UG GPA: having really uneven grades? Forum

[Halie]

For example, if someone has a 3.5 GPA that is made up of mostly As with a few Cs, is that worse than someone who has a solid mix of As and Bs? I have a pretty good GPA and I'm pretty sure a few Cs are headed my way, but I know my GPA will still stay pretty high. Does that look worse than the second situation? I realize this is a really specific, pointless question (sorry) but I'm just curious.

[john1990]

For example, if someone has a 3.5 GPA that is made up of mostly As with a few Cs, is that worse than someone who has a solid mix of As and Bs? I have a pretty good GPA and I'm pretty sure a few Cs are headed my way, but I know my GPA will still stay pretty high. Does that look worse than the second situation? I realize this is a really specific, pointless question (sorry) but I'm just curious.

GPA trend are considered soft factors which only come into play when 2 applicants are otherwise even. That being said, an upward trend is better than a downward trend, and the sharper the downward trend the worse. I wouldn't worry much about it though since this factor will likely have a nominal impact.

[Hopefully2012]

I can confidently say that this won't have any effect on your application cycle. I had a couple Cs and a D/F (with a similar cumulative GPA). Didn't write a GPA addendum. So far so good.

[bobbyh1919]

Don't quote me, but I believe Ann Levine's book says that mostly A's and a few C's is better than a steady mix of A's and B's.

At the end of the day though, the GPA is what matters, not necessarily how you get there.