-
CycleTrack and SDN are teaming up to make medical school admissions more transparent and accessible! Read the announcement to learn how we’re supporting the future of CycleTrack’s free application-tracking tools .
Taking extra math classes to raise GPA = dumb?
Started by kies89
Get help with your application
Use all the free resources available to you from SDN: articles, guides, expert advising, forums discussions, and school research.
What's the highest math class you've completed? Several schools are looking for Calc I / Calc II, so you might open yourself to more options by taking a few math classes. I'd only take classes to raise my GPA that I'm sure I'll get a good grade in.
At my school, while it's not encouraged, it's possible to essentially audit the first class, then get the teacher to sign a drop/add slip & add the class after the first one. I audited the first session of a summer Diff EQ class & decided I would drown, so I didn't add the class. You might want to consider this option so you know what you're getting into - in my experience, as you get higher up in the maths, the less the profs can speak English. (Because they're speaking math & have apparently forgotten how to speak conversationally - I'm not making a nationality generalization.)
You might find science classes more useful in the future - why not take an animal anatomy class or something?
Your plan to raise GPA by taking additional classes is sound, unless you're applying somewhere that only looks at your prereqs for their calculations. You will be able to show that "upward trend" on your application that all the cool kids are talking about.
Can anyone confirm/deny math classes even count towards science GPA? I'm assuming the OP is referring to PharmCAS GPA, rather than a particular college's calculation.
At my school, while it's not encouraged, it's possible to essentially audit the first class, then get the teacher to sign a drop/add slip & add the class after the first one. I audited the first session of a summer Diff EQ class & decided I would drown, so I didn't add the class. You might want to consider this option so you know what you're getting into - in my experience, as you get higher up in the maths, the less the profs can speak English. (Because they're speaking math & have apparently forgotten how to speak conversationally - I'm not making a nationality generalization.)
You might find science classes more useful in the future - why not take an animal anatomy class or something?
Your plan to raise GPA by taking additional classes is sound, unless you're applying somewhere that only looks at your prereqs for their calculations. You will be able to show that "upward trend" on your application that all the cool kids are talking about.
Can anyone confirm/deny math classes even count towards science GPA? I'm assuming the OP is referring to PharmCAS GPA, rather than a particular college's calculation.
I ended up taking higher level math classes than I needed to because I enjoyed them. I haven't used the skills I learned (I am sure they have completely atrophied by now), but if you enjoy them and it helps your GPA, why not?
Not stupid at all, adcoms like when you do well in higher level sci/math courses. I always wanted to get to the 400 level mathematics, but didn't want to do the 300 level crap lol
Are math classes included in the PHARMCAS science GPA calculation? I'm about 91% sure they are not.
It seemed to me that every school used their own formula to calculate GPA.
Math classes ARE NOT included in the pharmcas science GPA calculation. Math has its own section.
When schools use their own formula to calculate GPA, do they let applicants know what that GPA is?
Most formulas are available on the school's website. If they use the PharmCAS numbers, they usually say so.
Taking a single class will not raise your GPA significantly enough to help you. Don't waste your time or money.
