A question about GPA for grad schools

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the consideration of GPA for graduate school admissions, particularly focusing on which years and levels of courses are evaluated. Participants share their experiences and insights regarding the emphasis placed on different academic years and the impact of overall GPA versus recent performance.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that the importance of GPA varies by institution, with some schools considering it from the very beginning of a student's academic career.
  • Others mention that while all grades are reviewed, there is typically more emphasis on the last two years of study.
  • A participant notes that a friend's experience indicated that early courses may not be heavily scrutinized by admissions committees.
  • There is a claim that most physics graduate programs in Canada require a B+ average over four years for admission.
  • One participant expresses concern about how previous low grades from a different field of study may affect their application to physics graduate programs.
  • A question is raised about the implications of using AP credits to exempt from courses and whether grades in unrelated electives would still matter for graduate school applications.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that the evaluation of GPA is school-dependent, but there is no consensus on the specific criteria or emphasis placed on different academic years or types of courses.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty regarding the specific policies of various institutions and how they handle GPA from different academic backgrounds. There is also a lack of clarity on how elective courses may influence graduate school admissions.

Who May Find This Useful

Students considering graduate school in physics or related fields, particularly those with non-traditional academic backgrounds or concerns about GPA evaluation.

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At which year and what level of courses are GPA taken into consideration?
 
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Depends on the school I think, I know mine starts taking it into account right off the bat
 
xortan said:
Depends on the school I think, I know mine starts taking it into account right off the bat

Oh wow seriously? I live in Canada, does that change anything?
 
I live in Canada to :P
 
xortan said:
I live in Canada to :P

Are you comfortable with telling me which institution you are from?
 
Bcit
 
It totally depends on the school as far as I know.
 
novop said:
It totally depends on the school as far as I know.

Oh okay...
 
Generally they look at all of the marks, but put more emphasis on the last two years. Your overall GPA matters though at most schools, if you have a 4.0 your last year, but a 2.5 total, you still won't get in, and I don't think that's a physics thing, its just a school of graduate studies thing which ultimately have to approve you for acceptance.
 
  • #10
Depends on the school, because a friend of mine just got into grad school, and failed a course or two in first year. The prof said he hadn't even noticed (ie wasn't looking at his first year or even maybe second year courses). I think the emphasis is on your senior level courses; but each school is different.

but like someone said previously, I'd assume that if your overall was a 2.5, and your last year was a 4.0, you'd unlikely get in.
 
  • #11
although there is a variance for each school and program, almost all physics grad schools in Canada require a B+ average over four years to apply.
 
  • #12
I was curious about this as well due to my checkered transcript from my first degree. I originally went into business management and could not pass managerial accounting so I switched over to physics. From the two years of business curriculum I have a GPA of 2.29...ouch. But so far with all classes related to my degree in Physics I have a 3.96. Will they apply the grades from my business days or simply just pay attention to the grades I receive during my physics degree? Thanks

Joe
 
  • #13
I am actually asking this because next year when I enter first-year university, I am not sure if I want to my AP credits to exempt me from courses. If I do, does that mean I have to get good grades on electives like languages or writing or history etc...?
 

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