<p>i was wondering if anyone knew if Grad schools looked at your entire GPA instead of just on the field of study you were applying for, like for example how Medical schools mainly focus on your science and math GPA.</p>
<p>Short answer: Yes</p>
<p>Slightly longer answer: Yes, but they typically look at other contextual GPAs (major GPA, GPA in last 2 years, etc.).</p>
<p>And they look at the trends: high always, low always, low start / high finish, high start / low finish. If your cumulative gpa > major gpa, it is a flag.</p>
<p>A flag for what straightadmit?</p>
<p>Cumulative GPA > Major GPA is a flag that your best work was in areas other than your focus. Adcoms care about the major coursework more than general ed requirements so if your best performance was not in your major, it is a problem.</p>
<p>^ that’s completely ridiculous. gen-eds are usually easier than your major courses so it should be no surprise if your cumulative > your major gpa. the comparison doesn’t say much at all.</p>
<p>If you are an A student, except where it counts, then it is noticeable in an adcom meeting. Of course not all adcoms so no blanket statement, but it is noticed and important to some.</p>
<p>I have a 4.0 in gen eds because those are easy. I have a 3.55 across all upper level classes, and my major GPA is a 3.56. My cumulative GPA is a 3.60 because obviously gen eds brought up the upper level but not much because with AP credits you don’t have to take many lower level gen eds at all. Do you really think this is going to send up a red flag? Being an A student in gen eds and an A-/B+ (closer to A-) student in upper levels and the major?</p>
<p>The greater the disparity between cgpa > major gpa, the more concerned an adcom can be. Chandi’s scenario makes it look like 3.55 is more representative of potential (albeit in presumably harder classes), but a better grade profile is strong across gen ed classes and major classes without a dip. I’m suggesting a steady 3.6 across all classes would be more impressive than a 4.0 gen ed and 3.5 major, even though the cgpa doesn’t change. A 3.55 major gpa isn’t bad however, so there should be lots of options available.</p>
<p>Haha. I have a 3.4 science/math GPA and 3.9 general ed GPA. Let’s just wait and see what happens. ;)</p>
<p>Good luck Denizen.</p>
<p>What if the trend is the opposite. gen ed is in the lower 3.0s and core is in the high 3.0s. I’ve always prioritized my engineering core to any of my other classes.</p>
<p>Would this subject vary with respect to one’s major? I’m chem e, and grad school chem e is much different from undergrad. grad chem e tends to be a combination of a variety of disciplines, whereas undergrad chem e focuses on industrial processes</p>
<p>It is more impressive to do well in the courses that matter for a particular grad program. Gen ed matters less than major core and major upper division so higher grades there make a bigger impact on your chances. I don’t see that changing for different areas in the sciences. Maybe a little different sense of balance in the humanities.</p>