overall or science gpa more important?

[freetree]

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which do schools give more weight to? so far (after completing freshman year) i have a 3.35 overall gpa, and a science gpa of about 3.7. i know i def have time to pull up my overall gpa, but ive always done better in science than in the humanities. (this is @ a top liberal arts college, if that matters)

 

[honsano]

SCIENCE......gangsta

For future questions, you may want to refer to the search 'thizzangy' up there.....gangsta

 

[Fermata]

Science.

 

[kgboy]

Hmm, interesting. Not to hijack this thread or anything but I have one quick question...

All my engineering classes are not considered science. Though I did well in all the engineering classes, I had couple of C's in my freshman math classes. Thus, my science GPA is low. Would the adcoms look more at overall gpa in case where freshman classes are bringing down the science GPA and harder engineering classes sophomore and junior yr are not even counted?

 

[Fermata]

Hmm, interesting. Not to hijack this thread or anything but I have one quick question...

All my engineering classes are not considered science. Though I did well in all the engineering classes, I had couple of C's in my freshman math classes. Thus, my science GPA is low. Would the adcoms look more at overall gpa in case where freshman classes are bringing down the science GPA and harder engineering classes sophomore and junior yr are not even counted?

Supposedly, adcoms do take upward trends into account.

 

[Thearchitect]

Engineering courses not counted as science? Really? What are they? Fondu?

 

[Severus]

I'm not sure what engineering courses are classified as, but I'm pretty sure I read somewhere that they are not considered as a 'science' class. Doesn't seem to make much sense.

Sev

 

[zep]

sci?ence:

The observation, identification, description, experimental investigation, and theoretical explanation of phenomena.


en?gi?neer?ing:

The application of scientific and mathematical principles to practical ends such as the design, manufacture, and operation of efficient and economical structures, machines, processes, and systems.

 

[chopper]

Engineering is NOT considered science for AMCAS. What are: Classes in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Math. Not even all 'science' classes are considered for the BCPM. There is a specific list of all types of classes in the AMCAS instruction book.

 

[nikolai521]

courses fulfillling a biology major, linear algebra, and physical chemistry are considered in the AMCAS BPCM gpa right?

 

[MoosePilot]

courses fulfillling a biology major, linear algebra, and physical chemistry are considered in the AMCAS BPCM gpa right?

Biology, physics, chemistry, and math. So yes, biology, math, and chemistry classes should be included.

 

[nuttyp3]

I was a mechanical engineering undergrad, and althought I was disappointed they did not include those engineering classes in the BCPM GPA (for, engineering is just simply applied physics) I was happy that I could include my 5 semesters of math!! It turned out to be a huge advantage for me, hopefully it could do the same with you.

 

[liverotcod]

Biology, physics, chemistry, and math. So yes, biology, math, and chemistry classes should be included.

Yeah, but what about physics?

 

[kgboy]

I have several mechanics classes that I'm debating wherther or not to put under science GPA. They were either offered by mechanical, bio-, or chemical engineering departments so these should technically be listed as engineering. These classes are:

Mechanics:Statics, Mechanics: Dynamics, Continuum Mechanincs, Biomechanics 1, Biomechanics 2, Fluid Mechanics.

Mechanics is not a class of machine design and stuff as you would think when u hear something like "automechanics class". Its basically a physics class. I looked up the defn and look what I got:

me?chan?ics ( P ) Pronunciation Key (m-knks)n.
(used with a sing. verb) The branch of physics that is concerned with the analysis of the action of forces on matter or material systems.

Other engineering ppl on this forum advised me its not worth the risk of putting these classes under "science" because it may delay the application process. But those 5 A's will boost my science gpa like 0.15 points. As 3.6 sounds much better than 3.45, I am so reluctant to leave these classes as engineering. Do u think its worth the risk given that the "definition" of mechanics is a branch of physics?...I would really like to ask AMCAAs about this but from what I heard, they don't even reply to people's emails.

 

[liverotcod]

FWIW, I would list the statics and dynamics courses as physics, at the least, since these are courses commonly offered by physics departments. Don't worry about your app being delayed; if you get it in soon, you're still ahead of the game.

 

[nuttyp3]

I think trying to include mechanics classes could easily turn into a drawn out and fruitless effort. As I mentioned, the classes you mentioned are merely applied physics classes but unfortunately are labled under "engineering" courses. I think this fact would necessitate alot of communication to AMCAS to defend your case, and include the classes under the BCPM classification. I definately see how it will benefit your application, but because it is such a general application, I would assume AMCAS would rigidly stick to their regulations and NOT include engineering classes - no matter the content - in the BCPM. Though, this is only my $0.02.

 

[freetree]

what about a geology class? would that count as 'science'? how exactly do adcoms view our science gpa? do they calculate it themselves?

 

[liverotcod]

From the AMCAS 2005 help system:

Natural/Physical Sciences (NPSC)
Agriculture
Animal and Avian Sciences
Forestry
Geography
Geology
Horticulture
Landscape Architecture
Meteorology
Natural Resources
Oceanography
Environmental Science & Policy

These are NOT included in BCPM (science GPA). Adcoms don't calculate it, AMCAS does as they verify your application to your transcripts.

 

[freetree]

so when i compare my gpa to a school's average, i should use my bcpm average instead of my overall gpa?