• Business School
    • Admissions Help
    • School-Specific MBA Essay Tips
    • Executive MBA Essay Tips
    • MBA Admissions Calendar
    • Free Guides
    • Video Tips
    • Podcast
    • Selectivity Index
    • EMBA: The Ultimate Guide for Applicants
  • Medical School
    • Admissions Help
    • Med School Admissions 101
    • Secondary Essay Tips (by School)
    • Student Interviews
    • Free Guides
    • Video Tips
    • Podcast
    • Selectivity Index
  • Law School
    • Admissions Help
    • Law School Admissions 101
    • Selectivity Index
    • Free Guides
    • Podcast
    • Video Tips
  • Graduate School
    • Admissions Help
    • Grad School Admissions 101
    • Free Guides
    • Video Tips
    • Podcast
  • College
    • Admissions Help
    • Free Guides
    • Supplemental Essay Tips
    • Video Tips
    • Podcast
Accepted

1 (310) 815-9553

Blog HomePodcastContact Us

Accepted Admissions Blog

Everything you need to know to get Accepted

November 29, 2018

Reading Time: 2 minutes

AACOMAS Changing Their Grade Forgiveness Policy

Download our free guide: "The A-Z of Applying to Postbac Programs"

As of May 1, 2017, AACOMAS will be calculating all grades into their standard GPA calculation for all applicants. This means that if you received an F or D in a course and retook it for a higher grade, AACOMAS will include all attempts in your GPA. In the past, they would only calculate the last attempt. It was a generous policy, and many students became significantly more competitive applicants because of it. For students applying in the 2017-18 cycle, the GPA that appears on the processed AACOMAS application will include all coursework, even repeats. This approach is similar to AMCAS’ evaluation of GPAs.

This change in policy is important for you to know for several reasons:

1. If you were relying on the AACOMAS grade policy to increase your GPA, you may need to reconsider applying this cycle so that you can take postbaccalaureate coursework to become a more competitive applicant.

If your cumulative or science GPA is below a 3.0, and does not have an increasing trend, it would be better for you to complete postbaccalaureate coursework to increase the likelihood of acceptance. For more information on postbaccalaureate programs, please see my book, The Definitive Guide to Premedical Postbaccalaureate Programs.

2. If you have not retaken the courses in which you received a failing grade, it will still only help you to do so despite AACOMAS’ new policy.

Even though, the failing grade will be calculated into your GPA, it demonstrates determination for you to retake a course and earn a higher grade. While your GPA will only increase a little by repeating a course, it says more about your character and determination when you show the courage to improve. Not retaking a course in which you received a failing grade can be a deal breaker.

3. Keep in mind that your application will not be judged on GPA alone, unless it is below competitive standards, 2.7 or lower.

When applying to medical school, it can be easy to fixate on every single detail of your application and to worry about whether those numbers are competitive enough. Remember, the schools will be evaluating your application holistically—taking into account your essays, activities, awards and all other sections. Do your best on each and every section.

For more individualized advice and assistance, you are welcome to contact me or one of my colleagues at Accepted. We would be delighted to assist you with the application process, one step at a time!

Register for the webinar!

Alicia McNease Nimonkar admissions expertAlicia McNease Nimonkar worked for 5 years as the Student Advisor & Director at the UC Davis School of Medicine's postbac program where she both evaluated applications and advised students applying successfully to med school and other health professional programs. She has served Accepted's clients since 2012 with roughly a 90% success rate. She has a Master of Arts in Composition and Rhetoric as well as Literature. Want Alicia to help you get Accepted? Click here to get in touch!

 

Related Resources:

• 12 Postbac Recommendations
• How to Improve Your GPA to Become a More Competitive Med School Applicant
• GPA Issues When Applying to Med School: What to do With a “W”

Article by Accepted / Medical School Admissions / AACOMAS, osteopathic med school

Get Accepted!

Choose your desired degree and then the service that best meets your needs.

Which program are you applying to?

What do you need help with?

Join the informed applicants who read Accepted's blog!

8 Popular Posts

1. Your Guide to Getting off the Waitlist in 2022

2. How to Write About Your Research Interests

3. 4 Ways to Show How You’ll Contribute in the Future

4. 7 Simple Steps to Writing an Excellent Diversity Essay

5. Top STEM MBA Programs: A Comprehensive List and Overview of STEM-OPT Eligible B-Schools

6. Sample Essays from Admitted HBS Students

7. The 9 Mistakes You Don’t Want to Make on a Med School Waitlist

8. M7 MBA Programs: Everything You Need to Know in 2022

Recent Posts

  • 4 Quality Control Tasks to Complete Before Submitting Your AMCAS Application
  • Everything You Need to Know to Start Your Med School Personal Statement
  • Transitioning from the Military to an MBA at Stanford GSB [Episode 471]
  • Activity Descriptions for Med School: 4 Questions That Will Make Yours Awesome
  • The Medical School Application “Deadline”

Sample Essays

MBA Personal Statement Examples

Medical School Personal Statement Examples

Graduate School Personal Statement Examples

Law School Personal Statement Examples

College Application Essay Examples

 

This Site is Featured on GMATClub

Home Page Services and Prices MBA Med School Law School Grad School College

About Us Press Room Contact Us Podcast Accepted Blog
Privacy Policy Website Terms of Use Disclaimer Client Terms of Service

Accepted 1171 S. Robertson Blvd. #140 Los Angeles CA 90035 +1 (310) 815-9553
© 2022 Accepted

BBB A+ RatingStamp of AIGAC Excellence

Copyright © 2022 · Education Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in