first semester as a PostBacc

[Bradd]

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I just had a few questions if any could shed some light on my situation.

I just finished my first semester as a PostBacc., I have a Bachelors in Architecture and graduate with a 3.1
This semester I took Psychology, Physics 2 and Calculus
Got a A- in Psychology, C in Physics and waiting on my Calculus grade but feel that I got a B or B-.
With all that into account that ends up with a 2.8 or 2.7 overall so far

I am volunteering at a few places and looking to become a medical scribe.
Can anyone please tell me if all is lost in terms of getting in a MD program? I am aiming for a 3.4 - 3.5 overall GPA when I graduate
I am a black minority if that makes any difference

 

[cidem2065]

Did you take any science classes/prereqs during undergrad?

 

[Bradd]

yea the only science class I took in Undergrad was physics 1 and got a C+, so basically I have a total of 2 science classes 1 from undergrad and 1 from Post Bacc.

 

[amar314]

How are you studying?

 

[Bradd]

Next semester I'm taking biology 1, chemistry 1 and taking biophysics to just boost up my GPA and make up for the low physics grades

 

[Bradd]

I put in 8-10hours daily studying, physics was really not understanding the concepts but towards the end I got alot better at it and know I'll do better in the upcoming semesters

 

[PlasticBag]

There is always a bit if an adjustment when studying for science classes. You still have gen chem, ochem, and biology to go so your final sGPA will probably look very different from what it is now. Try to do well in those classes, especially bio.

 

[cidem2065]

You should be fine if you manage to get A's across the board. If physics is just a weak point some schools will understand that to an extent but it's not going to do you any favors for the MCAT.

 

[Bradd]

one last question...are taking classes like Anthropology or ecology going to look better on my transcript when applying or should I just focus on the science classes(bio, chem., orgo, etc.)

 

[mehc012]

I just had a few questions if any could shed some light on my situation.

I just finished my first semester as a PostBacc., I have a Bachelors in Architecture and graduate with a 3.1
This semester I took Psychology, Physics 2 and Calculus
Got a A- in Psychology, C in Physics and waiting on my Calculus grade but feel that I got a B or B-.
With all that into account that ends up with a 2.8 or 2.7 overall so far

I am volunteering at a few places and looking to become a medical scribe.
Can anyone please tell me if all is lost in terms of getting in a MD program? I am aiming for a 3.4 - 3.5 overall GPA when I graduate
I am a black minority if that makes any difference

If you have a 3.1 coming out of undergrad, it would take another 2yrs of full-time classes at a 4.0 to hit your 3.4 minimum goal.
You may not hit that goal, but if you work on demonstrating a solid trend (more solid than this semester) you may have a shot at MD even with a slightly lower GPA. However, you will have to get pretty much straight As from here on out. Make sure that you do not bite off more than you can chew with scribing and a full load of unfamiliar science courses...you're on your last shot at this point. From now on, no excuses, play like a champion!

 

[Bradd]

mechc012 Thanks and will do

If you have a 3.1 coming out of undergrad, it would take another 2yrs of full-time classes at a 4.0 to hit your 3.4 minimum goal.
You may not hit that goal, but if you work on demonstrating a solid trend (more solid than this semester) you may have a shot at MD even with a slightly lower GPA. However, you will have to get pretty much straight As from here on out. Make sure that you do not bite off more than you can chew with scribing and a full load of unfamiliar science courses...you're on your last shot at this point. From now on, no excuses, play like a champion!

Thanks man...appreciate it; and will do

 

[benjaminl1nus]

Next semester I'm taking biology 1, chemistry 1 and taking biophysics to just boost up my GPA and make up for the low physics grades

this is a terrible idea!! Before you wreck your GPA, think about it!! Seems like you don't have a good handle on Physics at all. Figure out how to do well in ONE science class per semester, then move forward. bio, chem, and biophysics in one semester sounds like overkill...

 

[PlasticBag]

this is a terrible idea!! Before you wreck your GPA, think about it!! Seems like you don't have a good handle on Physics at all. Figure out how to do well in ONE science class per semester, then move forward. bio, chem, and biophysics in one semester sounds like overkill...

I agree. I think gen chem and bio are manageable together but why throw biophysics into the mix. It's not even a pre-req and it seems like physics is not your forte so why destroy your gpa further.

 

[Bradd]

I agree. I think gen chem and bio are manageable together but why throw biophysics into the mix. It's not even a pre-req and it seems like physics is not your forte so why destroy your gpa further.

Biophysics is lecture based course; there's no lab and is a 3 credit course.
This is the class description:
Introduction to the structure, properties, and function of proteins, nucleic acids, lipids and membranes. In depth study of the physical basis of selected systems including vision, nerve transmission, photosynthesis, enzyme mechanism, and cellular diffusion. Introduction to spectroscopic methods for monitoring reactions and determining structure including light absorption or scattering, fluorescence, NMR and X-ray diffraction. The course emphasizes reading and interpretation of 128 the original literature.


Would you still say don't take it if my intent is to get an A and boost my gpa; its not a required course for med schools but is highly recommended.

 

[PlasticBag]

Biophysics is lecture based course; there's no lab and is a 3 credit course.
This is the class description:
Introduction to the structure, properties, and function of proteins, nucleic acids, lipids and membranes. In depth study of the physical basis of selected systems including vision, nerve transmission, photosynthesis, enzyme mechanism, and cellular diffusion. Introduction to spectroscopic methods for monitoring reactions and determining structure including light absorption or scattering, fluorescence, NMR and X-ray diffraction. The course emphasizes reading and interpretation of 128 the original literature.


Would you still say don't take it if my intent is to get an A and boost my gpa; its not a required course for med schools but is highly recommended.

It sounds like a good class but you'll probably benefit the most if you take it after bio and probably after orgo.
Otherwise, it might be unnecessarily hard

 

[mehc012]

Biophysics is lecture based course; there's no lab and is a 3 credit course.
This is the class description:
Introduction to the structure, properties, and function of proteins, nucleic acids, lipids and membranes. In depth study of the physical basis of selected systems including vision, nerve transmission, photosynthesis, enzyme mechanism, and cellular diffusion. Introduction to spectroscopic methods for monitoring reactions and determining structure including light absorption or scattering, fluorescence, NMR and X-ray diffraction. The course emphasizes reading and interpretation of 128 the original literature.


Would you still say don't take it if my intent is to get an A and boost my gpa; its not a required course for med schools but is highly recommended.

Doesn't sound like a physics course to me...which may be a good thing, from your perspective.
It does sound tough, though, which sounds like it's not a good thing for you, not yet.

Work your way up to it. Start with a couple of science courses and then gradually up the ante. Remember, you don't have any more slip ups left. You have to rock it from here on out, and part of doing that is setting yourself up to succeed.

 

[Bradd]

Doesn't sound like a physics course to me...which may be a good thing, from your perspective.
It does sound tough, though, which sounds like it's not a good thing for you, not yet.

Work your way up to it. Start with a couple of science courses and then gradually up the ante. Remember, you don't have any more slip ups left. You have to rock it from here on out, and part of doing that is setting yourself up to succeed.

True; I'm going to look into it some more and then make a final decision