question! comparing USA and CAN GPAs + university marks

[In2Infinity]

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Hi there, just a question about GPAs, coming from a Canadian student interested in US dental schools.

Now I realize that the CAN dental schools, say in Ontario, both need about a 3.9, which is 85-89% university overall average. I am confused on how these averages translate for the USA GPA. I do not have the 85%+ needed for the Ontario universities (pretty close after 2 years), but i was under the impression that US dental schools averaged a lower GPA for their incoming class, as they have many more spots and schools. After a bit of research in the last few days, i have only found information to state that the US dental schools actually need higher marks. For example, I have seen about 3.55 usGPA as the average from some dental schools, then when i looked up the US GPA system, I found a 3.5 in the US is a higher university average than a 3.9 in Canada! (90%+) - which was very discouraging for me to see. Am I looking at this right?

Finally, talking to a friends sister (Canadian) who got 3 interviews so far for US dental schools says an 80-82% CAN science university overall average should give you a really good chance to get into the 10 or so US schools that accept Canadians, but from what I've seen, I am not so sure.🙁

Does any one know how CAN and US university percentage averages are comparable? Would you really need a 90% university average in the US to get into a dental school? assuming a 90% is equal for US and CAN universities?

Any help or insight on this matter of GPAs and university averages would be very helpful! thanks

 

[bobz99by]

Hi there,

I think its all just a matter of different scales. Class averages are normally going to be around a B whether its in the US or Canada. I went to McGill, a B was 75%. I've taken post bac classes at Harvard Extension, a B was 85. In the end, grades got scaled at Harvard whereas at McGill that was a lot rarer cause technically there's a built in scale with the whole shifted downness of the grading precentages. So in the end, a B is still going to be a 3.0 whether its in the US or Canada and dental schools look at your GPa and not percentages. So if you're in the 80%-82% range, im guessing you're GPa is 3.7 and thats what dental schools will look at.

 

[doc toothache]

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=568870

 

[In2Infinity]

So if you're in the 80%-82% range, im guessing you're GPa is 3.7 and thats what dental schools will look at.

Right, a 3.7 for a Canadian GPA, but what would it be for USA GPA is really what I'm wondering.

 

[shahinc]

Right, a 3.7 for a Canadian GPA, but what would it be for USA GPA is really what I'm wondering.

Did you look at the link that was posted by Doc?
Have you ever filled up a ADDSAS Application ?

Anyway, the answer to your question:

Yes, a 3.7 GPA from Canada is the same as 3.7 GPA in US.

 

[In2Infinity]

Did you look at the link that was posted by Doc?
yes it was probably the biggest thread I have ever tried to read.

Have you ever filled up a ADDSAS Application ?
No, only in 3rd year, I want to start getting prepared but a little early to attempt applying i think.

Anyway, the answer to your question:

Yes, a 3.7 GPA from Canada is the same as 3.7 GPA in US.

hmm good news then, but I hope this is correct.
thanks