Question on how science GPA works

[hostness]

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I'm sorta new to this forum so I apologize in advance if whatever I'm saying is deemed offensive to the people here since I don't know what the rules are and such.

Anyways, I'm an engineering student at pretty good university and I had a question about what goes in science gpa and what doesn't. The thing is we have to take a number of math courses (calc, multivar calc, lin alg, and more if you need to depending on your major). The thing is, these are the classes that killed my overall decent gpa.

Now I'm not sure if I want to do the premed program and go into med school. To be honest, I'm actually not sure of the whole process as i'd like to be even though I know enough.

The question is, will these grades get factored into the 'science' gpa. I know that regardless they'll look at my overall gpa as well, but these are really tough classes that normal premed students who are more science orientated don't have to take. Also, how much will the admissions people consider the tough courseload I'm taking. The classes I take are significantly harder than even what most premed people take, and they definitely make it harder for me to maintain even a decent gpa.

These things concern me because I have to figure out whether or not to pursue medschool (I want to get into a good->top med school) or just continue with my engineering degree (I'm sort of at a crossroads right now).

Please comment on my situation if you have any insight.

Thanks for reading.

 

[derf]

if you have any math, bio, chem, or physics departmental courses (i.e., actually taught in those depts, they will be included in your science GPA. But the good thing is, since you're an engineering major, you will be allowed to include some engineering courses that may fall into the phys/chem/bio/math spectrum which are not taught in those respective departments. Hence, maybe you can balance the negative with the positive, especially if engineering is your thing. Remember, what goes into the science GPA is based on the content of the course and not necessarily what department it was taught in.


regarding courseloads and majors, it really depends on the school. Some schools explicitly say they look at courseloads and difficulty of the major, while I can assure you it doesn't matter as much to others.

 

[hostness]

if you have any math, bio, chem, or physics departmental courses (i.e., actually taught in those depts, they will be included in your science GPA. But the good thing is, since you're an engineering major, you will be allowed to include some engineering courses that may fall into the phys/chem/bio/math spectrum which are not taught in those respective departments. Hence, maybe you can balance the negative with the positive, especially if engineering is your thing. Remember, what goes into the science GPA is based on the content of the course and not necessarily what department it was taught in.


regarding courseloads and majors, it really depends on the school. Some schools explicitly say they look at courseloads and difficulty of the major, while I can assure you it doesn't matter as much to others.

Thanks for your reply.

What do you mean at the end when you say "it doesn't matter as much to others" ... are you saying they'll compare whatever my gpa might be as to someone else going to another not as competitive college?

The reason I ask about the other science courses being thrown in that gpa also is that... unfortunately it's not a good thing. Those courses will only bring damage to my gpa since they're so hard and demanding.

 

[derf]

Thanks for your reply.

What do you mean at the end when you say "it doesn't matter as much to others" ... are you saying they'll compare whatever my gpa might be as to someone else going to another not as competitive college?

The reason I ask about the other science courses being thrown in that gpa also is that... unfortunately it's not a good thing. Those courses will only bring damage to my gpa since they're so hard and demanding.

I didn't recall you mentioning different undergrads, which will be taken into consideration, subjectively or objectively, by the admissions committee. Although many applicants matriculate from a wide array of colleges, differing greatly in perception and image, its still in your best interest to complete your studies at a reputable institution, which I'm assuming is the case for you.

Regarding your concern with the difficulty of your engineering major and its emphasis on the math, etc, why didn't you consider a less competitive major where you don't have to worry about the demanding requirements. I majored in engineering, so I understand where you're coming from, but I think you should consider why you entered engineering and reconsider if its in your best interest in light of your desire for medicine. Remember, GPA and MCAT are the most important criteria for gaining admission. Your first priorty is to make sure nothing compromises these two variables.

 

[MoosePilot]

They don't consider difficulty of major or reputation of University nearly as much as you might want them to. So a 3.2 is roughly a 3.2 is roughly a 3.2.

 

[hostness]

I didn't recall you mentioning different undergrads, which will be taken into consideration, subjectively or objectively, by the admissions committee. Although many applicants matriculate from a wide array of colleges, differing greatly in perception and image, its still in your best interest to complete your studies at a reputable institution, which I'm assuming is the case for you.

Regarding your concern with the difficulty of your engineering major and its emphasis on the math, etc, why didn't you consider a less competitive major where you don't have to worry about the demanding requirements. I majored in engineering, so I understand where you're coming from, but I think you should consider why you entered engineering and reconsider if its in your best interest in light of your desire for medicine. Remember, GPA and MCAT are the most important criteria for gaining admission. Your first priorty is to make sure nothing compromises these two variables.

Well when I entered college my first priority was finding what I liked to do, which is why I'm staying in engineering and it's something I still believe is the first priority. Because I'm in a situation where I'm not even sure I'm going to pursue medschool and such I think it's hard for me to simply find a major where I can get a great gpa (which is something that can be done easily, it's just something I don't want to do). The difference between engineering and other majors is simply huge when it comes to gpa and all (I go to Cal, one of the toughest engineering schools out there). I'm banking on the fact that I'll do a lot better on the MCATS because I feel like my knowledge in those subject areas will be a lot better than what my gpa will reflect (of course this is sorta wishful thinking but I'll put in the hard work to make it happen). And it's not like they'll ask questions on fourier series and such on the MCATS as well.

The reason for my concern is I don't want to put high consideration into pursuing med school if I already shot myself in the foot.

 

[derf]

If you're confident about the MCAT, all I can say is stick with it and get at least a 3.4 (science and non-science) GPA and you should be competitive for med school. An engineering degree from Cal speaks for itself and let me assure you you will be fine (pending a successful MCAT).

 

[tharealest]

Just curious, what year are you and what is your GPA?

I am in the same situation as you, and had to make a decision on whether to stay in engineering (electrical) or switch to another major. I decided to stay in engineering because engineering gives me something to fall back (that I find interesting) just in case I don't get into med school. Also, I am pretty sure there are some schools out there will give a slight advantage to engineering majors if it comes down to a "tie" between several applicants. It also gives you something to talk about during an interview (like projects you've designed, etc...).

I decided to take an extra year (next year) in between my engineering curriculum to take the premed courses (bio, o-chem, english...). If you stay in engineering, how will you be incorporating the premed classes in your schedule?

 

[derf]

I incorporated my pre-med within my engineering classes. It took me an additional year, but it was worth it in the end.

But I agree with you, having a EE is awesome just in case for any reason medicine doesn't work out.

And in all my interviews, the rigors and difficulty of the major were mentioned by my interviewers. The ad com aren't stupid and many will consider your major (contrary to popular belief)

 

[hostness]

Just curious, what year are you and what is your GPA?

I am in the same situation as you, and had to make a decision on whether to stay in engineering (electrical) or switch to another major. I decided to stay in engineering because engineering gives me something to fall back (that I find interesting) just in case I don't get into med school. Also, I am pretty sure there are some schools out there will give a slight advantage to engineering majors if it comes down to a "tie" between several applicants. It also gives you something to talk about during an interview (like projects you've designed, etc...).

I decided to take an extra year (next year) in between my engineering curriculum to take the premed courses (bio, o-chem, english...). If you stay in engineering, how will you be incorporating the premed classes in your schedule?

I'm a second year. My science GPA will probably fall around 3.3-3.4 with my cumulative around a 3.5-3.6. I haven't really checked for sure or calculated it but it should be around there.

I'm not really sure how I'm going to incorporate it yet since I'm not sure if I'm going with it. I'm just taking a few classes here and there while still staying on track for my eng degree. The program I'm in doesn't have many classes to take, so it shouldn't be too bad. At worst I'm thinking I'll have to stay an extra semester if I decide to take it easy with the courseload, and that's after not taking summer school for the rest of my time here (i want to get an internship or a job or go travel or something).

It's true that engineering is something to fall back on, but I'm just considering my long term goals for my life rather than just what I'll do right when I get out of college. The engineering degree pretty much assures me a well paying job; it's just a question of whether or not I want to do that for the rest of my life sort of question.

But it's good to know that there are others in the same boat as I am.

 

[bluejellybelly]

i think it doesn't sound too bad...

I think the ad comm looks at your gpa and mcat along with the other things going on... maybe you could be double majoring and taking 18 credits of sciences (which i woud consider a load) or doing lots of extra curriculars...

Somethings aren't as important as others like anthropology in comparison to discreet math... because science is the concern overall.

About the schools comparing GPA from different schools (3.2 vs 3.2 somewhere else); I think the only time a medical school, OH lets just say Harvard because everyone loves that classic.... considers a 3.2 differently from the rest of the other schools, is when its a Harvard Undergraduate with a 3.2.

 

[hostness]

i think it doesn't sound too bad...

I think the ad comm looks at your gpa and mcat along with the other things going on... maybe you could be double majoring and taking 18 credits of sciences (which i woud consider a load) or doing lots of extra curriculars...

Somethings aren't as important as others like anthropology in comparison to discreet math... because science is the concern overall.

About the schools comparing GPA from different schools (3.2 vs 3.2 somewhere else); I think the only time a medical school, OH lets just say Harvard because everyone loves that classic.... considers a 3.2 differently from the rest of the other schools, is when its a Harvard Undergraduate with a 3.2.

That's pretty unfortunate because the engineers here get their butts kicked even though they work really hard. And I mean really hard compared to all the other majors in the university which says a lot since it's one of the upper tier schools.

I know people at other UC's who play around and still manage to get easy A's and B's. Not sure if it's like that at other colleges it would suck if their gpa was (and it seems like it is) weighted the same as ours.

Also, 18 units of sciences or technical classes here is the regular load here per semester. I would think that that's the same for other engineering schools out there, but in comparison to people who take a 'liberal arts education' paired with a premed map, you can't really even begin to compare those two.

 

[SirTony76]

That's pretty unfortunate because the engineers here get their butts kicked even though they work really hard. And I mean really hard compared to all the other majors in the university which says a lot since it's one of the upper tier schools.

I know people at other UC's who play around and still manage to get easy A's and B's. Not sure if it's like that at other colleges it would suck if their gpa was (and it seems like it is) weighted the same as ours.

Also, 18 units of sciences or technical classes here is the regular load here per semester. I would think that that's the same for other engineering schools out there, but in comparison to people who take a 'liberal arts education' paired with a premed map, you can't really even begin to compare those two.

Sorry but I have to post this:

I am in engineering (biomedical) as well, similar boat to you, but I am pretty sure about medical school. The only advice I have to offer is just study until you get the job done.