How much do individual grades matter?

[Haybrant]

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Everyone is always taking about BCMP and nonBCMP but im curious whether adcoms look at grades from individual classes. Like i got a B- in a pretty brutal Calc 1B class (though i had an A in the 1a) but did well in ochem (A-,A) and in english lit classes (A,A) at Cal. Just for curiosity sake, do they look at individual grades or care more about your performance over time, paying more attn. to your overall gpa? Thanks!

 

[CaMD]

Everyone is always taking about BCMP and nonBCMP but im curious whether adcoms look at grades from individual classes. Like i got a B- in a pretty brutal Calc 1B class (though i had an A in the 1a) but did well in ochem (A-,A) and in english lit classes (A,A) at Cal. Just for curiosity sake, do they look at individual grades or care more about your performance over time, paying more attn. to your overall gpa? Thanks!

They probably can't pay TOO much attention to each individual grade because I'm sure they realize that all classes are different, even when the same material is taught by different profs, so the meaning of any particular grade is sort of questionable.

 

[bkmonkey]

They probably can't pay TOO much attention to each individual grade because I'm sure they realize that all classes are different, even when the same material is taught by different profs, so the meaning of any particular grade is sort of questionable.

I agree with CaMD. I had two C's in BCMP classes, but my overall GPA's were still very high. It didn't seem to cause any problems when I applied.

 

[rgporter]

Everyone is always taking about BCMP and nonBCMP but im curious whether adcoms look at grades from individual classes. Like i got a B- in a pretty brutal Calc 1B class...

I got a B- in Anatomy of all things and I still managed to get in to a couple different schools. I think one or two is not so bad but having a lot might cause you problems.

 

[skypilot]

I don't think the committees have time to microanalyze every course you took. They just look at your numbers. 3.5 or 3.6 is good. They might glance at your grades in Organic Chemistry and Physics and that is it. 🙂

Then there's the personal statement and ECs.

 

[ChantillyLace]

I don't think the committees have time to microanalyze every course you took. They just look at your numbers. 3.5 or 3.6 is good. They might glance at your grades in Organic Chemistry and Physics and that is it. 🙂

Then there's the personal statement and ECs.

I'd have to agree here.

 

[adamj61]

Not true, not true, not true....I know that for UW, they will look at each class, and give your transcript a score (thats why they make you send another copy in). They know the fluff classes....I think columbia does this as well.

 

[UTMed2008]

Everyone is always taking about BCMP and nonBCMP but im curious whether adcoms look at grades from individual classes. Like i got a B- in a pretty brutal Calc 1B class (though i had an A in the 1a) but did well in ochem (A-,A) and in english lit classes (A,A) at Cal. Just for curiosity sake, do they look at individual grades or care more about your performance over time, paying more attn. to your overall gpa? Thanks!

I would not worry about the B- at all. I got a C- in Organic Chem I my soph year of college. I retook the class senior year to prove I could do well in it while taking a heavy course load. I applied to med school after finishing college to give myself time to improve my application with senior yr courses. Despite my C- and some other low grades, I got six interviews and accepted at my first choice school. I wouldn't worry too much.about one grade I think the most impt thing when a GPA is borderline is that there is a positive trend. i.e. my last two years I had above a 3.8 average GPA. Good luck! 🙂

 

[adamj61]

also very true....state schools will also know what roads are easier to take...ie physics with calc or without...I always took the hardest, so I hope that helps. They say a strong junior year can really help you out more than you think if your gpa is average