Prereqs vs. cGPA

[NStarz]

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Hi all. Another random question.

Background: 4.0 GPA freshman year, dropped since then. I have a cGPA in the 3.6-3.7 range, but I do have a couple of Cs in prereqs. (Two C+s first semester junior year and most likely one C- (may be able to pull up to a C) this semester (second semester junior year).

My GPA is pretty high (at least I hope so), but I do have two-three classes where my grades in the prereqs were significantly lower than my GPA suggests. Am I screwed?

Oh btw, my sGPA is around 3.5-3.6.

 

[cowgirla]

I had a couple C's in prereqs (Calc and Ochem come to mind) AND in an upper level science class, with a cGPA significantly lower than yours, and got in this cycle.

If its 2 or possibly 3, you shouldn't have too much of a problem. Expect to have to explain what happened, and how you will prevent it from happening again in the future.

Otherwise, don't worry too much. We are only human after all.

 

[twelvetigers]

Remember, a C- might not cut it for some schools, as they would consider that "below a C'. I think that's a bit silly since a lot of us go to schools without the +/- stuff, but yeah. Just a caution!

 

[Minnerbelle]

I think it really depends on the school. Some schools really emphasize just the pre-req GPA to compare students, while others kind of look at cGPA, last 45, etc... so apply broadly I guess!

 

[BlacKAT33]

if you can keep your GPA up that high while still getting Cs, that means you've gotten As in a lot of courses so i think you're perfectly fine. Better than me. I had 4 Cs but was only able to get my GPA up to 3.4 by the end. However, the schools saw my patterns in my transcripts and they did notice that i was capable of getting As in hard sci courses...and i think you'll be able to show that too since your sci GPA is still avg-high.

TT is right though, some schools require C or above, some say C- or above. You have to look it up for each school. i was lucky it wasn't a problem for me because i didnt find this out until after i had already applied to my chosen schools!

 

[NStarz]

if you can keep your GPA up that high while still getting Cs, that means you've gotten As in a lot of courses so i think you're perfectly fine. Better than me. I had 4 Cs but was only able to get my GPA up to 3.4 by the end. However, the schools saw my patterns in my transcripts and they did notice that i was capable of getting As in hard sci courses...and i think you'll be able to show that too since your sci GPA is still avg-high.

TT is right though, some schools require C or above, some say C- or above. You have to look it up for each school. i was lucky it wasn't a problem for me because i didnt find this out until after i had already applied to my chosen schools!

Yep, I'm on top of things, thanks guys! Of the 12 schools I was going to apply to, 10 accept a C- for a prereq (phew!). I am really struggling in this class after having switched professors mid-sequence and everyone else had the same guy for both classes, so I think I'm at a bit of disadvantage. But that's no excuse, and I'll just chock it up to the fact that organic chemistry and I will never be intimately involved 😉

That's also another thing I'm afraid of...the trend (my is really downward 🙁 --all of my C's have been in my junior year!)

 

[Minnerbelle]

That's also another thing I'm afraid of...the trend (my is really downward 🙁 --all of my C's have been in my junior year!)

That's I think much more what you should be worried about. Were your pre-req courses (especially the science ones) distributed equally throughout your undergrad years? or did a majority of hard science pre-reqs fall in your junior year as well? Was there a reason why you all of the sudden hit a downward spiral?

 

[NStarz]

That's I think much more what you should be worried about. Were your pre-req courses (especially the science ones) distributed equally throughout your undergrad years? or did a majority of hard science pre-reqs fall in your junior year as well? Was there a reason why you all of the sudden hit a downward spiral?

Not so much, I took the phys sequence, biochem and orgo II my jr year...gen chem and gen bios were in freshman year (and orgo I my soph year)

I don't really have any excuse except for overextending myself (20 credits first semester, 18 credits this semester). My phys I class was graded on a completely random scale (I think my highest grade on a test was a 37!) and he graded on a curve based on who he liked. Biochem was difficult but I also learned the most I've ever learned in a class in that one. Phys grade should be going up this semester (probably an A).

I struggled with some health issues my freshman year and played catch up my sophomore and junior years. I think my downward trend is a direct consequence of that. Though I don't want to explain anything away.

 

[Minnerbelle]

Not so much, I took the phys sequence, biochem and orgo II my jr year...gen chem and gen bios were in freshman year (and orgo I my soph year)

That's no so bad then! It might raise a couple of eyebrows, but that's probably something they'll give you a chance at interviews to defend yourself. It would have been really bad had you kept a good gpa with non-pre-reqs and then downspiraled as soon as you started to crunch in tough sciences.

 

[skittles12]

I don't think it will matter too much, as long as you're certain the schools accept a C-. I know that UTK doesn't take them. I had a C in both semesters of organic chemistry just because it's really not my thing. However, the interviewers here don't know your grades, so it never came up in the actual interview.

 

[ckd816]

Not to hijack this thread, BUT... 😛

When you report cGPA is it from your primary school or literally everything combined? I know that's probably a dumb question, but I thought I had heard it was just from the primary school. Same goes for last 45 GPA... if I took one class at a CC while taking a full course load at my university will they include both?

Thanks!

 

[HopefulAg]

It's everything for both.

And that comes with the usual disclaimer of 'though it probably varies between schools'.

 

[parietal]

Not to hijack this thread, BUT... 😛

When you report cGPA is it from your primary school or literally everything combined? I know that's probably a dumb question, but I thought I had heard it was just from the primary school. Same goes for last 45 GPA... if I took one class at a CC while taking a full course load at my university will they include both?

Thanks!

You enter everything: every grade for every college class you have ever attempted anywhere. Most schools do their own calculations based on this information, I think. Some of the supplementals also require you to re-enter your prereq classes on their forms.

There is a spot on the VMCAS to self-report your GPA for your primary school, if I remember correctly. And you are pretty much allowed to chose which school is your primary school. But how much schools actually use this, I'm not really sure. My guess is probably not a lot.

 

[ckd816]

There is a spot on the VMCAS to self-report your GPA for your primary school, if I remember correctly. And you are pretty much allowed to chose which school is your primary school. But how much schools actually use this, I'm not really sure. My guess is probably not a lot.

I know you enter every grade ever, but I think the above info was what I was thinking of. Thanks!

 

[moosenanny]

NStarz - I wouldn't be too concerned about your cGPA and sGPA, but you might worry a bit about your last 45-credit GPA. If I were you, I'd apply to schools that mostly de-emphasize this stat, if at all possible, and look instead at pre-req/science GPA and cGPA. Also, apply to schools that look at fall grades, and try to rock your senior fall semester. That way, you can use that last opportunity to "prove" yourself to ad coms.

 

[NStarz]

Oy, I just crunched the numbers. I am officially *not* getting in

Prereq: 3.1-3.2
Last 45: 3.2-3.3
sGPA: 3.5-3.6
cGPA: 3.6-3.7

Doesn't help that I AP'ed intro bio, so that would have helped the GPA a bit. My sGPA is higher also, because I have a lot of ecology courses as part of my major (which are inherently easier :cry: )

 

[lalzi22]

No use worrying about the past. Can't go back and change it. Kick the a** of the GRE and try to do well next semester. Kill the PS and hey, you have a higher than average cGPA, so that'll get you past some step 1's onto the interview part. Jump all over those interviews, get accepted to vet school and BAM...future awesomeness. I have faith in you.

 

[cowgirla]

Oy, I just crunched the numbers. I am officially *not* getting in

Prereq: 3.1-3.2
Last 45: 3.2-3.3
sGPA: 3.5-3.6
cGPA: 3.6-3.7

Doesn't help that I AP'ed intro bio, so that would have helped the GPA a bit. My sGPA is higher also, because I have a lot of ecology courses as part of my major (which are inherently easier :cry: )

"Not getting in?" I certainly wouldn't say that...

My cGPA is a 3.2
Last 45 was a 3.3ish
Illinois calculated my science GPA as a 2.8. By my calculations it was more like a 3.2, since they didnt include some of my animal science classes.
My prereq was right around a 3.1 as well.

Hang in there! Do the best you can, no body can ask for any more than that. It's not a hopeless fight.

 

[NStarz]

"Not getting in?" I certainly wouldn't say that...

My cGPA is a 3.2
Last 45 was a 3.3ish
Illinois calculated my science GPA as a 2.8. By my calculations it was more like a 3.2, since they didnt include some of my animal science classes.
My prereq was right around a 3.1 as well.

Hang in there! Do the best you can, no body can ask for any more than that. It's not a hopeless fight.

Oh wow, you totally just made my night. THANK YOU!!!!!


Unfortunately, I was really counting on GPA to carry me through because I don't have a ton of veterinary experience (TONS of animal though, and a lot of research as well which can count, but it's not true veterinary experience). So I'm not sure how well I'm gonna fare, but I believe now that it's not a lost hope! (Hopefully I can kick some serious butt on the GREs!)

 

[BlacKAT33]

Oy, I just crunched the numbers. I am officially *not* getting in

Prereq: 3.1-3.2
Last 45: 3.2-3.3
sGPA: 3.5-3.6
cGPA: 3.6-3.7

Doesn't help that I AP'ed intro bio, so that would have helped the GPA a bit. My sGPA is higher also, because I have a lot of ecology courses as part of my major (which are inherently easier :cry: )

what? please stop putting yourself down. i guess its about to cross the line of needing a self esteem boost and just a little irritating. you have a high science GPA. do you know what my sci GPA was? 3.2 . You also have a high cGPA, do you know what mine was? 3.4.

Also, GPA is just ONE category. stop worrying about something you have no control over and think about your PS, eLORs, GREs, supp essays, vet+animal experience, etc....

no worries anymore please

 

[NStarz]

what? please stop putting yourself down. i guess its about to cross the line of needing a self esteem boost and just a little irritating. you have a high science GPA. do you know what my sci GPA was? 3.2 . You also have a high cGPA, do you know what mine was? 3.4.

Also, GPA is just ONE category. stop worrying about something you have no control over and think about your PS, eLORs, GREs, supp essays, vet+animal experience, etc....

no worries anymore please

Sorry, I wasn't trying to be annoying. My parents are just way too overly faithful in me and I was really shocked seeing those numbers tonight. I don't mean to put any of you down in any way and I apologize if anyone took offense 🙁

Thank you everyone for your encouragement!

 

[BlacKAT33]

Sorry, I wasn't trying to be annoying. My parents are just way too overly faithful in me and I was really shocked seeing those numbers tonight. I don't mean to put any of you down in any way and I apologize if anyone took offense 🙁

Thank you everyone for your encouragement!

its ok 😀 but really dont worry. it is possible to get in with lower stats than you so id be more worried about the lack of vet experience that you mentioned

 

[Minnerbelle]

yea for realz! almost every single person who applies to vet school has a blemish or two in their application so don't worry about it. improve what you can, and do well on the GRE's. If you can get 80+ percentiles on your GRE's, I don't think your gpa will matter all too much (esp since your cGPA is pretty good). Maybe you won't get into every school, but all you need to do is be competitive enough to get into ONE school, and your chances are better the more broadly you apply.

i had a lower cGPA than you, about the same sGPA, and a higher last 45. I also only had shelter med and basic research for "vet" experience. i came out just fine, so don't despair. as long as you make it up in other ways, you're definitely not doomed.

 

[HopefulAg]

do you know what mine was? 3.4.

High five!


And yah you're overreacting. Those are awesome GPAs. I would've loved to have had a 3.6 sGPA and cGPA.

They will (if they calculate it) ask about your last 45 and pre-req GPAs though, so be sure you can explain to them why they're so 'low' in comparison to the rest.