Bad first semester (Freshman) (URM)

[The Grandmaster]

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Projected Grades:
Math: Withdrawn
Chem (3 Credits): B
Intro Engineering (2 Credits): C
Another Engineering Course (4 Credits) (Math-Based): B
English (3 Credits): A

No excuses for these grades, just didn't get the job done. I've been doing great the last few weeks but it seems like these will be my projected grades for this semester. Does this ruin my chances for top schools? What would by cGPA be according to the AMCAS guidelines? Also, do you have any tips to improve study habits?

Thanks in advance,
Grand

Note: I have switched my major from B.S. Mechanical Engineering to B.A. Biology so I will not be taking any more engineering courses from here on out.

 

[CloverBale]

Just start getting good grades and don't stop getting good grades. Also what does being URM have to do with anything...

 

[HomeSkool]

No excuses for these grades, just didn't get the job done.

Yeah, they're not great. You're hardly the first freshman to be in that boat. Don't freak out, just learn from it and do better next semester.

Does this ruin my chances for top schools?

What would by cGPA be according to the AMCAS guidelines?

LMGTFY. There are calculators online for your convenience.

Also, do you have any tips to improve study habits?

Sure. Schedule your time. Don't study for more than two hours at a time without taking a break, even if all you do is go for a walk. Don't study with friends. Study in a quiet, low-traffic area. Keep up with your reading assignments. Start projects as early as possible so you're not pressed for time at the end. Schedule time for things like working out, hanging with friends, going to sporting events, etc.

I have switched my major from B.S. Mechanical Engineering to B.A. Biology

How the eff is Biology a BA and not a BS? Weird, man.

 

[The Grandmaster]

Just start getting good grades and don't stop getting good grades. Also what does being URM have to do with anything...

Thanks! Yeah, sorry, bad judgement call on my part.

 

[The Grandmaster]

Yeah, they're not great. You're hardly the first freshman to be in that boat. Don't freak out, just learn from it and do better next semester.

LMGTFY. There are calculators online for your convenience.


Sure. Schedule your time. Don't study for more than two hours at a time without taking a break, even if all you do is go for a walk. Don't study with friends. Study in a quiet, low-traffic area. Keep up with your reading assignments. Start projects as early as possible so you're not pressed for time at the end. Schedule time for things like working out, hanging with friends, going to sporting events, etc.


How the eff is Biology a BA and not a BS? Weird, ma

Yeah, they're not great. You're hardly the first freshman to be in that boat. Don't freak out, just learn from it and do better next semester.

LMGTFY. There are calculators online for your convenience.


Sure. Schedule your time. Don't study for more than two hours at a time without taking a break, even if all you do is go for a walk. Don't study with friends. Study in a quiet, low-traffic area. Keep up with your reading assignments. Start projects as early as possible so you're not pressed for time at the end. Schedule time for things like working out, hanging with friends, going to sporting events, etc.


How the eff is Biology a BA and not a BS? Weird, man.

Thanks so much!

 

[deleted804295]

Projected Grades:
Math: Withdrawn
Chem (3 Credits): B
Intro Engineering (2 Credits): C
Another Engineering Course (4 Credits) (Math-Based): B
English (3 Credits): A

No excuses for these grades, just didn't get the job done. I've been doing great the last few weeks but it seems like these will be my projected grades for this semester. Does this ruin my chances for top schools? What would by cGPA be according to the AMCAS guidelines? Also, do you have any tips to improve study habits?

Thanks in advance,
Grand

Note: I have switched my major from B.S. Mechanical Engineering to B.A. Biology so I will not be taking any more engineering courses from here on out.

I'm glad you switched into biology. You can take a biology b.s. instead of the b.a. in case things don't work out and you have to take a gap year so you can do some lab work for that gap year.

Engineering courses are meant to beat you in, the classes were designed to be rigorous so that you can get a good paying job out of a 4 year degree. I always wondered how my premed friends in engineering were doing physics, engineering courses, math, and chemistry all in one semester. It turns out many of them were getting sub par grades.

You're not alone. Although there are some people who can be engineering majors while premed, the majority just can't.

Before you focus on getting into top medical schools I suggest you look into getting into medical schools period. Also drop the 'I'm an URM' thing. It won't miraculously get you into medical school and if anything you want to get in due to merit not due to being the token minority.

Finally for study tips I recommend you take those biology classes and study more before you make plans to change your study patterns. I used to study for literally 30 minutes for some of my exams freshman year whereas I'm putting 100 hours studying for some exams as a sophomore.

 

[HomeSkool]

Also drop the 'I'm an URM' thing. It won't miraculously get you into medical school and if anything you want to get in due to merit not due to being the token minority.

Given the way some states have been eliminating racial preferences in admissions to state schools, using "I'm a URM" may not be the most politically prudent thing to do in some places.

 

[The Grandmaster]

Given the way some states have been eliminating racial preferences in admissions to state schools, using "I'm a URM" may not be the most politically prudent thing to do in some places.

Will keep that in mind, thanks!

 

[The Grandmaster]

I'm glad you switched into biology. You can take a biology b.s. instead of the b.a. in case things don't work out and you have to take a gap year so you can do some lab work for that gap year.

Engineering courses are meant to beat you in, the classes were designed to be rigorous so that you can get a good paying job out of a 4 year degree. I always wondered how my premed friends in engineering were doing physics, engineering courses, math, and chemistry all in one semester. It turns out many of them were getting sub par grades.

You're not alone. Although there are some people who can be engineering majors while premed, the majority just can't.

Before you focus on getting into top medical schools I suggest you look into getting into medical schools period. Also drop the 'I'm an URM' thing. It won't miraculously get you into medical school and if anything you want to get in due to merit not due to being the token minority.

Finally for study tips I recommend you take those biology classes and study more before you make plans to change your study patterns. I used to study for literally 30 minutes for some of my exams freshman year whereas I'm putting 100 hours studying for some exams as a sophomore.

Thanks for the advice! Note taken 🙂

 

[allnamesareinuse]

Given the way some states have been eliminating racial preferences in admissions to state schools, using "I'm a URM" may not be the most politically prudent thing to do in some places.

Hi, can you share where you have found this information? Everything I have read is that Medical Schools are finding a way around this and still using racial preferences. Thanks.

 

[Goro]

Hi, can you share where you have found this information? Everything I have read is that Medical Schools are finding a way around this and still using racial preferences. Thanks.

Med schools still have URM policies, and for good reasons. Let the wailing and gnashing of teeth from hyperacheivers begin.

 

[allnamesareinuse]

If they're doing it at public universities in California, Washington, Michigan, Nebraska, Arizona, Oklahoma, or Florida, they're in violation of state law. I shouldn't have to provide you references to prove that's a bad idea and not to be counted on.

Please do not assume I am a URM.

 

[HomeSkool]

Please do not assume I am a URM.

I didn't.