Will ADCOMs take note of "repeat" and fluff classes and toss my app?

[seals44]

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Hey everyone,

I took dual enrollment courses in high school at poorly-ranked local 4-year university (30 credits total).

While there, three classes I took were anatomy and physiology 1, anatomy and physiology 2, and statistics (got A's in all of them).

I began college in earnest at a better ranked university (top 60 nationally) then after graduating high school. My cGPA has always been fine, but my sGPA dropped pretty low due to certain pre-reqs. I got A's in bio+labs and genchem+labs freshman year, but straight B's in physics and ochem with a c in ochem 2 sophomore year.

I then took statistics and human physiology 1st semester junior year (at the advice of my pre-med advisor - stupid of me). Got in A- in statistics, A in human physiology, beginning a relatively strong upward trend from there out. Will adcoms see these as a huge attempt at GPA inflation and discredit them? To be fair, the stat I took at the university in highschool was 3 credits and transferred in as an 800 level, while the new one was 4 credits and 1000 level. Additionally, my a&p courses in highschool were ~70% anatomy while the new course was 100% physiology - but I guess adcoms wouldn't see that.

With high school credits included (4.0 on all 30), my cGPA will be 3.80 and my sGPA will be 3.65. Based on pure numbers I look fine, but I'm worried that if adcoms see this "repeat" they will throw away my app, considering I also have two intro level science classes (<100 level) and ecology acting as sGPA buffers as well (both taken after the sophomore year fiasco). I did get an A- in biochem after the C in ochem 2 however. Any insight?

MCAT score is TBD. ECs are decently strong with 2 posters at national conference, 1st author pub, 300 hours clinical volunteering, 100 hours shadowing, etc etc.

@LizzyM @Goro @Catalystik
P.S. If it would help I can give a breakdown of all my classes/grades

 

[joyfulcynic]

.

 

[MrLogan13]

Chill out. You're fine.

 

[Goro]

100% agree. Quit fussing.

Chill out. You're fine.

 

[seals44]

Chill out. You're fine.

100% agree. Quit fussing.

The reason I'm concerned is that, as a non-science major, all my classes outside of the pre-reqs are

<100 level survey course
human physiology
statistics
<100 level survey course
ecology
biochemistry

Which I think gives the impression of tons of fluff, especially give the previously described situation and my just average sGPA. Before graduation I will have time to take two more sciences. I plan to take another "definite" upper level bio course, and then a 1000 level neuro course (which unfortunately has the title "intro to neuroscience" even though the material is relatively tough). While I did badly in the ochem/physics during 14 credit semesters, the above were taken during 18 credit semesters with a >3.9 GPA.

Goro, I thought I've heard you in the past saying you highly look down upon people who obviously pad their GPA (and, regardless of how hard the classes are at my institution, I can see from an outside perspective how my transcript could be seen as doing that). Is your looking down upon these aplicants only in cases where the person's cGPA is also bad and/or they have a bad GPA despite padding? Or am I just having a finals-week induced freak out and I didn't actually pad as much as I thought I did?

 

[Catalystik]

Will adcoms see these as a huge attempt at GPA inflation and discredit them?

With high school credits included (4.0 on all 30), my cGPA will be 3.80 and my sGPA will be 3.65.

Considering both stats are above the average for acceptees, chances are lower that your transcript will be microanalyzed and that this "fluff" factor will be noted (but it would also be seen that there is a progression in the Stats course prefix). If asked about it, just say:

at the advice of my pre-med advisor.

and what can they say. Some fluff can be tolerated at many schools, particularly if your major courses show an appropriate progression in difficulty with mastery.

Be sure to note as Future coursework on the application that you'll be taking additional upper-level Bio. Isn't there anything else above the 1000 level that you qualify for? It might be better not to take another Intro course.

 

[NeuResurgens]

Catalystik gave a good answer - you may have just been given some bad information. All you need to do is focus on your major and the prereqs and do well in them. Chances aren't good that they'll look at every class in detail if you have a strong GPA, and even if they did, I don't see them caring all that much that you repeated a class or two between your first and second universities.

 

[seals44]

Considering both stats are above the average for acceptees, chances are lower that your transcript will be microanalyzed and that this "fluff" factor will be noted (but it would also be seen that there is a progression in the Stats course prefix). If asked about it, just say: and what can they say. Some fluff can be tolerated at many schools, particularly if your major courses show an appropriate progression in difficulty with mastery.

Be sure to note as Future coursework on the application that you'll be taking additional upper-level Bio. Isn't there anything else above the 1000 level that you qualify for? It might be better not to take another Intro course.

Thank you for your input!

So as long as I have an MCAT score in range with the school, you think there is a very low chance my transcript would affect my chances at an interview invite (at which point it could be explained away)?

Taking another two 1000+ level bio classes that don't have "intro" in the title is a possibility but not a guarantee (depends on scheduling). If possible, I will take that route. If given the option of just taking one additional upper-level bio class or taking both an upper level bio class and a 1000-level class called "intro to neuroscience," which would reflect on me more favorably? If the extra info helps at all my major is an east-asian language with a major GPA of ~3.97

 

[Catalystik]

1) So as long as I have an MCAT score in range with the school, you think there is a very low chance my transcript would affect my chances at an interview invite (at which point it could be explained away)?

2) If given the option of a) just taking one additional upper-level bio class or b)taking both an upper level bio class and a 1000-level class called "intro to neuroscience," which would reflect on me more favorably?

3) my major is an east-asian language with a major GPA of ~3.97

1) I can't be completely reassuring. I think there is some chance of an adverse effect. An individual, particularly-thorough adcomm might have a concern that you hadn't challenged yourself enough in the sciences to demonstrate a good chance of success in a science-heavy med school environment. Thus my suggestion, in case you end up on a decision cusp this coming season, or end up reapplying, that success in additional higher-level science courses be apparent, either via a fall update letter (where allowed) or on next year's transcript.

2) b. And take the higher level course during the fall term.

3) Is this language your birth language?

 

[seals44]

1) I can't be completely reassuring. I think there is some chance of an adverse effect. An individual, particularly-thorough adcomm might have a concern that you hadn't challenged yourself enough in the sciences to demonstrate a good chance of success in a science-heavy med school environment. Thus my suggestion, in case you end up on a decision cusp this coming season, or end up reapplying, that success in additional higher-level science courses be apparent, either via a fall update letter (where allowed) or on next year's transcript.

2) b. And take the higher level course during the fall term.

3) Is this language your birth language?

I am graduating in December and applying next cycle, so I will either be doing option b as described above or (hopefully) two upper-level bio classes next semester. Thus, they will be on my transcript when I apply. Hopefully those extra two classes will help allay any fears. And no, I am a Caucasian from a rural area with 99.9% Caucasian demographics (ie had absolutely no prior exposure to other cultures or languages)

I had planned to spend the entire "spring semester" after graduation doing ~20 hrs/week of research and volunteering and spend the rest studying full-time for the MCAT, but since this seems to be a major weakness in my application do you feel it would be worth taking an additional upper-level science course during that time?

 

[Catalystik]

1) I am graduating in December and applying next cycle, so I will either be doing option b as described above or (hopefully) two upper-level bio classes next semester. Thus, they will be on my transcript when I apply. Hopefully those extra two classes will help allay any fears.

2) And no, I am a Caucasian from a rural area with 99.9% Caucasian demographics (ie had absolutely no prior exposure to other cultures or languages)

3) I had planned to spend the entire "spring semester" after graduation doing ~20 hrs/week of research and volunteering and spend the rest studying full-time for the MCAT, but since this seems to be a major weakness in my application do you feel it would be worth taking an additional upper-level science course during that time?

1) Excellent. The specified timeframe will act in your favor compared to applying summer 2015. I think concerns will be allayed with those classes on the transcript.

2) 👍

3) It never hurts to keep making improvements if you have the time. And with the right choice of class, your first year at med school could be eased.