Is 3.5 considered a good GPA for your 1st semester of college? My senior friend

[alexfoleyc]

My senior friend said that its an "ok" GPA, but I should sim for a higher gpa. He said his cumulative gpa is 3.9 and he already got into med school. So, whats your intake on this? Is 3.5 good as of right now?

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[lrkoehle]

Better to start low and improve than it is to start high and fall apart, but you really need to improve it quick, like next semester. As I learned in high school, a low GPA is incredibly difficult to raise.

 

[RySerr21]

Yes thats a fine way to start, most people start way worse. Its not even that low, and you have PLENTY of time to raise it, which is the great part.

 

[Chemist0157]

3.5 GPA is great, especially for the 1st semester. Now, since you know (or should know) how college works and its demands, you should be able to improve it.

 

[sealsk22]

You want to do better than 3.5 eventually (and quickly, like next quarter) but this is fine for now. It will certainly not break you.

I recommend checking out an MSAR to get a feel for the standards of medical school. I wish I had done this earlier, making my decisions based on data rather than hearsay.

 

[scg]

Your friend is correct. It's "ok". Obviously having an upward trend is better than starting high and declining but you should obviously shoot for a high gpa from the beginning and maintain it throughout.

In conclusion, yes, it's ok, but work hard to maintain/improve it.

 

[StPlayrXtreme]

3.5 is good!

Your GPA depends entirely on its context. My GPA is only a 3.6, but I'm also an engineering major and very involved on campus. So far I have one acceptance and 8 total interview invites.

A lot of the applications process depends upon your test scores, the quality of your application, and apply early!

So, you could bring the GPA up a little...but you're in a good spot. If you're a strong applicant in other areas, a 3.5 shouldn't hold you back. In my opinion, it's better to have a good GPA and pursue interests outside of academics than it is to have an excellent GPA with no involvement elsewhere.

 

[ar2388]

3.5 is an ok starting point.. but really aim for a 3.7 - 3.8 IMHO

 

[iheartmpls]

To some extent it depends on your school and the types of classes you're taking but I don't think you have anything to worry about. I applied to schools with a final gpa of 3.65 and I've already gotten in to two and have interviewed at several more.

 

[Narmerguy]

It's not considered "good". Whether it's typical or even bad is up for debate.

 

[KSDeacon]

It's not considered "good". Whether it's typical or even bad is up for debate.

how is that even up for debate? there's no way that would qualify as bad. I'll be graduating with a cum. gpa around 3.6, will probably end up a little bit lower and i've been accepted to school. Obviously the higher the better but 3.5 is def a solid starting point

 

[Caesar]

As most have said a 3.5 is perfectly fine. You want to end up above that but a first semester at 3.5 is a good first semester.

 

[135892]

A 3.5 is certainly ok... but, you better try to improve it

 

[VincentAdultman]

A 3.5 is certainly ok... but, you better try to improve it

LOLGUNNRZ!

My GPA 1st semester was 3.1.

 

[ar2388]

i feel that this is a moot discussion. there are people who are perfectly happy with a 3.5 and will get into med school and then there are people who will sob uncontrollably if they get a 3.5... just do your best, try to get A's and thats all you can really do

 

[BeardedRunner]

3.5 is below the average for medical schools, which is about 3.7 and 3.6 science.

So I would say that it is not a "good" GPA, you need to get it higher.

 

[135892]

LOLGUNNRZ!

My GPA 1st semester was 3.1.

But did you improve it as you got into your higher level classes? If you got into med school with a 3.1, then that is quite a feat and you must have had some amazing ECs. I'm certainly not saying a 3.5 is horrible, and that the OP can't come back from it... just that he/she may want to try to bring it up a bit.

 

[VincentAdultman]

But did you improve it as you got into your higher level classes? If you got into med school with a 3.1, then that is quite a feat and you must have had some amazing ECs. I'm certainly not saying a 3.5 is horrible, and that the OP can't come back from it... just that he/she may want to try to bring it up a bit.

Yes, I improved. Most people do.

I would say a 3.5 is an awesome GPA to start out with. Of course you would want to improve. But it's not as bad as what people make it be.