Anyone else struggling with mediocre but not bad grades?

[BTC0821]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Office hours, tutoring sessions, supplemental instruction (if offered there), and at least a half hour with the material lectured about from earlier that day keeps you from slipping down the forgetting curve. You've got this

 

[godemperorT]

Perhaps it will serve a purpose when you need advice for when your school drops you or you dont match.

I'm doing just fine, but thanks though. Wont have any trouble 😉

hat is because they worked their ass off during college to be where they are

Ya man, I worked my ass off too. I just took a different route, like many of my classmates.

As for me personally full disclosure my GPA is a solid 3.4.

My cGPA/sGPA is higher than yours bro. My MCAT was 89%. Since were having a pissing contest, but thanks for the fun fact.

Also your hollier than thou attitude is truly hilarious.

No one is holier than thou here brother. I just try to be a good person IRL AND online. One of us here has perspective on life, and that one of us, sadly isn't you. You arent better than anyone for "growing up and getting a real job" should you not get in? You just gave up, and that's fine, nothing wrong with plan B. Others choose to find a way to make it work.

I'm not ****ting on your questioning. Im ****ting on your baseless superiority complex. I too question the practices at my institution and others. You do it because it makes you feel better than people, I do it because I'm concerned for people.

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

I'm doing just fine, but thanks though. Wont have any trouble 😉

If your sights are set on rural primary care or path, you're probably right.

Ya man, I worked my ass off too. I just took a different route, like many of my classmates.

My cGPA/sGPA is higher than yours bro. My MCAT was 89%. Since were having a pissing contest, but thanks for the fun fact.

If your GPA is higher than a 3.4 and you got a 512 (which is about what an 89th %ile would be), and you went to the Carib, then you either had a huge red flag on your app (e.g., cheating, DUI, felony), applied very poorly and were too impatient to apply properly a second time, or you made an extremely poor choice for God knows what reason. I'm betting it's either one or two--or you're lying about your stats.

No one is holier than thou here brother. I just try to be a good person IRL AND online. One of us here has perspective on life, and that one of us, sadly isn't you. You arent better than anyone for "growing up and getting a real job" should you not get in? You just gave up, and that's fine, nothing wrong with plan B. Others choose to find a way to make it work.

Making an account to come **** on someone who disagrees with you isn't being a good person online, regardless of how "nicely" you word your posts.

I'm not ****ting on your questioning. Im ****ting on your baseless superiority complex. I too question the practices at my institution and others. You do it because it makes you feel better than people, I do it because I'm concerned for people.

If you were concerned for people, you would post about how going to the Carib is a huuuuuuuge gamble that is not good for 90% of the people who choose to go there, and how only about 40% of Carib students will make it back to the US as a licensed physician.

 

[Princeton Medical Student]

I'm doing just fine, but thanks though. Wont have any trouble 😉



Ya man, I worked my ass off too. I just took a different route, like many of my classmates.



My cGPA/sGPA is higher than yours bro. My MCAT was 89%. Since were having a pissing contest, but thanks for the fun fact.



No one is holier than thou here brother. I just try to be a good person IRL AND online. One of us here has perspective on life, and that one of us, sadly isn't you. You arent better than anyone for "growing up and getting a real job" should you not get in? You just gave up, and that's fine, nothing wrong with plan B. Others choose to find a way to make it work.

I'm not ****ting on your questioning. Im ****ting on your baseless superiority complex. I too question the practices at my institution and others. You do it because it makes you feel better than people, I do it because I'm concerned for people.

You question the decisions of your institution yet your own inability to have some patience led you to contribute a good 200k to it, thus enabling it to have ****ty practices? Like I said, I respect medical students for their hard work to get into medical school. One of my GA's got accepted after two unsuccessful application cycles, between which he bettered himself. You chose the path of least resistance, and you expect others to have the same respect for you? YOUR money is paying for people to come to my school and give their ****ty talks and presentations that con the majority (maybe you are not part of that majority) out of money. The entire system is set up in order to fail a portion of the class so their money can sponsor the remaining half's clinicals. Assuming you become a physician, (and I am sure you will), your education still rode on the 50% who were irresponsibly accepted and were failed.

Also, assuming your GPA is 3.5/511, I question your choice of going to the Carrib. Was the DO title too much to bear, or was it the lack of any meaningful activities? Was it a DUI or an IA? ****ty school list? I am truly curious. I seriously would like to know your reason as to why you didn't get in.

Also, once again I'd like you to point out posts where I have displayed a sense of superiority to Carrib students? Was it in the threads where myself and countless others have told Carribean perspective premed students to have some patience and do a post bacc instead?

You say that no one is trying to have a hollier than thou attitude in the same sentence as "One of us here has perspective on life, and that one of us, sadly isn't you". Seems a little silly doesn't it?

And you can call yourself a good person, yet you come and make an account, and **** on me on a public forum, in a totally irrelevant thread, where I asked for help and how to improve myself... In the end, it's you yourself who you have to answer for, and not some random premed who dared to tell others to avoid Carrib.

 

[Princeton Medical Student]

ahh the primal needs of premeds... eat, reproduce, and become a doctor lolol

i agree with OP tho, I'm sure some arrogant med students look down on Caribbean students but the majority just have a problem with the schools in general who literally give 0 f**s about the students and hate to see qualified students make a haste decision and jeopardize their future...

I think he is offended that I do not respect Caribbean med students as much as US students who actually worked to get their acceptance.

 

[godemperorT]

If your GPA is higher than a 3.4 and you got a 512 (which is about what an 89th %ile would be), and you went to the Carib, then you either had a huge red flag on your app (e.g., cheating, DUI, felony), applied very poorly and were too impatient to apply properly a second time, or you made an extremely poor choice for God knows what reason. I'm betting it's either one or two--or you're lying about your stats.

I had a red flag

Making an account to come **** on someone who disagrees with you isn't being a good person online, regardless of how "nicely" you word your posts.

What world do you live in? This isnt a safe space. I didn't even **** on the kid for one, I pointed out that everyone struggles. If that was too much for you guys, you're really in for a very rude awakening.

If you were concerned for people, you would post about how going to the Carib is a huuuuuuuge gamble that is not good for 90% of the people who choose to go there, and how only about 40% of Carib students will make it back to the US as a licensed physician.

I absolutely, 100%, warn people about going Caribbean, and they will take your money and time.

 

[Princeton Medical Student]

I had a red flag



What world do you live in? This isnt a safe space. I didn't even **** on the kid for one, I pointed out that everyone struggles. If that was too much for you guys, you're really in for a very rude awakening.




I absolutely, 100%, warn people about going Caribbean, and they will take your money and time.

Then why are you arguing with me, when I too tell people to not go the Caribbean? The fact that I respect Carrib students less is my own personal view that will not change, so uh what are you trying to exactly accomplish here? I also respect non-traditional applicants and reapplicants more because of the amount of **** they have to go thru to get in. I don't see first time acceptees arguing with me in an irrelevant thread.

 

[godemperorT]

You question the decisions of your institution yet your own inability to have some patience led you to contribute a good 200k to it, thus enabling it to have ****ty practices?

Lookin out for number 1 baby. Im not incredibly proud that Im financially supporting an institution that has taken advantage of people in the past. But they are the means to my end. Such is life.

One of my GA's got accepted after two unsuccessful application cycles, between which he bettered himself. You chose the path of least resistance, and you expect others to have the same respect for you?

I had a number of failed cycles that resulted in years of job/clinical/volunteering experience that just never panned out with dat USMD admit. As goes for a lot of people.

The entire system is set up in order to fail a portion of the class so their money can sponsor the remaining half's clinicals. Assuming you become a physician, (and I am sure you will), your education still rode on the 50% who were irresponsibly accepted and were failed.

Again, not something I love. But the MD is the goal...

Also, assuming your GPA is 3.5/511, I question your choice of going to the Carrib. Was the DO title too much to bear, or was it the lack of any meaningful activities? Was it a DUI or an IA? ****ty school list? I am truly curious. I seriously would like to know your reason as to why you didn't get in.

IA, Nope i applied to like 70 USMD/DO programs across the country.

Also, once again I'd like you to point out posts where I have displayed a sense of superiority to Carrib students? Was it in the threads where myself and countless others have told Carribean perspective premed students to have some patience and do a post bacc instead?

Im going to do you a favor and not point out what you said.

You say that no one is trying to have a hollier than thou attitude in the same sentence as "One of us here has perspective on life, and that one of us, sadly isn't you". Seems a little silly doesn't it?

No, it really doesn't seem silly. Its simply a fact. Whether it bothers you or not, doesnt make it silly, or less real.

And you can call yourself a good person, yet you come and make an account, and **** on me on a public forum, in a totally irrelevant thread, where I asked for help and how to improve myself... In the end, it's you yourself who you have to answer for, and not some random premed who dared to tell others to avoid Carrib.

Simply pointing out the irony of situation in which i found amusing. This is the internet after all. IDC if you dont like carib schools, most dont, I dont. The whole point of this was a bit of a laugh, and to maybe get you to think before you speak(or type) so harshly. Doesnt matter to me, we'll never see each other. But in the future your interactions with others will be highly scrutinized. Keep that in mind.

 

[godemperorT]

I think he is offended that I do not respect Caribbean med students as much as US students who actually worked to get their acceptance.

Nah I honestly just thought you're a typical pretentious premed. And no one likes the pretentious premed.

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

I had a red flag

Figured. Unless you murdered someone or broke into the dean's office to steal the answers to the test, most IAs can be overcome with significant time between the incident and your application. Was it something that monumental, or did you just not want to wait?

What world do you live in? This isnt a safe space. I didn't even **** on the kid for one, I pointed out that everyone struggles. If that was too much for you guys, you're really in for a very rude awakening.

I live in the real world. I'm also in the Navy, so I just lol'd at the idea that something you say on here could bother me that much. I'm simply pointing out the hypocrisy of you writing that you're trying to be a good person online while you proceed to create an account just to tell someone that you have a higher GPA and MCAT than they do and are doing great while they are struggling.

I absolutely, 100%, warn people about going Caribbean, and they will take your money and time.

At least there's this.

 

[Princeton Medical Student]

Lookin out for number 1 baby. Im not incredibly proud that Im financially supporting an institution that has taken advantage of people in the past. But they are the means to my end. Such is life.



I had a number of failed cycles that resulted in years of job/clinical/volunteering experience that just never panned out with dat USMD admit. As goes for a lot of people.



Again, not something I love. But the MD is the goal...



IA, Nope i applied to like 70 USMD/DO programs across the country.



Im going to do you a favor and not point out what you said.



No, it really doesn't seem silly. Its simply a fact. Whether it bothers you or not, doesnt make it silly, or less real.



Simply pointing out the irony of situation in which i found amusing. This is the internet after all. IDC if you dont like carib schools, most dont, I dont. The whole point of this was a bit of a laugh, and to maybe get you to think before you speak(or type) so harshly. Doesnt matter to me, we'll never see each other. But in the future your interactions with others will be highly scrutinized. Keep that in mind.

No actually do point it out. I'm genuinely curious now. You're agreeing with most of my points about Caribs so I am pretty curious about what I could have said that would cause this kind of response. Was it the DO student who transferred to the Carrib? Was it my thread about Carribs being a bad option for everyone?

 

[godemperorT]

No actually do point it out. I'm genuinely curious now. You're agreeing with most of my points about Caribs so I am pretty curious about what I could have said that would cause this kind of response. Was it the DO student who transferred to the Carrib? Was it my thread about Carribs being a bad option for everyone?

"I find it hard to find sympathy for Caribbean students, given that there is ample information out there about the dangers of the Caribbean. A simple google search gives plenty of information about the dangers of the islands. I've seen some posters around my campus advertising Carib schools, and have torn them down when no one was around. I am just honestly shocked at the amount of people that dump this amount of money into something without being informed. Would you buy a 50k dollar car that had a 50 percent chance of working, according to every single thing that google says. Honestly, I think one must be delusional, or technologically illiterate, to attend one of these so called medical schools."



formerstudent said: ↑
Firstly big man, you are aware that there are plenty of Caribbean graduates out there right now, treating patients, making money, and kissing the ladies, who's jockstraps you would not be qualified to hold.

Secondly, I'm more of a believer today that all the hearsay regarding the Caribbean should be taken with a grain of salt. Some people will succeed down that route. Case-in-point, my former classmate 240/236 with 14 IM interviews. Dude is so confident in his ability, he did not accept a pre-match at his #2 interview.

"It's not for just anybody but if that were your only shot and you feel like you have it in you, it's the way to go.
Fair enough but dont expect sympathy when your classes move to a cruise ship."


In context of the Ross University students having to continue their semester on that boat in less than ideal living conditions, simply because they happen to attend a less than ideal school in the path of one of the most destructive hurricanes known to mankind. One that, by the looks of it has crippled a country for the foreseeable future.

 

[Princeton Medical Student]

"I find it hard to find sympathy for Caribbean students, given that there is ample information out there about the dangers of the Caribbean. A simple google search gives plenty of information about the dangers of the islands. I've seen some posters around my campus advertising Carib schools, and have torn them down when no one was around. I am just honestly shocked at the amount of people that dump this amount of money into something without being informed. Would you buy a 50k dollar car that had a 50 percent chance of working, according to every single thing that google says. Honestly, I think one must be delusional, or technologically illiterate, to attend one of these so called medical schools."



formerstudent said: ↑
Firstly big man, you are aware that there are plenty of Caribbean graduates out there right now, treating patients, making money, and kissing the ladies, who's jockstraps you would not be qualified to hold.

Secondly, I'm more of a believer today that all the hearsay regarding the Caribbean should be taken with a grain of salt. Some people will succeed down that route. Case-in-point, my former classmate 240/236 with 14 IM interviews. Dude is so confident in his ability, he did not accept a pre-match at his #2 interview.

"It's not for just anybody but if that were your only shot and you feel like you have it in you, it's the way to go.
Fair enough but dont expect sympathy when your classes move to a cruise ship."


In context of the Ross University students having to continue their semester on that boat in less than ideal living conditions, simply because they happen to attend a less than ideal school in the path of one of the most destructive hurricanes known to mankind. One that, by the looks of it has crippled a country for the foreseeable future.

In regards to the first post, what exactly is wrong about it? Most of the people I know that went to the Caribbean have been entirely uninformed and simply bought the **** that your marketers put down. Majority of the students have either a low GPA or a low MCAT, which puts them at risk of failing STEP or failing out. Very few are in a situation where an IA prevented them from going to a school in the United States. The rest are simply making the worst mistake of their lives. Like it or not. So, okay, change it to most if you'd like but the point remains valid.

In regards to hurricanes, that's a legitimate thing that most American students should know about. Many do not realize that they are going to study in a third world country, with all the baggage that it entails. Look at how a DO school in the United States responded to a hurricane a few years back. They simply moved classes to another location, ez pz. If I was to accept a Peace Corps position, I wouldn't bitch about having to suffer from some of the consequences of being in a less developed country, and I dont think Carib students should either. You get what you signed up for.

 

[Lawpy]

I've never had it in me to make an account and respond to you, but I happen to stumble across this thread. As a carib student who watches you demonize my path, I find this all too karmic. The high and mighty premed, having trouble with his intro sciences.


Not everyone who ends up in the carib is unqualified, some individuals have a bad go and the process is incredibly unforgiving. Though I will admit many are not qualified.


I always hear people always fall back on, "i hate the school not the students" but in truth, you have no respect for us. Which is fine, speaking for myself I have no need of your validation. I'm doing me.


And as you will find out(or not), the journey is long, and the obstacles plenty. My only advice would be this:

Keep yourself grounded, an ego in the medical field is a dime a dozen, and you have yet to even start. Exercise some empathy, it'll make you a better doctor.



But as a believer in Karma, I wish you the best, truly.

It’s rather unfortunate you decided to create an account for the sole purpose of attacking SDNers and trying to defend the Caribbean route.

 

[godemperorT]

It’s rather unfortunate you decided to create an account for the sole purpose of attacking SDNers and trying to defend the Caribbean route.

Low VR bro. “Defend the Caribbean route” lmao.

 

[Lawpy]

Low VR bro. “Defend the Caribbean route” lmao.

Well thanks for clarifying your purpose on these forums 👍

 

[godemperorT]

In regards to the first post, what exactly is wrong about it? Most of the people I know that went to the Caribbean have been entirely uninformed and simply bought the **** that your marketers put down. Majority of the students have either a low GPA or a low MCAT, which puts them at risk of failing STEP or failing out. Very few are in a situation where an IA prevented them from going to a school in the United States. The rest are simply making the worst mistake of their lives. Like it or not. So, okay, change it to most if you'd like but the point remains valid.

In regards to hurricanes, that's a legitimate thing that most American students should know about. Many do not realize that they are going to study in a third world country, with all the baggage that it entails. Look at how a DO school in the United States responded to a hurricane a few years back. They simply moved classes to another location, ez pz. If I was to accept a Peace Corps position, I wouldn't bitch about having to suffer from some of the consequences of being in a less developed country, and I dont think Carib students should either. You get what you signed up for.

I thought it was in poor taste.

 

[Dr. Meliodas]

I'm curious what your IA actually was. Do you mind sharing? or PM me.

 

[deleted887473]

Not interested in contributing to the Caribbean debate so just gonna respond to OP’s original question...

Important question to ask yourself - Which classes are you struggling to get A’s in? Is there a pattern to why you haven’t been doing as well as you want to?

And don’t blame it on the professor or the course structure or whatever. Find those reasons in you. Think about what kind of learner you are. A little self reflection right now can go a long way.

I’ve read somewhere sometime ago that you’re majoring in CS - can that have something to do with it? I used to be a CS major before discovering it was not the best choice for me if I wanted a competitive GPA. I changed it to something I enjoy/do well in and I’ve been much happier since.

Good luck, hope you get those As 🙂

 

[Lucca]

Let’s keep this thread on topic, pls

 

[Princeton Medical Student]

Not interested in contributing to the Caribbean debate so just gonna respond to OP’s original question...

Important question to ask yourself - Which classes are you struggling to get A’s in? Is there a pattern to why you haven’t been doing as well as you want to?

And don’t blame it on the professor or the course structure or whatever. Find those reasons in you. Think about what kind of learner you are. A little self reflection right now can go a long way.

I’ve read somewhere sometime ago that you’re majoring in CS - can that have something to do with it? I used to be a CS major before discovering it was not the best choice for me if I wanted a competitive GPA. I changed it to something I enjoy/do well in and I’ve been much happier since.

Good luck, hope you get those As 🙂

Yeah in CS which makes it tougher. I think one of my bigger faults is concentrating when I study which was impacted by having smaller study sessions every day vs sitting down for a while and studying non stop which surprisingly has helped quite a lot. Generally just studying for a longer period of time has been helpful as I can start to enjoy the material by hour three or so heh. CS courses are kinda rougher. My enjoyment seems to depend a bit heavily on the professor so some semesters its just not too good of a time but similar strategies have been helpful. I think Ill be able to pull an A in both physics and chem just from what I learned about studying but CS might take longer to figure out heh.

 

[deleted887473]

Yeah in CS which makes it tougher.

CS courses are kinda rougher.

Aha okay. From my limited experiences with CS classes, the assignments took me a LONG time and the exams were difficult to study for, so I understand what you mean. It does make things tougher for a lot of people.

I think one of my bigger faults is concentrating when I study which was impacted by having smaller study sessions every day vs sitting down for a while and studying non stop which surprisingly has helped quite a lot.

Concentrating during studying is a good thing if you can keep it up long enough to be productive + don't take long breaks. I actually have a similar style -- I get tired easily and when I take breaks I gotta unwind for a good while before I can pick up where I left off.
On the other hand, studying non stop isn't a style for everyone. I know some people can study for 5 hours without a break and do just fine, but I personally cannot do that. I gotta take breaks. I think the key is finding a balance between the amount of concentration and the length and effectiveness of breaks.

My enjoyment seems to depend a bit heavily on the professor so some semesters its just not too good of a time but similar strategies have been helpful.

I'm sure that happens to everyone to some degree, absolutely no need to feel bad about it. Sometimes a rough semester is a good chance to improve on your studying/coping habits.

I think Ill be able to pull an A in both physics and chem just from what I learned about studying but CS might take longer to figure out heh.

So it IS mostly the CS classes you are worried about?
If you think CS classes are hindering you from a GPA you want, maybe consider cutting back on taking those classes, or, this might sound crazy, but drop the major to a minor or something. At the very least take fewer CS classes per semester. CS or engineering + premed is doable for some people but again is not for everyone. A big attraction for those paths is that they provide solid backup options if medicine doesn't work out in the end. But if your backup plan is taking too much of your energy away from your main plan that's not very great, isn't it?

 

[Princeton Medical Student]

Aha okay. From my limited experiences with CS classes, the assignments took me a LONG time and the exams were difficult to study for, so I understand what you mean. It does make things tougher for a lot of people.


Concentrating during studying is a good thing if you can keep it up long enough to be productive + don't take long breaks. I actually have a similar style -- I get tired easily and when I take breaks I gotta unwind for a good while before I can pick up where I left off.
On the other hand, studying non stop isn't a style for everyone. I know some people can study for 5 hours without a break and do just fine, but I personally cannot do that. I gotta take breaks. I think the key is finding a balance between the amount of concentration and the length and effectiveness of breaks.


I'm sure that happens to everyone to some degree, absolutely no need to feel bad about it. Sometimes a rough semester is a good chance to improve on your studying/coping habits.



So it IS mostly the CS classes you are worried about?
If you think CS classes are hindering you from a GPA you want, maybe consider cutting back on taking those classes, or, this might sound crazy, but drop the major to a minor or something. At the very least take fewer CS classes per semester. CS or engineering + premed is doable for some people but again is not for everyone. A big attraction for those paths is that they provide solid backup options if medicine doesn't work out in the end. But if your backup plan is taking too much of your energy away from your main plan that's not very great, isn't it?

Unfortunately I am kind of at a point where switching to a different major might not be viable. But, with that said I love computer science, and if my GPA has to suffer to learn CS instead of something I'd not be as interested in, so be it!
Another note is that I'm transferring soon, so perhaps things will be different at a new school with new methods of teaching and a new dept! We'll see! Thanks for the tips man! This is very helpful.

 

[deleted887473]

if my GPA has to suffer to learn CS instead of something I'd not be as interested in, so be it!

Haha honestly if you're fine with your decisions then hey, I have nothing more to say. Just do your best and what happens happens, right?

Another note is that I'm transferring soon, so perhaps things will be different at a new school with new methods of teaching and a new dept!

Ohh that's exciting; good luck! Hope it does get better at your new school.

 

[JMilo]

I really wasn't understanding anything in one of my classes. I would read the book, take notes, but nothing would stick. Kind of odd, but one day I read the chapter, and took notes with my non-dominant hand. It was frustrating, but forced me to truly think about what I was writing, and take the time to write it. I would later copy the notes with my dominant hand (which didn't look all that better to be honest). Its unconventional, but it makes you consciously and actively think about what you are learning, whats important, etc.

 

[deleted804295]

I've never had it in me to make an account and respond to you, but I happen to stumble across this thread. As a carib student who watches you demonize my path, I find this all too karmic. The high and mighty premed, having trouble with his intro sciences.


Not everyone who ends up in the carib is unqualified, some individuals have a bad go and the process is incredibly unforgiving. Though I will admit many are not qualified.


I always hear people always fall back on, "i hate the school not the students" but in truth, you have no respect for us. Which is fine, speaking for myself I have no need of your validation. I'm doing me.


And as you will find out(or not), the journey is long, and the obstacles plenty. My only advice would be this:

Keep yourself grounded, an ego in the medical field is a dime a dozen, and you have yet to even start. Exercise some empathy, it'll make you a better doctor.



But as a believer in Karma, I wish you the best, truly.

What is your problem?

From what I've observed @Princeton Medical Student is a very kind and good natured individual. He asks for help and you make an account... just to be a jerk to him???

We all go through bouts of not having stellar straight As. He's still relatively new to college so he's still trying to find the right steps.

The Caribbean medical schools are a problem and good luck trying to find a residency.

That said, it has absolutely nothing to do with him seeking advice. If you can't give it then get off this thread.