Hi everyone! I am rising junior at a top 25 university. I am a URM (AA female) from FL, extremely disadvantaged (financially) and earned a full-ride scholarship at this institution. This is how my undergrad has looked so far:
{Academics}
Summer 2015: 3.85 (6 credits) in humanities [at my school the summer before my freshman year, was a free "academic program" aimed for high-achieving low-income students]
Fall 2015: 2.7 (13 credits)/ D in Gen Chem 1, a B+ in Chem lab, 1 A and 2 B+ in other classes *cGPA = 3.13 at this time
Spring 2016: 3.7 (14 credits)/ A- in Bio 2, B+ in CS, A+/A/A- in other courses *cGPA = 3.387
Fall 2016: 3.45 (15 credits)/ B in Bio 1, A- Gen Chem 1 (RETAKE), A/B+ in other classes *cGPA = 3.4
Spring 2017: 3.53 (15 credits)/ B+ Gen Chem 2, A in Chem 2 Lab, 2 A's and 2 B+ *cGPA = 3.44 ~Declared Public Health major~
Plan for Fall 2017 (17 credits): Orgo 1 + Lab, Biostat, spanish, PH core class, peer health education class
{EC's/Volunteering}
Peer Health Educator (will have done for 2 years/ includes community service and clinical hours directly with patients)
Emergency Dept Volunteer (60 hours)
Working on CNA certification but very expensive (for now work as a home aid)
VP of my scholarships organization (past 2 years)
BSA (Black Student Alliance) special events coordinator
Pre-school volunteer (40ish hours) TA for pre-med 1 credit class (upcoming semester)
SMDEP (Summer Medical Dental Educ. Program) / approx 270 of shadowing/clinical over summer no shadowing but plan to next semester
{Research}
Currently at Stanford researching neuroscience over the summer, don't think I will be published or anything (possibly?) but it is paid through the NIH/NIDA. Will try and get into another lab to have more significant research experience as I am really enjoying my time here!
\ -I have a strong interest in drug abuse, as both of my parents are current or past abusers and I wish to continue my research at my school once I return. My concentration for my major will be related to drug abuse
-Have already written a Personal Statement due to SMDEP, focuses on my mom's abuse and how it sparked my interest in medicine/public health. Also considered writing about my father's debilitating hernia he has had for 5 years caused by the job he works (heavy lifting 12 -14 hours a day for less than $12,000 a year). Mom just got her disability so is insured but dad is not so cannot get surgery or even think about stopping work as it is -I want to work in low-income areas and majored in PH because I want to work on providing medical access to people like my family. (I would be uninsured if it wasnt for my scholarship)
Right now my science GPA is around a 3.0 (as long as astronomy is included as physics?) 🙁 i know it is terrible. What can I do to raise my science GPA? Also, should I take Calc 2 (received calc 1 credit from AP) or just stick with biostats to make 1 year of mathematics? Really dont want to have to take calc again I plan on applying to all florida schools and a couple from my school's state and some DO's (although i see grade forgiveness is off the table now, was counting on that)
If I were to have to explain my chem 1 grade, although I don't want to make excuses: basically my high school did not prepare me for the class, I had one semester worth of chemistry due to my teacher being arrested for having sex with a student (we had about 10 subs for the rest of the year, only gave out worksheets for grades/never did an experiment or lab report). Also, the class was just so difficult and I didn't have proper study habits AT ALL. I was also dealing with my family being evicted and had to send most of my scholarship stipend to help with rent and things for most of my freshman year (it is actually happening again, this is my family's 3rd time being evicted since I started college). I wish I could go back and change what happened but realize I can only move forward and work harder/smarter!
I realize I have to take a gap year and I'm considering a post-bacc or something to raise my GPA. Any other suggestions? Also, what classes should I still be taking? I know Orgo 1+2 and labs, physics 1+2 and labs (senior year), and want to take biochem over the summer.
***I know my circumstances don't warrant such a low grade but I need help/honest advice as to what I can do to move forward and I don't plan on ever giving up as this is what I know I want to do with my life.
Thank you very much for any responses and sorry for such a long post!
{Academics}
Summer 2015: 3.85 (6 credits) in humanities [at my school the summer before my freshman year, was a free "academic program" aimed for high-achieving low-income students]
Fall 2015: 2.7 (13 credits)/ D in Gen Chem 1, a B+ in Chem lab, 1 A and 2 B+ in other classes *cGPA = 3.13 at this time
Spring 2016: 3.7 (14 credits)/ A- in Bio 2, B+ in CS, A+/A/A- in other courses *cGPA = 3.387
Fall 2016: 3.45 (15 credits)/ B in Bio 1, A- Gen Chem 1 (RETAKE), A/B+ in other classes *cGPA = 3.4
Spring 2017: 3.53 (15 credits)/ B+ Gen Chem 2, A in Chem 2 Lab, 2 A's and 2 B+ *cGPA = 3.44 ~Declared Public Health major~
Plan for Fall 2017 (17 credits): Orgo 1 + Lab, Biostat, spanish, PH core class, peer health education class
{EC's/Volunteering}
Peer Health Educator (will have done for 2 years/ includes community service and clinical hours directly with patients)
Emergency Dept Volunteer (60 hours)
Working on CNA certification but very expensive (for now work as a home aid)
VP of my scholarships organization (past 2 years)
BSA (Black Student Alliance) special events coordinator
Pre-school volunteer (40ish hours) TA for pre-med 1 credit class (upcoming semester)
SMDEP (Summer Medical Dental Educ. Program) / approx 270 of shadowing/clinical over summer no shadowing but plan to next semester
{Research}
Currently at Stanford researching neuroscience over the summer, don't think I will be published or anything (possibly?) but it is paid through the NIH/NIDA. Will try and get into another lab to have more significant research experience as I am really enjoying my time here!
\ -I have a strong interest in drug abuse, as both of my parents are current or past abusers and I wish to continue my research at my school once I return. My concentration for my major will be related to drug abuse
-Have already written a Personal Statement due to SMDEP, focuses on my mom's abuse and how it sparked my interest in medicine/public health. Also considered writing about my father's debilitating hernia he has had for 5 years caused by the job he works (heavy lifting 12 -14 hours a day for less than $12,000 a year). Mom just got her disability so is insured but dad is not so cannot get surgery or even think about stopping work as it is -I want to work in low-income areas and majored in PH because I want to work on providing medical access to people like my family. (I would be uninsured if it wasnt for my scholarship)
Right now my science GPA is around a 3.0 (as long as astronomy is included as physics?) 🙁 i know it is terrible. What can I do to raise my science GPA? Also, should I take Calc 2 (received calc 1 credit from AP) or just stick with biostats to make 1 year of mathematics? Really dont want to have to take calc again I plan on applying to all florida schools and a couple from my school's state and some DO's (although i see grade forgiveness is off the table now, was counting on that)
If I were to have to explain my chem 1 grade, although I don't want to make excuses: basically my high school did not prepare me for the class, I had one semester worth of chemistry due to my teacher being arrested for having sex with a student (we had about 10 subs for the rest of the year, only gave out worksheets for grades/never did an experiment or lab report). Also, the class was just so difficult and I didn't have proper study habits AT ALL. I was also dealing with my family being evicted and had to send most of my scholarship stipend to help with rent and things for most of my freshman year (it is actually happening again, this is my family's 3rd time being evicted since I started college). I wish I could go back and change what happened but realize I can only move forward and work harder/smarter!
I realize I have to take a gap year and I'm considering a post-bacc or something to raise my GPA. Any other suggestions? Also, what classes should I still be taking? I know Orgo 1+2 and labs, physics 1+2 and labs (senior year), and want to take biochem over the summer.
***I know my circumstances don't warrant such a low grade but I need help/honest advice as to what I can do to move forward and I don't plan on ever giving up as this is what I know I want to do with my life.
Thank you very much for any responses and sorry for such a long post!
