What are the importances between GPAs?

[kittywitty]

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Does anybody know how important it is to look at cGPA vs sGPA? If I have a lower sGPA compared to my cGPA, is that going to really hurt me when applying to DO schools? Especially if my MCAT score isn't spectacular (28: 10 PS/8 VR/10 BS)?

 

[s5260205]

How low is your sGPA compared to cGPA. Ideally, as long as they are both above 3.3, you should be fine. But if there is a large discrepancy between the two (especially with lower sGPA) then the admissions might be a bit more reluctant to extend you an interview.

 

[kittywitty]

I'm not positive, but my sGPA is right along the borderline of a 3.3 and my cGPA is a 3.61
Also, does math count towards my sGPA?

 

[s5260205]

Math doesn't count for sGPA for AACOMAS, but it does for TMDSAS or AMCAS. You should be okay with those GPAs and MCAT, provided that you have good ECs and LOR.

Make sure you apply on the very first day (meaning you should be writing your personal statement right now and getting all your letters ready to send) and to a broad range of schools (minimum 15 schools, with a mix of established and new schools). You will then stand a good chance of landing acceptance next cycle.

 

[kittywitty]

Thanks for your advice! I have no problem with being on top of things and starting my app now, but I did want to wait until mid-end of June to apply because my school doesn't finalize my grades until then for that semester and that'll really help my overall GPA. Will that hurt my chances if I wait until end of June? Especially then AAMCAS has to verify my grades too?

 

[s5260205]

End of June should be fine. How much of an increase do you predict? If it's not too big of a difference (3.3->3.4/3.5), then I would suggest just sending in your transcript right away, though end of June shouldn't be a problem either way.

 

[kittywitty]

Do you know how long it usually takes for AAMCAS to verify transcripts after they've been sent by my school?

 

[s5260205]

Do you know how long it usually takes for AAMCAS to verify transcripts after they've been sent by my school?

Verification time varies depending on when you submitted your primary. I don't have the exact figure but based on the verification thread from this cycle it will take about (or less than) a week if you apply on the first day. The verification time will increase and probably peak at 1 month and half around September and October. It will then slowly decline as less applicants apply toward the end of the year. You should also account for the number of transcripts you have; some applicants have multiple transcripts which would invariantly take longer.

All in all, if you apply any time in June, you should be verified in less than a month. Adding two weeks for the schools to screen your primary, you should receive your secondaries by end of July the latest. If you submit the secondary and LORs right away, your applications will be complete by August. Given your stats, you should be receiving interview invites starting August and interview starting September. If you did well, you could expect your first acceptance by the end of September. Of course this is all hypothetical but you could see the clear advantage of applying early.

 

[kittywitty]

I do, thanks! Do you think it's worth it for me to apply early in June (1st week or so) and use what grades I have and then have an updated transcript sent later on? Or will schools not consider that at all and it'll just be a waste of money for me to resend a transcript?

 

[s5260205]

I do, thanks! Do you think it's worth it for me to apply early in June (1st week or so) and use what grades I have and then have an updated transcript sent later on? Or will schools not consider that at all and it'll just be a waste of money for me to resend a transcript?

If there is a huge increase in your GPA with the inclusion of those courses and also if any of these courses are pre-requisites, you should wait until you have those grades to send in the transcript. Otherwise, you should just send in your transcript and have it verified in June.

 

[Goro]

We look at both numbers, and a low sGPA (~3.0-3.2) will especially hurt you.

Does anybody know how important it is to look at cGPA vs sGPA? If I have a lower sGPA compared to my cGPA, is that going to really hurt me when applying to DO schools? Especially if my MCAT score isn't spectacular (28: 10 PS/8 VR/10 BS)?