Engineering GPA vs. Non Engineering GPA

[umichguy]

Does Admissions at various medical schools recognize the difference in GPA between someone in Engineering vs. someone that is not? Thanks! I am really worried about this issue.

[rworkman]

Medical school admissions committees require a breakdown of your cumulative GPA into science and non-science categories. Engineering would certainly fit under the science category.

Best regards,

Ron Workman, MD
AdmissionsConsultants
(703) 242-5885

[umichguy]

But Will medical school admissions realize that engineering students generally have a lower gpa than their non engineering counterparts? For instance at most school the cutoff for honors is a 3.5 for non engineers but it is a 3.3 for engineers because their curriculum is harder. When medical admissions looks at an engineers GPA will they equate say a 3.5 engineering gpa to a 3.7 non engineering gpa because engineers have a harder curriculum and in general have lower gpa’s?? Thanks

[rworkman]

I understand. While admissions committees may not have a quantitative conversion in mind (e.g., 3.3 in engineering = 3.5 in non-engineering, or whatever), they do consider the difficulty of an applicant’s major when reviewing applications. Again, as this will fall into the science category, that will help you. There is a difference between hard sciences (math, physics, engineering) and soft sciences (biology and chemistry), but some places may not give that much consideration beyond the initial science/non-science breakdown.

Ron Workman, MD
AdmissionsConsultants
(703) 242-5885

[thymol_blue]

Actually Mr. Workman your advice is factually incorrect. The vast majority of American medical schools — NYU and Columbia are the only exceptions I am aware of — require applicants to fill out the common AMCAS application. That application is certified by AAMC and then it becomes the “official” record of courses taken to be used to make admissions decisions by schools. On the AMCAS application, a distinction is made between “Science” and “All Other” g.p.a. AMCAS only considers Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Mathematics classes in the “Science” gpa. Engineering classes fall into the “All Other” category. It seems a silly distinction given that many engineering classes combine physics, mathematics, and chemistry, but that is the way the system works. From the OP’s prespective this is a good thing, since bad grades in engineering classes won’t show up in the Science gpa.

[rworkman]

Of course most allopathic schools require an AMCAS application. There is no debate about this fact, and no claim to the contrary has been made. It is also fact that Engineering (ENGI) classes are considered “hard” science regardless of whether the AMCAS form classifies them as “science.” Admissions committees are not reading these applications without some common sense, although on initial screening the details underlying computation of the GPA may be skirted. True, there is the “BCPM” and “All other” breakdown which is rigid on the AMCAS form, and ENGI classes don’t fall under the Biology/Chemistry/Physics/Mathematics section. But again, when a human being on an admissions committee actually reads what classes were taken, in this case many ENGI classes, the realization will be made that this individual took a heavy hard science course load. Whether this translates into some sort of allowance when compared to the GPA of someone who majored in Sociology is another matter (not to disparage sociology majors, but you get my point).

Ron Workman, MD
AdmissionsConsultants
(703) 242-5885

[ggoldmakher]

quote:

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Originally posted by thymol_blue

Actually Mr. Workman your advice is factually incorrect. The vast majority of American medical schools — NYU and Columbia are the only exceptions I am aware of — require applicants to fill out the common AMCAS application.

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As an aside, the University of Texas system has its own separate application service which is structured much like the AMCAS, but somewhat easier to use since individual schools don’t require a secondary application (except when the applicant indicates the desire to apply to a special program such as the Medical Scientist Training Program).

AdmissionsConsultants
703.242.5885

[nofrillsplz]

Hi, I have a question that’s related to all this.

I majored in Architecture my sophomore year at MIT (I am now away for a year on medical leave) because I wanted to explore my artistic side.
Ironically, I am now a Bio major and I’ll be taking classes starting this fall.
However, due to MIT’s curriculum, I’ve taken a semester of chemistry, a year of physics, a year of calculus and I’ll be working on my English/Humanities later. Now, these classes were taken on a pass/no record grading system. How will med schools take this into account? Will I have to send them a formal transcript?
Also, while majoring in Arch. for one year, I took an Intro to Bio class during that time. I got a C. Now, y’all saying what you’re saying about how they divide up those subjects into a science/non-science partitions or what have you…I’m really getting scared.
Also, I’m studying for the April MCAT.
if y’all have some inkling about this, I’d duly appreciate some info.

[twu]

You must have grades for all required premedical courses (biology, chemistry, organic chemistry, and physics). A grade/no grade, pass/fail, credit/no credit system won’t fly with probably all admissions committees. If it is the policy of MIT to not grade certain courses then that’s something the Admissions Committees will have to deal with, but if it is not, then you’ll have to take those courses for grades.

If you require further assistance in sorting out your future application to med school, give us a ring and visit out website.

Good luck.

Timothy Wu, MD
AdmissionsConsultants
703.242.5885

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