Weighted GPA

[cdm3413]

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This is strictly UWSOM's policy:
The undergraduate GPA is weighted to give credit to applicants whose records show improvement as they progress through their undergraduate studies. Only the first three years are included in this calculation as most applicants have just begun their senior year. The weighted GPA is calculated on a standard 4-point scale with 4.00 representing an “A” average.
CUM. Freshman GPA x 1 = A
CUM. Sophomore GPA x 2 = B
CUM. Junior GPA x 3 = C

(A+B+C)/6 = Weighted GPA


So, let's say Johnny pulled a 3.0 is freshmen year, and 4.0 the latter years, his "weighted" GPA for UWSOM would be 3.83?

wat

 

[Mithril]

Yes. Is this a math problem or something? You got it right.

 

[cdm3413]

Yes. Is this a math problem or something? You got it right.

I find it very... interesting.

 

[organdonor]

It wouldn't matter for medical school applications. Schools don't see what gpa your undergrad gave you, they see what gpa AMCAS gave you based on your grades at your undergrad.

You give all your grades to AMCAS, who definitley doesn't weigh gpa, and your AMCAS calculated gpa is what the schools see.

**edit** nevermind I didn't see the SOM tagged onto the end of UW.
Do you have a source? because that is quite a bit of extra legwork on the part of the school when they could just see your grades improve and view that subjectively instead of computing it objectively like that.

 

[cdm3413]

It wouldn't matter for medical school applications. Schools don't see what gpa your undergrad gave you, they see what gpa AMCAS gave you based on your grades at your undergrad.

You give all your grades to AMCAS, who definitley doesn't weigh gpa, and your AMCAS calculated gpa is what the schools see.

**edit** nevermind I didn't see the SOM tagged onto the end of UW.
Do you have a source? because that is quite a bit of extra legwork on the part of the school when they could just see your grades improve and view that subjectively instead of computing it objectively like that.

#4 on the FAQs on the GPA section.
http://uwmedicine.washington.edu/Education/MD-Program/Admissions/Pages/FrequentlyAskedQuestions.aspx

 

[GooseWing]

Does anyone know if any other schools do this? I won't be applying to UWSOM because I'm not from the area but I'd very much like to hear if any other schools have a similar policy.

 

[eli20]

It wouldn't matter for medical school applications. Schools don't see what gpa your undergrad gave you, they see what gpa AMCAS gave you based on your grades at your undergrad.

You give all your grades to AMCAS, who definitley doesn't weigh gpa, and your AMCAS calculated gpa is what the schools see.

**edit** nevermind I didn't see the SOM tagged onto the end of UW.
Do you have a source? because that is quite a bit of extra legwork on the part of the school when they could just see your grades improve and view that subjectively instead of computing it objectively like that.

It probably wouldn't be that hard to calculate - if I remember right AMCAS gives them gpas for each semester/year as well as overall, so all they'd need to do is plug in amcas' numbers.

Also I kind of think this is a stupid idea. It only encourages playing more games with taking classes at a certain time "Oh well, I should take ochem/physics/etc. freshman year so that it doesn't count as much in my gpa"

 

[cdm3413]

It probably wouldn't be that hard to calculate - if I remember right AMCAS gives them gpas for each semester/year as well as overall, so all they'd need to do is plug in amcas' numbers.

Also I kind of think this is a stupid idea. It only encourages playing more games with taking classes at a certain time "Oh well, I should take ochem/physics/etc. freshman year so that it doesn't count as much in my gpa"

In their defense, they count the first three years and the summer after junior year into your weighted GPA. Since everyone gets the same treatment, it's not necessarily advantageous for anyone, and it's used strictly to see improvement.
They have a low acceptance rate, regardless. And ochem has a gen. chem pre-req at my school - sophomore year at the earliest. 😉

 

[Mithril]

Also I kind of think this is a stupid idea. It only encourages playing more games with taking classes at a certain time "Oh well, I should take ochem/physics/etc. freshman year so that it doesn't count as much in my gpa"

People will play med school admissions games regardless of how a school calculates a wGPA.

 

[flatearth22]

brb scheduling all the hard classes freshman year

 

[Medicine4Bruhs]

This information is provocative.

 

[cdm3413]

This information is provocative.

My sentiment.

 

[eli20]

People will play med school admissions games regardless of how a school calculates a wGPA.

Exactly... so why add yet another way for someone to do this?

"People will steal - so why install a burglar alarm?"

 

[cdm3413]

Exactly... so why add yet another way for someone to do this?

"People will steal - so why install a burglar alarm?"

Location: Texas.

I now understand your animosity.

 

[eli20]

Location: Texas.

I now understand your animosity.

😕

I apologize if my posts came across that strongly - definitely not my intention... But what exactly does my location have to do with this?

 

[cdm3413]

😕

I apologize if my posts came across that strongly - definitely not my intention... But what exactly does my location have to do with this?

Unable to apply to UWSOM and receive a regional advantage.
I was definitely joking - people would kill for a Texas residency. 😛