Is it normal for your sGPA to be lower than cGPA?

[studentdoctor08]

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I've noticed that for most med school average GPAs, the sGPA is slightly lower than the cGPA. If your cGPA is higher than your sGPA (say 3.6 and 3.5 respectively) does that raise a big red flag in admissions?

 

[NickNaylor]

I doubt the flag would be described as "big" if any flag exists at all.

 

[gettheleadout]

Unless you either get all A's in your BCPM classes or get more non-A's in your non-BCPM classes than in your BCPM classes, you're going to have a lower sGPA than cGPA. People in the first situation would have a 4.0 sGPA (not the majority of applicants) and people in the second would have a higher cGPA than sGPA. I would think that simply because any given grade in a BCPM class weighs more heavily in your sGPA than cGPA (due to non-BCPM classes being taken at all in college) its more common to have a lower sGPA than cGPA. In any case, competitiveness of both is necessary. I wouldn't worry about any differences provided both are near where you want them to be.

 

[nisarg2010]

I've noticed that for most med school average GPAs, the sGPA is slightly lower than the cGPA. If your cGPA is higher than your sGPA (say 3.6 and 3.5 respectively) does that raise a big red flag in admissions?

Depends on your major. As an engineering major, my science GPA is WAY higher (3.75) then my cGPA (3.63). I don't think this should raise any "red flags".

 

[BJJ]

I'm a biology major now and that seems to be the trend of having a higher cGPA and sGPA, but mine is different. I did pretty poorly my freshman semester (relatively) in my non science classes while doing well in my science classes (which I found much more interesting). Consequently my sGPA is 3.78 and cGPA is 3.68. Last semester my cGPA was 3.64 and sGPA was 3.82.

 

[WeAreNotRobots]

Does it matter? You should always be trying to do the best you can, and if there's a slight difference between your GPAs, then what are you really gonna do? Will you plan on bombing a test in a non-bcmp class to bring down that grade a little and make your bcmp gpa look relatively stronger? Or do a postbacc to bring up your bcmp gpa by 0.1 gpa points?

Seriously, get over it. They are looking for large differences in GPAs, and as you said, the data shows it's common.

 

[raltima07]

I too have a lower SGPA than CGPA

 

[13132]

I too have a lower SGPA than CGPA

I have a much lower sGPA. I have a 4.0 in non-science but by science it a 3.6. It paints the full picture of a 3.8, but I often worry how adcoms will view that split.

 

[raltima07]

I have a much lower sGPA. I have a 4.0 in non-science but by science it a 3.6. It paints the full picture of a 3.8, but I often worry how adcoms will view that split.

I guess time will tell for us

 

[13132]

I guess time will tell for us

True. I want to go to my state school so I think those stats (so far) shouldn't be a major problem.

 

[45408]

If the average student has a lower sGPA, why would it be a red flag? Think about it.

 

[WannaBeDerm]

I think it 100% depends upon the gap between the two.
I've always heard if you have a pretty good GPA, but all your science classes caused your GPA to drop and they were upper level, it looks poorly upon you because it shows that you struggle in more difficult classes (which lets be honest, I never had a non-science class that challenged me in the slightest).
If your GPA started dropping once you hit your upper level sciences, bad sign, shows you can't handle those difficult classes.

So if it's a small gap, no problem; big gap, bigger problem.

and after saying this, my science GPA is slightly lower (only because of organic, evil evil organic)

 

[Person0715]

For some reason, that's the usual trend; it's the case for me too.

 

[MDGirlFromLaPaz]

I've noticed that for most med school average GPAs, the sGPA is slightly lower than the cGPA. If your cGPA is higher than your sGPA (say 3.6 and 3.5 respectively) does that raise a big red flag in admissions?

The difference between 3.6 and 3.5 is negligible. I wouldnt worry as long as your cGPA is close to your science GPA.

 

[Chelslen]

mine differ by a LOT right now.. about 0.6 in difference, to be honest, sGPA being the lower of the two.

i'm done with my basic classes like english, polisci, history, etc, so its science classes from here on out (i've only taken 4 BCMP classes so far), and i'm definitely expecting that gap to decrease a lot in the coming year.

 

[CrushMCAT]

I've noticed that for most med school average GPAs, the sGPA is slightly lower than the cGPA. If your cGPA is higher than your sGPA (say 3.6 and 3.5 respectively) does that raise a big red flag in admissions?

My opinion: I doubt it.

 

[schwabejr]

This is a tricky situation. Its important to think about what your degree program is too. For example: My sGPA and cGPA are exactly the same but thats only because Im a junior biology major and have taken 68 hours of science classes versus 23 hours of non science. Bear that in mind when you're doing your calculations.

Besides, its always good to have a high non science gpa if you're a science major. It shows that you have some breadth in your studies and that youre not some science freak who cant do anything else.

Out of curiosity, how many semesters do you have left and whats the breakdown of the classes (science versus non science)? <- be sure to factor that in when your considering what your GPA's could be by the time you apply

 

[estradiol9]

My cGPA is a 3.7. My sGPA is a 3.6. I'm a biology major. Physics FTW -_-

 

[samvillian]

my gpa's are about dead even. around 3.75 a piece.

 

[13132]

Well does your major matter?

For instance, biology majors at my school take a special dilute version of biochemistry while a biochemistry major has to take two much more difficult lectures and then a lab.

How is this comparable?

 

[Whatyousay]

Well does your major matter?

For instance, biology majors at my school take a special dilute version of biochemistry while a biochemistry major has to take two much more difficult lectures and then a lab.

How is this comparable?

Sure, your major matters, but you can't really use it as an excuse for a lower GPA.

Adcoms may or may not adjust for the difficulty of the major, but at the end of the day, a basket weaving major with a 4.0 in all the pre-reqs is still a lot more competitive than a 3.5 biomechanicalchemicalnuclearmathphysicsbiology major with a hundred credit hours worth of science classes.