Question about GPA calculation

[ABorges]

Hi guys,

Sorry if this was answered previously, but I was wondering how a master's GPA calculates into application GPA. Maybe it's me being overly hopeful, but I feel like it should be weighted a little heavier than post-bacc classes. I have a low ugrad GPA, but I am doing my master's currently. I will be done in a semester and I have all a's, so I was hoping my master's would carry a little more weight to boost me a bit more.

Thanks!

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[Chip N Sawbones]

I hate to disappoint you, but your master's grades won't be included in your cumulative or science GPAs. Your cGPA and sGPA are the ones that really matter on your application. Adcoms don't put much stock in master's program grades, as they know grade inflation occurs frequently in these programs. Getting the masters will help you out some, though. What is your current cumulative GPA, including all the undergrad classes you've taken?

 

[CW 2010]

They don't pay much attention to the master's GPA because they can't compare you to other applicants this way. I know that logically it makes sense to weigh graduate GPA more than undergraduate one because graduate courses are harder (or supposed to be harder), and etc. But think about it, the majority of people applying have only undergraduate GPA. How to sort the applicants out then? Comparing their UG GPA and their MCAT sores.

You might want to look into completing more undergraduate courses or retaking classes that you got C's and B's in.

 

[Goro]

It depends upon what the MS is in. For example, the SMP would be a mimic of a medical school curriculum and be something like a MS in "medical biology or medical sciences". This we look upon very highly.

But if the MS is heavily focussed on research (say, an MS in neuroscience), where the coursework consists of "Seminars", Journal Club" Research, or DNA techniques, then we wouldn't look at it as highly.

I hate to disappoint you, but your master's grades won't be included in your cumulative or science GPAs. Your cGPA and sGPA are the ones that really matter on your application. Adcoms don't put much stock in master's program grades, as they know grade inflation occurs frequently in these programs. Getting the masters will help you out some, though. What is your current cumulative GPA, including all the undergrad classes you've taken?

 

[ABorges]

It depends upon what the MS is in. For example, the SMP would be a mimic of a medical school curriculum and be something like a MS in "medical biology or medical sciences". This we look upon very highly.

But if the MS is heavily focussed on research (say, an MS in neuroscience), where the coursework consists of "Seminars", Journal Club" Research, or DNA techniques, then we wouldn't look at it as highly.

I go to NYMC, and I am getting my masters in pathology. My program is taught by the same professors that teach the medical class and because it is such a small community, we are given the same lectures. I also volunteer at the teaching hospital, I work as technician in a specialists office, and I am coordinating a medical device research trial for a device that is going for FDA approval. I feel like I have my hands in so many different things that they have to make up for my poor ugrad GPA (2.8). That, with my 4.0 masters gpa should count for something, I would think! I just need a little encouragement so I know that me busting my bum isn't a waste. My ugrad was 3 years ago, and in the meantime, I was a 5th grade science teacher, which made me fall in love with children. I really want to specialize in peds, and I feel like I have had experiences others (those fresh out of ugrad) haven't had.

 

[occams_razor]

I go to NYMC, and I am getting my masters in pathology. My program is taught by the same professors that teach the medical class and because it is such a small community, we are given the same lectures. I also volunteer at the teaching hospital, I work as technician in a specialists office, and I am coordinating a medical device research trial for a device that is going for FDA approval. I feel like I have my hands in so many different things that they have to make up for my poor ugrad GPA (2.8). That, with my 4.0 masters gpa should count for something, I would think! I just need a little encouragement so I know that me busting my bum isn't a waste. My ugrad was 3 years ago, and in the meantime, I was a 5th grade science teacher, which made me fall in love with children. I really want to specialize in peds, and I feel like I have had experiences others (those fresh out of ugrad) haven't had.

Unfortunately med schools will not overlook the 2.8 Undergrad GPA. most med schools use a 3.0 undergrad GPA cutoff and so with the 2.8 you will be auto-screened out. I suggest re-taking a few undergrad courses as a post-bacc student so you can get your GPA to a 3.0 and then apply.

 

[occams_razor]

I go to NYMC, and I am getting my masters in pathology. My program is taught by the same professors that teach the medical class and because it is such a small community, we are given the same lectures. I also volunteer at the teaching hospital, I work as technician in a specialists office, and I am coordinating a medical device research trial for a device that is going for FDA approval. I feel like I have my hands in so many different things that they have to make up for my poor ugrad GPA (2.8). That, with my 4.0 masters gpa should count for something, I would think! I just need a little encouragement so I know that me busting my bum isn't a waste. My ugrad was 3 years ago, and in the meantime, I was a 5th grade science teacher, which made me fall in love with children. I really want to specialize in peds, and I feel like I have had experiences others (those fresh out of ugrad) haven't had.

also, while you have had experiences that those fresh out of undergrad haven't had, keep in mind that many people aren't applying fresh out of undergrad as more and more people take a year or more off to improve their credentials before applying. I'm not trying to discourage you but highlight how insanely competitive this process is. There are many qualified candidates who get rejected every year. for example I have a friend who had a 3.3 undergrad GPA and 4.0 masters GPA and he did teach for America; he did not get accepted the 1st time he applied (he did get in as a re-applicant). He was perfectly qualified but I think what hurt him was the undergrad GPA, as the average GPA for accepted students (to MD schools) is 3.7 for the cumulative GPA and about 3.6 for the science GPA

 

[Chip N Sawbones]

You've got some good experiences, but those alone are not going to get you into med school. You've got to have a better cGPA to prove that you will be able to handle the intense courseload of medical school. Most schools won't even consider applicants with less than a 3.0 cGPA. Working hard to get good grades in your masters will help you, but it is absolutely essential that you bring your GPA up. Have you taken the prerequisite classes (a year each of biology, chemistry, organic chemistry and physics) yet? If not, you'll absolutely need to do that. Once those are done, I'd recommend retaking the classes you got bad grades in, worst grades first. DO schools allow grade replacement, so a semester or a year of retakes should boost your GPA considerably.

 

[ABorges]

So this is kind of where it is sticky... I took all the prerequisite classes, and I did very well in them all (I got one b, with the rest being a's). Towards the end of college my step father passed away so that's when the decline happened. The classes I got poor grades in were all high upper levels like biochem (which I am taking in my masters program, along with biochem II), molecular biology I and II, immunology, etc. Since I am taking biochem in my masters program, would I really have to retake an undergrad level? I am also taking immunology, histology, etc. for my masters. I guess I am just thinking that is a giant waste of money that I am already spending, if that makes sense. My science gpa is low bc I took so many science classes. I mean, does this system favor those who are English majors and do post-bac prereqs and get all a's rather than those students that have science based majors? If adcoms looked at my prereq grades and compared them to others I'd be competitive, so I guess I am just missing how this all works...

 

[Chip N Sawbones]

So this is kind of where it is sticky... I took all the prerequisite classes, and I did very well in them all (I got one b, with the rest being a's).

First of all, good job with the prereqs. Already taking those classes and getting good grades in them removes one step from your journey to med school.

Towards the end of college my step father passed away so that's when the decline happened. The classes I got poor grades in were all high upper levels like biochem (which I am taking in my masters program, along with biochem II), molecular biology I and II, immunology, etc. Since I am taking biochem in my masters program, would I really have to retake an undergrad level? I am also taking immunology, histology, etc. for my masters.

You don't have to retake undergrad level classes, but that will be the quickest and easiest way for you to improve your cumulative GPA and science GPA, which you absolutely must do if you want to have any chance at all of getting accepted. Someone will correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm pretty sure your master's level classes won't count for grade replacement. AACOMAS only allows grade replacement if the new course is the same number of credits or more, and the same level or higher than the previous course. In any case, you will have to take biochem, immunology, and histology once again as part of your medical school curriculum. Since you'll be repeating the classes no matter what, you might as well repeat them at an undergrad level. At least you'll be getting some useful review that will help you once you're in med school. Lots of nontrads here have spent a year or more retaking classes that were of no use at all once med school started.

I guess I am just thinking that is a giant waste of money that I am already spending, if that makes sense.

If the sole purpose of your masters was to boost your chances of getting into medical school, then yes, a good deal of it was a waste of money. There are more efficient ways to meet that goal, such as doing an SMP or retaking bad grades from undergrad. However, if you wanted to learn pathology and perhaps contribute to research in that field, I'd say getting a masters was a highly productive use of your time. Your entire life should not revolve around getting into medical school. It's okay to take classes and learn things because you want to learn them, not because you think they will be useful in advancing your career.

My science gpa is low bc I took so many science classes. I mean, does this system favor those who are English majors and do post-bac prereqs and get all a's rather than those students that have science based majors? If adcoms looked at my prereq grades and compared them to others I'd be competitive, so I guess I am just missing how this all works...

Your science GPA isn't low because you took so many science classes. Your science GPA is low because you got bad grades in those classes. In any case, both your science GPA and cumulative GPA matter. An English major who slacked off during college and got bad grades might be able to do a postbac and get a perfect sGPA, but he will still need to retake classes to bring his cGPA up to an acceptable level before he has a chance of getting accepted. A 4.0 sGPA earned in a postbac will still get automatically rejected at almost all med schools if it's accompanied by a 2.8 cGPA resulting from bad grades in undergrad English courses. Adcoms don't just look at prereq grades. They want to know how you did in all your classes, and in particular all your science classes. With 5,000 or more applicants for a class of 200 or so, they can afford to be choosy. It's up to you to prove that the bad grades you earned in the past are not indicative of your potential performance in med school. Your masters degree will help with that somewhat, and doing retakes will prove it, and get you over the 3.0 cGPA cutoff point.

 

[FrankGGn]

Also not long ago had a similar story. Definitely, 3.0 GPA is needed for most medical schools. Guys, just want to advice really helpfull link calculatorsgpa.com with high school and college gpa calculators and some clear instructions. Also here I found a list of almost all official us university gpa calculators and top best medical schools for pharmacists and physical therapists.

 

[TriagePreMed]

Bad news my friend. A masters is close to irrelevant when it comes to medical school because masters have a reputation of having a lot of grade inflation. I understand if your is different, but the stereotype is there and schools won't bother to find out the rigor of your particular program.

Only a handful of schools will add uGPA + gGPA. Midwestern comes to mind, but it's a poor strategy to apply to a very limited number of programs.

Hi guys,

Sorry if this was answered previously, but I was wondering how a master's GPA calculates into application GPA. Maybe it's me being overly hopeful, but I feel like it should be weighted a little heavier than post-bacc classes. I have a low ugrad GPA, but I am doing my master's currently. I will be done in a semester and I have all a's, so I was hoping my master's would carry a little more weight to boost me a bit more.

Thanks!

 

[TriagePreMed]

So this is kind of where it is sticky... I took all the prerequisite classes, and I did very well in them all (I got one b, with the rest being a's). Towards the end of college my step father passed away so that's when the decline happened. The classes I got poor grades in were all high upper levels like biochem (which I am taking in my masters program, along with biochem II), molecular biology I and II, immunology, etc. Since I am taking biochem in my masters program, would I really have to retake an undergrad level? I am also taking immunology, histology, etc. for my masters. I guess I am just thinking that is a giant waste of money that I am already spending, if that makes sense. My science gpa is low bc I took so many science classes. I mean, does this system favor those who are English majors and do post-bac prereqs and get all a's rather than those students that have science based majors? If adcoms looked at my prereq grades and compared them to others I'd be competitive, so I guess I am just missing how this all works...

The entirety of your undergraduate education is evaluated with stronger emphasis on your most recent years. Yes, assuming a high GPA, an English major with a strong post-bac will have better chances than you. Just because it's not science it doesn't mean it's easy. Besides, medicine is not a science only discipline. It is very much involved with the humanities and a well rounded person can be very beneficial to a program.