Confusion- I also failed a class during my freshman year- General Chem. Further, I was booted from the accelerated BA/MD program I was in. I continued to underachieve, finishing my sophomore year with a 2.7 GPA. At that point I transferred colleges, got serious about my studies, and had to work my behind off to bring up my grades. I ended up graduating after 4 more years with a 3.4 GPA, double major. I had also taken advantage of opportunities to study abroad and participate in research- including an undergrad research thesis. I must assume that the admissions committee was more concerned with my performance in the final years than the first two or I surely would not have been accepted! Point is- I think they understand that some people are not focused in their first years of college. They just want to be convinced that you have the potential, know how to overcome setbacks, and will work hard to achieve your goals. Heck, maybe the obstacles we create for ourselves function to help demonstrate our resiliency and abibility to persevere! I say forgive yourself the mistakes, work hard on your GPA and MCAT prep, and if medicine is the path you choose in the end, there is no reason you shouldn't achieve your goal.
