I am a freshman in Rutgers and I feel I could have done better during my first semester. I am trying to take my prerequisites for Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy within Rutgers and I’m planning to transfer after two years. I got my grades and my GPA is 2.87 out of 4.00. The pharmacy school wants a minimum GPA of 2.8/4.00, but to be considered competitive, a GPA of 3.5 or higher is needed. Is it possible if I can bring my GPA from 2.87 to 3.5 in two years, with more studying? It’s been my dream to transfer in this school.
Mathematically it’s possible.
GPA = (2.87+x*3)/4 >= 3.50
You’ll need an average GPA of at least 3.71 per semester to meet the 3.5 goal.
How did you calculate that?
ASSUMPTION 1: OP wants to graduate / transfer in 2 years (4 semesters total, 3 semesters left).
ASSUMPTION 2: OP will take the same number of credits every semester (lets say 15 credits / semester though it cancels out).
1st Semester Grade Points (GP1) = 2.87 * 15 credits (known)
2nd Semester Grade Points (GP2) = n2 * 15 credits
3rd Semester Grade Points (GP3) = n3 * 15 credits
4th Semester Grade Points (GP4) = n4 * 15 credits
Note: n2, n3, and n4 are the GPAs for semesters 2, 3, and 4 respectively
Total GPA = Total Grade Points / Total Credits
Total GPA = (GP1 + GP2 + GP3 + GP4) / total credits
Total GPA = 15 * (2.87 + n2 + n3 + n4) / (4 * 15)
Let N = the average GPA from semester 2-4. N = (n2+n3+n4)/3
Total GPA = (2.87+3N)/4
OP wants a GPA >= 3.50
3.50 <= (2.87 + 3N) / 4
N >= 3.71
Therefore based on a few assumptions, the OP needs an average GPA of at least 3.71 for the next three semesters to reach his/her goal of an overall GPA of 3.50.
Thank you so much. I am also going to take classes during the summer session, so will the GPA requirement per semester be 3.71 or lower?
Slightly lower, but not very significantly. It depends on how many credits you take in the summer relative to during a semester.
Thanks. You calculated that I will take 15 credits per semester, but I’m taking 18 credits each in the spring 2017 and fall 2017, and 16 credits spring 2018. In the summer I’m planning to take 12 credits. Will the GPA requirement for each semester be around 3.5-3.6 then?
Factors that should be included are
- Will your summer courses be included in your GPA (are they taken at Rutgers)?
- How many hours did you take your first semester?
I don’t feel like showing the math, but assuming you get credit for your summer courses and you took 15 hours this semester:
3.5, need an average GPA 3.65
3.6 you need an average GPA 3.77
I took 15 credits during my first semester. I’m planning to take the summer classes at Rutgers, so it will be included in my GPA.