Huge upward GPA trend

[Mr.LongTermPlan]

I have an enormous cGPA trend. After my first 3 years, I transferred and did 5 more years of school (BS Biology & Math, BS Biomedical Engineering, MS Biomedical Engineering).

cGPA by year
Major: General studies at a state school

Year 1: 1.72
Year 2: 1.77
Year 3: 1.16

-Academic Dismissal from previous school (who could blame them). Transferred and "restarted" college-

Major: Biology & Mathematics
Year 4: 2.94
Year 5: 3.57
Year 6: 3.75

-I was in a dual degree program, so i automatically "transferred" to my last institution as part of the agreement to study engineering-

Major: Biomedical Engineering (Combined BS/MS)
Year 7: 3.86
Year 8: 3.70


My cGPA over my entire academic career is a 3.06 (sGPA is comparable).

However, looking at just my last 4 years, I have a cGPA of 3.72 over 226 credits.

Given that in my last 4 years I've taken almost twice as many credits as is average, and have a cGPA of 3.72, and its in a difficult technical field (Biomedical Engineering), can I apply to schools as if I'm a 3.72 GPA applicant? Or should I apply as if my GPA is 3.06?

cGPA/sGPA:

• AMCAS: 3.06/3.07
• AACOMAS: 3.06/3.38

MCAT: 515
State: CT, ORM
Undergrad Institution: T20
Shadowing: 80

• Internist (40)
• DO (10)
• Plastic surgeon (10)
• Gastroenterologist (10)
• Neurosurgeon (10)

Clinical Exp: 2330

• VA Hospital volunteer (380)
  • Year 7
  • Greeted patients at the front door, escorted them to where they needed to go, waited with them, picked them up after their appointment and escorted them back to their car.
• Hospital volunteer (150)
  • Year 8
  • Assisted staff and patients in various clinical areas. Whatever they needed, I helped them with. This ranged from running around the hospital making deliveries for the staff, to sitting with patients for a few hours just to keep them company.
• Working as a biomedical engineer, much of the time in the OR (1800)
  • Started after graduation (~1 year ago)
  • Guided and assisted physicians in the OR, assisted/guided Radiology staff in taking scans, educated physicians/technologists

Volunteering: 1010

• VA Hospital (also included in Clinical Exp) (380)
  • Year 7
• Hospital (also included in Clinical Exp) (150)
  • Year 8
• Aquarium Educational Ambassador (45)
  • Year 7
  • I was a stingray guy. I'd be in charge of the stingray exhibit, educate visitors, supervise visitors interacting with the stingrays.
• Teaching Assistant for an upper-level biomedical engineering course (30)
  • Year 7 and Year 8
  • Helped create lecture material, assisted the professor in running labs, graded exams
• Math tutor for a school program in a state prison (55)
  • Year 7 and Year 8
  • Would go into the state prison once a week and tutor the students (prisoners) in math. These were students enrolled in math courses at the time so I would pretty much help them with their homework and help them understand the material.
• Local synagogue (350)
  • Year 5 and Year 6
  • Sometimes I was running around making deliveries, sometimes helping with paperwork, and sometimes helped teach religious classes.

Research: 400

• My name will be included in 3 published articles
• 2 poster presentations
• 1 TV interview
• Awarded full tuition scholarship for 1 semester

Other ECs:

• Freshman Orientation Leader (ran 2 week program at start of fall semester for freshman)
• RA for 2 years
• Paid: tutoring, university/engineering tour guide, TA
• Member of several clubs but no leadership position

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[Mr.Smile12]

Welcome to the forums.

Hate to do this to you, but could you go year-by-year with your GPA and identify which degree/major you were pursuing at that time? When did you switch over from engineering to biology (or reverse)? From bachelor's to masters? What was your high school like? Did you bring in AP/IB credits?

As the primary application calculations go, overall GPA is overall GPA. But primary applications are big calculators and spreadsheets, so this requested breakdown would be more realistic information for admissions teams.

To that end, notate when you participated in your activities for clinical and non-clinical exposure. Descriptions of what you did also help.

 

[everythingis onfire]

After my first 3 years, I transferred and did 5 more years of school (BS Biology & Math, BS Biomedical Engineering, MS Biomedical Engineering).

Are you including the MS in your cGPA? Unless it was an SMP, it will be considered separate from your cGPA/sGPA which is only undergrad (BS).

 

[AJS59]

What sort of volunteering did you do through your synagogue? Not really seeing a lot of potential for other non-clinical service work in your application

 

[Mr.LongTermPlan]

Welcome to the forums.

Hate to do this to you, but could you go year-by-year with your GPA and identify which degree/major you were pursuing at that time? When did you switch over from engineering to biology (or reverse)? From bachelor's to masters? What was your high school like? Did you bring in AP/IB credits?

As the primary application calculations go, overall GPA is overall GPA. But primary applications are big calculators and spreadsheets, so this requested breakdown would be more realistic information for admissions teams.

To that end, notate when you participated in your activities for clinical and non-clinical exposure. Descriptions of what you did also help.

Thank you for helping! Updated my post with a year-by-year breakdown. As far as high school, I went to a local private school. I took IB courses but no college credit.

 

[Mr.LongTermPlan]

Are you including the MS in your cGPA? Unless it was an SMP, it will be considered separate from your cGPA/sGPA which is only undergrad (BS).

It was a combined BS and MS. I'm sure AMCAS will consider some classes as only part of my uGPA and others as only part of my gGPA, but the program was so intertwined that I can't decipher that for myself - my upper level engineering courses counted towards both in most instances.

 

[Mr.LongTermPlan]

What sort of volunteering did you do through your synagogue? Not really seeing a lot of potential for other non-clinical service work in your application

Thanks for responding and helping me out! I added descriptions of my experiences. What do you mean by "potential?" Should I beef up the non-clinical volunteering?

 

[candbgirl]

Thanks for responding and helping me out! I added descriptions of my experiences. What do you mean by "potential?" Should I beef up the non-clinical volunteering?

You probably only have 55 hours that can be considered as nonclinical volunteering, and that’s because they are from working with prisoners. Your other tutoring is tutoring,and the other stuff is already being counted as clinical experiences, I think.

 

[Mr.LongTermPlan]

You probably only have 55 hours that can be considered as nonclinical volunteering, and that’s because they are from working with prisoners. Your other tutoring is tutoring,and the other stuff is already being counted as clinical experiences, I think.

Does the aquarium and synagogue not count? It was bonafide volunteer work.

 

[awood]

Does the aquarium and synagogue not count? It was bonafide volunteer work.

Did you synagogue volunteering help the underserved in some way? Or was it simply for the synagogue itself/the religious leaders/rabbis?

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Bring an aquarium docent/Volunteer, math tutor, and BME TA demonstrate academic competencies and not service orientation competency to those in distress. I'll give you props working with incarcerated students, but that was still only 50 hours.

How to Assess Your Academic Competencies - SDN

The Student Doctor Network provides free tools, resources, and advising services to help students become health professionals.

www.studentdoctor.net

 

[Mr.LongTermPlan]

Bring an aquarium docent/Volunteer, math tutor, and BME TA demonstrate academic competencies and not service orientation competency to those in distress. I'll give you props working with incarcerated students, but that was still only 50 hours.

How to Assess Your Academic Competencies - SDN

The Student Doctor Network provides free tools, resources, and advising services to help students become health professionals.

www.studentdoctor.net

Thank you! The article is very helpful too. I should also add that I wont be applying until next year so that gives me a year to work on those shortcomings.

In your experience, do you think after beefing up my service oriented competency (through volunteering), I could set my eyes on admissions as closer to a 3.7 gpa applicant? Obviously the cGPA of 3.06 is there and can't be ignored, but 3.7 over 226 credits has to count for something, no?

 

[everythingis onfire]

It was a combined BS and MS. I'm sure AMCAS will consider some classes as only part of my uGPA and others as only part of my gGPA, but the program was so intertwined that I can't decipher that for myself - my upper level engineering courses counted towards both in most instances.

You need to strategize the way you input your grades in AMCAS. Because if they are all listed on your undergrad transcript, you could get away with including them in your undergrad GPA and showing a strong upward trend and applying as a 3.7 applicant (undergrad). AMCAS only verifies if the grades you input match the grade on your transcript. But if they are listed as “graduate” then you have to separate them out from your undergrad gpa, which means you’re a 3.06 applicant who did well in a masters program. So this comes down to what your transcript says.

You might even consider doing a throwaway application this upcoming cycle to see how AMCAS processes your transcript. This would provide some pretty useful info for the 2026 cycle.

 

[everythingis onfire]

Also you keep mentioning “apply as if I am a 3.7 vs 3.0 applicant” and I don’t think I understand what you mean by this. You should apply broadly either way with a well written app and strong narrative. Being a 3.7 applicant doesn’t mean you wouldn’t have to address deficiencies in your hours or apply to any less number of schools. You should make a school list that includes GPA ranges that cover both ends of the spectrum, but your MCAT puts you in the matriculating average for a majority of schools.

I think you’re focusing too much on your GPA right now (which is a done deal) and instead should focus on how to craft a story around your previous experiences as well as see what additional experiences you’d benefit from to tell an even stronger story by the time you apply.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

I agree that you are worried about how schools will look at your application, so don't hesitate to take the year to do your recruitment visits and talk to schools nearest you (for example, at UConn, your in-state). They should be able to show you how they will put more weight on relevant biomedical coursework taken recently. AMCAS will calculate your GPA in multiple ways, so getting assurance that you aren't seen as a "3.0" applicant will assure you there.

I'm not sure a throwaway application is necessary to know what your application GPAs are. Just connect with the schools near you.

 

[candbgirl]

Does the aquarium and synagogue not count? It was bonafide volunteer work.

Read this article posted by @LizzyM last week. It really explains the intended focus of nonclinical volunteering.

Thought provoking op-ed and why community service to the vulnerable matters

This piece in the NYTimes is my gift to you. It gives a glimpse of the non-clinical issues that face physicians in 2024 and why, reflecting back on the advice I've given here over the years, non-clinical volunteering with the poor in America is very relevant to the practice of medicine...

forums.studentdoctor.net

 

[candbgirl]

You need to strategize the way you input your grades in AMCAS. Because if they are all listed on your undergrad transcript, you could get away with including them in your undergrad GPA and showing a strong upward trend and applying as a 3.7 applicant (undergrad). AMCAS only verifies if the grades you input match the grade on your transcript. But if they are listed as “graduate” then you have to separate them out from your undergrad gpa, which means you’re a 3.06 applicant who did well in a masters program. So this comes down to what your transcript says.

You might even consider doing a throwaway application this upcoming cycle to see how AMCAS processes your transcript. This would provide some pretty useful info for the 2026 cycle.

And everyone is expected to do well in grad programs. And MD schools don’t figure gGPAs into your cGPA. But interestingly, DO schools do.

 

[Mr.LongTermPlan]

Also you keep mentioning “apply as if I am a 3.7 vs 3.0 applicant” and I don’t think I understand what you mean by this. You should apply broadly either way with a well written app and strong narrative. Being a 3.7 applicant doesn’t mean you wouldn’t have to address deficiencies in your hours or apply to any less number of schools. You should make a school list that includes GPA ranges that cover both ends of the spectrum, but your MCAT puts you in the matriculating average for a majority of schools.

I think you’re focusing too much on your GPA right now (which is a done deal) and instead should focus on how to craft a story around your previous experiences as well as see what additional experiences you’d benefit from to tell an even stronger story by the time you apply.

You're absolutely right. Fixated on GPA and need to switch focus to what I have control over. Thank you for the advice

 

[Mr.LongTermPlan]

I agree that you are worried about how schools will look at your application, so don't hesitate to take the year to do your recruitment visits and talk to schools nearest you (for example, at UConn, your in-state). They should be able to show you how they will put more weight on relevant biomedical coursework taken recently. AMCAS will calculate your GPA in multiple ways, so getting assurance that you aren't seen as a "3.0" applicant will assure you there.

I'm not sure a throwaway application is necessary to know what your application GPAs are. Just connect with the schools near you.

I'll make sure to do this - thank you, again, for your help and advice. Has definitely pointed me in a productive direction

 

[Mr.LongTermPlan]

And everyone is expected to do well in grad programs. And MD schools don’t figure gGPAs into your cGPA. But interestingly, DO schools do.

It's a weird situation, and even my engineering premed advisor couldn't give me a definitive answer. The same classes count towards both the bachelors and masters, I supposed only AMCAS would be able to provide a definitive answer so I may do a "throwaway application" as suggested. DO schools will certainly be on my list. Thank you for your help!

 

[Goro]

I have an enormous cGPA trend. After my first 3 years, I transferred and did 5 more years of school (BS Biology & Math, BS Biomedical Engineering, MS Biomedical Engineering).

cGPA by year
Major: General studies at a state school

Year 1: 1.72
Year 2: 1.77
Year 3: 1.16

-Academic Dismissal from previous school (who could blame them). Transferred and "restarted" college-

Major: Biology & Mathematics
Year 4: 2.94
Year 5: 3.57
Year 6: 3.75

-I was in a dual degree program, so i automatically "transferred" to my last institution as part of the agreement to study engineering-

Major: Biomedical Engineering (Combined BS/MS)
Year 7: 3.86
Year 8: 3.70


My cGPA over my entire academic career is a 3.06 (sGPA is comparable).

However, looking at just my last 4 years, I have a cGPA of 3.72 over 226 credits.

Given that in my last 4 years I've taken almost twice as many credits as is average, and have a cGPA of 3.72, and its in a difficult technical field (Biomedical Engineering), can I apply to schools as if I'm a 3.72 GPA applicant? Or should I apply as if my GPA is 3.06?

cGPA/sGPA:

• AMCAS: 3.06/3.07
• AACOMAS: 3.06/3.38

MCAT: 515
State: CT, ORM
Undergrad Institution: T20
Shadowing: 80

• Internist (40)
• DO (10)
• Plastic surgeon (10)
• Gastroenterologist (10)
• Neurosurgeon (10)

Clinical Exp: 2330

• VA Hospital volunteer (380)
  • Year 7
  • Greeted patients at the front door, escorted them to where they needed to go, waited with them, picked them up after their appointment and escorted them back to their car.
• Hospital volunteer (150)
  • Year 8
  • Assisted staff and patients in various clinical areas. Whatever they needed, I helped them with. This ranged from running around the hospital making deliveries for the staff, to sitting with patients for a few hours just to keep them company.
• Working as a biomedical engineer, much of the time in the OR (1800)
  • Started after graduation (~1 year ago)
  • Guided and assisted physicians in the OR, assisted/guided Radiology staff in taking scans, educated physicians/technologists

Volunteering: 1010

• VA Hospital (also included in Clinical Exp) (380)
  • Year 7
• Hospital (also included in Clinical Exp) (150)
  • Year 8
• Aquarium Educational Ambassador (45)
  • Year 7
  • I was a stingray guy. I'd be in charge of the stingray exhibit, educate visitors, supervise visitors interacting with the stingrays.
• Teaching Assistant for an upper-level biomedical engineering course (30)
  • Year 7 and Year 8
  • Helped create lecture material, assisted the professor in running labs, graded exams
• Math tutor for a school program in a state prison (55)
  • Year 7 and Year 8
  • Would go into the state prison once a week and tutor the students (prisoners) in math. These were students enrolled in math courses at the time so I would pretty much help them with their homework and help them understand the material.
• Local synagogue (350)
  • Year 5 and Year 6
  • Sometimes I was running around making deliveries, sometimes helping with paperwork, and sometimes helped teach religious classes.

Research: 400

• My name will be included in 3 published articles
• 2 poster presentations
• 1 TV interview
• Awarded full tuition scholarship for 1 semester

Other ECs:

• Freshman Orientation Leader (ran 2 week program at start of fall semester for freshman)
• RA for 2 years
• Paid: tutoring, university/engineering tour guide, TA
• Member of several clubs but no leadership position

Great job of reinvention!!!

 

[Mr.LongTermPlan]

Great job of reinvention!!!

Thank you, Goro! Just took it one step at a time!

 

[AJS59]

I think based on the recommendations above you are probably best served beefing up your non-clinical hours; specifically look for hours in the realm of food distribution, shelter work, job/tax prep, transport services or housing rehab for those in need.