- Joined
- Nov 30, 2016
- Messages
- 1
- Reaction score
- 0
Ok SDN, I know you're most likely going to flame me for this and rightfully so... considering this is my first post. Fear not! I have been a lurker for many years now.
I was motivated to post this because I'm losing sleep over this topic.
My transcript contains 3 Fails in P/F courses (1 credit seminar health exploration courses) in consecutive semesters and I'm curious to hear peoples opinions (please hold back the trolling). Long story short, I was attending Southern Utah University and my father was dating the Rural Health Scholars director's daughter (30 year difference between them). The director hated me and as a result treated me much harsher than other students. We had to write a weekly article and class reflection and you were allowed to miss 2-3 per semester. Naturally when I went to turn in my make-ups, she didn't accept them during my final semester. Not only that but I received an incomplete because the grade was based on a cultural immersion trip that was canceled at last minute (due to the danger of the location). She didn't accept my make-up work for the incomplete either.... I did however, pass the health seminar my first semester.
The result of this bafoolery made me transfer to the University of Utah. I'll say my transfer was in part due to an offer to be mentored by the chair of surgical research here at the University who is one of the lead researchers for pancreatic cancer in the country. Not only that but my last semester was terrible (3.5 gpa without the failed seminar) because my family was having trouble with my sister's substance abuse (particularly harder drugs like heroin and meth) which caused me to travel 2.5 hrs almost every week to support my family. Near the end of the semester, my step-father was diagnosed with prostate cancer and my mother was calling me nearly every day crying her heart out.
A little background about myself: I have no formal high school education (dropped out to work because I crashed my friends car in a snowstorm when I was the designated driver bringing people home from a party). Instead, I obtained a GED.
I'm a first generation American: the first of my family to be born in the states. Both my parents are from Russia and speak Russian in the household. Religiously I'm Jewish by birth (we're like the minority in the minority).
College academic stuff:
E/Cs - Siksha club vice-president (1-yr). We raised money for children in India to go to school (because k-12 costs a sum annually to attend). The club put on a "color festival" where we essentially sold chalk, shirts, and other various miscellaneous items as part of our fundraising.
Sigma Chi Fraternity - Social chair for the fraternity, helped organize a gathering between greeks on campus. Responsible for mixers, formals, etc... Helped organize service projects for the members of the fraternity. Also participated in raising over $27k for Huntsman Cancer Foundation. (Don't think I'll include this unless I receive a "high-up" position.)
We are One - Part of the founding of the "We are One" campaign which helps promote unity through diversity across campus. Organized a free concert in Cedar City in which a portion of the proceeds of selling merchandise was donated to Huntsman Cancer foundation. A video was also made and published through the official YouTube channel of the university. Link here
Research: I did research my freshman and sophomore year in Southern Utah University on an ongoing project (that analyzed all aspects of the water), I analyzed the chlorophyll content of Coal Creek and its Tributaries as a measure of primary producers (may or may not include on app). I'm currently on a project where I'll certainly receive a publication (sterilization of medical equipment using different wavelengths of light). There is also another 2 or so projects dealing with pancreatic cancer in which I'll receive publications (and poster presentations at cancer conferences) by the end of my college career.
GPA: 3.56 Cumulative (BCMP being around 3.66) (cumulative ignoring the p/f courses: 3.7-3.8ish)
Major: Chemistry
Fluctuating trend in grades at Southern Utah University ( due to the failed seminars ) with the last Spring 16 semester being the lowest.
Strong LORs. Comm service through big brothers big sisters mentoring program, cultural immersion trips (working with homeless population and providing basic health care in Vegas), and volunteering with the catholic church providing food to the homeless.
Working to get CNA certification and work as a CNA during summer (part time during school, for patient exposure).
Currently on track for a 3.8 minimum (if I completely botch my finals) this semester with the possibility of a 4.0. (Currently taking Calc I, Phys I, Physiology, and Biochem I). Also had the opportunity to take some cool classes like Cadaver Practicum.
(Taking MCAT next summer to have time for possible retake. I have a minimum of 4 semesters left in school.)
So tell me, is it too late for me? Even if I get straight A's from here on out? (I'm confident I can show an upward trend in grades in my upper-division chemistry classes.) Should I be considering another path? I can't imagine doing anything other than medicine. It's what I've wanted to do since I was kid. My sister has been a big drive for me, and substance abuse reform is one of my biggest passions in the field of medicine. But if it's unrealistic, I want to know sooner rather than later. Would I benefit from waiting until my final year to apply to get the GPA up and show strong upward trend in grades in my upper-divisions?
I just want to sleeeppppppp
I was motivated to post this because I'm losing sleep over this topic.
My transcript contains 3 Fails in P/F courses (1 credit seminar health exploration courses) in consecutive semesters and I'm curious to hear peoples opinions (please hold back the trolling). Long story short, I was attending Southern Utah University and my father was dating the Rural Health Scholars director's daughter (30 year difference between them). The director hated me and as a result treated me much harsher than other students. We had to write a weekly article and class reflection and you were allowed to miss 2-3 per semester. Naturally when I went to turn in my make-ups, she didn't accept them during my final semester. Not only that but I received an incomplete because the grade was based on a cultural immersion trip that was canceled at last minute (due to the danger of the location). She didn't accept my make-up work for the incomplete either.... I did however, pass the health seminar my first semester.
The result of this bafoolery made me transfer to the University of Utah. I'll say my transfer was in part due to an offer to be mentored by the chair of surgical research here at the University who is one of the lead researchers for pancreatic cancer in the country. Not only that but my last semester was terrible (3.5 gpa without the failed seminar) because my family was having trouble with my sister's substance abuse (particularly harder drugs like heroin and meth) which caused me to travel 2.5 hrs almost every week to support my family. Near the end of the semester, my step-father was diagnosed with prostate cancer and my mother was calling me nearly every day crying her heart out.
A little background about myself: I have no formal high school education (dropped out to work because I crashed my friends car in a snowstorm when I was the designated driver bringing people home from a party). Instead, I obtained a GED.
I'm a first generation American: the first of my family to be born in the states. Both my parents are from Russia and speak Russian in the household. Religiously I'm Jewish by birth (we're like the minority in the minority).
College academic stuff:
E/Cs - Siksha club vice-president (1-yr). We raised money for children in India to go to school (because k-12 costs a sum annually to attend). The club put on a "color festival" where we essentially sold chalk, shirts, and other various miscellaneous items as part of our fundraising.
Sigma Chi Fraternity - Social chair for the fraternity, helped organize a gathering between greeks on campus. Responsible for mixers, formals, etc... Helped organize service projects for the members of the fraternity. Also participated in raising over $27k for Huntsman Cancer Foundation. (Don't think I'll include this unless I receive a "high-up" position.)
We are One - Part of the founding of the "We are One" campaign which helps promote unity through diversity across campus. Organized a free concert in Cedar City in which a portion of the proceeds of selling merchandise was donated to Huntsman Cancer foundation. A video was also made and published through the official YouTube channel of the university. Link here
Research: I did research my freshman and sophomore year in Southern Utah University on an ongoing project (that analyzed all aspects of the water), I analyzed the chlorophyll content of Coal Creek and its Tributaries as a measure of primary producers (may or may not include on app). I'm currently on a project where I'll certainly receive a publication (sterilization of medical equipment using different wavelengths of light). There is also another 2 or so projects dealing with pancreatic cancer in which I'll receive publications (and poster presentations at cancer conferences) by the end of my college career.
GPA: 3.56 Cumulative (BCMP being around 3.66) (cumulative ignoring the p/f courses: 3.7-3.8ish)
Major: Chemistry
Fluctuating trend in grades at Southern Utah University ( due to the failed seminars ) with the last Spring 16 semester being the lowest.
Strong LORs. Comm service through big brothers big sisters mentoring program, cultural immersion trips (working with homeless population and providing basic health care in Vegas), and volunteering with the catholic church providing food to the homeless.
Working to get CNA certification and work as a CNA during summer (part time during school, for patient exposure).
Currently on track for a 3.8 minimum (if I completely botch my finals) this semester with the possibility of a 4.0. (Currently taking Calc I, Phys I, Physiology, and Biochem I). Also had the opportunity to take some cool classes like Cadaver Practicum.
(Taking MCAT next summer to have time for possible retake. I have a minimum of 4 semesters left in school.)
So tell me, is it too late for me? Even if I get straight A's from here on out? (I'm confident I can show an upward trend in grades in my upper-division chemistry classes.) Should I be considering another path? I can't imagine doing anything other than medicine. It's what I've wanted to do since I was kid. My sister has been a big drive for me, and substance abuse reform is one of my biggest passions in the field of medicine. But if it's unrealistic, I want to know sooner rather than later. Would I benefit from waiting until my final year to apply to get the GPA up and show strong upward trend in grades in my upper-divisions?
I just want to sleeeppppppp
