trying to figure out AMCAS GPA calculation for multiple degrees

[taylormade2006]

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I have edited this to clean it up, AMCAS instructions are very helpful as well.

I am working on inputting my grades into the AMCAS GPA calculator spreadsheet that a user on this site designed (tyvm, btw).

My question is about my professional school grades, which include some biology and chemistry classes as part of the DC degree. While in the DC program, there were basic sciences classes that also counted for a second bachelor's degree. Do I include these classes under the post-bac section since they were also used to get a bachelors degree at the same time as the DC?

Basically they do this so that while getting the DC, you also get a bachelors, so I am just wondering how those are accounted for since they aren't under traditional BIOL or CHEM headings, they vary by college.

disclaimer - I have searched this site a lot to get information about the DC to MD conversion and there is limited recent relevant information. If anyone else has made this transition, please PM me.

 

[camaras2480]

I am working on inputting my grades into the AMCAS GPA calculator spreadsheet that a user on this site designed (tyvm, btw).

I understand which courses are counted as science, etc, thanks to the awesome thread someone put together on here, but I am wondering how some other classes will be accounted for that I took in professional school.

I have one normal undergrad degree which I fully understand how to add and integrate into AMCAS.

My question is about my professional school grades, which include some biology and chemistry classes as part of the DC degree.

While in the DC program, there were basic sciences classes that also counted for a second bachelor's degree.

Do I include these classes under the post-bac section since they were also used to get a bachelors degree at the same time as the DC?

Basically they do this so that while getting the DC, you also get a bachelors, so I am just wondering how those are accounted for since they aren't under traditional BIOL or CHEM headings, they vary by college.

Also - do my MS and DC grades count towards the cGPA or only undergrad grades? And if so, what about the DC classes that also counted towards bachelor's #2?

Sorry if this is confusing to anyone else, it certainly is to me.

disclaimer - I have searched this site a lot to get information about the DC to MD conversion and there is limited recent relevant information. If anyone else has made this transition, please PM me.

I'm just going to say this, and hope it helps because I got a bit confused; if it does not, just say something and I'll read your post again.

Your first undergrad bachelors degree goes in as you know. Everything else that counted toward your second bachelors goes under Postbac. DC (I'm assuming the chiro degree, unless it is something else I don't know) is a graduate degree, everything for that would fall under graduate.

Every course can only be posted once. Just make sure what you are reporting matches up with your transcripts. If a given course counted for two degrees at two different schools (this would be bizarre, but it seems you have something like this going on), report it under the school you actually got the grade from. The other school, I would imagine, accepted it as transfer credit.

 

[taylormade2006]

cameras, you almost have it, and yes you are right about the DC degree

The second bachelors and the DC were both from the same school and both degrees shared certain classes. So for example, a single anatomy class was used towards the BS and the DC from the same school. So do I use that anatomy class under post-bac since it was used for a BS? or under graduate since it was also used for the DC? This "class credit sharing" system is actually used for several classes (biochem, anatomy, physiology, cell biology, histology, microbiology, and a few more).

I have read the AAMC's manual and page 7-8 is very helpful, but does not address the dual use class.

this is from the AMCAS instructions, page 41 -

If you have enrolled in dual degree program and the graduate level coursework will count towards both the graduate and undergraduate degrees: The graduate-level coursework should be listed under both the appropriate undergraduate and graduate academic statuses

You list a single class twice? Once under post-bac and once under Graduate?

I am also wondering if calculations are to be different because the DC and post-bac classes were on a 15 week trimester system, opposed to the standard 18 week semester.

Is AAMC's staff very helpful if I were to contact them regarding this?

 

[taylormade2006]

It also appears that the A, B+, B, C+, C, D+, D, F (4, 3.5, 3, 2.5, 2, 1.5, 1, 0) system is not on the AMCAS conversion chart, so I am not sure if B+ will equal 3.3 or 3.5 (it would be 3.5 at my school).

 

[camaras2480]

cameras, you almost have it, and yes you are right about the DC degree

The second bachelors and the DC were both from the same school and both degrees shared certain classes. So for example, a single anatomy class was used towards the BS and the DC from the same school. So do I use that anatomy class under post-bac since it was used for a BS? or under graduate since it was also used for the DC? This "class credit sharing" system is actually used for several classes (biochem, anatomy, physiology, cell biology, histology, microbiology, and a few more).

I have read the AAMC's manual and page 7-8 is very helpful, but does not address the dual use class.

this is from the AMCAS instructions, page 41 -


You list a single class twice? Once under post-bac and once under Graduate?

I am also wondering if calculations are to be different because the DC and post-bac classes were on a 15 week trimester system, opposed to the standard 18 week semester.

Is AAMC's staff very helpful if I were to contact them regarding this?

AAMC's staff is luck of the draw. I'm afraid my simple knowledge can't directly answer this, at least not with confidence haha. I would call. If the person you get is unhelpful, just yell at them, hang up, and call again later.

Oh and, only yell at them if they don't have your AAMC ID # yet 🙂

 

[camaras2480]

It also appears that the A, B+, B, C+, C, D+, D, F (4, 3.5, 3, 2.5, 2, 1.5, 1, 0) system is not on the AMCAS conversion chart, so I am not sure if B+ will equal 3.3 or 3.5 (it would be 3.5 at my school).

This is strange, I thought this system was accounted for. Again, this is a guess, but I think your 0.5 increments are right. This is something that their staff can confirm. Sorry I can't really help!

 

[taylormade2006]

It looked like the ones they discussed in the AMCAS instruction booklet all included a plus/minus system, and we only have pluses.

Regardless of which system they use and which classes are included, it looks like my GPA is rubbish either way, which is really disappointing because I thought it would be a few decimals higher.

 

[camaras2480]

It looked like the ones they discussed in the AMCAS instruction booklet all included a plus/minus system, and we only have pluses.

Regardless of which system they use and which classes are included, it looks like my GPA is rubbish either way, which is really disappointing because I thought it would be a few decimals higher.

I really thought there was a 2nd page in the AMCAS instruction booklet with an only plus system but alas, I guess you will have to call them.

P.S. Do not be discouraged. GPA is not the end of the world. It is just another hurdle, one of many on the path to Med School.

 

[taylormade2006]

Camaras, you have been exceedingly helpful and I really appreciate it.

I need to find a mentor or something for all of this. Does SDN have mentors for pre-meds or non-trads?

 

[camaras2480]

Camaras, you have been exceedingly helpful and I really appreciate it.

I need to find a mentor or something for all of this. Does SDN have mentors for pre-meds or non-trads?

Glad to help, the little bit I can do!

I'm not sure if there are actual mentors per se. Your situation involves complication with the AMCAS application itself. I still think calling them is the best way to proceed. It does seem to be a pretty confusing situation.

 

[taylormade2006]

At least it is for me. I think I'll call them in a few months. They're probably pretty busy right now processing 2010 applicants and I won't even be applying for a few years, so I have time.