Significant Difference between 3.51 vs 3.56 sGPA?

[RedBull32]

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I currently have a 3.63 cGPA, 3.51 sGPA, and 520 MCAT. I have a huge upwards curve due to anxiety issues sophomore year (panic attacks suck so much).
Anyways, I will be taking 2 years off to work as a research assistant, so I will be applying in June 2020.

I am considering taking a few courses (~12 credits) at a local community college to boost my 3.51 to a 3.56 sGPA. However, this isn't cheap and as we all know, research assistants get paid peanuts.

Do you think, is there a significant difference between a 3.51 and a 3.56 sGPA? My goal is to attend a mid-tier (T40) research school. I know my MCAT is pretty good but my science GPA is in the 10th percentile of almost every med school.

 

[Goro]

I currently have a 3.63 cGPA, 3.51 sGPA, and 520 MCAT. I have a huge upwards curve due to anxiety issues sophomore year (panic attacks suck so much).
Anyways, I will be taking 2 years off to work as a research assistant, so I will be applying in June 2020.

I am considering taking a few courses (~12 credits) at a local community college to boost my 3.51 to a 3.56 sGPA. However, this isn't cheap and as we all know, research assistants get paid peanuts.

Do you think, is there a significant difference between a 3.51 and a 3.56 sGPA? My goal is to attend a mid-tier (T40) research school. I know my MCAT is pretty good but my science GPA is in the 10th percentile of almost every med school.

Not really, and SDNers are advised to not obsess over single metrics.

With that GPA, you will need to focus on Drexel and Albany class schools and like it or not, DO schools as well.

EDIT: strong Rising GPA Trends are always a good thing.

 

[RedBull32]

Not really, and SDNers are advised to not obsess over single metrics.

With that GPA, you will need to focus on Drexel and Albany class schools and like it or not, DO schools as well.

EDIT: strong Rising GPA Trends are always a good thing.

Oh absolutely. I have no problem going to places like Albany, but I'm hoping some schools will let my MCAT make up for my poor GPA. The rest of my application is decent. Thanks for your input!

 

[Goro]

Oh absolutely. I have no problem going to places like Albany, but I'm hoping some schools will let my MCAT make up for my poor GPA. The rest of my application is decent. Thanks for your input!

Strong MCATs do not salvage weak Gpas, but merely highlight the discrepancy .