AACOMAS GPA Calculator

Accurately estimate your Science, Non-Science, and Overall GPA for your osteopathic (DO) medical school application.

About the aacomas gpa calculator

What is the AACOMAS GPA?

The AACOMAS (American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Service) GPA is a standardized calculation of your academic performance used by osteopathic medical schools for admissions. It is often different from the GPA on your university transcript because AACOMAS has its own specific rules for what courses are included, how grades are converted, and how repeated courses are handled. The purpose of this standardization is to create a fair comparison between applicants from different universities with varying grading policies. Our aacomas gpa calculator is designed to mirror these specific rules.

The AACOMAS GPA Formula and Explanation

The core of the AACOMAS GPA calculation is the conversion of letter grades into quality points, which are then divided by the total number of credit hours attempted. All attempts at a course are included in this calculation.

The basic formula is:
GPA = Total Quality Points / Total Attempted Credit Hours

Where: Quality Points = Grade Value × Credit Hours

AACOMAS calculates multiple GPAs, with the most important being the Overall GPA, Science GPA, and Non-Science GPA. The Science GPA includes courses from Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and other science disciplines. Notably, AACOMAS’s definition of “Science” is broader than other application services and can include courses like Kinesiology and Nutrition. For more information, you might find our guide on understanding the osteopathic application process useful.

AACOMAS Grade Point Value Conversion

Letter Grade	Grade Value	Letter Grade	Grade Value
A	4.00	C+	2.30
A-	3.70	C	2.00
B+	3.30	C-	1.70
B	3.00	D+	1.30
B-	2.70	D	1.00
F	0.00

Practical Examples

Example 1: Standard Applicant

A student has taken the following courses:

• General Chemistry I (Science): 4 credits, Grade A
• Calculus I (Non-Science): 4 credits, Grade B+
• English Composition (Non-Science): 3 credits, Grade A-
• Intro to Biology (Science): 4 credits, Grade B

Using the aacomas gpa calculator, the Science Quality Points would be (4.0 * 4) + (3.0 * 4) = 28, over 8 credits for a Science GPA of 3.50. The Non-Science Quality Points would be (3.3 * 4) + (3.7 * 3) = 24.3, over 7 credits for a Non-Science GPA of 3.47. The Overall GPA would be (28 + 24.3) / (8 + 7) = 3.49.

Example 2: Applicant with a Repeated Course

AACOMAS includes all attempts. If a student took Organic Chemistry (Science, 3 credits) and got an F, then retook it and earned an A:

• Attempt 1: 3 credits, Grade F (0.0 Quality Points)
• Attempt 2: 3 credits, Grade A (12.0 Quality Points)

Both attempts are factored in. The total quality points are 12.0 over 6 total credits, for an average GPA of 2.00 for that specific course across two attempts.

How to Use This aacomas gpa calculator

1. Add Courses: Click the “+ Add Course” button to create a new row for each course on your transcript.
2. Enter Details: For each row, enter the course name (optional), the number of credit hours, and the letter grade you received.
3. Select Subject Type: Crucially, classify each course as “Science” or “Non-Science” based on the AACOMAS course subject list.
4. Calculate: Click the “Calculate GPA” button.
5. Review Results: The calculator will display your Overall GPA, Science GPA, Non-Science GPA, and total credits. A chart will also visualize the results.

Key Factors That Affect AACOMAS GPA

• Repeated Courses: Unlike some universities, AACOMAS averages all attempts of a course; it does not replace the old grade.
• Science vs. Non-Science Classification: Properly classifying your courses is critical. AACOMAS has a broad definition for “Science,” which can benefit students with majors like Kinesiology or Nutrition.
• +/- Grades: Plus and minus grades have distinct values (e.g., A- is 3.7, B+ is 3.3), which can significantly impact your final GPA.
• Credit Hours: Higher credit hour courses have a greater impact on your GPA. A poor grade in a 5-credit course will lower your GPA more than a poor grade in a 1-credit course.
• Upward Trend: While the final GPA is a single number, admissions committees often look for an upward trend in your grades over time.
• Post-Bacc & Graduate GPA: AACOMAS calculates these GPAs separately, which can demonstrate recent academic improvement. Considering a post-bacc program can be a strategy to improve your academic record.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. How does AACOMAS handle repeated courses?

AACOMAS includes the grades and credits for all attempts of a repeated course in its GPA calculation. It does not use the institutional forgiveness or replacement policy of your school.

2. What subjects are considered “Science” by AACOMAS?

The Science GPA includes courses from Biochemistry, Biology/Zoology, Inorganic Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Physics, and an “Other Sciences” category which includes subjects like Anatomy, Physiology, Kinesiology, and Nutrition. Math is generally considered Non-Science.

3. How are Pass/Fail courses handled?

Courses with “Pass” grades are counted for credit hours but are not included in the GPA calculation. A “Fail” is treated as an F and is factored into the GPA.

4. Are community college credits included?

Yes, all coursework taken at any accredited U.S. institution must be reported and will be included in the AACOMAS GPA calculation.

5. What about AP or IB credit?

AP and IB credits that were awarded by a college are treated as non-graded credits, similar to a “Pass” grade. They contribute to total hours but do not affect your GPA.

6. Does this aacomas gpa calculator handle quarter hours?

This calculator assumes semester hours. AACOMAS converts quarter hours to semester hours using the ratio: 1.0 quarter hour = 0.667 semester hours. You should convert your credits before entering them.

7. Why is the calculated GPA different from my transcript?

Discrepancies are common and usually arise from differences in handling repeated courses, plus/minus grade values, and the broad classification of science courses used by AACOMAS.

8. How does my science GPA affect my application?

A strong science GPA is critical as it demonstrates your ability to handle the rigorous science curriculum of medical school. Many applicants use a MCAT score calculator to see how their metrics align.

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