2.9 First Semester gpa. Should I be worried?

[Robot_Monopoly]

I am currently a freshman and I hope to be a competitive MD applicant later when applying to schools but I am worried that a terrible first semester gpa (2.9) has done me in. I am currently expecting to get a 3.6-3.7 this semester am involved in research and making plans to shadow a local surgeon over the summer. How should I view my situation and is there any advice that could help me out?

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[candbgirl]

Just keep working hard and don’t repeat a 2.9 semester. Start working on your clinical work and nonclinical volunteering. Don’t spend all summer shadowing a surgeon. Spend a few hours and then move on to primary care docs and other specialists. You really only need 50 hours total shadowing. Good luck and work hard.

 

[curbsideconsult]

Nope. What @candbgirl said. Continue the upward trend. Try to get involved in some type of camp for disadvantaged folks over the summer. It can be anything from a camp for people with autism to special olympics to kids with extreme food allergies etc. etc. And try to do that activity repeatedly each summer. You'll cover three major points important for your application: a ton of hours, service to the needy, and consistency.

To emphasize candbgirl's statement: do NOT spend your whole summer shadowing a surgeon.