Do I have hope? Advice needed please.

[Ragtime]

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Well I'll try to keep this concise. I started at a CC because I didn't do very well in high school. Let's put it this way; I'm surprised I even graduated on time because of all the slacking I did. After I graduated, I had absolutely no idea how college worked. I even missed the fall semester of my first year because I was so lost.

However, I've always had the desire to become a doctor someday, it's just that I didn't really know how to do it, and didn't know how important high school really was. I had no guidance. Now I'm aware that high school performance has no direct effect on medical school admission, but for me it actually caused a huge impact. Not doing well in high school basically just made me struggle in college.

Today I came to the realization that I basically spent my first three years (part-time), preparing for college level courses. I realized that most of the math and science courses I've taken were basically prep courses for college level. It took me 3 years! It was basically like going to high school again. However, I also took my general education and lower division courses for Psychology during the process, so I guess it's not as bad as I make it out to be.

BUT I mean successful applicants for medical school usually start at a UNI beginning their college level prereqs their first year, right?

Currently, my math is Calc 1, and I'll be finishing up my Biology and General Chemistry sequences this semester. Keep in mind that this is after 3 years of college! Most premed start these courses freshman year I believe.

I just got accepted to a UC as a Psychology major which means I'm starting junior year next fall and I'm barely taking O.Chem sequence next fall which means I take Physics sequence my senior year. That also means I'd be taking my MCAT senior year, and most likely applying summer after I graduate.

If I retake my C grades my GPA will shoot right up to ~3.56ish.

But four are like random classes:
Pre-Cal, Intro Chem, College Geometry, English 2 <--- Should I retake these?

My last C is in General Chemistry I, which I assume is a MUST-retake.

Other than that this semester is going pretty well and I feel I finally found my rhythm (full-time).
Chem II: A Lab: A
Calculus I: A
Abnormal Psych: A

Sorry I know this was pretty long, but I'm looking for advice. What else could/should I do? Anything else I should know? Thanks for reading!

 

[Lost Vagus]

You can't compare yourself to other pre meds. Everyone has a different timeline of when they do things. Worry about you. Continue taking pre reqs and do as well as you can. If you have some time to do research, do that if you would like. Volunteer some, get involved, have fun. The average age of most medical schools is above 25. You have plenty of time.

 

[rgerber85]

Not every doctor I know received straight A's. As Lost Vagus said, you are you. worry about you. Not what the next guy is doing. Make yourself stand out. You received an F? I have... explain it in the interview. And reflect on how you were able to excel beyond the F. Address the weaknesses as your strengths. That's what I did. I was able to trouble shoot very well. What is working for you? What isn't? If you can't fix it, focus on areas you can improve...

My time management skills are TERRIBLE. And I'm VERY forgetful. Sometimes, I can be downright ADD. I have to track and write down everything I want to do, or need to do. Dr. Randy Pausch, brilliant man... gave his last lecture which is posted on youtube. And a Time Management lecture... prior to his death (pancreatic cancer). Brilliant lectures. Watch them... 🙂

Good luck!

 

[WalSlave]

Take a step back and breathe. You're seriously going to be fine. A ton of people on this forum have the same exact story of sucking it up grade-wise the first few years of college and then coming back and doing very well. It really just takes some people longer to mature and figure out study habits that work for them. When you take your head out of all the details of your situation, it's pretty much the same story Adcoms hear over and over, so relax, it's fine!

Also, totally agree with the person above. You are focusing on details that seriously do not matter. Don't get into the never-ending loop of comparing yourself to other pre-meds. DO schools don't care when or how you took your classes, as long as they satisfy the requirements and you did well. You'll find that A LOT of people who are now medical students didn't just hop into college from HS, graduate in 4 years, and slide right into med school.

May I ask what your GPA is now? I understand wanting to retake all your C's, but if I were you, I'd hold off on that until you take the rest of your pre-reqs, since you have quite a few left (OChem 1&2, Physics 1&2, Biochem). Acing all of those may pull you up plenty. If you are determined to retake, I suggest focusing on Gen Chem 1 and anything that will help your sGPA. At this point, your most important goal (in my opinion) is to ace everything (maybe a B+ here or there) you take from here on out to really cement an obvious upward trend.

Sorry for the long reply! I just really think you're in a great place right now to improve your stats significantly without going through all the time/money that it takes to retake a ton of stuff. You've obviously found your groove, so go for it!

 

[XFireMedic]

I was academically suspended from school my first year of college and left another university under academic probation. I finally got serious about school but I was 27 years old taking general chemistry with a bunch of 18 year olds and I still got accepted to some very good schools.

Do well and don't worry about anyone else's timeline except for your own from here on out. Make your experiences meaningful and apply when you're ready.


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[Hakuna Matata]

Going to a community college is not a deal breaker. I went to a cc and was accepted to multiple schools. Try to keep your grades up especially in upper level courses. Good luck