Science GPA? Which would look best on a Med school application?

[Chelslen]

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Hey guys, I'm new here, so please don't kill me if my question is stupid or known by everyone already. 🙂

I just finished sophomore year of undergrad, and my current GPA is a 3.64 but my science GPA needs serious work.. a 2.99 exactly right now. 🙁

I only have about 28 hours left to take for my biology major/pre-med pre-reqs, so I've got some space for other classes seeing as I have 2 whole years of undergrad left...

I WAS going to double major in psychology/biology, but recently my science GPA is really making me panic, and from what I've read online it seems that generally science GPA is calculated solely from Math, Chem, Bio, and Physics classes. I don't have a whole lot more of those classes to take.

What I was confused about is.... is your science GPA calculated from any classes you take under those headings? Or is it just the med school pre-reqs? If its ANY of those classes, I'm now thinking I should forget about the psychology double major and take up a minor or 2 in math, physics, chem... something like that.. just so I have a lot more classes under those headings where I can improve my science gpa.

Is there a flaw in that plan? Taking a minor or 2 in the Bio/Chem/Physics/Math area so that I have a lot more chances to improve my science GPA?

I just don't want to do the wrong thing, and I haven't even taken psychology 1101 yet, so there's no wasted time if I change right now. Thanks!

 

[Catalystik]

For AMCAS, Science GPA includes all BCPM classes taken, not just the prerequisites. Taking upper-level Bio classes would be a good way to raise it, or any upper-level science and math that you're sure you can excel in. Declaring a minor or second major, or not, doesn't matter, unless you need to in order to have access to the proper classes.

 

[acromonkey]

I double majored in biology and math, so basically all of my classes would be considered in the science GPA??

 

[kexy]

Yep, except for any GE's or electives you might have taken in other departments.

 

[vanillabear55]

I double majored in biology and math, so basically all of my classes would be considered in the science GPA??

yep! except for things like your gen. eds that don't have a bcpm prefix

 

[lawdoc]

yep! except for things like your gen. eds that don't have a bcpm prefix

It does not even have to have a BCPM prefix to count. I have a couple classes that are included in my science GPA and that I took in Economics and Business. They dealt with stats and quantitative analysis, so there was enough math to qualify. They were also relatively easy, so something to consider when try to raise the GPA.

 

[vanillabear55]

It does not even have to have a BCPM prefix to count. I have a couple classes that are included in my science GPA and that I took in Economics and Business. They dealt with stats and quantitative analysis, so there was enough math to qualify. They were also relatively easy, so something to consider when try to raise the GPA.

ah good catch! 👍

I know I'm definitely trying to get some of my psych classes to count too (neuroscience, stats, and maybe child development)

 

[Ursa]

ah good catch! 👍

I know I'm definitely trying to get some of my psych classes to count too (neuroscience, stats, and maybe child development)

Good luck, but I highly doubt they will let you do that.

 

[Lil Mick]

Make sure you can do well if you take upper division classes. If you're good at math, stick to the math and physics classes, but if you're not, don't take more classes in those areas that can pull down your science gpa. Same goes for biology and chemistry.

 

[Catalystik]

I know I'm definitely trying to get some of my psych classes to count too (neuroscience, stats, and maybe child development)

The Psych Statistics class should qualify.

 

[lawdoc]

The Psych Statistics class should qualify.

My Econ Stats did so I assume Psyc Stats would as well.

 

[yamaraja808]

Good luck, but I highly doubt they will let you do that.

They counted my economics statistics class and even my animal physiology course. OP could petition for the courses to count towards his BCPM as well.