Failed Same Pre-Reqs Twice? Should I give up?

[kaylinwriter14]

Not sure where to begin, as this year has thrown me through a loop.

I started off this last year a sophomore at a smaller state school in my home state, I was a member of the Honor’s Society and my GPA was 3.75.

This year I had some health issues that greatly impacted my school, I went back for a Spring semester when I should have taken the time off to work on my health, and instead I failed all of my courses, including 2 I had previously received Ds in the semester before.

As it stands now I:

Have 5 W’s accumulated (3 between Dual enrollment and Freshman year. I was only able to use 2 this past year per my schools policy)

A D in Gen Chem 2 + Lab, and an F the second time.

A D in General Biology + Lab and an F the second time.

2 C’s in both World History and US History. (I did fail World History the first semester)

An F in a personal wellness fitness class; one credit hour, but still. An F is an F.

A projected GPA of 2.44.


I am very aware that I have screwed up rather epically. My problem was not a lack of understanding the material, as I started off this last Spring semester making high A’s on my first round of exams and generally doing very well. I just ended up with very little energy due to letting my health concern get out of control again, and I put what energy I had into work instead of school.

I have started a new medication and am seeing some specialists and feel I am really truly on the path to getting control of my health again, but I am concerned that with failing the same pre-req classes twice, I have ruined my chances.


Outside of school I:

Have been a scribe in an ER for 1 year +

Am a licensed AEMT, although I have not worked that yet due to my health.

Have a few hours shadowing an OB.

Have around 30 hours volunteering on various programs with the Honor’s Society at my college.

Graduated highschool 1 year early with honors (not sure if relevant.)


I have not taken the MCAT yet, and would not consider it for some time.

I have always been interested in DO schools, but I am wary that even with Grade Replacement this year will stain my record.


I am also considering transferring to a different University in my same state. It is a similar tier school but would be slightly less inexpensive for me and I have had some issues with the faculty at the school I am currently at. For instance, I tried to get an increase in my withdrawals for health reasons, which the school stated I should have been able to do, however they continually lost my paperwork and ignored my calls ultimately to deny my request even though I had the appropriate paperwork. I am nervous about the idea of transferring however, as it would put me father away from my family and support system.

I have been taking some time to think about my future, and if a career in medicine is right for me. If anything, my health issues have only further increased my desire to work in this field, and there’s not much I want more than to become a physician. I am willing to work hard and take the time it takes, but I don’t want to fool myself chased after something that is unrealistic at this point.

Should I give up? Should I retake the classes again? Would transferring schools have any impact on how my Apps would be seen later on?

Also, would I be expected to explain the health issues I have had? I don't completely mind discussing it, and it's not something that should remain debilitating, but facets of it were rather personal and sort of complicated. It's a thing I would like to avoid discussing the details of, but don't know if that would be possible.

Honest feedback is much appreciated.

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[Johnwickk]

I don't think you should give up, they have grade replacements for a reason and that is to retake any classes which you did bad in. Try to take these classes during the spring/summer semester if you can

 

[PossibleDOC?]

How did you do 30 hrs of volunteer work in an honor society? Your GPA doesn't merit the honor society?

 

[kaylinwriter14]

How did you do 30 hrs of volunteer work in an honor society? Your GPA doesn't merit the honor society?

That was from my freshman year. I joined the honors society straight out of high school due to high GPA and SAT scores, did several volunteer projects throughout freshman year including Tech Tutoring at local library, RiverClean Ups, Relay for Life's, ETC.

 

[mathnerd88]

Not sure where to begin, as this year has thrown me through a loop.

I started off this last year a sophomore at a smaller state school in my home state, I was a member of the Honor’s Society and my GPA was 3.75.

This year I had some health issues that greatly impacted my school, I went back for a Spring semester when I should have taken the time off to work on my health, and instead I failed all of my courses, including 2 I had previously received Ds in the semester before.

As it stands now I:

Have 5 W’s accumulated (3 between Dual enrollment and Freshman year. I was only able to use 2 this past year per my schools policy)

A D in Gen Chem 2 + Lab, and an F the second time.

A D in General Biology + Lab and an F the second time.

2 C’s in both World History and US History. (I did fail World History the first semester)

An F in a personal wellness fitness class; one credit hour, but still. An F is an F.

A projected GPA of 2.44.


I am very aware that I have screwed up rather epically. My problem was not a lack of understanding the material, as I started off this last Spring semester making high A’s on my first round of exams and generally doing very well. I just ended up with very little energy due to letting my health concern get out of control again, and I put what energy I had into work instead of school.

I have started a new medication and am seeing some specialists and feel I am really truly on the path to getting control of my health again, but I am concerned that with failing the same pre-req classes twice, I have ruined my chances.


Outside of school I:

Have been a scribe in an ER for 1 year +

Am a licensed AEMT, although I have not worked that yet due to my health.

Have a few hours shadowing an OB.

Have around 30 hours volunteering on various programs with the Honor’s Society at my college.

Graduated highschool 1 year early with honors (not sure if relevant.)


I have not taken the MCAT yet, and would not consider it for some time.

I have always been interested in DO schools, but I am wary that even with Grade Replacement this year will stain my record.


I am also considering transferring to a different University in my same state. It is a similar tier school but would be slightly less inexpensive for me and I have had some issues with the faculty at the school I am currently at. For instance, I tried to get an increase in my withdrawals for health reasons, which the school stated I should have been able to do, however they continually lost my paperwork and ignored my calls ultimately to deny my request even though I had the appropriate paperwork. I am nervous about the idea of transferring however, as it would put me father away from my family and support system.

I have been taking some time to think about my future, and if a career in medicine is right for me. If anything, my health issues have only further increased my desire to work in this field, and there’s not much I want more than to become a physician. I am willing to work hard and take the time it takes, but I don’t want to fool myself chased after something that is unrealistic at this point.

Should I give up? Should I retake the classes again? Would transferring schools have any impact on how my Apps would be seen later on?

Also, would I be expected to explain the health issues I have had? I don't completely mind discussing it, and it's not something that should remain debilitating, but facets of it were rather personal and sort of complicated. It's a thing I would like to avoid discussing the details of, but don't know if that would be possible.

Honest feedback is much appreciated.

Understand from here on out, you cannot make any more mistakes. Each mistake you make will delay you even further. Expect to take a year or two after graduation to repair your GPA. Also, you need to do well on the MCAT.

Then, you'll have a chance. You have to want it badly enough, and you also need to improve.

I understand you have medical issues, but medical schools need confidence you can actually handle the material (and you are also medically sound.) Medical school curriculum is extremely difficult, and will be much harder than what you're facing now.

So no, your chances are not shot, but you really need to manage your illness properly, and continue at excelling in your coursework.

 

[Dr Tony T. Chopper]

Not sure where to begin, as this year has thrown me through a loop.

I started off this last year a sophomore at a smaller state school in my home state, I was a member of the Honor’s Society and my GPA was 3.75.

This year I had some health issues that greatly impacted my school, I went back for a Spring semester when I should have taken the time off to work on my health, and instead I failed all of my courses, including 2 I had previously received Ds in the semester before.

As it stands now I:

Have 5 W’s accumulated (3 between Dual enrollment and Freshman year. I was only able to use 2 this past year per my schools policy)

A D in Gen Chem 2 + Lab, and an F the second time.

A D in General Biology + Lab and an F the second time.

2 C’s in both World History and US History. (I did fail World History the first semester)

An F in a personal wellness fitness class; one credit hour, but still. An F is an F.

A projected GPA of 2.44.


I am very aware that I have screwed up rather epically. My problem was not a lack of understanding the material, as I started off this last Spring semester making high A’s on my first round of exams and generally doing very well. I just ended up with very little energy due to letting my health concern get out of control again, and I put what energy I had into work instead of school.

I have started a new medication and am seeing some specialists and feel I am really truly on the path to getting control of my health again, but I am concerned that with failing the same pre-req classes twice, I have ruined my chances.


Outside of school I:

Have been a scribe in an ER for 1 year +

Am a licensed AEMT, although I have not worked that yet due to my health.

Have a few hours shadowing an OB.

Have around 30 hours volunteering on various programs with the Honor’s Society at my college.

Graduated highschool 1 year early with honors (not sure if relevant.)


I have not taken the MCAT yet, and would not consider it for some time.

I have always been interested in DO schools, but I am wary that even with Grade Replacement this year will stain my record.


I am also considering transferring to a different University in my same state. It is a similar tier school but would be slightly less inexpensive for me and I have had some issues with the faculty at the school I am currently at. For instance, I tried to get an increase in my withdrawals for health reasons, which the school stated I should have been able to do, however they continually lost my paperwork and ignored my calls ultimately to deny my request even though I had the appropriate paperwork. I am nervous about the idea of transferring however, as it would put me father away from my family and support system.

I have been taking some time to think about my future, and if a career in medicine is right for me. If anything, my health issues have only further increased my desire to work in this field, and there’s not much I want more than to become a physician. I am willing to work hard and take the time it takes, but I don’t want to fool myself chased after something that is unrealistic at this point.

Should I give up? Should I retake the classes again? Would transferring schools have any impact on how my Apps would be seen later on?

Also, would I be expected to explain the health issues I have had? I don't completely mind discussing it, and it's not something that should remain debilitating, but facets of it were rather personal and sort of complicated. It's a thing I would like to avoid discussing the details of, but don't know if that would be possible.

Honest feedback is much appreciated.

Sorry about your poor health. I don't think the details of your health issues will be brought up in interviews, but you should expect to touch upon it briefly for the purpose of explaining how it had impacted your school performance, and how you've managed to overcome it.

 

[DrMikeP]

Have you considered taking a year or so off and working, getting your personal health/life in order and then going back? I know that's not what you want to hear but it works wonders for applicants.

It can sometimes significantly help an application by taking time to put yourself in a better place and then when you go back and make almost straight A's and rock the mcat it shows adcoms that what you did helped with grades, maturity, physical/mental health etc. and now you'll be a better med student. Otherwise, they worry that whatever happened before is likely to happen again during med school, and under extreme stress health can go bad fast.

Peacecorp, Americorp, Military, Mission work, etc. can boost your application tremendously and best of all you grow as a person AND aren't just wasting time before again building your application.

 

[kaylinwriter14]

Understand from here on out, you cannot make any more mistakes. Each mistake you make will delay you even further. Expect to take a year or two after graduation to repair your GPA. Also, you need to do well on the MCAT.

Then, you'll have a chance. You have to want it badly enough, and you also need to improve.

I understand you have medical issues, but medical schools need confidence you can actually handle the material (and you are also medically sound.) Medical school curriculum is extremely difficult, and will be much harder than what you're facing now.

So no, your chances are not shot, but you really need to manage your illness properly, and continue at excelling in your coursework.

Thank you for your reply!

By taking a year or two after graduation to repair my GPA, I assume you are referring to a post-bacc? I have been planning on taking an extra-year to finish undergrad at this point, this giving me more time to retake more classes. I did not feel it would set me far behind, especial considering I was a year ahead due to graduating high school early.

Do you think transferring schools would have any sort of impact on my app one way or another?

 

[DrMikeP]

Thank you for your reply!

By taking a year or two after graduation to repair my GPA, I assume you are referring to a post-bacc? I have been planning on taking an extra-year to finish undergrad at this point, this giving me more time to retake more classes. I did not feel it would set me far behind, especial considering I was a year ahead due to graduating high school early.

Do you think transferring schools would have any sort of impact on my app one way or another?

Transfer is irrelevant unless you do worse.

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[cabinbuilder]

Sometimes you just need to graduate. Stop the cycle of repeating and failures and do something else for a while. I was in the same boat as you with illness, family tragedy, etc. I took classes over and over and over, some as many as 4 times over a 7 year span. It wasn't until I graduated, took a 3 year break, worked, travelled, etc. that I was ready to go back and mentally do well. When I did that, the classes that were "so hard" seemed very clear and I did very well. I did all my pre-req's that I needed in one year and worked full time Did ok on the MCAT but had a great comeback story/journey with an awesome essay and was accepted. You can recover but you need to be physically and emotionally prepared to do so.

 

[DrMikeP]

Sometimes you just need to graduate. Stop the cycle of repeating and failures and do something else for a while. I was in the same boat as you with illness, family tragedy, etc. I took classes over and over and over, some as many as 4 times over a 7 year span. It wasn't until I graduated, took a 3 year break, worked, travelled, etc. that I was ready to go back and mentally do well. When I did that, the classes that were "so hard" seemed very clear and I did very well. I did all my pre-req's that I needed in one year and worked full time Did ok on the MCAT but had a great comeback story/journey with an awesome essay and was accepted. You can recover but you need to be physically and emotionally prepared to do so.

This is such a wise move, but one many don't want to hear. People so underestimate the positive impact of taking time off and getting life in order has on med school apps.

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[Labrat07]

Usually what you don't want to hear is your best option because deep down you already know it's.

 

[Goro]

One of the thjings that does concern Adcoms is the risk of repeat poor choice making. OP should have dropped courses ASAP instead of trying to bull his/her way through them.

Sustained academic excellence is the cure for that worry.

OP, suggest that you retake all F/D/C science coursework and if you GPA is then competitive ( > 3.3), then you should be fine for DO schools. If not, an SMP might be in order.

Sorry about your poor health. I don't think the details of your health issues will be brought up in interviews, but you should expect to touch upon it briefly for the purpose of explaining how it had impacted your school performance, and how you've managed to overcome it.