What?! The first year of college doesn't count?

College Life
1

Hi,

I’m in my first year and I’m an International Student from Europe, so I still don’t know a lot about the North American college system.

My first year is coming to an end, with two finals left. I put a lot of effort in because I hope I can attend med school and my GPA is A+ so far, despite some English problems.

Now I read that the first year at University DOESN’T EVEN COUNT towards my final GPA.

Please tell me that’s not true…does it really not count?! (in BC, Canada) Then why should I even study for finals now, if passing is enough?

Thank you

2

@NewVancouverite If the letter grades show up on your official transcript, then it is part of your GPA.

For example, MIT uses pass/no-record during the first semester of freshman year. Those grades do not factor into GPA - but second semester freshman grades do.

3

Don’t sabotage your grades just because you think they don’t count. Like @MITer94 there may be some caveat of the grading system that you don’t understand. Doing your best is always the way to go. You never know who will notice you and maybe offer some unexpected opportunity.

4

You should talk to your academic advisors or premedical advisors if you have them at your school. At my school (which is U.S., though), the first semester of grades is “covered” and doesn’t count towards final GPA. But if med schools wanted to see those grades, they could request it by letter to my school.