take extra classes to boost gpa?

[elvingomez]

should i take extra classes during my post bacc to boost my gpa? i'm tempted to take some easy classes just to put more A's on my transcripts.what do you guys think? also, is post bacc gpa calculated together with undergrad gpa on the amcas? or are they seperate? reason i ask is because im not all that excited about my undergrad gpa, and would like to beef it up a bit.

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[Stroganoff]

it couldn't hurt. just be absolutely certain that the extra workload won't ruin your GPA even more. 🙂

Don't take all easy classes. Throw in an easy class each semester or something. I too need to rahab my GPA.

 

[medic170]

i'm tempted to take some easy classes just to put more A's on my transcripts.

Just be aware that the people who sit on these ADCOMS are not fools. They will know if you take fluff classes to up you gpa and, although I am sure it won't hurt, it may not help much either.

 

[ap7dgs]

Just be aware that the people who sit on these ADCOMS are not fools. They will know if you take fluff classes to up you gpa and, although I am sure it won't hurt, it may not help much either.

medic170,

This maybe unrelated, but...I'm thinking about a post-bacc program, but I dont think its a full load each semester. (Do you know anything about the PCOM program?) Maybe, I misread the info but its looks like you take only a few courses per semester.

Do they also look at your course load in relation to your grades? (For example, if you only take 2 courses and get A's in both, versus 4 courses with all B's)

 

[r_salis]

One thing to keep in mind is that the GPA boost you get is going to be pretty small for each "easy" class you take -- a 3 credit "A" only moves a 120-credit GPA by a very small amount. So be sure to weigh the risk of spending less time on your science courses -- and taking a hit on that much more important science GPA -- with the small overall GPA increase you'd get from an easy "A" class.

 

[medic170]

medic170,

This maybe unrelated, but...I'm thinking about a post-bacc program, but I dont think its a full load each semester. (Do you know anything about the PCOM program?) Maybe, I misread the info but its looks like you take only a few courses per semester.

Do they also look at your course load in relation to your grades? (For example, if you only take 2 courses and get A's in both, versus 4 courses with all B's)

I am pretty sure PCOM's program is full time. Do a search on SDN, I have seen threads about it in the past.

 

[Persistence101]

should i take extra classes during my post bacc to boost my gpa? i'm tempted to take some easy classes just to put more A's on my transcripts.what do you guys think? also, is post bacc gpa calculated together with undergrad gpa on the amcas? or are they seperate? reason i ask is because im not all that excited about my undergrad gpa, and would like to beef it up a bit.

As a postbac, you shouldn't be taking easy classes. Adcoms usually keep a lookout for these things. A director of admissions at a UC med school made it clear to me that they look very carefully at specific postbac courses. He asked me what specific courses I was taking to make sure I was taking the "right" ones. As a postbac, you're trying to show to adcoms that you're a changed student and you now have the potential to succeed in any demanding course. Why waste your time and money to just "fluff" your transcript? Seriously, what good would it do you as a student? Trust me, it's in your best interest to challenge yourself and do your best because you'll need these improved study skills once you get into med school. Good luck.

 

[UCSB2004]

DON'T take easy classes! It may hurt you even if you get As depending on who reviews your application. UCI and UC Davis advised me to take only upper division rigorous science courses... I was also thinking about taking 2 lower division Biology courses just to get As in them and my advisor said that the admissions comittee will most likely see it as a manipulation.

I hope it helps you make a better decision.

🙂

 

[abbeacon]

I agree with Persistence/UCSB--you must prove you can handle TOUGH course work, because you generally won't be taking "fluff" courses in medical school.. To answer your AMCAS question, grades you earn in formal post-bacc programs count toward your undergrad GPA in AMCAS, while grades you earn in a master's (or other degree-granting) program count toward your graduate GPA. This distinction is important when deciding the type of program to pursue, as some med schools (varies from school to school) do "numerical" cutoffs based on your UG gpa alone, and may not even see your graduate course work. Just something to consider.. take care,

abbeacon

should i take extra classes during my post bacc to boost my gpa? i'm tempted to take some easy classes just to put more A's on my transcripts.what do you guys think? also, is post bacc gpa calculated together with undergrad gpa on the amcas? or are they seperate? reason i ask is because im not all that excited about my undergrad gpa, and would like to beef it up a bit.