How much does GPA matter?

[AznSeal]

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Now before people go ape poop, I realize GPA is VERY important. What I mean is, is the difference between a 4.0 to a 3.95 or the difference between a 3.80 to a 3.75 a VERY big difference or do medical schools separate GPAs into tiers like 4.00-3.90 = tier 1, 3.89 - 3.80 = tier 2, etc.

 

[BecksTriad]

they aren't looking for a specific GPA. they're looking to see if you have the aptitude to be a successful doctor. I know that's a very vague answer but that's how the admissions process works

 

[survivordo]

They look at it more as tiers except for the 4.0 which is given some special consideration. It's pretty hard to go through college getting ALL A's.

Survivor DO

 

[gyngyn]

There are basically three "tiers": significantly better than our median (uGPA, cGPA...), essentially the same, or significantly worse.

 

[502623]

They look at it more as tiers except for the 4.0 which is given some special consideration. It's pretty hard to go through college getting ALL A's.

Survivor DO

Getting a 4.0 for the entirety of college...God that would be grand.

 

[GopherMD]

Getting a 4.0 for the entirety of college...God that would be grand.

If only I did that...sigh

 

[nysegop]

My father is a professor. I asked him if he ever had a student that got a 4.0. He said he can only remember one. He doesn't teach a lot of undergrads though. Mostly doctoral students.

 

[487806]

They look at it more as tiers except for the 4.0 which is given some special consideration. It's pretty hard to go through college getting ALL A's.

Survivor DO

So a 3.9+ isn't deemed to receive special consideration? It's as hard to get a 3.9, as a 4.0

 

[Lollygag]

I started typing and writing a detailed analysis on how I think adcom's view slight GPA differences...

And then I realized it's pointless because it's way too arbitrary. Especially the difference between a 3.95 and a 4.0, how much more an adcom appreciates the 4.0 over the 3.95 is so completely relative.

 

[Cambino]

Your personality matters more.

 

[Spinach Dip]

Just get a 45 on the MCAT and schools will tend to "forget" that measly 3.95 GPA.

 

[vonburen]

Your personality should matter more.

Fixed that for you.

It depends on the school, but in general there's a reason that medical schools have an average GPA of 3.65+

Science GPA and the type of courses you took per semester also factor in context.

 

[galaxyx]

So a 3.9+ isn't deemed to receive special consideration? It's as hard to get a 3.9, as a 4.0

I started typing and writing a detailed analysis on how I think adcom's view slight GPA differences...

And then I realized it's pointless because it's way too arbitrary. Especially the difference between a 3.95 and a 4.0, how much more an adcom appreciates the 4.0 over the 3.95 is so completely relative.

If you consider than the one A- or B to get the 3.95 humanizes you, it's probably a complete wash. Someone who has never stumbled is scary. How will he/she react the first time that perfection isn't achieved?

 

[mokhoras]

.

 

[dudewheresmymd]

Just get a 45 on the MCAT and schools will tend to "forget" that measly 3.95 GPA.

I don't think even a 45 could save one from a 3.95, Spinach Dip.

 

[Spinach Dip]

+1. I don't think even a 45 could save one from a 3.95, Spinach Dip.

Yeah. I was being a little facetious.

Let's face it, anything less than a 3.98 and you should be looking at Carribean schools. Time to get rid of that pipe dream and face some cold, hard facts of life.

Sorry I had to be the one to tell you.

 

[dudewheresmymd]

Now before people go ape poop, I realize GPA is VERY important. What I mean is, is the difference between a 4.0 to a 3.95 or the difference between a 3.80 to a 3.75 a VERY big difference or do medical schools separate GPAs into tiers like 4.00-3.90 = tier 1, 3.89 - 3.80 = tier 2, etc.

Tiers are debatable and vary from school to school. If you want to get an idea, however, of how much GPA makes a difference take a look at this table.

https://www.aamc.org/download/157450/data/table24-mcatgpagridall2008-10.pdf.pdf

The overall acceptance rates in aggregate from 2008-2010 with a 30+, and a 3.8-4.0 GPA was 82.3% to 91.5% The acceptance rates with a 30+ with a 3.6-3.79 was 72.1% to 85.5%. As you can see, GPAs like previous posters mention are sort of based on tiers, but again tiers are relative to the schools you desire to attend. As long as you are within the median of the school's GPA you want to attend or as close to it as possible, you are still in the running (depending on other factors of your application of course). I wouldn't worry about .05 differences because at the end of the day that most likely will not make or break your application. If you are interested in an ethnicity break down for 2010-2012 in aggregate please see: https://www.aamc.org/data/facts/applicantmatriculant/157998/mcat-gpa-grid-by-selected-race-ethnicity.html

If your focus is getting into medical school, don't worry about small differences in GPA. Think big picture and your overall application (extracurricular activities, MCAT, shadowing, research, volunteering, community service, etc.)