Is there a 3.0 cutoff?

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dradams

dradams

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Here I am asking another question.

My background again:

I'm 32 years old (almost 33) and have been a high school AP Biology teacher and an adjunct instructor in Biology at a nearby community college for the past 5 years. I have two undergrad degrees, the first in Business from the University of Florida (not a very good GPA) and the second in Biology from Florida Atlantic University (graduated with Honors). I also have a Masters in Biology from Columbia University.

Overall undergrad GPA 3.0
Science GPA 3.84

Here is the situation: when calculating my overall undergrad GPA (with the grades from my first degree) it comes out just under 3.0 in reality (2.98) assuming I did it correctly. Should I take a couple of classes this Spring semester in order to bring my overall GPA up to a 3.0? Will it make much of a difference? Is there some type of cutoff if the GPA falls even slightly below a 3.0?

Thanks again for the info.
 
not sure if there is a cutoff but....having that first number of the gpa as a 3 instead of a 2 is always good to have.

if you can get As in those extra classes i am sure they wouldnt hurt your chances.
 
If you want to be really sneaky, you don't have to mention the school u did ur business degree at. Just send the transcript of where u did ur bio degree at. SSSHHHHH!😎
 
That's not true is it? I thought you have to send all transcripts. That would be considered not very ethical wouldn't it? Besides, there would be a four year gap (ages 18-22) in my profile.
 
Unless you go for a third UG degree there isn't anything you can do to change that. Any classes you'd take now would be considered post-bacc and would be given there own spot on the AMCAS. I'd worry more about rocking the MCAT [get a 33 or so] and your PS. Emphasize that the jackball back at UF 14 years ago has matured, gotten a second degree [with honors], a MS and has taught [not a small responsibilty] for the past five years.

There are a few different cut-off formula's out there that you can 'beat' with a high MCAT. Call specific schools your applying to and see if they have any sort of 3.0 cut-off and just kind of explain your life. You'd be amazed by how helpful [most] places will be.
 
That's true the classes would be postbacc but there is also an overall GPA that includes all undergrad grades correct? So I could still raise that slightly.
 
I would take science courses now. Maybe more advanced. But definitely something that you would excel at. It would be a big help to bring the overall GPA up a bit.

Yes, you could explain how you've matured and developed your academic skills. But I'd have more to show that I can ace the scientific material now. Also do concentrate on the MCAT.

Never "omit" any school you've attended. Always be honest. You don't want anything to come haunt you later (especially after all the effort you're gonna put into getting accepted).
 
I'm looking at my AMCAS now and there is a cumulative UG line that includes PB-UG classes. Besides classes like Intro to Knitting that's be used to raise your GPA doing well in a couple of upper level [MS or PhD level] Bio courses would help make your case that you've got what it takes to make it through MD school.
 
Thanks for the feedback.
 
Originally posted by NE_Cornhusker1
Unless you go for a third UG degree there isn't anything you can do to change that. Any classes you'd take now would be considered post-bacc and would be given there own spot on the AMCAS.
Click to expand...

That's not true. Post-bacc grades are included in your regular undergrad GPA calculations.

I would definitely take a couple of classes to get over a 3.0. I know for a fact that many schools automatically dump any application with a GPA under a 3.0. You're going to have a pretty tough row to hoe anyway, as we've previously discussed on this forum, and I don't think that 2.whatever is doing you any favors.
 
Originally posted by dradams
Here I am asking another question.

My background again:

I'm 32 years old (almost 33) and have been a high school AP Biology teacher and an adjunct instructor in Biology at a nearby community college for the past 5 years. I have two undergrad degrees, the first in Business from the University of Florida (not a very good GPA) and the second in Biology from Florida Atlantic University (graduated with Honors). I also have a Masters in Biology from Columbia University.

Overall undergrad GPA 3.0
Science GPA 3.84

Here is the situation: when calculating my overall undergrad GPA (with the grades from my first degree) it comes out just under 3.0 in reality (2.98) assuming I did it correctly. Should I take a couple of classes this Spring semester in order to bring my overall GPA up to a 3.0? Will it make much of a difference? Is there some type of cutoff if the GPA falls even slightly below a 3.0?

Thanks again for the info.
Click to expand...

Dradams,

Definitely get that Cumulative GPA above 3.0! (Take some classes, or maybe one will do it, this spring and get an A or A-). Even though this will be listed under Post-Bacc, there is only ONE cumulative undergraduate GPA calculated which includes undergrad AND post-bacc. Adcoms usually have their own sheets with GPA seperations and you better believe with the amount of applicants they look over, they are concerned with MCAT and this cumulative undergrad+postbacc GPA. If that thing reads 2.anything it will be much worse than 3.0. Adcoms probably do a lot of "scanning over" applications and if they see 2.9 as an undergrad GPA they will probably not give you the benefit of the doubt (assuming a computer didnt trash your application before). I think taking an extra class and joining the 3.0 and above club is the highest-yield thing you can do for your application. I also think with a 30+ MCAT and that strong science GPA, you have a shot at allopathics but apply early. Hope this helps.
 
How much was your GPA from Florida Atlantic?

3.84 science GPA is really great though.


Anyhow i don't believe that there is a 3.0 "cut-off". Maybe some schools but definately not all. The difference between you and other sub-3.0 people is that you have an interesting story AND a high science GPA.

I would say take a few courses but you have done so much work that there really is no point anymore. They will either love you or hate you.
 
Duke doesn't look "favorably" on anything less than a 3.2 GPA. Who cares and whatever🙄

Heb🙂
 
Thanks for the feedback.

My GPA at Florida Atlantic is a 3.8. Basically the same as my science because I took almost entirely science courses to get that degree.

I'm still not sure about taking a couple of classes. I'm getting differing opinions on the 3.0 thing.
 
Dradams i am not sure if a couple of courses will help you or not. I am sure that i won't hurt you though. So going by that philosophy it would be best to take them.

My opinion is that the 3.8 will help balance the 3.0. After all you can claim that during your first years in college you were going through a rough period blah blah blah.

Your W/E will definately help you in the process as well.

Just be prepared to answer "why medicine" and "why now".
 
you may be able to get into a DO or lower teir MD school.....but these people have NO info about FL schools

http://www.med.usf.edu/MD/appool.htm

min gpa 3.0

http://www.miami.edu/UMH/CDA/UMH_Main/0,1770,2600-1;14190-2;17584-3,00.html

min gpa 3.2

UF does not have a min but it is more competitve than the other FL schools.

FSU you could have a good shot at.

I dont mean to be blunt but....its there in black and white...you deserve the truth not what your getting. Now a caveat is...if you didnt include FAU gpa in your overall then your total undergrad would be +3.0, getting you a secondary at USF. If your Masters GPA was +3.5 then you would get one from UM. But you science GPA doesnt enter into it.....you need to calulate you true undergrad and grad GPAs accuratly and look at it then. Do the leg work yourself....go to the school websites....your only gonna get garbage here.
 
Another question: How does AMCAS work as far as grades? Do they check everything that you put down against your transcripts that you have sent? Not that I would do anything dishonest, but the other post got me thinking.
 
Originally posted by dradams
Another question: How does AMCAS work as far as grades? Do they check everything that you put down against your transcripts that you have sent? Not that I would do anything dishonest, but the other post got me thinking.
Click to expand...

You enter in all of your grades....they check your reported grades against your official transcript...thats one of the reasons verification takes a while....they manually double check everything.
 
Ahh, I see. Thanks, I've never gone through the process before. That is quite a tedious job for whomever checks over those transcripts.
 
Well.....is your total undergrad gpa 3.0? including both udergrad schools?

Is your masters gpa 3.5+?
 
Originally posted by dradams
Another question: How does AMCAS work as far as grades? Do they check everything that you put down against your transcripts that you have sent? Not that I would do anything dishonest, but the other post got me thinking.
Click to expand...

Yes they definately do.
 
OK, thanks. Yes, my total undergrad GPA is 3.0 including both degrees.
 
In that case i would echo the sentiments of the other posters. Take whatever you can to get yourself a true 3.0 and not a 2.99 it really is a significant mental difference.

Are you calculating it with an A- as 3.7 and not 3.75 and B+ at 3.3 not 3.25. I was using the -+.25 and so does my school.....but acmas counts -'s and +'s as -+ .30.
 
None of the schools I attended gave minuses, but I was using the .30 for +

Thanks.
 
Originally posted by dradams
None of the schools I attended gave minuses, but I was using the .30 for +

Thanks.
Click to expand...

How does that work? So if you had a 90% you would get an A instead of an A-?
 
Originally posted by NRAI2001
How does that work? So if you had a 90% you would get an A instead of an A-?
Click to expand...

I go to a school which doesn't use the +/- system, just straight letter grades (A,B,C,D,F). Yeah, a 90% does give you an A, but for every 90.1% that you get an A for, there's an equal and opposite 89.9% that you get a B for, so there isn't a whole lot of grade inflation over the long term (Overall campus GPA usually ranges from 2.9 - 3.0)
 
Originally posted by AverageMan
I go to a school which doesn't use the +/- system, just straight letter grades (A,B,C,D,F). Yeah, a 90% does give you an A, but for every 90.1% that you get an A for, there's an equal and opposite 89.9% that you get a B for, so there isn't a whole lot of grade inflation over the long term (Overall campus GPA usually ranges from 2.9 - 3.0)
Click to expand...

I gave alot of thought to the significance of different ways of counting or not counting +'s and -'s

I think its reasonable to assume that pre meds make more A's than B's. And on the same token...more of them make A-'s than B+'s......therfore it seems like the BEST system for keeping grades high is the one which makes a A- count the most....even if that means B+'s counting that much less.....the best situation being the one which counts all 90+ as A's.

I was pissed to realize that AMCAS would count my A- at 3.7 as apoosed to 3.75 for that very reason....i naturaly had more A- than B+ so it didnt work out as high as my schools gpa calculations.
 
One other thing to keep in mind - many schools that do explicitly state a GPA cutoff have seperate cut-off GPAs for undergraduate and graduate students. In other words, your high grad GPA will keep you 'eligible to apply' at numerous places that have a flat cutoff (e.g. University of Miami, see website)
 
Originally posted by zinjanthropus
One other thing to keep in mind - many schools that do explicitly state a GPA cutoff have seperate cut-off GPAs for undergraduate and graduate students. In other words, your high grad GPA will keep you 'eligible to apply' at numerous places that have a flat cutoff (e.g. University of Miami, see website)
Click to expand...

What happens when you have a high undergrad GPA and a low grad GPA?
 
thats not good but as far as beating the cut off for the schools i know of it and either sort of thing....either have an undergrad of X or a grad of X, so it look like your ok either way.
 
is there in fact a 3.0 cutoff, as far as anyone knows?
 
Yes, I would like to know that info also. I guess that is why I started this thread.

😉
 
i think most people have both thought of that and tried it already; i don't think most websites list this information. that's probably why everyone is asking if someone may have heard something about cutoffs from their own experiences with the application process.
 
Very true generation2MD.
 
For year 2000, UT San Antonio GPA range: 2.9-4.0

Univ of North Dakota GPA: 2.03-4.0
 
fonzy, where did you find that info?
 
that info' is from AAMC MSAR
 
Does the AAMC MSAR tell the GPA range of all schools? I keep thinking about buying one.
 
Originally posted by toomuch
Does the AAMC MSAR tell the GPA range of all schools? I keep thinking about buying one.
Click to expand...
No, it doesn't give a range for every school. But it's still a very valuable tool to have.
 
I'm a bit new to this. What is the AMCAS MSAR and where do I find it?
 
dradams

you can buy "AAMC MSAR " at the amcas website.
www.amcas.com and click on student/applicant section, and on the right side....there should be an option to purchase the book if you like.
the book has statistic of appl.#, interview#, acceptance# for most schools.

I hope that helps.

John.
:clap:

😱
 
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