Which looks better, 3.6 with downward trend or 3.5 with upward trend?

[studentdoctor08]

Say an applicant has a 3.6, but showed a downward trend as opposed to another applicant with a 3.5, but showed a strong upward trend from say like a 3.2. Which would ad coms look more favorably upon?

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[FrkyBgStok]

probably a 3.5 upward. it depends on how long it has been upward vs. downward. had a 4.0 and went a full year with 3.0 vs a 3.2 and a full year of 4.0 the second would look WAY better. it you had a 3.62 and one semester at 3.5, the 3.6 would look better.

 

[plumhill]

upward trend, always. a serious downward trend is never in your favor, even if your overall GPA is okay.

 

[Goro]

Both are fine, but you'd probably not want to apply to Harvard or Stanford with the former.

Say an applicant has a 3.6, but showed a downward trend as opposed to another applicant with a 3.5, but showed a strong upward trend from say like a 3.2. Which would ad coms look more favorably upon?