Grades 

Undergraduate grades are critically reviewed in the application process. Pre-med students must strive for good grades, but there is no particular grade cutoff that will guarantee your acceptance into medical school (although an overall grade point of 3.5 and at least 9's on the MCAT examination will likely result in an interview). While grades should not affect your choice of classes, you should be realistic in how you manage your course loads. Getting A’s and B’s in a 15-credit course load is better than attempting 20 credits and getting C's. Also, majoring in a field you enjoy can positively influence your grades. Why struggle academically in an area that you don’t like or where you can't do well? Pursue your personal academic interests at the undergraduate level, because there will not be time to do so while in medical school.

Avoid establishing negative flags on your academic record (e.g. patterns of course withdrawals and repeats). Occasionally, there may be a legitimate reason for not staying with a particular class. Don't wrestle alone with your decision about what to do. Seek advice from your instructor, departmental advisors, the pre-med advisor, and the Academic Advising Center when making critical choices and decisions. Advisors cannot predict what will be the right thing to do in the eyes of the medical school admission committee, but they can help you identify and evaluate your options.