Is a ~3.75 AMCAS cGPA competitive with a strong upward trend?

[Bruiners]

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Hey all,

I hope I am not posting too frequently in this forum.

But setting the MCAT aside, I am trying to understand how my GPA alone would be viewed in MD admissions.

I began at a community college and finished with a GPA around 3.6, which was affected by a serious personal situation during that time. After transferring to a four-year university, my academic performance improved significantly, and I have maintained a GPA in the high 3.8 range in rigorous coursework, with a projected finish around 3.85–3.90 this Spring.

Because of the large number of community college units, my projected AMCAS cumulative GPA will likely fall around 3.74–3.76 despite strong recent performance. I am trying to gauge how competitive this is on its own.

Is a ~3.75 AMCAS cumulative GPA considered competitive when there is a clear upward trend and strong recent academic performance? Does briefly explaining the circumstances that affected my early GPA meaningfully help, or does the cumulative number still dominate evaluation?

Any insight would be appreciated, thanks 🙂

 

[Med Ed]

The average GPA for matriculants is 3.77.

 

[Goro]

Hey all,

I hope I am not posting too frequently in this forum.

But setting the MCAT aside, I am trying to understand how my GPA alone would be viewed in MD admissions.

I began at a community college and finished with a GPA around 3.6, which was affected by a serious personal situation during that time. After transferring to a four-year university, my academic performance improved significantly, and I have maintained a GPA in the high 3.8 range in rigorous coursework, with a projected finish around 3.85–3.90 this Spring.

Because of the large number of community college units, my projected AMCAS cumulative GPA will likely fall around 3.74–3.76 despite strong recent performance. I am trying to gauge how competitive this is on its own.

Is a ~3.75 AMCAS cumulative GPA considered competitive when there is a clear upward trend and strong recent academic performance? Does briefly explaining the circumstances that affected my early GPA meaningfully help, or does the cumulative number still dominate evaluation?

Any insight would be appreciated, thanks 🙂

Absolutely!!!

 

[sardinetoast]

Hey all,

I hope I am not posting too frequently in this forum.

But setting the MCAT aside, I am trying to understand how my GPA alone would be viewed in MD admissions.

I began at a community college and finished with a GPA around 3.6, which was affected by a serious personal situation during that time. After transferring to a four-year university, my academic performance improved significantly, and I have maintained a GPA in the high 3.8 range in rigorous coursework, with a projected finish around 3.85–3.90 this Spring.

Because of the large number of community college units, my projected AMCAS cumulative GPA will likely fall around 3.74–3.76 despite strong recent performance. I am trying to gauge how competitive this is on its own.

Is a ~3.75 AMCAS cumulative GPA considered competitive when there is a clear upward trend and strong recent academic performance? Does briefly explaining the circumstances that affected my early GPA meaningfully help, or does the cumulative number still dominate evaluation?

Any insight would be appreciated, thanks 🙂

My first semester of undergrad finished with a 2.8, lol. I was able to pull it up to a cumulative 3.78 by the end, and I didn't say a single word about it on my app. I think in your case it would be unnecessarily drawing attention to something that isn't even a big deal. Lots of students struggle adjusting to college classes, and I think a lot of applicants have upward trends. There are so many thing to worry about in this process, but your gpa will not close any doors for you

 

[Bruiners]

My first semester of undergrad finished with a 2.8, lol. I was able to pull it up to a cumulative 3.78 by the end, and I didn't say a single word about it on my app. I think in your case it would be unnecessarily drawing attention to something that isn't even a big deal. Lots of students struggle adjusting to college classes, and I think a lot of applicants have upward trends. There are so many thing to worry about in this process, but your gpa will not close any doors for you

Absolutely!!!

The average GPA for matriculants is 3.77.

Thanks to all of you. Really helped clear my mind a bit.

Happy Holidays.

 

[notEinstein]

I have 6 interviews (both DO and MD) with a 3.4 cgpa but a strong upward trend.

You are in a stronger position than I am.

Dont stress.

 

[Bruiners]

I have 6 interviews (both DO and MD) with a 3.4 cgpa but a strong upward trend.

You are in a stronger position than I am.

Dont stress.

I appreciate your response. Congratulations on your interviews. I wish you the best, future doc.