From a heart broken premed

[newmedcraze]

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Hey,
I am just new in the site. I am a Canadain premed. I was a 90+ kid in high school. But the first semester of university broke my pre med dream into pieces 🙁. My final gpa is not posted yet. But based on my marks so far I guess it will be around 3.5 🙁. In my province (state) Alberta it's near impossible to get into medical school unless your gpa is greater than 3.7. For out of province (state), medical schools the required gpa is higher. Canadian schools usually have higher gpa because they look at your best 2 years and I guess there is more interest in this profession in Canada (i'm not sure though!!). I know this is my first semester. I can pull up my gpa. But I worked very hard. I don't know what else I can do. I had almost no socail life. So if i can get gpa around 3.6, do I have any shot at US DO schools? (assuming the fact that I will do decent in MCAT) Can anyone give me a list of Canadian friendly DO schools? I know that a lot of private US DO schools consider Canadians as out of state students instead of international students.

 

[ManBroDude]

It's your first semester. Take a deep breath and RELAX! No one ever did perfectly all throughout college. Hopefully it'll light a spark under your gluteus to work smarter/harder for what you really want in life.

Also, check out this thread and PM some peeps:

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=821151 (DO for Canadians)

 

[newmedcraze]

It's your first semester. Take a deep breath and RELAX! No one ever did perfectly all throughout college. Hopefully it'll light a spark under your gluteus to work smarter/harder for what you really want in life.

Also, check out this thread and PM some peeps:

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=821151 (DO for Canadians)

As the previous poster said, relax! A 3.5 in your first semester is not bad at all and in no way determines how you'll do the rest of your semesters. I got a 3.3 my first semester, followed by a few more bumpy semesters and still ended up with a ~3.7 at the time of graduation. So by comparison, you're off to a good start.

Thanks guys. At least I can see some now 🙂

 

[Prncssbuttercup]

It's funny to me that you're dying over a ~3.5, make sure your semesters are well balanced, & don't overload yourself...
I am 35, was just accepted to the medical school I want to go to, with a 3.18... You need to calm down, and realize that college/university is harder than high school. Medical school will be harder than all of it combined. Maybe read these books, I've heard they're helpful, from my reading in other forums. Additionally, why are you out of the running for MD schools? I'm curious? Do you only want to do DO? Not sure... either way,

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0767922719/ref=ox_sc_act_title_6?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0767917871/ref=ox_sc_act_title_7?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

You know that Canadian institutes only care about your final two years right?

 

[DrWily]

I had almost no socail life.

There's your problem. Remove the almost. 👍

 

[newmedcraze]

There's your problem. Remove the almost. 👍

Social life = parties = hot chicks. I usually get distracted by hot chicks. 😀 So I did n't party at all in the first semester.

 

[newmedcraze]

You know that Canadian institutes only care about your final two years right?

Yes I do. But I don't know how to improve my work ethics. Maybe I need to learn how to study smart.

 

[newmedcraze]

It's funny to me that you're dying over a ~3.5, make sure your semesters are well balanced, & don't overload yourself...
I am 35, was just accepted to the medical school I want to go to, with a 3.18... You need to calm down, and realize that college/university is harder than high school. Medical school will be harder than all of it combined. Maybe read these books, I've heard they're helpful, from my reading in other forums. Additionally, why are you out of the running for MD schools? I'm curious? Do you only want to do DO? Not sure... either way,

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0767922719/ref=ox_sc_act_title_6?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0767917871/ref=ox_sc_act_title_7?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER

I'll probably apply to both MD and DO schools. I personally don't see any drastic difference between a DO and an MD medical school (except the manipulative medicine). The holistic approach of DO schools will most likely suit my personality better. And I was trying to be realistic about my chance of getting in with the gpa I have right now. Thanks a lot for recommending the books 🙂.

 

[DrapDO]

Yes I do. But I don't know how to improve my work ethics. Maybe I need to learn how to study smart.

I think that this is the Key! Just because you spent a lot of time studying doesn’t mean you are performing at your highest level. Pick out the some of your classmates/friends that are doing well and ask them if they can teach you how they study. Also professors usually are more than willing to give study advice to those who ask them for help especially early in the semester. Further most universities have places like study centers where you can go and learn how to study more effectively, or buy a book about effective studying techniques. Using one or all of these resources could greatly impact your performance.

Also, I agree a 3.5 isn’t that bad at all most people get a much bigger slap in the face before they realize they aren’t in high school anymore and need to change.

good luck!

 

[SavoirFaire]

Dude you have a 3.5... Chill OUT. When I clicked on this thread I thought it was going to be something bad happening.

 

[mashmetoo]

dude.. you are in 1st year undergrad.. CALM DOWN, your Calgary in province status will help you loads too.

 

[drgioiadds]

dude.. you are in 1st year undergrad.. CALM DOWN, your Calgary in province status will help you loads too.

I'm pretty sure I only recieved one A in my first year of undergrad

 

[ziprasidone1]

Check your inbox - I'm also from Alberta

 

[Mbeas]

.

 

[ziprasidone1]

You know that Canadian institutes only care about your final two years right?

That is not right unfortunately. I had straight A's in my second last year and straight A+s in my last year and I am no where near guaranteed matriculation even with a 30 mcat and well-above average extracurriculars/volunteering activities.