How "up" is an upward trend?

[deleted962314]

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Undergrad did not start off so hot. I am completing a hard science master's and will be applying for the first time in the next cycle while continuing my ECs.


From undergrad:
cGPA: 3.42
sGPA: 3.11

cGPA/sGPA and credits/science credits per year
Freshman: 2.84 / 2.45 - 32 cr / 16 scr
Sophomore: 3.25 / 2.36 - 36 cr / 12 scr
Junior: 3.33 / 3.21 - 50 cr / 29 scr
Senior: 3.83 / 3.68 - 52 cr / 28 scr
Grad: 3.87 - 24 cr

First 97 credits uGPA: 3.14/2.72
Last 73 credits uGPA: 3.71/3.58
Last 73 credits uGPA + M.S. gGPA: 3.75/3.69


What are my realistic chances in applying to medical school this next cycle with this GPA distribution?

 

[Pagan FutureDoc]

What was your Master? If it was a SMP I think you should be good (provided everything else is in order. If it was in anything else you might need to take a post bacc to make yourself more competitive.
Graduate GPA isn’t given nearly the same weight as undergrad classes. It’s expected you will excel in a masters.

 

[RNtoMD87]

I don't understand that. Isn't a masters much more difficult than a bachelors?

 

[puahate]

I don't understand that. Isn't a masters much more difficult than a bachelors?

Typically no.

 

[RNtoMD87]

Hm never knew that. Always figured the higher up you went the harder it got. Figured a PhD was very difficult.

 

[BStoPhDtoMD]

Hm never knew that. Always figured the higher up you went the harder it got. Figured a PhD was very difficult.

A Ph.D. is difficult, but not because of classes.

 

[RNtoMD87]

Interesting.

 

[puahate]

Hm never knew that. Always figured the higher up you went the harder it got. Figured a PhD was very difficult.

The problem with grad classes is the variability. Some grad classes are really more discussion based. Testing is not always central but actually discussing science and research is more important than passing a test oftentimes. Professors will try to add points or give you extra credit if you are borderline in a grad course, this is almost never the case in undergrad. I heard engineering and physic courses can be different but then again there are ususally massive curves.

The hard part about a PhD is the research.

 

[deleted962314]

I had the option to choose between a SMP and Neuroscience, and I choose Neuroscience thinking that I could also supplement my little to none research experience - which has paid off in a small grant, 6 posters, a first author manuscript in the works, a thesis, and great LORs.

I wish I had known how grad gpas are looked on by adcoms beforehand, and have since learned by perusing this site. My course list includes PhD classes taught by professors in the med and grad programs - biochemistry (4cr), cell (3cr), ethics (2cr), biostats (4cr), and 7 credits of neuro courses


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[RNtoMD87]

So post bacc undergraduate level classes are still viewed as UG correct? I’m at about 280 credit hours and plan to take 30-60 more hours.

Just got my bachelors 3 days ago

 

[candbgirl]

DO schools consider Master Degrees when reviewing applications. So OP you might want to consider DO too. Grad students are almost expected to get As .

 

[deleted962314]

DO schools consider Master Degrees when reviewing applications. So OP you might want to consider DO too. Grad students are almost expected to get As .

I definitely will, thank you. I don’t know enough about DO schools, do they value research as well?


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[Goro]

Undergrad did not start off so hot. I am completing a hard science master's and will be applying for the first time in the next cycle while continuing my ECs.


From undergrad:
cGPA: 3.42
sGPA: 3.11

cGPA/sGPA and credits/science credits per year
Freshman: 2.84 / 2.45 - 32 cr / 16 scr
Sophomore: 3.25 / 2.36 - 36 cr / 12 scr
Junior: 3.33 / 3.21 - 50 cr / 29 scr
Senior: 3.83 / 3.68 - 52 cr / 28 scr
Grad: 3.87 - 24 cr

First 97 credits uGPA: 3.14/2.72
Last 73 credits uGPA: 3.71/3.58
Last 73 credits uGPA + M.S. gGPA: 3.75/3.69


What are my realistic chances in applying to medical school this next cycle with this GPA distribution?

MD schools discount research MS GPAs, due to grade inflation. DO schools will count them.

You have a decent rising GPA trend. I don't know if the single great SR year will be enough...maybe for your state MD school. For DO, your cGPA is fine, but the sGPA is weak. You'd be DOA at my school if you only had that. Luckily, the MS will help.

As research goes, it's not a priority for DO schools.

 

[deleted962314]

MD schools discount research MS GPAs, due to grade inflation. DO schools will count them.

You have a decent rising GPA trend. I don't know if the single great SR year will be enough...maybe for your state MD school. For DO, your cGPA is fine, but the sGPA is weak. You'd be DOA at my school if you only had that. Luckily, the MS will help.

As research goes, it's not a priority for DO schools.

Thank you for your insight, @Goro.

I think what I will do is continue studying for the MCAT, continue my volunteering ECs, and apply this cycle. If I do not get in this cycle due to grades, I will take a post bacc and reapply the next cycle. I don't want to do it after my master's, but it's a marathon and not a sprint as a non-trad as you say.

What do you think about this strategy? I'll post a more comprehensive WAMC when the time comes. Thank you, again

 

[Goro]

Thank you for your insight, @Goro.

I think what I will do is continue studying for the MCAT, continue my volunteering ECs, and apply this cycle. If I do not get in this cycle due to grades, I will take a post bacc and reapply the next cycle. I don't want to do it after my master's, but it's a marathon and not a sprint as a non-trad as you say.

What do you think about this strategy? I'll post a more comprehensive WAMC when the time comes. Thank you, again

Sounds good