Did I fatally screw up?

[tlh908]

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I was a high school teacher for 3 years and last spring I quit to go back to college fulltime to pursue medicine. Over the summer I took 12 credits of science plus an english course with a gpa of 3.94. Then this fall I took organic I, micribiology and a 5 credit anatomy course. I got a D in anatomy and B's in my other 2 science courses. (although I did research with a prof in which I got an A). The D in my anatomy course took my gpa from a 3.7 to a 3.35. How bad does this hurt my chances of getting into a osteopathic school such as PCOM? And I can't retake the class until this fall, when I would like to apply to med school. Any suggestions?????

 

[jhug]

i'm pretty sure that the do application takes the better of the two grades- not both. So retaking is a must and if it is during the application process i wouldn't say anything about it until an interview- then it's easier to defend yourself & the grade by that time will hopefully have changed. As far as killing your chances- no it doesn't kill them, it doesn't help any but your not out of action yet. Have you taken the mcat?? if you can nail that you'll be fine!!

 

[Dr JPH]

You didn't shoot yourself in the foot, if that's what your asking.

Retake the class. Do well on the MCAT. Get great letters of recommendation. Apply early. Familiarize yourself with PCOM. Don't say anything stupid in the interview. Do all that, and you will be fine.

JPH
PCOM Class of 2006

 

[tlh908]

Thanks for your replies so far. I have another question. I have seen some people with a bad semester or so and they always say they have outstanding circumstances. I have no such circumstances. I just didn't study like I should've since I was burned out from taking 46 credits last physical year plus I taugh high school half the year. Does the lack of a good excuse hurt?
Thanks.

 

[mpp]

I did poorly one semester with no specific excuse other than it was a difficult semester. LIke was said before, doing well on the MCAT will show that you have the study smarts and can prepare for tough timed examinaations. Ignore your previous mistakes and work on the challenges ahead. If you score big on the MCAT, the D in anatomy will be practically ignored.

Definitely apply early and to several schools. Good luck...