Need help with potential life changing decision

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Hi, I'm a junior right now with a roughly 2.7 gpa. There have been various reasons for this - health, personal, family and just overall not being prepared. The 3 years that I have been in college have not been the best years. I'm thinking of currently getting out of college, going to a community college and retake all the science classes along with all the other pre req classes. I will then reapply to college get in and finish up my degree.

Will this be a good idea? Will med schools look down upon this or will they see it as a sign that I chose to take action to change what was wrong. I know that all my grades will show up, but if I get all A's this will boost my gpa to the potentially mid to high 3.X range.

Or should I just stay in college, raise it to a 3.0+ somehow and then look for a good postbac program?

Thanks in advance for the help.

Originally Posted by AtomicPanda

Hi, I'm a junior right now with a roughly 2.7 gpa. There have been various reasons for this - health, personal, family and just overall not being prepared. The 3 years that I have been in college have not been the best years. I'm thinking of currently getting out of college, going to a community college and retake all the science classes along with all the other pre req classes. I will then reapply to college get in and finish up my degree.

Will this be a good idea? Will med schools look down upon this or will they see it as a sign that I chose to take action to change what was wrong. I know that all my grades will show up, but if I get all A's this will boost my gpa to the potentially mid to high 3.X range.

Or should I just stay in college, raise it to a 3.0+ somehow and then look for a good postbac program?

Thanks in advance for the help.

I would probably go with this option.

If you can REALLY get your act together, then you still have a chance through the post-bac route. I graduated college with a 2.96 GPA, but I had a huge upward trend, with my last 4 semesters being something like 3.4, 3.6, 3.85, 4.0, non-cumulative of course. I was very sick freshman and sophomore year, so I guess I had somewhat of a reason for doing poorly during the first half of college. I then did a high profile post-bac/smp and got into medical school this cycle.

Edit: You have to kill your post-bac/smp too.

Moving to the 'what are my chances?' forum.

So going to community college would not be a good idea then ?

If I were to stay in and boost my gpa up to a 3.0+ what postbac programs would be willing to take me in.

Would they also take into consideration my conditions for getting those bad grades or they wouldn't really care ?

One more thing, if I were to switch out of my major, (right now I'm a science major) to a major like econ or something, would that be frowned upon.

Also will a very strong MCAT score help. I haven't taken it yet, but I've heard of people with 2.8gpa and 42 MCAT getting into Harvard Med

Originally Posted by AtomicPanda

Hi, I'm a junior right now with a roughly 2.7 gpa. There have been various reasons for this - health, personal, family and just overall not being prepared. The 3 years that I have been in college have not been the best years. I'm thinking of currently getting out of college, going to a community college and retake all the science classes along with all the other pre req classes. I will then reapply to college get in and finish up my degree.

Will this be a good idea? Will med schools look down upon this or will they see it as a sign that I chose to take action to change what was wrong. I know that all my grades will show up, but if I get all A's this will boost my gpa to the potentially mid to high 3.X range.

Or should I just stay in college, raise it to a 3.0+ somehow and then look for a good postbac program?

Thanks in advance for the help.

I agree that raising it to 3.0 and post-bac is a strong route. The only way the CC makes a lot of sense is if you are applying DO and using grade replacement. However, then you will still want to take upper-division science coursework to prove that you have improved academically rather than you chose to take the courses over at an easier school.

What would be some good postbac options for my case ?

Also if I were to change my major to something "easier," would that look bad even though that would help to increase my gpa quite a bit

Originally Posted by AtomicPanda

So going to community college would not be a good idea then ?

If I were to stay in and boost my gpa up to a 3.0+ what postbac programs would be willing to take me in.

Would they also take into consideration my conditions for getting those bad grades or they wouldn't really care ?

One more thing, if I were to switch out of my major, (right now I'm a science major) to a major like econ or something, would that be frowned upon.

Also will a very strong MCAT score help. I haven't taken it yet, but I've heard of people with 2.8gpa and 42 MCAT getting into Harvard Med

No it doesn't matter what you major in or if you change your major; just make sure you have good grades.

While in undergrad, I have not seen anyone switching from a community college to a regular university NOT struggle. Why this is who knows, but from what I've seen, they don't prepare people well enough from UG, let alone medical school: people don't know how to study because they've never had to for CC, how to think big/little picture, volume of coursework is less, and so on.

Don't bank on a stellar MCAT score saving you. An exceptional MCAT will do nothing but help, but a 42 is really, really, really hard and rare.

If I can raise this GPA to a 3.0 or higher before I graduate, what would be the best options for me after.

Should I retake the classes at a community college?

Should I do a post - bac and if so what would be the best options for me?

Should I do a SMP and if so what would be the best options for me?

Also are there any other suggestions that would be beneficial for me? Thanks!

Merging related threads.

For what it's worth, I think you should pull your GPA up to a 3.0+ and then pursue an 'academic enhancer' post-bacc (VCU, Drexel, Cincy, Loyola, Georgetown, BU, etc).

Thanks a lot for the list aSagacious, these programs usually have very good success rates from what I hear

Originally Posted by AtomicPanda

If I can raise this GPA to a 3.0 or higher before I graduate, what would be the best options for me after.

Should I retake the classes at a community college?

Should I do a post - bac and if so what would be the best options for me?

Should I do a SMP and if so what would be the best options for me?

Also are there any other suggestions that would be beneficial for me? Thanks!

The most important question of all: are you ready to put out some STRONG grades? I'm not trying to be an ass, but it really doesn't matter what you do if you're not in a position to pick up your performance. If you need time out of school to get things in order, take it. You'll have to explain your break (and earlier bad grades), but it's better than burying your GPA even further...

If you're ready to rock 'n roll, you should definitely do a post-bac or SMP. You may also want to consider retaking core classes with bad grades - it won't replace the bad mark (it will average with it), but you'll gain more credibility if you get an A in a course you got a D in the first time around, and it's at the same school. Also aim for higher-level classes, which will allow you to flex more of your academic muscle. Most of all, though, WORK WITH YOUR PREMED ADVISER!!! =)

Originally Posted by Pattycake25

The most important question of all: are you ready to put out some STRONG grades? I'm not trying to be an ass, but it really doesn't matter what you do if you're not in a position to pick up your performance. If you need time out of school to get things in order, take it. You'll have to explain your break (and earlier bad grades), but it's better than burying your GPA even further...

If you're ready to rock 'n roll, you should definitely do a post-bac or SMP. You may also want to consider retaking core classes with bad grades - it won't replace the bad mark (it will average with it), but you'll gain more credibility if you get an A in a course you got a D in the first time around, and it's at the same school. Also aim for higher-level classes, which will allow you to flex more of your academic muscle. Most of all, though, WORK WITH YOUR PREMED ADVISER!!! =)

Hey, thanks for the reply, unfortunately my school won't let me retake classes unless I failed them, so the C classes it will not let me redo

Originally Posted by AtomicPanda

Hey, thanks for the reply, unfortunately my school won't let me retake classes unless I failed them, so the C classes it will not let me redo

Worry not, that was the least important of the things I mentioned. I think many would actually argue it completely superseded by higher-level course work in the same subjects, which brings additional benefits on its own. Just take whatever time you need to get your feet planted firmly on the ground, and get crackin'.

Originally Posted by AtomicPanda

Also if I were to change my major to something "easier," would that look bad even though that would help to increase my gpa quite a bit

As long as you get a Bachelor's Degree, schools won't mind. I majored in Spanish and did all the pre-med pre-reqs, as well as some extra things. In the end, the classes I was taking didn't really do much (for better and worse) to my GPA because I had so many credits. Just work hard in whatever you want to do!

Take off a semester. Do some soul searching. Then, take CC classes before coming back and finishing your degree. Ask the advising office. Do need to do damage control. Don't dig yourself into a deeper hole. You are NOT in the right mental state. You are young. Wait it out.

Originally Posted by AtomicPanda

Hi, I'm a junior right now with a roughly 2.7 gpa. There have been various reasons for this - health, personal, family and just overall not being prepared. The 3 years that I have been in college have not been the best years. I'm thinking of currently getting out of college, going to a community college and retake all the science classes along with all the other pre req classes. I will then reapply to college get in and finish up my degree.

Will this be a good idea? Will med schools look down upon this or will they see it as a sign that I chose to take action to change what was wrong. I know that all my grades will show up, but if I get all A's this will boost my gpa to the potentially mid to high 3.X range.

Or should I just stay in college, raise it to a 3.0+ somehow and then look for a good postbac program?

Thanks in advance for the help.

I'm not sure what to do I had to drop one of my classes Week 10 cause if I kept it, I would end up getting a bad grade in it. Should I do a minor or something

Originally Posted by AtomicPanda

I'm not sure what to do I had to drop one of my classes Week 10 cause if I kept it, I would end up getting a bad grade in it. Should I do a minor or something

Instead of worrying about a minor or changing majors, you need to stop taking classes, now, and get yourself in order. Don't take any classes until you are ready and able to do the work required to get A's from now on. If you just press on, taking more classes and continuing to get sub-A grades or dropping the courses, you are only moving yourself further away from med school. Stop, get a menial job for a year or so to give you a taste of the alternative to doing well in school, and start taking classes again when everything is lined up and you are ready to actually get the A's.

Originally Posted by theseeker4

...Stop, get a menial job for a year or so to give you a taste of the alternative to doing well in school, and start taking classes again when everything is lined up and you are ready to actually get the A's.

This is great advice. Having some perspective is a precondition to being motivated.

I mean I currently work on campus, im not sure if that would count. I'm just very lost right now, don't know what to do exactly I'm also starting to doubt med school ...

Originally Posted by AtomicPanda

I mean I currently work on campus, im not sure if that would count. I'm just very lost right now, don't know what to do exactly I'm also starting to doubt med school ...

That is why you need to take a break from school, completely. Get out, get a job (real, full-time, entry-level job like anyone else without a college degree has) and live in the "real world" for a while. A break is probably the best thing for you, and it will help you decide if being a doctor is really worth all the effort it will take to become one. It will also give you the time to consider exactly how you will get nothing but A's from now on if you do decide to pursue being a physician.

Originally Posted by theseeker4

That is why you need to take a break from school, completely. Get out, get a job (real, full-time, entry-level job like anyone else without a college degree has) and live in the "real world" for a while. A break is probably the best thing for you, and it will help you decide if being a doctor is really worth all the effort it will take to become one. It will also give you the time to consider exactly how you will get nothing but A's from now on if you do decide to pursue being a physician.

But if I was to take such a break, wouldn't this throw me off course competely Idk I mean it sounds simple, but might not be so

Is doing upper div work needed or will doing a post bac be fine ?

Any help please ??

Guys not to bump, but can anyone please offer me some more advice, thanks!

I don't think there's much new advice to give you. I agree that you should take a minimum of a year off and figure out what's holding you back, and if medicine is still truly where you want to go. If you want to keep a toe in the medical world do some hospital volunteering or something but don't go back to school until you're actually going to be able to consistently do well and prove you have what it takes. An SMP is the fastest path to redemption but is also really expensive and if you bomb out of it the med school door may be permanently closed. If you haven't completed the prereqs (and I can't tell if you have or not) then you would probably do a post-bacc targeted at non-trads who need to do the basic sciences before applying. Many schools won't accept CC prereqs so that's probably not the way to go.

Well I've done most of the basic sciences. My question now is should I transfer to an easier major, finish off strong, then do a enhancer postbacc ??

Originally Posted by AtomicPanda

Well I've done most of the basic sciences. My question now is should I transfer to an easier major, finish off strong, then do a enhancer postbacc ??

Have you corrected the issues you were talking about earlier in the semester? Have you focused yourself, discovered motivation to do what you need to do to get the A every time in every class, gotten rid of your "lost" feeling about your career path?

If so, great, keep going, getting A's, finish up strong, major in whatever interests you and you can do well in, and re-evaluate when you are near ready to apply.

If not, well you are obviously not interested in following the advice we have given about taking a break from school, completely, so not sure what else anyone can tell you. Just know if you push ahead, taking more classes when you aren't ready to get A's in them, you are just moving yourself further from your goal of going to med school some day.

Originally Posted by AtomicPanda

Hi, I'm a junior right now with a roughly 2.7 gpa. There have been various reasons for this - health, personal, family and just overall not being prepared. The 3 years that I have been in college have not been the best years. I'm thinking of currently getting out of college, going to a community college and retake all the science classes along with all the other pre req classes. I will then reapply to college get in and finish up my degree.

Will this be a good idea? Will med schools look down upon this or will they see it as a sign that I chose to take action to change what was wrong. I know that all my grades will show up, but if I get all A's this will boost my gpa to the potentially mid to high 3.X range.

Or should I just stay in college, raise it to a 3.0+ somehow and then look for a good postbac program?

Thanks in advance for the help.

Hi, I cannot help much because I'm still in undergr. But I can say taking a semester off it't not a bad idea. If you want check my posts its almost the same as urs even worser I asked 'do I still have a chance because I have failed 3 classes' but I decided to take this semester off and i'm volunteering in ER, tutoring kids, etc do smth .You are not going to spend ur time, for med school u are going to need all this activities.So don't worry I know how you feel..
Or move on and start taking some easy classes to raise up ur gpa and take it easy study hard. But never change ur dreams bc u started bad.. Good luck

And about post bacc I think it is a little early for me and you both . why lets finish undergrad 1st and see what is going to happen you know we cannot predict from now till whats going to happen 2 yrs later. ..

Well I'm ready to get the A's. My only concern now is the major. Let's speak realistically. Some majors are just easier. So what I want to know is should I switch to an easier major. The reason I want to do this so I can get straight A's all the way to graduation. Or should I keep my major where getting A's would be harder. Either way I'm going to be doing a postbacc. Correct me if I'm wrong but I feel like if I switch to an easier major it will only help me out in the long run. And I know that what I'm trying to do might be trying to "go through a backdoor" or whatnot, but at this point, I don't care, I need to do whatever it takes to get the A's, even if what I'm doing might be a "loophole"

Originally Posted by sky2012

Hi, I cannot help much because I'm still in undergr. But I can say taking a semester off it't not a bad idea. If you want check my posts its almost the same as urs even worser I asked 'do I still have a chance because I have failed 3 classes' but I decided to take this semester off and i'm volunteering in ER, tutoring kids, etc do smth .You are not going to spend ur time, for med school u are going to need all this activities.So don't worry I know how you feel..
Or move on and start taking some easy classes to raise up ur gpa and take it easy study hard. But never change ur dreams bc u started bad.. Good luck

And about post bacc I think it is a little early for me and you both . why lets finish undergrad 1st and see what is going to happen you know we cannot predict from now till whats going to happen 2 yrs later. ..

Thanks a lot bro In this cruel world of premeds , I'm glad to know I have an ally

Originally Posted by AtomicPanda

Well I'm ready to get the A's. My only concern now is the major. Let's speak realistically. Some majors are just easier. So what I want to know is should I switch to an easier major. The reason I want to do this so I can get straight A's all the way to graduation. Or should I keep my major where getting A's would be harder. Either way I'm going to be doing a postbacc. Correct me if I'm wrong but I feel like if I switch to an easier major it will only help me out in the long run. And I know that what I'm trying to do might be trying to "go through a backdoor" or whatnot, but at this point, I don't care, I need to do whatever it takes to get the A's, even if what I'm doing might be a "loophole"

yes if you want change it. But remember you still have to take the requirements. U change ur major or not. But why not pick a minor to raise up ur gpa. And do some retakes. Because u are junior if you change major etc it is going to take 2much . Minor or double minor but Ill stay either bio or biochem ..I'm biochem.. why because lets say we never enter med school what are u going to do with Spanish history or whatever major..Again its up to you I don't know but that's my opinion..

Originally Posted by AtomicPanda

Thanks a lot bro In this cruel world of premeds , I'm glad to know I have an ally

hahahahah Lol yes

No problem, Community College are cheaper , but I suggest you to take 2 or 3 science classes there not everything like all requirements. That's what I did . Anyways make sure, take someone who is easy lol > why bother with a crazy one when there are nice prof out there .. gluck

Originally Posted by sky2012

yes if you want change it. But remember you still have to take the requirements. U change ur major or not. But why not pick a minor to raise up ur gpa. And do some retakes. Because u are junior if you change major etc it is going to take 2much . Minor or double minor but Ill stay either bio or biochem ..I'm biochem.. why because lets say we never enter med school what are u going to do with Spanish history or whatever major..Again its up to you I don't know but that's my opinion..

Well, I have taken the requirements, and my school has this policy of you can only retake if you got a C- or below. For most of the science classes, this was not the case for me, so I can't retake them. Also most of the "humanities" majors at my school are easily doable in less than a year. The major I want to switch into is Economics. I feel personally economics will give me more job options than my current major of neuroscience. I feel like I am making a solid choice, but if anyone wants to correct me, go ahead

Originally Posted by AtomicPanda

Well, I have taken the requirements, and my school has this policy of you can only retake if you got a C- or below. For most of the science classes, this was not the case for me, so I can't retake them. Also most of the "humanities" majors at my school are easily doable in less than a year. The major I want to switch into is Economics. I feel personally economics will give me more job options than my current major of neuroscience. I feel like I am making a solid choice, but if anyone wants to correct me, go ahead

Yes do it, do whatever you like not what looks good in medical school. Change ur major. If they don't allow you to retake in ur school then go to community why not` change ur major retake science classes and some higher bio' if smth goes bad again then do post bacc .. I have heard it's really good to do it it helps but u really really have to excel there if you want to attend med school ..
..

I'm also going to talk to the career counselors at my school, see what they have to say.

sky2012: If you were looking for advice on your particular situation, you would be better off starting a new thread, preferably one that uses complete words and sentences.

AtomicPanda: Finish with whatever major you need in order to get your GPA as high as possible. If that's Econ, that's fine. At some point you will still need to prove that you can handle hard science material. If that's not now, that's fine, but don't start whatever "enhancer" you're planning until you're sure you're ready to do that.