What happens to grad school grades?

[mac_kin]

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Some people may say that getting good grades in grad school is a piece of cake. Not true where I go (a PT school). People here are just as competitive as in undergrad because everyone wants the best jobs after graduation.

So I'm not going to be leaving with an A+ average. So if I apply to med school, how much emphasis will be placed on my grad school grades?

 

[mudphudwannabe]

Grades are taken in context -- I think admission committees understand that getting a C in a high level class (grad school or undergrad) is not the same as getting a C in a basic pre-med requirement. If your graduate grades are consistently low, though, I think there might be concern about whether you can handle the coursework in med school. Sorry that's not more specific, but if we're talking A's and some B's I wouldn't be worried, but if we're talking mostly C's and some B's or any failing grades, that could be a concern.

 

[sawood]

In general it is expected in my grad engineering program that you maintain B's and A's. Getting C's in your grad classes looks worse than if you are an undergrad in undergrad classes. Also, I get put on probation if my GPA drops below 3.0 for one quarter, and kicked out if its like that two consecutive quarters.

I don't know how ADCOMs will react, or how they interpret GPA's in grad school. My suggestion would be to just work as hard as you can and not let it drop below 3.5.

 

[wally47]

I thought I remember reading somewhere that a 3.5 and above average is fine for grad courses. If your gonna have trouble achieving this then make sure you secure some amazing LOR's from the grad school profs. Although grades and MCAT are important schools love seeing unique stories and experiences like a Pt degree non trad....wait I understood it that med school was next for you, correct?

My bad med school is next for you!

 

[njbmd]

Some people may say that getting good grades in grad school is a piece of cake. Not true where I go (a PT school). People here are just as competitive as in undergrad because everyone wants the best jobs after graduation.

So I'm not going to be leaving with an A+ average. So if I apply to med school, how much emphasis will be placed on my grad school grades?

Graduate school is considered similar to an extracurricular activity. If your grades are not good, it's a bad extracurricular activity (which is why it's a bad idea to try to use graduate school as an application enhancer). Try to make sure that you leave with a gGPA of at least 3.7 if not, you have a potential negative on your application.

Exceptions to graduate school as a uGPA enhancer are the SMPs that are designed as grade enhancers. Still, you need to perform well in these or they can bite back badly.

 

[Maxprime]

Graduate school is considered similar to an extracurricular activity. If your grades are not good, it's a bad extracurricular activity (which is why it's a bad idea to try to use graduate school as an application enhancer). Try to make sure that you leave with a gGPA of at least 3.7 if not, you have a potential negative on your application.

Exceptions to graduate school as a uGPA enhancer are the SMPs that are designed as grade enhancers. Still, you need to perform well in these or they can bite back badly.

This is the best description I have ever heard of how to treat grad school grades. I also agree - you need at least a 3.7 to prevent it being a liability.

 

[sawood]

I'm wondering if physical therapy would be viewed the same as traditional grad school where you do a thesis / research? The best option would be to contact an admissions counselor at a medical school you are interested in and ask this question.

I don't think every case is as simple as grad school = extracurricular activity. I do agree low grades (below 3.7) in any post-graduate work looks worse than low grades in your undergraduate years.

Either way, you are in the program so basically your main focus should be to keep the grades up.