How much do recent upward trend make up for a mediocre GPA/prereq grade?

[FredAstaire]

Hi everyone,

My overall GPA is 3.7 cGPA and 3.6 sGPA.

My grades for the past 2 full years were all straight As taking mostly upper level science courses.

However, my grades during my first 3 years in college (hence all the pre-reqs) were mediocre and was only around a 3.3-3.4 range.

Is this of concern? Have I redeemed myself with all straight As in challenging courses for the past 2 years (4 semesters)?

Thanks very one/

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[Drrrrrr. Celty]

Your gpa is not mediocre, it's pretty much the mean score of all accepted students. The upward trend is also is really good.

 

[Isoprop]

I overcame a overall 3.3 GPA with an upward trend (4.0 for the last few years). You'll be fine.

 

[simondimond]

some schools place considerable emphasis on the last 60 credits.

 

[FredAstaire]

some schools place considerable emphasis on the last 60 credits.

How do you know this? None of the schools I have seen states that. Can you tell me the schools?

 

[FredAstaire]

Your gpa is not mediocre, it's pretty much the mean score of all accepted students. The upward trend is also is really good.

I concerned because, according to MSAR, the average sGPA of accepted applicants is at least a 3.7 something, which mine is 0.1 below.

 

[simondimond]

How do you know this? None of the schools I have seen states that. Can you tell me the schools?

You have to ask each school. Some will tell you if your ask nicely.

Just say "look here is my situation and how will you evaluate my transcript?"

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

I concerned because, according to MSAR, the average sGPA of accepted applicants is at least a 3.7 something, which mine is 0.1 below.

Hmm.. last year it was a Cgpa of 3.7 and a BCPM of 3.6. Regardless you're still so close to the average that I really wouldn't worry too much.

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

some schools place considerable emphasis on the last 60 credits.

These schools in majority are Canadian. However US medical schools do like an upward trend regardless.

 

[SoonerFromTexas]

Hi everyone,

My overall GPA is 3.7 cGPA and 3.6 sGPA.

My grades for the past 2 full years were all straight As taking mostly upper level science courses.

However, my grades during my first 3 years in college (hence all the pre-reqs) were mediocre and was only around a 3.3-3.4 range.

Is this of concern? Have I redeemed myself with all straight As in challenging courses for the past 2 years (4 semesters)?

Thanks very one/

I hope not because we have nearly the exact same story/numbers . I think you will be just fine .

 

[SoonerFromTexas]

How do you know this? None of the schools I have seen states that. Can you tell me the schools?

I know this is true for some schools in the US too.

 

[Isoprop]

I don't think it's official policy, but most adcoms will consider recent coursework more indicative of academic performance... at least that has been my experience in conversations with a few adcom members.

 

[Espadaleader]

most medical schools outside of the top ten AVERAGE 3.6/3.7. like BU, Sinai, U of R, NYU etc. Look at the US News compass. MSAR is misleading.

 

[Ignatius M.D.]

Hi everyone,

My overall GPA is 3.7 cGPA and 3.6 sGPA.

My grades for the past 2 full years were all straight As taking mostly upper level science courses.

However, my grades during my first 3 years in college (hence all the pre-reqs) were mediocre and was only around a 3.3-3.4 range.

Is this of concern? Have I redeemed myself with all straight As in challenging courses for the past 2 years (4 semesters)?

Thanks very one/

This will be more than adequate.

 

[Nymphicus]

This will be more than adequate.

Agree, as long as you back it up with a solid MCAT score and then some secondary or interview answer describing the reasons for your "improvement".

 

[Eric01]

Does the OP live in Cali? 3.7/3.6 should be excellent.

 

[kpcrew]

I concerned because, according to MSAR, the average sGPA of accepted applicants is at least a 3.7 something, which mine is 0.1 below.

I'm not sure if this is the case but it could be that since they're counting accepted students, people with great scores are getting counted several times since they are more likely to have multiple acceptances. The population of matriculants is smaller than the number of people accepted to each school.