Will I get screened out?

[IL Pre Med]

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Okay so I have a low uGPA (2.9) and high graduate GPA (3.9). I spoke with admissions counselors at various schools and they told me they look at both GPAs but separately, so they were very vague on the topic of screening out. I was wondering if someone can shed some light on if I will be screened out or not. My grad GPA is coming from a pharmacy program which is no pushover, so it should carry some weight. I doubt they'll look at it as a 'grade inflation' grad program. Also, before people start jumping down my throat about switching programs I want to state that a) I have my reasons which are both unique and meaningful and b) every school I have spoken with has said that as long as the switch is justified it will not hold me back. My cGPA when you factor in both undergrad and grad is around a 3.2, but most schools will see these separately so Im not sure they'll even see this 3.2 statistic.

 

[Mavii]

There's no doubt that you'll most likely be screened out at some schools. The question is how many? And I don't think anyone will be able to tell you that until you actually apply. Remember that some schools screen automatically, while others might screen you initially or re-examine your app more closely depending on the rest of what you have to offer. It's going to be tough though, that's for sure. Good luck 👍

 

[sinombre]

Okay so I have a low uGPA (2.9) and high graduate GPA (3.9). I spoke with admissions counselors at various schools and they told me they look at both GPAs but separately, so they were very vague on the topic of screening out. I was wondering if someone can shed some light on if I will be screened out or not. My grad GPA is coming from a pharmacy program which is no pushover, so it should carry some weight. I doubt they'll look at it as a 'grade inflation' grad program. Also, before people start jumping down my throat about switching programs I want to state that a) I have my reasons which are both unique and meaningful and b) every school I have spoken with has said that as long as the switch is justified it will not hold me back. My cGPA when you factor in both undergrad and grad is around a 3.2, but most schools will see these separately so Im not sure they'll even see this 3.2 statistic.

No school will see your combined undergrad/grad GPA. The AMCAS lists your undergraduate GPA and your graduate GPA separately. I can't speak to how many schools you'll be screened out from, but schools weigh undergrad GPA more heavily.

The really important question is: what is your MCAT score? Having a less than stellar score will make it extremely unlikely that you'll end up with at least one MD acceptance.

https://www.aamc.org/download/321508/data/2012factstable24.pdf

 

[1stmeds]

No school will see your combined undergrad/grad GPA. The AMCAS lists your undergraduate GPA and your graduate GPA separately. I can't speak to how many schools you'll be screened out from, but schools weigh undergrad GPA more heavily.

The really important question is: what is your MCAT score? Having a less than stellar score will make it extremely unlikely that you'll end up with at least one MD acceptance.

https://www.aamc.org/download/321508/data/2012factstable24.pdf

Not sure this is true. I did a post-bacc and was advised that the post-bacc grades were more important for my application. One, because they improved my grades from undergrad, and two, because of the recency of the classes. I would think this same reasoning would apply to your grad grades.

your undergrad and grad will be reported separately, so you won't be able to hide your low undergrad gpa. however, it will be obvious the increase you've had in grad vs undergrad which is necessary and will be helpful. that said, yes you should assume some programs will screen you out, but you wont know beforehand. Also, if/when you get interviews, you will also very likely need to explain the poor performance in undergrad, so prepare for that.

and yes, you can help to allay the concerns of admissions by earning a strong MCAT score.

 

[sinombre]

Not sure this is true. I did a post-bacc and was advised that the post-bacc grades were more important for my application. One, because they improved my grades from undergrad, and two, because of the recency of the classes. I would think this same reasoning would apply to your grad grades.

your undergrad and grad will be reported separately, so you won't be able to hide your low undergrad gpa. however, it will be obvious the increase you've had in grad vs undergrad which is necessary and will be helpful. that said, yes you should assume some programs will screen you out, but you wont know beforehand. Also, if/when you get interviews, you will also very likely need to explain the poor performance in undergrad, so prepare for that.

and yes, you can help to allay the concerns of admissions by earning a strong MCAT score.

The difference is that most graduate classes have significant grade inflation. This is one reason why SMPs can be so beneficial.

 

[Jas1360]

You should probably call and write to the schools you are most interested in and tell them your graduate and undergraduate GPA and ask if they have an automatic screen out system. The places that look at every application by human eyes will probably not screen you out right away but places that use a computer for their first screening might not go past the undergraduate GPA.

As a side note, I do know people who had less that 3.0 undergrad who went on to graduate school and then to medical school. So it is very possible especially when you have proven your academic ability in graduate school. Now you just need to prove your motivation for medicine and tackle the MCAT.

 

[IL Pre Med]

Thanks for all the responses. I'm planning on taking my MCAT over the summer so I can focus on studying for it. There's no way I could fit in MCAT studying with 18+ credit hours + ECs, work and shadowing. A few of the schools I contacted said they have an actual person screening stuff so that will work in my favor. I need to kill that MCAT now, that's my goal but I'm so nervous ahhh!!