What counts as low semester GPA/Downward Trend? Retaking Classes?

[AnxietyMaster]

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Hello All,

I am currently a rising senior. Since freshman year, I've maintained a cumulative GPA in the range of a 3.9-4.0.

This last semester (junior year second semester) I unfortunately received a 3.42 semester GPA, and to make things worse I was carrying 12 credits (I usually take 16-19). B's were in Orgo II and Cell Biology (and I'm really upset because I was so close to an A in Cell but the professor decided to test us on material that wasn't covered in one of the exams). Also for Orgo II my professor used the raw scores on the ACS final to score us (even though ACS gives out scores based on percentiles, I guess my professor expects us to all be geniuses 🙄 ). Not like ADCOMS will care.

My overall GPA is now a 3.88 as opposed to a 3.95 before, and I can hopefully recover it to the 3.9+ range again if I do well in my senior classes and biochem. My science GPA as of now is about a 3.85.

How will admissions view this semester and GPA drop? Does this count as a downward trend especially since it is during junior year? My grandma was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer towards the end of my semester which didn't help with maintaining focus on school too.

I'm also curious (in general) how low does a semester GPA have to be to raise concerns from admissions? Is one rough semester acceptable as long as your GPA doesn't continue to tank?

EDIT:
My schedule last semester:

Orgo II: B
Cell Bio: B
Orgo II Lab: A
Computer Science 400 level class: A (I am a premed CS major)

 

[med03]

If it makes you feel any better my Ochem prof did the same thing with the ACS finals and raw scores.
Also, a 3.88 is nothing to sneeze at; I’d say if you don’t let it happen again you should be totally fine

 

[Goro]

Hello All,

I am currently a rising senior. Since freshman year, I've maintained a cumulative GPA in the range of a 3.9-4.0.

This last semester (junior year second semester) I unfortunately received a 3.42 semester GPA, and to make things worse I was carrying 12 credits (I usually take 16-19). B's were in Orgo II and Cell Biology (and I'm really upset because I was so close to an A in Cell but the professor decided to test us on material that wasn't covered in one of the exams). Also for Orgo II my professor used the raw scores on the ACS final to score us (even though ACS gives out scores based on percentiles, I guess my professor expects us to all be geniuses 🙄 ). Not like ADCOMS will care.

My overall GPA is now a 3.88 as opposed to a 3.95 before, and I can hopefully recover it to the 3.9+ range again if I do well in my senior classes and biochem. My science GPA as of now is about a 3.85.

How will admissions view this semester and GPA drop? Does this count as a downward trend especially since it is during junior year? My grandma was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer towards the end of my semester which didn't help with maintaining focus on school too.

I'm also curious (in general) how low does a semester GPA have to be to raise concerns from admissions? Is one rough semester acceptable as long as your GPA doesn't continue to tank?

EDIT:
My schedule last semester:

Orgo II: B
Cell Bio: B
Orgo II Lab: A
Computer Science 400 level class: A (I am a premed CS major)

Stop obsessing over single metrics. A single semester is not going to make or break you.

You're fine