Sgpa problem ? Help with classes!!!

[drabberbadge]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Hey I need help with my course plan
I have a 3.255 sgpa and 3.55 cgpa,
I have 2 potential course plans which would you guys suggest one is a B.A the other is a B.S, I need to raise my sgpa much higher, applying for fall of 2016


B.A:
Fall 13: Ochem 1, physics B, psych class( easy A)

Spring 14: ochem 2, writing class (required), Anthro (for major), and study for mcat

Summer 14' take mcat

Fall 14': neurobio, molecular bio, gerontology
Spring 15': biochem , calc 1

If I get all A's: sgpa roughly 3.58

B.S:

Fall 13': ochem 1, physics B, neurobio

Spring 14, calc 1 , ochem 2, neuro class, another neuro class

Summer : writing class (required)

Fall 14, genetics, molecular bio, math computational class (for major class), neuro class

Spring 15' biochem, a bio class (easy A) and study for the new MCAT

If all As sgpa roughly 3.7


Which plan /degree do you guys advise to do? Obv I won't get all A s however I d like to keep that in mind so I know the highest possible to reach for, the bs class load is more difficult however more room for reward

Sorry for the lengthy post

Please help!!!

 

[yellowfish]

I'm not sure if we can tell you which would be the better route. It seems like you've identified the differences between the two for yourself already - the B.A. is a lesser courseload, but also provides less room for sGPA improvement. My opinion? Don't worry about the degree. B.A., B.S., who cares? Just focus on taking courses in a manner in which you can excel. How many science courses do you think you can reasonably handle in a semester with a high chance of getting As? That's the question you should be asking.

 

[drabberbadge]

I'm not sure if we can tell you which would be the better route. It seems like you've identified the differences between the two for yourself already - the B.A. is a lesser courseload, but also provides less room for sGPA improvement. My opinion? Don't worry about the degree. B.A., B.S., who cares? Just focus on taking courses in a manner in which you can excel. How many science courses do you think you can reasonably handle in a semester with a high chance of getting As? That's the question you should be asking.

The ba is the easier schedule to do well in however I miss out on the chance of taking genetics,physio, or the upper dog science courses :/ plus I have less room to get b s in.

 

[drabberbadge]

For the BA course plan : Would you recommend to add a 4th class ?

 

[Arkaine]

You need to choose the course plan that is realistically going to be best for you in the long run. It's easy to sit back and calculate your prospective sGPA if you were to receive As in X many classes. Receiving an A is no guarantee and can vary depending on an average/mediocre performance on a midterm or a really bad professor.

After my freshman year, I began loading up my schedule with upper-level science courses in order to raise my cGPA (and sGPA) and prove to ADCOMs that I could be successful--and that my mediocre performance in general chemistry freshman year was a fluke. Now graduated, I believe the education I received was far better with the equivalent of your B.S. option, but my GPA suffered. The "reward" I received from taking tougher coursework was being able to nail the MCAT, and have a stronger scientific foundation in which I became very successful in my undergrad research lab.

As you've mentioned, there are advantages and disadvantages to each course plan, but it comes down to your goals and expectations. Do you want to apply top 20 medical schools? Then you need your GPAs need to be as high as possible. Do you want to apply and be accepted anywhere? Or DO option as well? Then stay the course with the B.A., nail your coursework, use the extra time to shadow, do research, or volunteer. If so, your GPA should be competitive for large number of schools.

 

[drabberbadge]

You need to choose the course plan that is realistically going to be best for you in the long run. It's easy to sit back and calculate your prospective sGPA if you were to receive As in X many classes. Receiving an A is no guarantee and can vary depending on an average/mediocre performance on a midterm or a really bad professor.

After my freshman year, I began loading up my schedule with upper-level science courses in order to raise my cGPA (and sGPA) and prove to ADCOMs that I could be successful--and that my mediocre performance in general chemistry freshman year was a fluke. Now graduated, I believe the education I received was far better with the equivalent of your B.S. option, but my GPA suffered. The "reward" I received from taking tougher coursework was being able to nail the MCAT, and have a stronger scientific foundation in which I became very successful in my undergrad research lab.

As you've mentioned, there are advantages and disadvantages to each course plan, but it comes down to your goals and expectations. Do you want to apply top 20 medical schools? Then you need your GPAs need to be as high as possible. Do you want to apply and be accepted anywhere? Or DO option as well? Then stay the course with the B.A., nail your coursework, use the extra time to shadow, do research, or volunteer. If so, your GPA should be competitive for large number of schools.

Thanks for the help! I think ill stick with the B.A., its more realistic to do well in plus gives me more time for EC
Appreciate the help