give up pre-med?

[zzzcor]

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[apumic]

You're a first year, so relax! If you were a junior w/ a 3.3 GPA, it'd be different but you have plenty of time to bring that up. Just make sure you get a strong upward trend going and you'll be good. You want to finish w/ a 3.6+ to be competitive so start working toward that. If you can't do that as an engineering major, it may be worth a switch; otherwise, engineering is great.
As far as the ECs go...just get started on clinical, volunteer, and research experience asap and you'll be good to go. Look around this board for more ideas. Use the search function.

 

[HurricaneKatt]

Don't make a decision based on your grades, make a decision based on what you really want to do. Engineer and Doctor are 2 VERY different jobs!

 

[dru2002]

I always hate these threads. In your post who have made not one but two excuses for your GPA. It's your GPA not your majors or your schools.

If medicine is for you then buckle down and get the grades. If you enjoy your engineering classes then stick with it. If not, find a new major that better suites your interests. I've found that I do really well in classes I enjoy and less so in classes that I hate.

 

[schrizto]

3.32 doesn't mean it's impossible to get into medical school. cheer up.

 

[mybubbles14]

wow you still have 3 more years of undergrad!! if this is something that you actually want then you will be able to do it. Even if that wasn't sufficient time there are post bacs for individuals who still wish to improve their gpas. I wouldn't worry about the MCAT until at least your junior year. For now, channel your energy into getting As in your pre-reqs and just doing your best in your classes. Focus on the coursework and actually learn the material (don't just committ it to short term memory so that you can pass a test). This will make your MCAT preparation much easier as well...

Contact your pre-health advisors at your school and find out what type of programs or health-related volunteer opportunities they offer. Med schools will want to see that you are making an informed decision and actually know about the field you are trying to pursue come application time. This means getting health-related experience volunteering, shadowing, research etc.... These are all other areas of your application that are very important to schools. It's also important for you...I'm sure you'd rather find out now that being a physician isn't right for you rather than later. It's a long hard and expensive road to become a doctor, but if it is something that you are passionate about you will make it happen....as long as you are willing to do whatever it takes.

Good luck! 🙂

**as far as the engineering convo...I started out BME as well and struggled during my first year. However, although SOME med schools will take rigor of courseload into consideration making excuses won't help you in the long run (b/c I'm sure we both know there are engineers at grade-deflated rigorous programs that still have high gpas). You'll just have to work that much harder throughout the next 3 years**

 

[jvesco22]

give up pre-med?

Yes.

 

[BlueElmo]

Don't give up. You can still do it!

 

[bullpup777]

A 3.3 at MIT in course 6-1, electrical engineering is not the same as a 3.3 from Essex County Community College in communications. There is no similarity between the two, and I find it hard to believe any admissions committee would view them as the same.

 

[mybubbles14]

A 3.3 at MIT in course 6-1, electrical engineering is not the same as a 3.3 from Essex County Community College in communications. There is no similarity between the two, and I find it hard to believe any admissions committee would view them as the same.

I agree but I've found some schools just don't seem to understand the magnitude of the difference (although I wasn't necessarily referring to an electrical engineer vs. communications major at different schools...rather an engineer and a bio major perhaps). Many of my pre-med friends and classmates worked their butts off and struggled just to get Bs at my school in certain courses

 

[BlueElmo]

I agree but I've found some schools just don't seem to understand the magnitude of the difference. Many of my pre-med friends and classmates worked their butts off and struggled just to get Bs at my school in certain courses

same here. I feel like my undergrad should be more noted for its difficulties, but I have feelings it's not.

 

[mybubbles14]

same here. I feel like my undergrad should be more noted for its difficulties, but I have feelings it's not.

same here...I took classes back home at my state school one summer and I noticed a huge difference. Obviously everyone learns the same material for the most part but I think how some teachers test is what makes the biggest difference

 

[angst019]

Sounds like you're fine. Don't give up if you want to be a physician. Study for the MCAT the summer after your sophomore year - you've got plenty of time to do it. Volunteer at a hospital sometime within the next few years. Your grades will need to improve, but if you're an engineering student you've probably got the brains to make that happen. The worst thing you can do right now is panic - too much pressure will kill you. Just work a little harder on your grades and get your volunteer experience going, and see how you do on the MCAT.

Good luck!

 

[Slowpoke]

A 3.3 at MIT in course 6-1, electrical engineering is not the same as a 3.3 from Essex County Community College in communications. There is no similarity between the two, and I find it hard to believe any admissions committee would view them as the same.

Don't you make fun of community colleges. Everyone has to start from one place or another.

 

[loveoforganic]

He's not making fun, it's just true. However, it makes a negligible difference in admissions.

 

[Teneo]

Eh, I have a similar problem but a bit worse. Because I was so doggone arrogant and lazy in my first couple semesters, I currently have roughly a 2.96. To make it worse, part of that is from two science classes in which I got C's. I'm going to have to work my butt off to get my GPA up to a reasonably good point--my cGPA and especially my sGPA are permanently crippled because I was such an idiot. It will literally be impossible to get either of them higher than maybe a 3.6 in undergrad.

But I still think I can do well, and I'm going to do my best to get where I need to go. So do the same and relax--if you work hard you'll get that GPA up to where you need it to be. 🙂

 

[FuturaDocta]

relax dude, you are still a freshman.

just take lighten up the load for future semesters and take charge. you can easily bring that gpa up in no time at all.

 

[oaklandguy]

Give it up. If you're this stressed now you will become burned out by the time you apply. And then the application cycle will take you through the ringer. Give up before it's too late.

 

[c5212]

🙄 maybe consider Osteopathic?... (waiting for the slaughter to begin...)