my program WAS a special master's.

https://career.berkeley.edu/sites/default/files/pdf/MorePostBacs.pdf