Bad grades :(

[NamNam]

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So I got a B in gen Bio1 and gen chem 1 and C+ in Gen Bio 2 and Gen chem 2 freshman year. However I took 6 upper level science courses this year and finished with a 3.85 sgpa (Ochem 2, biochem 1&2, microbio, microbial ecology, and genetics). Will this help me out OR am i still screwed. My gpa atm is a 3.5 mainly due to freshman year being 3.2 (did really bad...), but this year finished with a cgpa/sgpa of about 3.85.

 

[eteshoe]

Upward trend = fine

 

[binko]

This is similar to a lot of the threads where someone got a bad (or just mediocre) grade early in their education but their GPA is overall pretty good.

sGPA of 3.85 for the year is good. 3.5 total is not the worst ever. Take a look at what your LizzyM score will be with your MCAT (or if you haven't taken yet, with the MCAT that is your target score) and I think you'll feel better.

 

[777137]

Upward trends are good on an application. A 3.5 is nothing to scoff at either, I would say that area of your app is fine as long as you continue to do well grade-wise.

 

[Revolution9]

The GPA itself will likely be a screening factor, after that the upward trend would certainly look better than the opposite.

 

[NoTownPreMed]

I don't know how many times I come across a "bad grades" thread, knowing damn well these grades are stellar compared to mine. You'll be fine bud 🙂.

 

[Goro]

More than fine.

Asking insipid questions that can be answered by actually reading some of the stickies, not so fine.

Upward trend = fine

 

[NamNam]

More than fine.

Asking insipid questions that can be answered by actually reading some of the stickies, not so fine.

Sorry Goro and thanks everyone for the input.

 

[Catalystik]

So I got a B in gen Bio1 and gen chem 1 and C+ in Gen Bio 2 and Gen chem 2 freshman year. However I took 6 upper level science courses this year and finished with a 3.85 sgpa (Ochem 2, biochem 1&2, microbio, microbial ecology, and genetics). Will this help me out OR am i still screwed. My gpa atm is a 3.5 mainly due to freshman year being 3.2 (did really bad...), but this year finished with a cgpa/sgpa of about 3.85.

A C+ isn't "bad," it's mediocre.

 

[Afp0731]

I went through a period during freshman/sophomore year where I made a cumulative 2.0 ish over three semesters. Failed three big science courses. I turned around after this and made a 4.0 for the next three years until graduating and this included repeats of the science courses I failed. When I first applied, I interviewed at my school of choice and they said my numbers were fine but no acceptance. Re-applied, interviewed again, got "acceptable listed," but then rejected at the last moment. Applied a third time and interviewed at my other state school which wait listed me but ended up rejecting me. What they said is that the upward trend was enough for them to take me seriously and offer an interview. But... when it came down to the wire, they had to make decisions between me and other applicants who were well qualified and never made a B much less failed a course. In hindsight, I absolutely should have done a masters program immediately after graduating and not left my eligibility up to a strong upward trend. You are obviously in a much better position than me, but if you think your grades may hurt your chances and you have an opportunity to patch them up, I would strongly advise you to take the initiative. After watching/being involved in the admissions process for three years, Ive noticed there is always one thing that separates those who get in from those who don't - folks who get accepted don't hope for the best with weak spots in their apps. They do everything they can to fix them.

 

[Mad Jack]

Keep up the good work and your cycle should go bretty good