raise GPA over summer or summer research?

[dichloromethane]

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I'm having trouble on deciding what to do:

If all goes right my GPA will be a 3.5 by the end of this year. I would be a rising junior(still have plenty of time - still need to take physics and biochem, all other pre-reqs are done)

The summer coures would raise my GPA to a 3.56

HOWEVER, I am looking into a selective summer research program that would enable me to present a poster(guaranteed) and maybe even publish in an area I really want to work in! I really want to do research, and this summer program will be a great opportunity.

What should I do? I have all of junior year to increase my GPA, but my GPA IS on the lower side...

In terms of other ECs:
*plenty of leadership positions across many clubs
*100+ volunteer hours
*volunteer position in research
*60ish shadowing hours
*very positive grade trend(gpa is only low due to non-science freshman classes)
*on-track to graduate a little early - but senior year grades wouldn't count

And remember, I'm only a sophomore. I'll be doing a lot more in the future.

 

[Catalystik]

I'm having trouble on deciding what to do:

If all goes right my GPA will be a 3.5 by the end of this year. I would be a rising junior(still have plenty of time - still need to take physics and biochem, all other pre-reqs are done)

The summer coures would raise my GPA to a 3.56

HOWEVER, I am looking into a selective summer research program that would enable me to present a poster(guaranteed) and maybe even publish in an area I really want to work in! I really want to do research, and this summer program will be a great opportunity.

What should I do? I have all of junior year to increase my GPA, but my GPA IS on the lower side...

In terms of other ECs:
*plenty of leadership positions across many clubs
*100+ volunteer hours
*volunteer position in research
*60ish shadowing hours
*very positive grade trend(gpa is only low due to non-science freshman classes)
*on-track to graduate a little early - but senior year grades wouldn't count

And remember, I'm only a sophomore. I'll be doing a lot more in the future.

What would your cGPA be if you applied after a fourth year of college? My rough figures suggest the best case scenario would be ~3.6. What would your BCPM GPA be?

How much of your current research would you have listed if you apply after senior year?

 

[dichloromethane]

What would your cGPA be if you applied after a fourth year of college? My rough figures suggest the best case scenario would be ~3.6. What would your BCPM GPA be?

How much of your current research would you have listed if you apply after senior year?

I would want to avoid a gap year, so I'm really looking at a 2015 matriculation. Around a 3.65-3.67 would be a good guesstimate.

BCPM would be around 3.66-3.68.

 

[Catalystik]

Average cGPA for MD school acceptees is 3.67 and BCPM is 3.61. If you apply after junior year, how close could you get to this, without the summer classes, if the above numbers represent post-senior year?

 

[dichloromethane]

Average cGPA for MD school acceptees is 3.67 and BCPM is 3.61. If you apply after junior year, how close could you get to this, without the summer classes, if the above numbers represent post-senior year?

Those numbers are application numbers - no summer classes.

With summer classes they'll be a little higher. Of course, assuming I do well in them.

I would imagine summer research would look better on application as opposed to a .03 bump in GPA? Should I go the summer classes route? Note, that while I'm taking summer classes I'll volunteer and shadow plenty.

 

[Jojoviss]

Research is nice to see but not necessary. GPA is much more important. I would recommend just taking the classes and definitely shadowing. Unless you plan applying to an MD/PhD program, a higher GPA would look better than research, and every boost in GPA is great. Also, the shadowing and volunteer experience is a must. If it is ever a choice between shadow or research, shadow. They will ask questions about shadowing and GPA, but questions about research are not as likely. I did five semesters of research, and no interviewer asked about that. Also, that little GPA boost might be what you need for that interview offer. You never know.

 

[EnginrTheFuture]

Research is nice to see but not necessary. GPA is much more important. I would recommend just taking the classes and definitely shadowing. Unless you plan applying to an MD/PhD program, a higher GPA would look better than research, and every boost in GPA is great. Also, the shadowing and volunteer experience is a must. If it is ever a choice between shadow or research, shadow. They will ask questions about shadowing and GPA, but questions about research are not as likely. I did five semesters of research, and no interviewer asked about that. Also, that little GPA boost might be what you need for that interview offer. You never know.

I wish people on SDN would stop trying to "look good" and do what is 1) best for your long-term skill set development 2) what YOU truly want.

If you are interested in research oriented schools like Case Western, more research experience is EXTREMELY advantageous. Personally I take the viewpoint that people concerned about GPA more than applicable experiences are short-sighted. Getting good grades now or in 6 months doesn't change the fact that you would be missing out on an incredible opportunity to learn and gain skills that may make huge impacts later in life. Research, if it is challenging, is invaluable experience. I wouldn't trade my research in for a 0.2 increase in my GPA and my GPA isn't even that great.

As for talking about research experience in interviews, I have seen the opposite for others with regard to research being brought up. It all depends on what schools you are looking into and who your interviewer is. GPA MAY help you get the interview but it isn't something you will be able to talk about. No one is going to ask you, "How did you get such a great GPA and why will that make you a great addition to our school?"

Research HANDS DOWN, if I were you. But I am not.

 

[ShenanigansMD]

I wish people on SDN would stop trying to "look good" and do what is 1) best for your long-term skill set development 2) what YOU truly want.

If you are interested in research oriented schools like Case Western, more research experience is EXTREMELY advantageous. Personally I take the viewpoint that people concerned about GPA more than applicable experiences are short-sighted. Getting good grades now or in 6 months doesn't change the fact that you would be missing out on an incredible opportunity to learn and gain skills that may make huge impacts later in life. Research, if it is challenging, is invaluable experience. I wouldn't trade my research in for a 0.2 increase in my GPA and my GPA isn't even that great.

As for talking about research experience in interviews, I have seen the opposite for others with regard to research being brought up. It all depends on what schools you are looking into and who your interviewer is. GPA MAY help you get the interview but it isn't something you will be able to talk about. No one is going to ask you, "How did you get such a great GPA and why will that make you a great addition to our school?"

Research HANDS DOWN, if I were you. But I am not.

👍 3.5 vs 3.56 isn't too big of a difference, and IMO it really doesn't indicate an increase in "academic aptitude." The research would come out on top.

 

[dichloromethane]

Really, I had my mind set on research. I was just seeing if I could be talked out of it. I saw.


Research summer 2013!

I'll be sure to shadow plenty!

 

[EnginrTheFuture]

I wish you the best of luck!!! Have fun and do something cool!

 

[La Presse]

Do you happen to have a May term or "Maymester" at your college? You might want to take advantage of this as well.

 

[Jojoviss]

Good choice. If you are that passionate about it, then it's probably a better decision than taking classes over the summer. And good luck with research and application!

 

[dichloromethane]

Do you happen to have a May term or "Maymester" at your college? You might want to take advantage of this as well.

Too close. The may courses end June 5th - which is when the summer research programs begin. I'll try though. I've taken a may course before, and the class actually ended a week early.

 

[Catalystik]

I would imagine summer research would look better on application as opposed to a .03 bump in GPA? Should I go the summer classes route? Note, that while I'm taking summer classes I'll volunteer and shadow plenty.

Do the research with volunteering and shadowing. I agree that the summer GPA bump is too small to have a big impact.