GPA: actual value of last 2 years and an upward trend

[cunninlynguist]

How much value do adcomms really place on an 'upward trend' in grades? Some schools require a GPA calculation from the last 2 years only (the UC system, for instance), and others indicate that the last 2 years are given more weight. The prevailing consensus seems to be that there's always an implicit benefit in achieving higher grades during your latter years and that mediocre performance in your first year or two can be overlooked a bit.

The context of this question isn't about those with a 2.9 overall and something like a 3.5 in the last 2 years, but rather an applicant with a 3.2/3.3/3.4 overall and a 3.6+ in the last 2 years of undergraduate study. (Not trying to disparage those with a GPA less than 3.0 - this is just something I'm curious about).

[Arcadian]

I fit the criterion that you mentioned - overall GPA 3.2, last two years 4.0. I got into a program, but was rejected by seven others. There are all kinds of variables at work here - the competitiveness of the schools, research experience, fit with the program, etc.

[process chemist]

I had this question myself. My last year I was taking mostly electives (PE, art, sociology, etc.) and I think the value of my last year are not that great because I was a Chemistry major. I think a stronger metric would be the GPA of all of your major classes, (for me Math, Chemistry, Physics). For someone in the social sciences, I feel the metric should be somewhat the same, but I don't really know the classes you all take.

[polarscribe]

I think it's pretty important. My freshman/sophomore years were stretched out over a number of years at a community college, and only a zillion major courses kept my GPA barely above 3.0. I didn't do so hot in junior/senior either... until I realized that I was killing any hope of graduate school and pulled a 3.81, Dean's List performance in my final semester that resulted in an "academic turnaround" LoR from the director of the journalism school. Ended up getting accepted virtually everywhere I applied.