Which set of GPAs is better?

[demayette]

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Do DO schools prefer a better sGPA over a cGPA. Like in my case, I am pretty sure that upon graduation my cGPA will be 3.2 and my sGPA will be 3.4 . I think the reverse will make my transcript look better (3.4cGPA and 3.2sGPA). Some people say DO schools prefer a better sGPA over a cGPA. Is that true? Feel free to opine from your knowlege or your experience in the subject...

 

[Mzeep]

Someone just asked this a couple threads ago...

but yes I would imagine sgpa would be more of interest to them since they would show how you tackle sciences classes, someone correct me if I'm wrong...

 

[GraceEuphoria]

Mzeep, I think you are correct. Last year I applied with a low sGPA (as well as very late in the cycle) and after inquiring to the 1 school I interviewed and got waitlisted at, I was told the only real weakness in my application was needing some stronger science grades. My cumulative isn't outstanding either because of all those science grades, but they definitely just wanted to see improvement in my sGPA since I had all As and Bs in my non-science classes.

 

[Mzeep]

Wow! I see, did you just retake classes after that? That's the one thing I'm terrified of is my sgpa I'll prob have a 3.2 by the time I graduate (didn't have the greatest ug years) is that around what you had if you don't mind me asking?

 

[boone95]

Someone just asked this a couple threads ago...

but yes I would imagine sgpa would be more of interest to them since they would show how you tackle sciences classes, someone correct me if I'm wrong...

I agree that sGPA is looked at more. Mostly because of classes included in the cGPA such as: astronomy, interpretive dance, intro to cooking, and bowling.

 

[demayette]

Wow! I see, did you just retake classes after that? That's the one thing I'm terrified of is my sgpa I'll prob have a 3.2 by the time I graduate (didn't have the greatest ug years) is that around what you had if you don't mind me asking?

As for now, I have 3.1+ cGPA a 3.3+ sGPA. I am not retaking any classes and I am not planning to. I had a C in Microbiology and a B- in Discrete Math and these are the two lowest grades that I have had in my science classes. And I am not planning on retaking either one of them. People on SDN do not suggest retaking any classes with a grade C or better. My cGPA is so low due to a lot of Cs that I had in all my nursing classes that are seven (7) credit hours (Medical-Surgical Nursing, Maternal Child, Psychiatry etc..).
If you wanna know my grades, here are them if that will make you happy.
Bio1 and Lab A, A
Bio2 and Lab B, B
Intro To Chem B
GenChem1 and Lab A, A
GenChem2 and Lab A, B
Orgo1 A-
Orgo2 and Lab B, B
Physics1 and Lab B, A
Physics2 and Lab A, A
A&P1 and Lab A, A
A&P2 and Lab B, B
Microbiology and Lab C, A
Precalculus A
Trigonometry B
Calculus1 A
Calculus2 A
Discrete Math B-
Pharmacology B
If you are asking why the heck in the world I took Discrete Math. My response is: I was an engineering major first; then I changed to nursing.

 

[Mzeep]

As for now, I have 3.1+ cGPA a 3.3+ sGPA. I am not retaking any classes and I am not planning to. I had a C in Microbiology and a B- in Discrete Math and these are the two lowest grades that I have had in my science classes. And I am not planning on retaking either one of them. People on SDN do not suggest retaking any classes with a grade C or better. My cGPA is so low due to a lot of Cs that I had in all my nursing classes that are seven (7) credit hours (Medical-Surgical Nursing, Maternal Child, Psychiatry etc..).
If you wanna know my grades, here are them if that will make you happy.
Bio1 and Lab A, A
Bio2 and Lab B, B
Intro To Chem B
GenChem1 and Lab A, A
GenChem2 and Lab A, B
Orgo1 A-
Orgo2 and Lab B, B
Physics1 and Lab B, A
Physics2 and Lab A, A
A&P1 and Lab A, A
A&P2 and Lab B, B
Microbiology and Lab C, A
Precalculus A
Trigonometry B
Calculus1 A
Calculus2 A
Discrete Math B-
Pharmacology B
If you are asking why the heck in the world I took Discrete Math. My response is: I was an engineering major first; then I changed to nursing.

Yeah I wouldn't take over anything C or above, but anything below, yes you should but luckily you don't have to worry about that. (Sorry I actually directed my last post to GraceE, should have quoted it, my mistake!)

But anyway, just keep getting good grades and you'll be in good shape. From what I've been reading around on SDN and from med advisors you want to have a high scgpa, it will work in your favor. Good Luck!

 

[drdave2be]

cum gpa 3.18
sce gpa 3.61 - accepted COMP

 

[Mohammed1989]

As for now, I have 3.1+ cGPA a 3.3+ sGPA. I am not retaking any classes and I am not planning to. I had a C in Microbiology and a B- in Discrete Math and these are the two lowest grades that I have had in my science classes. And I am not planning on retaking either one of them. People on SDN do not suggest retaking any classes with a grade C or better. My cGPA is so low due to a lot of Cs that I had in all my nursing classes that are seven (7) credit hours (Medical-Surgical Nursing, Maternal Child, Psychiatry etc..).
If you wanna know my grades, here are them if that will make you happy.
Bio1 and Lab A, A
Bio2 and Lab B, B
Intro To Chem B
GenChem1 and Lab A, A
GenChem2 and Lab A, B
Orgo1 A-
Orgo2 and Lab B, B
Physics1 and Lab B, A
Physics2 and Lab A, A
A&P1 and Lab A, A
A&P2 and Lab B, B
Microbiology and Lab C, A
Precalculus A
Trigonometry B
Calculus1 A
Calculus2 A
Discrete Math B-
Pharmacology B
If you are asking why the heck in the world I took Discrete Math. My response is: I was an engineering major first; then I changed to nursing.

Wait I thought math gpa is counted towards sGPA. Someone correct me if I'm wrong but I was worried about my calculus and pre-cal grades but they said if your applying for DO school they dont count in sGPA.

 

[Mzeep]

cum gpa 3.18
sce gpa 3.61 - accepted COMP

Congrats!!! How exciting! Just out of curiosity, what did you do to get your grades up? Retakes + more sciences?

 

[Mzeep]

Wait I thought math gpa is counted towards sGPA. Someone correct me if I'm wrong but I was worried about my calculus and pre-cal grades but they said if your applying for DO school they dont count in sGPA.

That is a good question, I too was under the impression that BCPM=science gpa, does anyone else know otherwise?

 

[cardiackid88]

BCPM = AMCAS science; AACOMAS won't include Math as a hard science (BCP)

 

[drdave2be]

Congrats!!! How exciting! Just out of curiosity, what did you do to get your grades up? Retakes + more sciences?

Found my passion in life: science and working with people. My cumGPA was destroyed by two years of unfocused undergrad at a community college.

 

[Dross]

Found my passion in life: science and working with people. My cumGPA was destroyed by two years of unfocused undergrad at a community college.

Same boat my friend, digging my way out of a hole. I had a lot of family troubles and moving around the country. I, however, know exactly what I want to do with my life and that is to be a doctor of osteopathic medicine and I will do whatever it takes to get there.

 

[mrivera]

You are way above the accepted average or something so you're fine for DO.

 

[scurred09]

What was your mcat score?

cum gpa 3.18
sce gpa 3.61 - accepted COMP

 

[demayette]

Here the formula for DO schools...I heard that from someone who knows somebody who sits in the adcom in one DO school in Florida... Please dont quote me on this...

3.6+ cGPA, sGPA you will need a 23+ MCAT
3.4+ cGPA, sGPA you will need a 25+ MCAT
3.2+ cGPA, sGPA you will need a 27+ MCAT
3.0+ cGPA, sGPA you will need a 29+ MCAT
2.8+ cGPA, sGPA you will need a 30+ MCAT

Of course other factors play a role in the admission process. However, GPA and MCAT should be within these ranges for them to give a serious look at anybody's application; albeit there are some variations to these rules.

 

[DRMRL]

seems like an interesting formula to me. cool!

 

[JaggerPlate]

Here the formula for DO schools...I heard that from someone who knows somebody who sits in the adcom in one DO school in Florida... Please dont quote me on this...

3.6+ cGPA, sGPA you will need a 23+ MCAT
3.4+ cGPA, sGPA you will need a 25+ MCAT
3.2+ cGPA, sGPA you will need a 27+ MCAT
3.0+ cGPA, sGPA you will need a 29+ MCAT
2.8+ cGPA, sGPA you will need a 30+ MCAT

Of course other factors play a role in the admission process. However, GPA and MCAT should be within these ranges for them to give a serious look at anybody's application; albeit there are some variations to these rules.

Good reference, but don't hang your hat on it ... you know? There are thousands of various factors that come into play, and it's essentially impossible to really pick the brain of every adcom involved with your file. Cool way to play with the numbers though. My best advice would be just try to be balanced.

 

[BestDoctorEver]

Same boat my friend, digging my way out of a hole. I had a lot of family troubles and moving around the country. I, however, know exactly what I want to do with my life and that is to be a doctor of osteopathic medicine and I will do whatever it takes to get there.

Here the formula for DO schools...I heard that from someone who knows somebody who sits in the adcom in one DO school in Florida... Please dont quote me on this...

3.6+ cGPA, sGPA you will need a 23+ MCAT
3.4+ cGPA, sGPA you will need a 25+ MCAT
3.2+ cGPA, sGPA you will need a 27+ MCAT
3.0+ cGPA, sGPA you will need a 29+ MCAT
2.8+ cGPA, sGPA you will need a 30+ MCAT

Of course other factors play a role in the admission process. However, GPA and MCAT should be within these ranges for them to give a serious look at anybody's application; albeit there are some variations to these rules.

Good reference, but don't hang your hat on it ... you know? There are thousands of various factors that come into play, and it's essentially impossible to really pick the brain of every adcom involved with your file. Cool way to play with the numbers though. My best advice would be just try to be balanced.

Indeed, the last sentence of my post...

 

[BestDoctorEver]

Same boat my friend, digging my way out of a hole. I had a lot of family troubles and moving around the country. I, however, know exactly what I want to do with my life and that is to be a doctor of osteopathic medicine and I will do whatever it takes to get there.

Here the formula for DO schools...I heard that from someone who knows somebody who sits in the adcom in one DO school in Florida... Please dont quote me on this...

3.6+ cGPA, sGPA you will need a 23+ MCAT
3.4+ cGPA, sGPA you will need a 25+ MCAT
3.2+ cGPA, sGPA you will need a 27+ MCAT
3.0+ cGPA, sGPA you will need a 29+ MCAT
2.8+ cGPA, sGPA you will need a 30+ MCAT

Of course other factors play a role in the admission process. However, GPA and MCAT should be within these ranges for them to give a serious look at anybody's application; albeit there are some variations to these rules.

Good reference, but don't hang your hat on it ... you know? There are thousands of various factors that come into play, and it's essentially impossible to really pick the brain of every adcom involved with your file. Cool way to play with the numbers though. My best advice would be just try to be balanced.

Indeed, the last sentece of my post...