<p>Okay so I know 4.0 is a big myth, but I always get the felling that everybody who is premed has a really high GPA 3.6+ (well for Berkeley). I look at grade breakdowns and it seems like 15-25% get As so there has to be many that get B, C, D and F. With a B having a value of 3.0 it seems that one needs basically all A- or over to at least get a 3.5 and anything below can kill a GPA. I know its bad to generalize and I understand many people taking premed classes can also be pharm, dent, grad school and the such, but still a decent GPA is needed (3.3+). I'm just hoping that individuality, research, volunteer, MCAT, extra ciric and essays do play a big part because it would seem impossible to go into health from Cal. Any of you guys have below 3.3s and still grasping for hope?</p>
<p>it’s actually more like 20-30% A’s in the lower-div pre-med reqs, so doing well is definitely doable. you’re right about B’s and C’s killing your GPA though.</p>
<p>also, all the other extracurricular stuff really does count. i think grades just let the med schools know whether they want you to come in for an interview or not, but then in the interview all the EC/personality stuff takes precedence.</p>
<p>Do all of you pre-business people trying to get into Haas have 4.0s???</p>
<p>Hmmm yeah I also heard that as long as you have a decent MCAT(30+)/GPA (3.3+) that grades are just used to get your foot in the door and that extracurriculars and interview are what tip the balance between admit and reject. In hind sight it does seem pretty ridiculous to pick a 3.5 who does nothing but study and a 3.3er who has a lot of research, club involvement and volunteer just because his GPA is .2 higher. UGH! I just hate how Cal is stressing me out. I hate how I work so hard for classes like Bio 1AL only to get a B because there are so many other super smart people that take the As. I thought I was doing the right thing coming to Cal, but now my friend who was rejected and went to San Jose State and got a 3.8, because he said it really easy, and barely did extracurriculars is laughing his way to Vanderbilt Med…=(</p>
<p>what kind/how much of ECs did your Vanderbilt friend do? i’m sort of in high boat, i have a good GPA but practically zero ECs lol.</p>
<p>He also had zero. He would study and any extra time was devoted to partying or video games. Ugh. I have an okay GPA, but I’m in a lot of clubs, research and a lot of volunteering. I hope extracurriculars help somewhat even the playing field against 3.8+ “don’t do anything, but study” premeds.</p>
<p>are you sure he had absolutely zero? statistically, only 75% of 3.9+ers get accepted to med school from berkeley. i’m sure that statistic is even lower for other undergrads.</p>
<p>So I guess going to an undergrad that gives out more A’s is better for med school? I mean let’s be honest, going to Berkeley and struggling to get A’s in science classes will not necessarily lead to a higher MCAT. So at the end of the day I guess it’s better to go to some random university for undergrad that is known for grade inflation. That way you have a high GPA and the same MCAT (that you would’ve had if you went to Cal), and those 2 things are the main way to get to med school. (The EC’s can be done anywhere if you care enough about it). Okay, I guess I’m not gonna go to Cal.</p>
<p>^^ While I generally destroy people’s flimsy reasons for dismissing Cal as a choice, I think being turned off by the premed setting is one of the exceptions. What makes Cal amazing is if you take academic risks, and commit to learning as fast and as well as possible, without worrying all day about competition and grades. This is because of the incredible academics offered. If one’s goal is to end up with a high GPA while having a healthy social experience and going to medical school, I think this may not be the best place to do it. Certainly won’t be the easiest place to do it.</p>