RedVelvetRims

Complaining about having to work hard and do you absolute best in your education? seriously, what about the virtues of hard work and dedication, especially to your education? My mother is completing her degree as a very mature student and her gpa really puts mine to shame. She has no goal for professional schools but growing up in a unindustrialized country, she knows not only the cost and value of her education but her potential and is willing to exert herself to master the subject. Do we think those only apply when you're immediately rewarded for it with a med school admission? What happens IN your medical education? You've only exerted yourself to achieve your bare minimum in some things and not all things, that may feedback into your character as a person... and ultimately predicts future behaviour. Seriously, its not all about the GPA... its about if during the circumstances life presented you, did you demonstrate that your exerted yourself to do your absolute best AND master the material? Because as a physician, you must certainly need to master your speciality... Guys, come on... i know its a bummer for some of us... but there is character development in academic studies too and striving for that better grade. You learn discipline, hard work, perseverance, sometimes resilience and even dedication. EC's are good for those too, but last time I checked you still have to sit in class with people, work with individuals on group projects and perhaps have to communicate with your prof or TA for help with some concepts. I know it doesn't seem like you're developing as a person but you're internalizing key attributes that are essential to medical school and even your residency... you will have to learn to discipline yourself to master information you may not be graded for but your competency as a physician will depend on... canMED attributes guys... we're not just trying to reflect those in our apps but actually trying internalize them and become them. ***seriously, i certainly hope this is what is happening**

I seriously don't get this complaining. You've worked hard, but there are TONS of individuals with lower GPA's that have worked equally hard. Perhaps they have dealt with other responsibilities that have proved somewhat challenging for them to manage or have had to overcome certain social factors, health issues and structural inequalities that are subtle and not as evident as being sociopolitically identified with an underrepresented population. There is no absolutely no need to discredit or minimize their efforts by saying they might have focused more on extracurriculars, so now they have a "better" chance. I am incredibly humbled by the effort schools are now placing on allowing all kinds of applicants to have a "foot" in the door (this doesn't even guarantee admission if its instituted). Yes, GPA's reflect a level of commitment and dedication to hard work, but admissions committees are possibly realizing that there are other ways to measure this and "lower" gpa applicants are perhaps more likely to be as equally dedicated to their studies and succeed as "higher" gpa applicants. In all honesty, I wish we could all have a constructive conversation without categorizing and somehow attempting to make individuals with lower gpa's, who sincerely just need encouragement - really, seriously - that they also can achieve their dreams. I am incredibly dedicated to not only becoming a physician but doing whatever it takes to becoming the person that will serve my community will dedication, perseverance and love. I have been surrounded with people that remind me of this. Some people are not often surrounded with individuals that have supported and encouraged them. Some people need institutions and a larger voice through structural change in processes to let them know and recognize that they can achieve their dreams. Lets just be humans for a second and perhaps be happy that "lower" gpa applicants will feel encouraged to just try or keep at it. Seriously, this is probably just a way to encourage all kinds of people to apply, that's all. it doesn't necessarily mean transcripts will not be reviewed and grades will not be considered. Anyway, thats just my perspective. I apologize if i may have offended. But these are just my thoughts.