How much does a high engineering GPA help you?

[sliceofbread136]

I know a low GPA will not be given much slack because of engineering, but would a high GPA be given any more weight? I've been getting very mixed answers using the search function (from not at all, to helping alot). How much do you guys think it will help?

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[Swartzlehman]

X

 

[Nukon]

Rephrase the question please. What I think you're saying is...is a high GPA better than a low one? If this is what you're saying then yes.

I believe OP's point is that engineering is considered a "hard" major.

Quotations aren't to take away from engineers, I just don't like ranking things in that way.

 

[music2doc]

I know a low GPA will not be given much slack because of engineering, but would a high GPA be given any more weight? I've been getting very mixed answers using the search function (from not at all, to helping alot). How much do you guys think it will help?

What do you mean by "high"? Does a 4.0 BME look better than a 4.0 Psych academically? Sure, although I might add that "academically" may not be your best measure and psych majors are known for being more sociable (a highly desirable trait in this field). Does a 3.8 Psych look better than a 3.6 BME? Absolutely.

You're not going to get much/any slack, but sure, if a major is felt to be tougher by the evaluator (just like school vs school), you may gain. The truth, though, is that most applicants are screened long before anything besides GPA and MCAT are looked at in depth, so a BME from Harvard with a 3.2 may be tougher to earn than a 3.9 in Sociology from Arizona State, but the truth is that 3.9 is probably going to get more consideration (assuming equal MCAT scores).

 

[Swartzlehman]

X

 

[sliceofbread136]

I believe OP's point is that engineering is considered a "hard" major.

Quotations aren't to take away from engineers, I just don't like ranking things in that way.

I guess my wording is off. How much would a high GPA in an engineering major help you versus a high GPA in something like a bio major?

And I kinda of agree with that ranking difficulties of major is kind of pointless, but I'd like any advantage I can get.

 

[sliceofbread136]

I should read the actual title, sorry OP. Major is irrelevant at least during the screening process. They are just going to look at your cGPA and sGPA and grades in pre reqs. While engineering can be hard, trust me I'm with you, it's on your side of the court as to how to explain this in a tactful way in your PS or secondaries, if you feel it's worth mentioning, which I personally don't think it is. You "may" get an ADCOM that sympathizes or just as likely not.

So the answer is it probably won't help me? Bummer..

 

[music2doc]

I guess my wording is off. How much would a high GPA in an engineering major help you versus a high GPA in something like a bio major?

And I kinda of agree with that ranking difficulties of major is kind of pointless, but I'd like any advantage I can get.

Basically, what we're saying is, "It won't." And it might hurt you. Don't pick your major based on going to medical school. Pick it based upon what you'd want to do in the (all-too-probable) event that you don't get in.

 

[sliceofbread136]

Basically, what we're saying is, "It won't." And it might hurt you. Don't pick your major based on going to medical school. Pick it based upon what you'd want to do in the (all-too-probable) event that you don't get in.

I guess I should be clear that I'm a junior, not a freshman. I have a good gpa (3.9+) and was hoping my major would help some this cycle (can never have too many advantages). Maybe I'll get lucky and find an adcom who cares?

 

[circulus vitios]

It depends. If you make it past the GPA screen then it's up to the person who reviews your file. If that person understands how difficult an engineering major is, then it could help you. But the person could easily be an idiot who thinks engineering is just as difficult as communications or sociology.

 

[music2doc]

I guess I should be clear that I'm a junior, not a freshman. I have a good gpa (3.9+) and was hoping my major would help some this cycle (can never have too many advantages). Maybe I'll get lucky and find an adcom who cares?

If you have a 3.9, you have little to worry about unless it means you lack ECs or do poorly on the MCAT. It's a package deal. If your package comes with all the "usual stuff" and it just so happens you have an engineering degree at a solid school with a 3.9 GPA to boot, you're in a GREAT position. If, on the other hand, you have the 3.9 GPA in engineering but your MCAT suffers (say, you get a 28 or 29) and your ECs are nonexistent because you haven't had time to pursue anything outside of school, you're probably going to find yourself in a tough position around this time next year.

It depends. If you make it past the GPA screen then it's up to the person who reviews your file. If that person understands how difficult an engineering major is, then it could help you. But the person could easily be an idiot who thinks engineering is just as difficult as communications or sociology.

I think it's key to keep in mind that once you pass the academic screen, your major, GPA, MCAT, etc. aren't really going to matter much at most schools unless they are highly unusual (i.e., make a good conversation topic at the interview and engage your interviewer). In other words, the further into the process you get (esp. for final pre-interview and any post-interview selection), ECs/LORs/PS tend to be what matter and not the grades/major/etc. Sometimes, engineering majors are known for being a bit sparse on the soft skills, as well, so you may have to show that you are not that way. Of course, how schools make these decisions and what they emphasize is quite variable.

 

[sliceofbread136]

If you have a 3.9, you have little to worry about unless it means you lack ECs or do poorly on the MCAT. It's a package deal. If your package comes with all the "usual stuff" and it just so happens you have an engineering degree at a solid school with a 3.9 GPA to boot, you're in a GREAT position. If, on the other hand, you have the 3.9 GPA in engineering but your MCAT suffers (say, you get a 28 or 29) and your ECs are nonexistent because you haven't had time to pursue anything outside of school, you're probably going to find yourself in a tough position around this time next year.

I have a good MCAT but fairly average ECs (didn't know I wanted med until last summer). Im hoping they don't hold me back (part of me is hoping my major can help overshadow my average ECs, although it sounds unlikely).

 

[music2doc]

I have a good MCAT but fairly average ECs (didn't know I wanted med until last summer). Im hoping they don't hold me back (part of me is hoping my major can help overshadow my average ECs, although it sounds unlikely).

This was what I inferred from your initial question. Go get some ECs. Do work. Use your engineering background to do something amazing. I don't know your area of interest, but why not utilize it? If you were mechanical engineering, maybe get some friends together and propose a project to serve the local community. (One idea that comes to mind is writing a proposal to build a jungle gym at a park in the low SES area of town for the needy kids in town. Sure, it doesn't utilize your more advanced skills, but it utilizes some of the basics and it's getting your hands dirty to help others. Honestly, find something you can be passionate about and DO IT.)

 

[sliceofbread136]

This was what I inferred from your initial question. Go get some ECs. Do work. Use your engineering background to do something amazing. I don't know your area of interest, but why not utilize it? If you were mechanical engineering, maybe get some friends together and propose a project to serve the local community. (One idea that comes to mind is writing a proposal to build a jungle gym at a park in the low SES area of town for the needy kids in town. Sure, it doesn't utilize your more advanced skills, but it utilizes some of the basics and it's getting your hands dirty to help others. Honestly, find something you can be passionate about and DO IT.)

I have my clinical exposure, shadowing, non-medical volunteering, and research. I really want to do something unique, but I feel like I have no time before next cycle!(I'm also doing a study abroad starting in may, which gives me even less time)

 

[orthomyxo]

So the answer is it probably won't help me? Bummer..

Yeah. It's a real bummer that your already high GPA won't be looked upon even more favorably just because it's in engineering.

First world problems.

 

[sliceofbread136]

Yeah. It's a real bummer that your already high GPA won't be looked upon even more favorably just because it's in engineering.

First world problems.

So I shouldn't bummed that something I hoped would help me get into medical school really won't matter? Sorry that my life's problems don't involve fighting tigers off or what ever problems you have that make you think you can look down on my concerns. Take your holier than thou attitude and plz go.

 

[seafood92]

I would hope admissions would look favorable upon an engineering major vs a psychology or something similar. Didn't you have a MCAT >35? Just boost your ECs and you'll be alright lol.

 

[RockMed Doc]

While the engineering degree may not give more weight to your GPA, it can help your application in other ways. In my app, I emphasized the unique skills that engineering helped me develop that are relevant to medicine, such as teamwork, problem solving, and integration of information from different sources and disciplines. I think that an engineering education teaches you how to think and apply knowledge rather than just memorizing information.

I have had several interviewers comment about my strong GPA, especially being that it was in engineering, so I think it can have some weight in the right circumstances. As long as you don't use your major as an excuse for poor performance, I don't see the harm in emphasizing its benefits.