freaking out!!

[sunnex3]

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ok, so i would really appreciate anyone who would take the time to read this.

i'm currently a sophomore at Penn, biology major, etc. etc.

so today, we got the mean/median grades back for our Chem II exam #2. I'm pretty sure I didn't do very well on that one, and I'm completely freaking out because I'm also taking Genetics this semester (which isn't going too well either). now i do have one more midterm and one more final, but there's no guarantee that i'll do well on those either (I got around a B+ on the first exam) so I'm guesstimating what my grade in the class will be (assuming I don't improve significantly by the end of the semester)

my main really really big concern is the effect it will have on my GPA. I have maintained a fairly high GPA thus far (Dean's List freshman year)

just to help with the context, i'm going to list my classes that i've taken as well as grades and GPAs.

summer 06: Animal Nutrition (Cornell) A+

Fall 07 (freshman)
Intro Bio I + Lab A-
Calculus I A
History of Surgery A-
Intermediate Korean I A
GPA: 3.83

Spring 08
Psych I A
Intermediate Korean I A
Intro Bio II A-
Microeconomics A
Writing Seminar A
GPA: 3.97

Fall 09
General Chemistry I A
Biostatistics A
Gen Chem Lab I A-
Advanced Korean I A
Geology A
GPA: 3.97

cumulative GPA: 3.92

now this semester, i'm taking
Anthropology
Healthcare Management
Gen Chem II
Gen Chem Lab II
Genetics/Molecular Bio

i'm estimating my GPA will drop A LOT to about 3.0-3.3

bringing my cumulative to about 3.69-3.77
I'm worried about how it'll look that the first semester I took 2 hardcore science classes my GPA plummeted. Granted I probably won't earn anything less than a B- in any class, I'm worried about the context. I mean, I"m NOT taking a heavier coarseload (except that I'm taking 2 actual science classes) and my GPA decreased. Now, I know GPA isn't EVERYTHING but it does get you through, in most cases, past the first cut.

i tend to freak out A LOT about stuff like this and needed an outside, real, honest opinion about how this would look on my overall application.

i know other things like experience, PS, LOR all come into play too, so in terms of experience I have about 700 hours in a SA practice, 200 hours in a research lab, and years and years of LA/SA experience from high school. I'm also continuing to work at the SA Practice + a SA specialty practice and maybe an equine vet internship this summer, depending on the time that i have.

sorry for the long post! i appreciate everyone's input.

i just need to sit and breathe and calm down and just think slowly.

ahhhh i am on the verge of a massive freakout. 😱

 

[Trilt]

Relax.

One semester is not going to kill you, especially if that semester's GPA is still in the 3.0s! On paper, my last semester looked much more difficult than this one- two sciences and a calc. This semester I have only two sciences, but I can almost guarantee my gpa is going to be slightly lower. (Organic I... 👎) You will probably be taking multiple sciences in the future, too- as long as the overall trend shows you can handle it, I'm sure they won't even take note of "poor" grades the first time you had to deal with a decently heavy science load.

3.69-3.77 is a very strong GPA, anyway. Think of calm, cool beaches (or something else relaxing) and be happy.

http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=beaches&w=all

 

[sunnex3]

i just really tend to overanalyze and overthink and over freak out - over anything really...

in the future, i think that it'll be OK grade wise, i mean i'll be taking Orgo, but the way it's set up at Penn, you take Orgo lab completely separately, so next semester I'll have the same courseload but less time spent in class. I'll be taking other science classes too (mainly Biology) but besides Cell Bio and Biochem, none of them are supposed to be TOO dificult.

I just freak out a lot about grades...it's not good for me... 🙁

 

[Airborne Vet]

It will make you look human.

1. Everyone wants to have a 4.0 GPA, but in reality those who actually attain it are often looked upon in a more negative fashion than those who are "close" to being perfect. I guess it's human nature to picture those people as a hermit who doesn't have a life outside of studying at the library.

2. Although overall GPA is important, they don't simply look at that number and jump to conclusions. Your last two years have a much bigger influence on how you'll be viewed by the admissions board than the first two. They'll look at your overall trend to see if your grades have been steady, getting better, or becomming worse. Many people have some sort of trouble in the first two years and are afforded time to mature. They want to see if you learn from the mistakes that you've made.

3. They'll look at your semester hour and course load. If someone took 12 hours and made a C in genetics, they'll definately come down harder on them than someone who took 22 hours.

You are right to be stressed, because if someone wasn't stressed in a situation like yours, they wouldn't really care about what's happening 2 years down the road. Hopefully you learned from whatever mistakes were made and you're a better student because of what happened.

 

[ZooNose]

I just freak out a lot about grades...it's not good for me... 🙁

We have all been there, trust me. But looking at your grades, you seem to have a natural talent - one bad grade on a test has never ruined anyone. If anything, it makes you more human. Once I realized this towards the end of my undergrad, I was a much happier person. You also go to Penn, which is looked upon highly as having a very rigorous curriculum (as far as your application in the future is concerned). Have more confidence in yourself! 👍

 

[IvyLynx]

LOL! Sorry. Don't mean to laugh at you, but now I realize why my boyfriend hates it when I try to talk to him about grades. I sound insane.

My mentor over at NCSU says that Bs, and Cs I guess, make you human. I made a B in micro and thought I had completely ruined my application. You can't have a practically perfect GPA every semester and the sooner you get used to it the less freaking out for vet school I would imagine! You could completely tank a semester, and as long as you bounce back, you'll be fine.

 

[rouxeny]

.

 

[natalieises]

I've been in worse case scenarios than you, and I've still gotten interviews!

I started out well and my gpa was getting better and better for the first 3 semesters of college, then I got a 2.8 (D in one class). I felt like a complete failure, but I kept going. I had to retake the class, which was extremely upseting to me and my plans. Now I'd like to say after that I was amazing and never got below a B! However, I had another bad semester where I was retaking the class and got a few other not so stellar grades.

When all was said and done my gpa dropped from 3.5 to 3.3. Not a huge difference, but I still feel disappointed from time to time. So you are obviously in a much better position than me, and like I said I still got interviews.

They aren't going to look down on your one semester, and it will give you something to talk about in your future interviews! Just make sure you don't let this one thing affect your future performance and you will do great.

 

[sunnex3]

thanks for everyone's encouraging comments...
i'm always the one who worries the most about anything...
my friends all think i'm crazy for worrying this much about one bad semester.
i always feel like one weak point on my application could mean the end for me!

 

[twelvetigers]

Like I always say (and may be saying to myself, sooner than I'd like):

Take a deep breath, exhale, and chilllll. Do the best you can, but don't pull your hair out over it!

You're still in good shape, regardless of the "impending doom" that is this semester's GPA. And, I bet you a cookie it doesn't end up as bad as you think it will.

 

[sunnex3]

Like I always say (and may be saying to myself, sooner than I'd like):

Take a deep breath, exhale, and chilllll. Do the best you can, but don't pull your hair out over it!

You're still in good shape, regardless of the "impending doom" that is this semester's GPA. And, I bet you a cookie it doesn't end up as bad as you think it will.

haha how did you know? i love cookies! 😉

 

[twelvetigers]

Everyone loves cookies. If someone tells me that they don't like cookies, it's like telling me they don't like animals - I immediately don't trust them, or their intentions.

 

[IvyLynx]

^^ i do that with people that don't like chocolate. how can you not like chocolate?! that and cats =^.^=

 

[sunnex3]

i know i've asked this question before about community college courses...
but considering my GPA will probably be lower this semester, would it look bad for me to take my physics requirements at community college?

i'm just asking because my situation is slightly different from when i asked this question previously...

i've applied to take physics at my local state 4-year university, but i'm still waiting to hear back about whether i've been accepted...

in the meantime, i'm looking for alternatives and comm. college is really the only other place i can go to in my area without paying a whole lot of money.

thanks!

 

[eatpinkpenguins]

When I spoke to Admissions Counselor Rob DiMeo (sp?) about admissions at Penn, he literally took out a college ranking book and showed me how they base undergrad grades on those rankings. I would NOT NOT take physics at a community college for that reason alone. I took all my pre-reqs at Cornell/Penn (most competitive) and then orgo lab at Villanova for $$ reasons (Villanova is still under competitive) and he said that was fine, but I had emailed VAMDRCVM and talked to Penn, and they were definitely not enthusiastic about CC.

I think you'll have an easy time getting into a course elsewhere. Summer programs aren't degree conferring and are a great way for schools to make $$. It would make no sense for them not to accept you. The course at Villanova was great for learning, but in terms of the competition from other students and the curve, it was definitely way easier and I see why they resort to rankings now even though obviously there are severe shortcomings and discrepancies. Also, IMO physics can definitely be easier than orgo and some other courses that you presumably didn't take in highschool, so I would recommend taking it somewhere decent but also somewhere where you will do well. I think it will definitely look suspicious if you go from Penn to a CC, but that's just my opinion. Villanova, Temple, and other state schools are definitely cheaper than Penn. As for professors, they can be terrible anywhere, so I would try to get a school w a good name if I can after my experience w Penn Vet admissions. Just my personal opinion.

 

[ZooNose]

Sunnex! Relax!

In my opinion, take physics at Penn where you are already paying tuition. You have excellent grades and there is no reason to think you will not do well otherwise. Do not sneak around to take physics elsewhere just because you think you will get a higher grade at the other school. It frankly makes no sense to me and will not make sense to admissions committees, either. If there is another reason you are taking physics elsewhere, disregard everything I just said above.

I really don't mean to sound harsh here. But you need to stop worrying about beating the system and just enjoy the fantastic education that you are getting!

 

[sunnex3]

Sunnex! Relax!

In my opinion, take physics at Penn where you are already paying tuition. You have excellent grades and there is no reason to think you will not do well otherwise. Do not sneak around to take physics elsewhere just because you think you will get a higher grade at the other school. It frankly makes no sense to me and will not make sense to admissions committees, either.

I really don't mean to sound harsh here. But you need to stop worrying about beating the system and just enjoy the fantastic education that you are getting!

well it's even more of a problem because the physics lectures/labs don't fit into my schedule right now with the other classes i'm taking next semester (orgo I and vert. physiology + 2 electives) there are time conflicts.

 

[eatpinkpenguins]

Sunnex! Relax!

In my opinion, take physics at Penn where you are already paying tuition. You have excellent grades and there is no reason to think you will not do well otherwise. Do not sneak around to take physics elsewhere just because you think you will get a higher grade at the other school. It frankly makes no sense to me and will not make sense to admissions committees, either.

I really don't mean to sound harsh here. But you need to stop worrying about beating the system and just enjoy the fantastic education that you are getting!

I definitely agree! If you are hugely anxious and stressed out in undergrad, then there is a high change you'll be like that in vet school, worrying about grades and internships and residencies. Then at internships worrying about residencies. Then at residencies worrying about jobs. Life stress never stops! Life is too short. Enjoy undergrad! Fall in love, go abroad, make some good life experience for your personal statement. Numbers are important, but personality shines through. Trust me, I was a bit of a stressball in undergrad too, but everything works out. Although not always in the ways we think we want or expect

 

[sunnex3]

When I spoke to Admissions Counselor Rob DiMeo (sp?) about admissions at Penn, he literally took out a college ranking book and showed me how they base undergrad grades on those rankings. I would NOT NOT take physics at a community college for that reason alone. I took all my pre-reqs at Cornell/Penn (most competitive) and then orgo lab at Villanova for $$ reasons (Villanova is still under competitive) and he said that was fine, but I had emailed VAMDRCVM and talked to Penn, and they were definitely not enthusiastic about CC.

I think you'll have an easy time getting into a course elsewhere. Summer programs aren't degree conferring and are a great way for schools to make $$. It would make no sense for them not to accept you. The course at Villanova was great for learning, but in terms of the competition from other students and the curve, it was definitely way easier and I see why they resort to rankings now even though obviously there are severe shortcomings and discrepancies. Also, IMO physics can definitely be easier than orgo and some other courses that you presumably didn't take in highschool, so I would recommend taking it somewhere decent but also somewhere where you will do well. I think it will definitely look suspicious if you go from Penn to a CC, but that's just my opinion. Villanova, Temple, and other state schools are definitely cheaper than Penn. As for professors, they can be terrible anywhere, so I would try to get a school w a good name if I can after my experience w Penn Vet admissions. Just my personal opinion.

that's interesting, because Mac Keiter (associate dean) said that CC courses are fine...

my only state school option in my area is George Mason University...
does anyone even recognize that school's name? if not, i may have to look into taking it somewhere else...

 

[ZooNose]

my only state school option in my area is George Mason University...
does anyone even recognize that school's name? if not, i may have to look into taking it somewhere else...

I live in the DC area and George Mason is a fantastic school.

If it makes you feel any better, I took Orgo 1 & 2 at a rather terrible institution (University of the District of Columbia) as a night class (only one in the area) while working full-time. And I got into Penn Vet among other schools. This admissions process is a whole lot more than just a numbers and school names game - trust me. 👍

 

[Myuu]

that's interesting, because Mac Keiter (associate dean) said that CC courses are fine...

my only state school option in my area is George Mason University...
does anyone even recognize that school's name? if not, i may have to look into taking it somewhere else...

I do, but I graduated from there (and I <3 it)...

...but I'm not pre-Vet, so I have no idea how that'd work out for you.

 

[sunnex3]

I live in the DC area and George Mason is a fantastic school.

If it makes you feel any better, I took Orgo 1 & 2 at a rather terrible institution (University of the District of Columbia) as a night class (only one in the area) while working full-time. And I got into Penn Vet among other schools. This admissions process is a whole lot more than just a numbers and school names game - trust me. 👍

yeah i know that GMU is great school, but I was afraid it was still more of a locally known school.

although i do think that more people know of GMU after they made the NCAA final four a few years back...

anyways...i'm hoping for the best at GMU (i called them, they told me it would be a couple of weeks before i can start registering, so hopefully the classes won't fill up too quickly)

ps - there are so many people from the DC area here! it's such a small world!

 

[Myuu]

yeah i know that GMU is great school, but I was afraid it was still more of a locally known school.

although i do think that more people know of GMU after they made the NCAA final four a few years back...

anyways...i'm hoping for the best at GMU (i called them, they told me it would be a couple of weeks before i can start registering, so hopefully the classes won't fill up too quickly)

ps - there are so many people from the DC area here! it's such a small world!

Absolutely. It's a shame we can't seem to get back. I would definitely check ratemyprofessors before you commit to anything, though.

 

[alliecat44]

my only state school option in my area is George Mason University...
does anyone even recognize that school's name? if not, i may have to look into taking it somewhere else...

Seriously??? Why this obsession with name schools?

Wherever you end up, plenty of your classmates will be from small colleges that you have never heard of. Will you think less of them? Or be astounded at the admissions process because they got in?

Argh....just relax. You're doing a lot better at this point than many, many folks who are currently in vet school or practicing veterinarians did at the equivalent juncture in their education. Sheesh.

 

[sunnex3]

i'm not PERSONALLY obsessed with brand name schools, i'm just afraid schools like Penn, where people tend to be kind of snobby, will pay attention to that. i have no problems taking classes at a school that is not "ivy league" or has a high reputation, as long as i get a good education.

i DO NOT look down or dismiss people who have attended small universities/colleges that i have never heard of, and i'm not sure that i have really presented myself as that kind of person here. i was merely replying to someone else's point that Penn looks at college rankings (which I have heard that they do so)

as a side note, the ONLY prereqs i'm taking OUTSIDE of Penn are my 2 physics classes. every single other pre-req i'll be completing at school.

 

[alliecat44]

Okay, I apologize. Thank you for clearing that up. We all have crazy reasons to hopefully endear ourselves to admissions committees, whether or not we agree with their priorities... 🙂

 

[sunnex3]

Okay, I apologize. Thank you for clearing that up. We all have crazy reasons to hopefully endear ourselves to admissions committees, whether or not we agree with their priorities... 🙂

it's no problem 🙂 i just didn't want to come off as a person who was only obsessed with my school's reputation. i don't want anyone to think that i will disrespect/dismiss anyone who hasn't gone to a brand name school, and i'm sorry if i came off that way!

 

[DocDVMD]

Ok, I'm going to be a little harsh here and touch upon some of the things others have brought up. First of all (most important): stop freaking out!! Vet schools do NOT ONLY care about GPA and GRE, they look at the whole package. Some schools weigh certain applicant attributes more heavily than others, but the entire profession is very close-knit and protective and they only want the best, qualified candidates to become part of their community.

From your posts on SDN you seem to be way too obsessed and anxious about getting into vet school, which is a negative thing. Sure, it's great to be smart about the process and work hard to make sure you have the grades (clearly you do) and experience necessary to be a competitive applicant, but it's much more than that. Adcoms are going to be looking at the whole package, and personality plays a HUGE role in whether an individual is cut out to go to vet school and become a veterinarian. Now, I'm NOT saying you're not cut out for the job, but you definitely need to take some time and calm yourself down and work on becoming a well-rounded, happy, well-adjusted person. I personally think that somebody with average grades, but who has a lot of life experience and is well-balanced and knows how to have a happy social life as well as work hard when need be is better-suited to get into vet school (and succeed!) than somebody who is so focused on this one specific goal that they shut out everything else in their life. Adcoms are going to be able to tell in interviews what type of person you are, especially with behavioral interviews becoming more and more popular. A large part of veterinary medicine is working with others, from day one of your veterinary education to practicing later on. I agree with what eatpinkpenguins said about how your stress is going to continue (if not escalate) as you progress through your education. I really think you should get it under control now before it really hurts you, both physically and emotionally.

Now, go hang out with your friends or go for a run or something. 😛

 

[DocDVMD]

I also wanted to add something else based on something you mentioned earlier about a competitive pre-vet roommate. Did you ever think that maybe the tension has been caused by you, unintentionally? I've known several people who tended to be super obsessed with vet school admissions (similar to how you're coming across) and they alienated me and other people due to the fact that we simply did not want to be around them and hear it anymore! These were also the type of people who would constantly ask questions about how you were studying for the upcoming test, complain about getting any grade slightly less than perfect, etc. This is not the type of person I'd like to be going to vet school with and working with. Just relax, try not to talk about vet school too much (it'll help calm you down, too), and enjoy college! Make the most of it without putting too much pressure on yourself.

 

[Ben and Me]

Well said, Doc. I partied way too much freshman and sophomore year of college. I even made a C (gasp!) and went to a small school that most people haven't heard of. But, in my interview, I was able to laugh at myself and I am pretty sure I had good LORs because I was outgoing and joked around with the vets I worked with. It took a while for me to get there, though--when I first started shadowing, I was SO nervous--and therefore probably came across as a freak to the vets I worked with.

On the other hand, I wasn't accepted to my state school...so you might want to try and find a balance between all my partying and your studying ;-)

Part of succeeding in veterinary medicine is being able to handle mistakes and failures, because, eventually you will screw up and maybe even kill someone's pet. How you handle and recover from that mistake will play a much larger role in your success as a vet than whether or not you made straight As in vet school.

 

[sunnex3]

i agree with everyone i DO worry way too much about school and admissions etc.

i guess i'm always just thinking WAY into the future and worry about everything...i tend to be a perfectionist and want to make sure something is as good as possible before turning it in.

i guess with my sophomore year ending, and me realizing i really only have about 1.5 years before I start applying, i'm getting pretty anxious.

in high school, i worked my butt off to get the grades that i got and participate in all the activities that i did and was very stressed by college admissions at the time because i knew how competitive it was. and coming from a family environment that stresses academic achievement/big name schools/blah blah blah it's hard for me not to focus so much on academics. my parents are very traditional Asian parents and stress high grades A LOT. i already get a lot of stress from the fact that my parents are not 100% supportive of my goal being a vet (especially my dad) and so it's very important to me to show them that i can succeed in this area. i know that's not an excuse, but it does affect me.

and in terms of my roommate, we talked last week and got things cleared up. we figured our problem was that we weren't talking to each other about our concerns and just keeping things bottled up and that's why we were feeling the tension. she agreed with me that we were both equally responisble for the tension, because she admitted that she was being a little bit tense lately about school. she's my best and closest friend, and always will be so i'm glad we got that cleared up.

and in terms of shutting everything else out in my life, i haven't gotten THAT bad - i have a healthy social life, go out from time to time, have a great relationship with my roommate (who is my best friend) and am very close to my family. so my anxiety is more of an internal problem than something that has begun to affect me socially - but i do think i should probably calm down before i progress any further 😉

 

[DocDVMD]

Well, it's good you acknowledge the fact and I'm glad you cleared things up with your roommate. If it makes you feel any less anxious, I realize that I didn't work as hard as I could have throughout high school and college, and I graduated Cum Laude from Cornell [without jumping off any gorges]... so I'm pretty proud! Although I could have worked harder and gotten better grades, etc, I achieved my ultimate goal: getting into vet school on my first try! ...so you don't necessarily have to work yourself to the bone to achieve this goal. I'm a good case study of the whole work/play balancing act 🙂

 

[bunnity]

I had to laugh a little when you said you were anxious about only having 1.5 years until you had to apply. I didn't even figure myself out and decide to apply until halfway through junior year when I did my wildlife internship. And it all worked out. I do feel for you though because I am crazy about school and grades sometimes.

Also, I think you need to separate your own feelings of accomplishment, confidence, and worth from your parents. Some parents will never be (or seem anyway) satisfied with where their kids are. I know it sucks because my dad was also very hard to please. Funny thing is, I had so many issues with him filling up my head that I didn't even realize what I wanted from life (including being a vet) until I separated myself from those expectations and started focusing on what I wanted for myself. That process totally sucks but it makes life a lot easier now. Not saying stop talking to your parents, but just mentally make that distinction between what they want and you want.

Anyway that's my solicited advice!

 

[sunnex3]

I had to laugh a little when you said you were anxious about only having 1.5 years until you had to apply. I didn't even figure myself out and decide to apply until halfway through junior year when I did my wildlife internship. And it all worked out. I do feel for you though because I am crazy about school and grades sometimes.

Also, I think you need to separate your own feelings of accomplishment, confidence, and worth from your parents. Some parents will never be (or seem anyway) satisfied with where their kids are. I know it sucks because my dad was also very hard to please. Funny thing is, I had so many issues with him filling up my head that I didn't even realize what I wanted from life (including being a vet) until I separated myself from those expectations and started focusing on what I wanted for myself. That process totally sucks but it makes life a lot easier now. Not saying stop talking to your parents, but just mentally make that distinction between what they want and you want.

Anyway that's my solicited advice!

haha i've been wanting to be a vet since i was 5 and it's like i just realized...i'm almost there! it seems like time has passed by so fast!

and yeah i know i need to separate between what my parents want and what i want, it's SO hard for me coming from an Asian background where reciprocity to the parents is emphasized so much. it's just like...the way i've been raised...thankfully, my mom is moderately supportive but my dad still has dreams for me to become a doctor someday 😱