Feeling Discouraged..

[SM1218]

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So, as indicated by the title, I'm feeling extremely discouraged. I started college off pre-med and made okay grades ( B+ in Chem I, B in Chem II), but the following semester my GPA tanked. I took Organic I, and Bio I. At my school, Bio I is one of the biggest weed out classes (6%< make A's). I got a C+ in Bio, and then a D in Organic. After that, I took Bio II, and was doing okay in it, but mid semester, got extremely discouraged, dropped the class, and dropped being pre med entirely.

Its five months later, and I've regretted my decision at least once a week since I dropped. I'm seriously thinking about going back and trying everything one more time. In the past few months I've tried to think of other careers that would make me happy, but nothing compares to how much I want to become a doctor. I guess I'm just wanting advice on if its pointless/a stupid idea to go back and try again, or if I should give it another shot.

 

[MADD!!!]

So, as indicated by the title, I'm feeling extremely discouraged. I started college off pre-med and made okay grades ( B+ in Chem I, B in Chem II), but the following semester my GPA tanked. I took Organic I, and Bio I. At my school, Bio I is one of the biggest weed out classes (6%< make A's). I got a C+ in Bio, and then a D in Organic. After that, I took Bio II, and was doing okay in it, but mid semester, got extremely discouraged, dropped the class, and dropped being pre med entirely.

Its five months later, and I've regretted my decision at least once a week since I dropped. I'm seriously thinking about going back and trying everything one more time. In the past few months I've tried to think of other careers that would make me happy, but nothing compares to how much I want to become a doctor. I guess I'm just wanting advice on if its pointless/a stupid idea to go back and try again, or if I should give it another shot.

Do you want advice to whether you should try again or not, or how to be successful the second time around?

My opinion, if you love it then go for it! For me, as tough and stressful it is at times, there's nothing else in the world I could picture myself doing, or even wanting to do. You only live life once, and if you really want to be a doctor then go and make it happen. We're so lucky to be living in the U.S. because here mistakes are acceptable, and even when it might seem all doomsday and gloomy because you failed one class, it actually isn't. When I was in undergrad I always thought if I got even a few B's I wouldn't make it to med school. Now that I'm applying, I see there's options for post-baccs, grade replacement to make up low grades, random international MD programs I could go to, etc. etc. The point is, don't lose hope. Doing bad in coursework won't close your doors, but it will set you back. Sorry for the rant, but the real question you should be asking yourself, one that almost every pre-med does, is "How bad do you want it?" If it's bad enough, you'll get it. If it's not, it'll wash away. Both ways you're going to be fine too, so don't stress. Hope this helps!

 

[Goro]

Time to visit your school's counseling center, and also the learning or education center.

So, as indicated by the title, I'm feeling extremely discouraged. I started college off pre-med and made okay grades ( B+ in Chem I, B in Chem II), but the following semester my GPA tanked. I took Organic I, and Bio I. At my school, Bio I is one of the biggest weed out classes (6%< make A's). I got a C+ in Bio, and then a D in Organic. After that, I took Bio II, and was doing okay in it, but mid semester, got extremely discouraged, dropped the class, and dropped being pre med entirely.

Its five months later, and I've regretted my decision at least once a week since I dropped. I'm seriously thinking about going back and trying everything one more time. In the past few months I've tried to think of other careers that would make me happy, but nothing compares to how much I want to become a doctor. I guess I'm just wanting advice on if its pointless/a stupid idea to go back and try again, or if I should give it another shot.

 

[DeezNutzonUrChin]

So, as indicated by the title, I'm feeling extremely discouraged. I started college off pre-med and made okay grades ( B+ in Chem I, B in Chem II), but the following semester my GPA tanked. I took Organic I, and Bio I. At my school, Bio I is one of the biggest weed out classes (6%< make A's). I got a C+ in Bio, and then a D in Organic. After that, I took Bio II, and was doing okay in it, but mid semester, got extremely discouraged, dropped the class, and dropped being pre med entirely.

Its five months later, and I've regretted my decision at least once a week since I dropped. I'm seriously thinking about going back and trying everything one more time. In the past few months I've tried to think of other careers that would make me happy, but nothing compares to how much I want to become a doctor. I guess I'm just wanting advice on if its pointless/a stupid idea to go back and try again, or if I should give it another shot.

The statistics you listed are congruent with many schools which practice grade deflation. You should assess if you made any mistakes yourself. I think you should try to take a little advantage of the grade replacement system and try to retake some of those organic and bio classes at a community college and see how you do. It can honestly only get better from here seeing the grades.
I have faced a similar scenario as you, C in bio, D in Bio, and A's in all the upper divs and previous Bios, A and B's in organic physics etc. Mine was slightly different, I had a racist professor tell me she hated my race and she was going to make it hard for me (yet the department chair covered it up with her when I complained).
Anyway I retook each class at community college and then to step it up a notch, I retook 1 of them at an actual university near by. Got A's and an A- in all three attempts. Regardless of why you got the bad grade, it might be worth it to retake it at a Community college see how you do.

 

[SM1218]

@DeezNutzonUrChin

Im wondering how the admission committies will view taking pre reqs at a community college vs a 4 year university. My thought was that its generally discouraged from doing such a thing, as community colleges are viewed as "easier" despite that not being the case sometimes?

 

[confidentandgood]

It's always a good idea to assess your study habits as soon as you find out you're doing poorly in a class or subject. I would highly encourage you to see what learning style works best for you. Visit your school's academic center and look into tutoring. Perhaps you need to study with a group, or maybe you study better during the day vs. night. Khan Academy videos might be your best friend. Talk to successful students and see what tactics they find most useful. Definitely look into these resources before jumping back into the pre-med route.

Many students have been in your shoes and end up at MD or DO schools. Before even looking into medical schools, however, you need to ace the material for the MCAT and ace that test, too. Adcoms love upward trends. If you want to pursue medicine again, I would start with finding out what went wrong and retaking coursework (while taking easier classes on the side).

 

[DeezNutzonUrChin]

@DeezNutzonUrChin

Im wondering how the admission committies will view taking pre reqs at a community college vs a 4 year university. My thought was that its generally discouraged from doing such a thing, as community colleges are viewed as "easier" despite that not being the case sometimes?

Various reasons, I agree they may if they are that top notch.
But different people can afford different things, and I dont think they have the time to go that deeply into your application. 100's of people retake at community college. The A on your transcript no matter where you take it will look alot better than the D or the C.

Edit: My school charges about $4,000-5,000 per course taken, tuition is almost 17,000 a quarter. I am not paying $4,000 to retake a course with a professor who tells me she hates my race. I dont have many other colleges besides C'college in my area.

 

[SM1218]

@DeezNutzonUrChin Okay thats what I was wondering. Its understandable that they might not look that deeply into where I took the classes. Right now I'm getting good scholarships/grants/financial aid, so taking classes at my University is not extremely expensive, especially since its in state. Ill consider taking them at a community college though! You do have a point on taking them at the CC though, an A is better than a bad grade no matter where you get it from!

Thanks for the advice 🙂

 

[DeezNutzonUrChin]

@DeezNutzonUrChin Okay thats what I was wondering. Its understandable that they might not look that deeply into where I took the classes. Right now I'm getting good scholarships/grants/financial aid, so taking classes at my University is not extremely expensive, especially since its in state. Ill consider taking them at a community college though! You do have a point on taking them at the CC though, an A is better than a bad grade no matter where you get it from!

Thanks for the advice 🙂

That and your school may genuinely have a much higher difficulty than other programs. The schools dont care enough to evaluate where you got your degree from (if it was difficult or an easier school)

 

[DrMikeP]

Have you considered getting out and living life a little? Work, military, missions work, industrial job? Sometimes school is right but just not right now. A few years away can make a world of difference in your app. Many go back and do much better with a bit of maturity and life. It also could make a great reinvention story vs potentially going back now and repeating the same problems and ruining your chances forever.

Best of Luck

 

[SM1218]

@DeezNutzonUrChin Yeah, my school is somewhat difficult (pretty underrated), but I think the difficulty would be the same at most other public 4 year universities. That makes sense though. When they're evaluating thousands of applicants, they probably don't have the time to look and see where every applicant took each pre req.

 

[sunshinefl]

As far as the CC vs university difficulty level, I have experience with both since I started at CC and an now at UF. Personally I don't see a difference in the difficulty of the material itself. However, my science grades slipped a little after transferring. I don't think it was any harder, or that I was trying any less. It was just that suddenly I was competing against the curve with other students who were brilliant and driven as well.

 

[DeezNutzonUrChin]

As far as the CC vs university difficulty level, I have experience with both since I started at CC and an now at UF. Personally I don't see a difference in the difficulty of the material itself. However, my science grades slipped a little after transferring. I don't think it was any harder, or that I was trying any less. It was just that suddenly I was competing against the curve with other students who were brilliant and driven as well.

^^^This. For me it is the other way around, graduated, and doing touchup courses at CC. Depends on the CC I go to also, we have one that has many motivated students , its in the rich neighborhood, and most of them hail from million dollar families. The other one is a CC which is known for less motivated students. I can honestly notice a difference in the overall curve between the two, and my home university as well.
This is something OP can actually take a little advantage of. Would you go to Princeton to try to get A's in Org, Bio, Physics? Prob not.

 

[deleted610572]

So, as indicated by the title, I'm feeling extremely discouraged. I started college off pre-med and made okay grades ( B+ in Chem I, B in Chem II), but the following semester my GPA tanked. I took Organic I, and Bio I. At my school, Bio I is one of the biggest weed out classes (6%< make A's). I got a C+ in Bio, and then a D in Organic. After that, I took Bio II, and was doing okay in it, but mid semester, got extremely discouraged, dropped the class, and dropped being pre med entirely.

Its five months later, and I've regretted my decision at least once a week since I dropped. I'm seriously thinking about going back and trying everything one more time. In the past few months I've tried to think of other careers that would make me happy, but nothing compares to how much I want to become a doctor. I guess I'm just wanting advice on if its pointless/a stupid idea to go back and try again, or if I should give it another shot.

My one question is are you ready to work your butt off. My problem is that you say bio 1 is a weed out course. There is absolutely no way that's true. The material isn't hard enough, incoming freshmen just don't know how to study yet. I understand physics or organic being weed out classes because the material is just hard with a lot more depth. I'm not saying you're not smart enough, you just simply have no clue how to study yet. Fix your study method and you'll be fine. Continue on down the road. It's worth it

 

[DeezNutzonUrChin]

My one question is are you ready to work your butt off. My problem is that you say bio 1 is a weed out course. There is absolutely no way that's true. The material isn't hard enough, incoming freshmen just don't know how to study yet. I understand physics or organic being weed out classes because the material is just hard with a lot more depth. I'm not saying you're not smart enough, you just simply have no clue how to study yet. Fix your study method and you'll be fine. Continue on down the road. It's worth it

Please don't tell OP this. And please don't tell him there is no way its true. It exists in many many universities. I believe Boston university weeds out 35% of their incoming biology majors by second semester freshman year. It is not the fact someone does not know how to study; if its a curved scale grading system.
My school has consistently curved the Mean score down/up to a C every semester freshman-junior year. Senior year is different since a lot of our courses are how to write a resume, senior capstone, senior this senior that. The average incoming SAT score at my university hovers around a 2250,maybe a 2300, with the bio department exhibiting students who have a profound previous set of experiences with biology (2-3 AP science exams with scores of 4 and 5). Good Biology subject SAT scores etc. It is not the fact OP doesn't know how to study necessarily. Yes it may be true, but its not guaranteed.
Students who go to harvard, stanford, etc, were in the top of their classes in highschool. If these schools did a curve system the way my school does, 50% of them would get a C or lower. Do you think they don't know how to study???

 

[deleted610572]

Please don't tell OP this. And please don't tell him there is no way its true. It exists in many many universities. I believe Boston university weeds out 35% of their incoming biology majors by second semester freshman year. It is not the fact someone does not know how to study; if its a curved scale grading system.
My school has consistently curved the Mean score down/up to a C every semester freshman-junior year. Senior year is different since a lot of our courses are how to write a resume, senior capstone, senior this senior that. The average incoming SAT score at my university hovers around a 2250,maybe a 2300, with the bio department exhibiting students who have a profound previous set of experiences with biology (2-3 AP science exams with scores of 4 and 5). Good Biology subject SAT scores etc. It is not the fact OP doesn't know how to study necessarily. Yes it may be true, but its not guaranteed.
Students who go to harvard, stanford, etc, were in the top of their classes in highschool. If these schools did a curve system the way my school does, 50% of them would get a C or lower. Do you think they don't know how to study???

Using act/sat scores doesn't really say anything. Parents pay thousands of dollars for private tutors. It's pretty much known fact that American public high school does a terrible job for preparing students for college level sciences. Up until college the majority science courses are memorization.

And I never said he was dumb or anything. My college did do a curve against each other. You have to beat out others. The reason I said no way is because a weeder class is made so incredibly difficult that you crawl out of it. For instance my calc 1 class. I went into the final with a 97 and came out with a B+. The final was a department final that was 4 problems with everything from that semester jammed in there. they are wanting you to fail because they don't want those that were just hanging on to scrape by and have a harder trouble down the road. Classes where you're on a curve is you competing against your classmates. Only the weakest are cut from the herd. And sorry but you can't just be scraping by in undergrad and do well in medschool. like he said he's going to a public school so your Ivy League freak of nature students aren't included my statement (which is also funny because ivys are known for grade inflation)

As for the study aspect. I 100% believe the vast majority of students have no clue how to study efficiently. I did well in undergrad but it was until organic 2 that I "learned" how to study and then again in he first year of medical school that I learned even that wasn't good enough.

 

[SM1218]

@DO2015CA Obviously I know I need to study harder/have better study habits. I don't doubt that was a part of it, but at my school, Bio I/II are widely known as the two of the hardest classes that someone who is pre vet/pharm/med/dent will take. People who aren't even in a science major know about the classes/the professor. Not only is it the curving system, but the tests are set up so that if you miss one question, you will miss the following 4-6 questions, if not more. Also not sure if its 100% true, but its widely rumored to be true that my Bio professor writes questions for the MCAT, and structures the freshman level bio class as such. Obviously this will come in handy when taking the MCAT, but for freshman level classes, I don't think that its something that normally happens.

Im definitely not saying that the class is totally to blame, I know what I need to do to get better grades, but I'm just giving a bit of insight/background.

 

[DeezNutzonUrChin]

Using act/sat scores doesn't really say anything. Parents pay thousands of dollars for private tutors. It's pretty much known fact that American public high school does a terrible job for preparing students for college level sciences. Up until college the majority science courses are memorization.

And I never said he was dumb or anything. My college did do a curve against each other. You have to beat out others. The reason I said no way is because a weeder class is made so incredibly difficult that you crawl out of it. For instance my calc 1 class. I went into the final with a 97 and came out with a B+. The final was a department final that was 4 problems with everything from that semester jammed in there. they are wanting you to fail because they don't want those that were just hanging on to scrape by and have a harder trouble down the road. Classes where you're on a curve is you competing against your classmates. Only the weakest are cut from the herd. And sorry but you can't just be scraping by in undergrad and do well in medschool. like he said he's going to a public school so your Ivy League freak of nature students aren't included my statement (which is also funny because ivys are known for grade inflation)

As for the study aspect. I 100% believe the vast majority of students have no clue how to study efficiently. I did well in undergrad but it was until organic 2 that I "learned" how to study and then again in he first year of medical school that I learned even that wasn't good enough.

Agreed with tutors, yes some parents can pay. And Yes Agreed MOST american public high schools do a terrible job. That doesnt mean ALL though. My school was more difficult because of the work load and preparation. When I got into college, I was mainly taking sophomore courses, physics was almost a joke as far as the material went, chemistry etc.

You have to beat out the others, what do you do at a school like Berkeley and UCLA? Those are public institutions which are extremely difficult to do well in and everyone there is an IV league reject (because they didnt find the cure to aids by the time they were like 5 years old or w.e). I believe Berkeley is going to curve similar to my school, C+ average. Honestly in today's current standards, B's arent good enough. Only A's and a few B+'s at best. At an MD school the more B's someone gets the worse their chances get each B. Does that mean the student isnt good enough? No. The students who decide such institutions are going to just ruin their future often transfer somewhere slightly easier, they get into med school, and do really well.

I believe Ross University in dominica's second largest feeder schools are UCLA and Berk. The students who come from these "public " institutions are also the ones who make it through the program.

100% of the students MAY have no clue how to study efficiently. If your classes allow only 2 A's out of 30 people, and youre rank # 3 lagging behind # 2 by like 0.0002% well tough tits for you mate. This was the scenario at my school since I took almost every class with people in my major, and my major had 50 people in my year.

IV's are usually grade inflation schools, true, some arent. Princeton isnt. Then there are the schools which are comparable to IV league institutions such as Carnige, Johns Hopkins, etc which also practice deflation.

 

[DeezNutzonUrChin]

Agreed with tutors, yes some parents can pay. And Yes Agreed MOST american public high schools do a terrible job. That doesnt mean ALL though. My school was more difficult because of the work load and preparation. When I got into college, I was mainly taking sophomore courses, physics was almost a joke as far as the material went, chemistry etc.

You have to beat out the others, what do you do at a school like Berkeley and UCLA? Those are public institutions which are extremely difficult to do well in and everyone there is an IV league reject (because they didnt find the cure to aids by the time they were like 5 years old or w.e). I believe Berkeley is going to curve similar to my school, C+ average. Honestly in today's current standards, B's arent good enough. Only A's and a few B+'s at best. At an MD school the more B's someone gets the worse their chances get each B. Does that mean the student isnt good enough? No. The students who decide such institutions are going to just ruin their future often transfer somewhere slightly easier, they get into med school, and do really well.

I believe Ross University in dominica's second largest feeder schools are UCLA and Berk. The students who come from these "public " institutions are also the ones who make it through the program.

100% of the students MAY have no clue how to study efficiently. If your classes allow only 2 A's out of 30 people, and youre rank # 3 lagging behind # 2 by like 0.0002% well tough tits for you mate. This was the scenario at my school since I took almost every class with people in my major, and my major had 50 people in my year.

IV's are usually grade inflation schools, true, some arent. Princeton isnt. Then there are the schools which are comparable to IV league institutions such as Carnige, Johns Hopkins, etc which also practice deflation.

Edit: Im not trying to start an internet war here, Im just saying don't ruin OP by telling him its 100% his fault. There are many students out there who are cut out to become doctors and just dont get that far because their undergrad ruined them.

 

[deleted610572]

Edit: Im not trying to start an internet war here, Im just saying don't ruin OP by telling him its 100% his fault. There are many students out there who are cut out to become doctors and just dont get that far because their undergrad ruined them.

No arguments on my side man Nor do I claim it to be 100% his fault and if it came off as that I apologize. He just asked for opinions on his plan and ones study habits is the only thing that they have a good amount of control over. There will always be terrible teachers, there will always be genius classmates, etc. I was just giving advice on what they personally could change in order to get the results that they want.

@DO2015CA Obviously I know I need to study harder/have better study habits. I don't doubt that was a part of it, but at my school, Bio I/II are widely known as the two of the hardest classes that someone who is pre vet/pharm/med/dent will take. People who aren't even in a science major know about the classes/the professor. Not only is it the curving system, but the tests are set up so that if you miss one question, you will miss the following 4-6 questions, if not more. Also not sure if its 100% true, but its widely rumored to be true that my Bio professor writes questions for the MCAT, and structures the freshman level bio class as such. Obviously this will come in handy when taking the MCAT, but for freshman level classes, I don't think that its something that normally happens.

Im definitely not saying that the class is totally to blame, I know what I need to do to get better grades, but I'm just giving a bit of insight/background.

I understand that testing style that was mine. Full free format. I do empathize with you on that. I should not have said 100% because that did seem accusatory. Like I was saying above, I was just saying your study habits are one of the few things you could control. I understand the curving problem but with better study habits you can beat them out (in a perfect world)

 

[nlax30]

Not too much more to add besides all is certainly not lost.

Obviously you have some soul searching to do regarding your prior study habits and ways to improve things.

If medicine is still your ultimate goal then certainly go for it. My first year of undergrad wasn't bad then towards the second half of my second year royally screwed myself over and just kind of spiraled in self-doubt and pity. Eventually left to take a break, work some and really reexamine my goals and study habits. Went back to a CC then eventually back to my original University retaking a couple of my previous courses. It wasn't an easy road but ultimately things worked out and now I'm in a field that I love.

 

[oOKawaiiOo]

I've regretted my decision at least once a week since I dropped. I'm seriously thinking about going back and trying everything one more time. In the past few months I've tried to think of other careers that would make me happy, but nothing compares to how much I want to become a doctor. I guess I'm just wanting advice on if its pointless/a stupid idea to go back and try again, or if I should give it another shot.

I used to be in your situation.

Put forth the worth and time. IF you work hard enough, it will pay off.

I had 9 C's on my transcript when I applied. I was accepted to 75% of the school I interviewed at (+6 interviews) with a GPA < 3.25