The GPA on your transcript and the GPA that medical schools see through AMCAS are not always the same number. AMCAS rebuilds your GPA from the course list you enter, using its own grade conversion, and reports it by category. Knowing how that works lets you predict your number before you apply, and stops a surprise on verification day.
The AMCAS grade scale
AMCAS converts every grade to a standard 4.0 scale:
- A+ and A = 4.0, A- = 3.7
- B+ = 3.3, B = 3.0, B- = 2.7
- C+ = 2.3, C = 2.0, C- = 1.7
- D+ = 1.3, D = 1.0, D- = 0.7
- F = 0
Notice that an A+ is worth the same as an A. If your school gives a 4.3 for an A+, AMCAS will not.
What BCPM means
BCPM stands for Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Math. Courses classified in those areas make up your science GPA, which schools weigh heavily alongside your cumulative GPA. You classify each course yourself when you enter it, using AMCAS's own course classification rules, and AMCAS verifies against your transcript.
Repeated courses
This is where AMCAS surprises people. AMCAS does not use grade replacement the way many undergraduate schools do. If you retook a class, both attempts generally count toward your AMCAS GPA, even when your school replaced the first grade on your transcript. Always read the current AMCAS Instruction Manual for the exact treatment, because it is the one source that applies to your cycle.
Estimating your numbers
You can build your own estimate in minutes. For each course, multiply the grade points by the credit hours, add them up, and divide by the total credits. Do it once for science courses and once for everything. The AMCAS GPA calculator does the arithmetic and breaks out the science, non-science and cumulative numbers.
What to do with the number
- If you are below where you want to be, an upward trend and strong recent coursework matter and can be shown to schools.
- If your science GPA is lower than your cumulative, plan upper-level science coursework or a post-baccalaureate program deliberately.
- Do not hide a weak semester. Schools see your whole transcript, so address it in the right place or let the numbers recover.
GPA is only one part of an application. The other part is experience: track it as you go so your activities section is as strong as your record.