GPA in trouble

[triplebond]

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I'm currently a 2nd year biochem major at a CSU. My BCPM GPA is currently 2.96 and my Cum GPA is 3.23. After this 4th semester, I'm estimating that my BCPM GPA will be somewhere between 2.92 and 3.03 and my Cum GPA, somewhere between 3.25 and 3.18. Basically, my GPA will probably stay in the same range. I feel like I'm doing very sub-par in school right now and taking three core science classes doesn't help. At this rate, will I be able to make it into med school? In a perfect world where I got all A's for the rest of my college education, I would apply to med school in my 4th year but now, I'm just thinking I should take a gap year and get a masters or something.

 

[NeuResurgens]

That is a very low GPA. I think a post-bacc or SMP would be best in your case. Unless you get all A's from here on out this will be your best bet. Before you do that, make sure you identify your weaknesses and learn better study habits that really work for you, as you're not going to succeed in a Master's program or Medical School unless you figure that out.

 

[Doctor Dream]

I'm currently a 2nd year biochem major at a CSU. My BCPM GPA is currently 2.96 and my Cum GPA is 3.23. After this 4th semester, I'm estimating that my BCPM GPA will be somewhere between 2.92 and 3.03 and my Cum GPA, somewhere between 3.25 and 3.18. Basically, my GPA will probably stay in the same range. I feel like I'm doing very sub-par in school right now and taking three core science classes doesn't help. At this rate, will I be able to make it into med school? In a perfect world where I got all A's for the rest of my college education, I would apply to med school in my 4th year but now, I'm just thinking I should take a gap year and get a masters or something.

I think the two biggest things you should strive to fix are your mentality and your study habits. Sure your GPA is low, but it sounds like you've already defeated yourself and settled for a subpar GPA. You've still got half of undergrad to get your GPA up (assuming you take a gap year, which a lot of people do). It sounds cliché but the reality is you are the only one stopping yourself from finishing with a 3.5cGPA, or maybe even higher.

You should focus on fixing your deficits now, figure out why you're not doing as well as you'd like and implement changes. Ask yourself broad questions like, are you studying enough? Using your time effectively? Getting outside help when you don't understand something? There's no shame in getting help or advice from your school's learning center either.

Best of luck OP. I know it can be discouraging to work hard and get grades lower than you'd like, but realize you still have time to turn things around. Your future self will thank you for it.

 

[Goro]

First off, you need to find out hwy you performing at the level you are.

Go to your school's education or learning center for help with test taking skills, time mgt, learning styles, etc. IF you have test taking anxiety issues, seek out your schools counseling center.

And no, at this rate, you will not get into medical school. But you're you're not dead either. You have some deficits and they need to get fixed.

I'm currently a 2nd year biochem major at a CSU. My BCPM GPA is currently 2.96 and my Cum GPA is 3.23. After this 4th semester, I'm estimating that my BCPM GPA will be somewhere between 2.92 and 3.03 and my Cum GPA, somewhere between 3.25 and 3.18. Basically, my GPA will probably stay in the same range. I feel like I'm doing very sub-par in school right now and taking three core science classes doesn't help. At this rate, will I be able to make it into med school? In a perfect world where I got all A's for the rest of my college education, I would apply to med school in my 4th year but now, I'm just thinking I should take a gap year and get a masters or something.

 

[Evisju7]

I'm currently a 2nd year biochem major at a CSU. My BCPM GPA is currently 2.96 and my Cum GPA is 3.23. After this 4th semester, I'm estimating that my BCPM GPA will be somewhere between 2.92 and 3.03 and my Cum GPA, somewhere between 3.25 and 3.18. Basically, my GPA will probably stay in the same range. I feel like I'm doing very sub-par in school right now and taking three core science classes doesn't help. At this rate, will I be able to make it into med school? In a perfect world where I got all A's for the rest of my college education, I would apply to med school in my 4th year but now, I'm just thinking I should take a gap year and get a masters or something.

You will not be able to get all A's in the rest of your courses unless you're able to identify and change the problems that have lead to mediocre grades.

3.0 GPA is not bad at all, it's just not going to cut it for medical school. I find it funny that you're over there beating yourself up about a 3.0, when many students strive for that grade. Sorry, just a little perspective. This isn't the end of the world.

Here are some suggestions that you may find helpful (or not):

-Take a semester off to work.
This worked for me. I was not doing well in school until I realized how great school is compared to a full time manual-labor job.

-Strive for something.
Find and immediate goal, such as a scholarship or research opportunity that requires a certain GPA. You might find that you work harder when you set short term goals as well as long term goals

- Change majors.
Perhaps not the best choice, but are you only taking Biochem for med school? Do you even like the subject material? Try adding a minor or taking some electives that you enjoy.

You have to figure out why you're making these grades and do something about it. Only you can answer that. Perhaps if you can change the trend of your grades, you can then retake some of those courses that you didn't do so well in.

 

[triplebond]

Thank you all for you perspectives. I guess in a way, I feel like I have settled to being a mediocre student since my mentality isn't in the right place. I want to attend medical school at some point and that's part of the reason why I wanted to be a biochem major but I really do like science I'm just not the best at it. If I could, I would change to a different major but I'm too far in to quit now.

 

[643320]

Thank you all for you perspectives. I guess in a way, I feel like I have settled to being a mediocre student since my mentality isn't in the right place. I want to attend medical school at some point and that's part of the reason why I wanted to be a biochem major but I really do like science I'm just not the best at it. If I could, I would change to a different major but I'm too far in to quit now.

Depending on your school's requirements, it still may not be too late to change majors and graduate on time, especially if it's from biochem -> chemistry or biochem -> "regular biology" or another biologically-based major. I have a friend who changed his during the first semester of his junior year, and he's still okay to be out in 4 years. Don't write it off.

 

[triplebond]

I'm thinking about changing to microbiology. Is anyone in this major? My school's also planning to introduce a new BA Biochem program for pre-professional students so I don't know if I should just stay as a BS for now and wait for the new BA program...

 

[triplebond]

Unfortunately, though, I failed OChem 2 this semester... My grades were so low as well: Physics-C, Cell Bio-C, Sociology-B, need I go on.... I didn't withdraw from OChem 2 this semester because I thought I had a fighting chance and even though I studied, I did worse on each midterm. Did I just make the worse mistake of college career not withdrawing from that class? My school has grade forgiveness but I'm pretty sure it'll still be on my transcript for the ADCOMS to see. I have no doubt they will question my abilities considering I was screwed up my entire sophomore year. If I do better in OChem 2 the second time around, will I still have a chance?

 

[deleted480308]

If the end game is medical school, change majors. You won't get there at this rate and the science only gets harder

 

[f4reignbeauty]

Personally, I had a rough start as well, but I was able to strengthen my learning skills by asking my professors for tips at the beginning of each semester. Tips like: what's the best way to study for the class? If there were any LSAMP or department tutors should I need them.

I don't think all hope is lost though!

 

[deleted577188]

Unfortunately, though, I failed OChem 2 this semester... My grades were so low as well: Physics-C, Cell Bio-C, Sociology-B, need I go on.... I didn't withdraw from OChem 2 this semester because I thought I had a fighting chance and even though I studied, I did worse on each midterm. Did I just make the worse mistake of college career not withdrawing from that class? My school has grade forgiveness but I'm pretty sure it'll still be on my transcript for the ADCOMS to see. I have no doubt they will question my abilities considering I was screwed up my entire sophomore year. If I do better in OChem 2 the second time around, will I still have a chance?

Well for starters, I would not major in biochem if you're struggling with O Chem 2. Now before people attack me, no, it isn't the same material. But after completely failing O Chem 2, I would stay far away from any major that has the word chemistry in it.

 

[ndafife]

What is your GPA at now? Certainly lower than you projected.

You need to sit down this summer and decide if medicine is right for you. You are struggling in science classes. Period. Do you see yourself being able to flip a switch?

I'm thinking about changing to microbiology. Is anyone in this major? My school's also planning to introduce a new BA Biochem program for pre-professional students so I don't know if I should just stay as a BS for now and wait for the new BA program...

I would avoid Microbio if you got a C in cell bio. That doesn't bode well for your chances at success in the major.

 

[triplebond]

I really appreciate everyone's input. I understand that some people may think I'm a total nutter to aim for medical school when my grades are so low. I don't blame my low gpa on the difficulty of the science content but rather my study skills or lack thereof. I had been consistently getting C's on my cell bio exams but for the last two exams of the semester, I changed my study skills and was able to get B's, though it was too late to bring my score up to an overall B in the class. This is why I was considering switching to microbio as I know how to study for biology classes. With chemistry, it's difficult for me to study because all chemistry classes are very different so I can't use the same study methods for, say, gen chem and ochem.

If I switch to a completely different major now, I'll have to start from the beginning. I don't know if I want to spend 6 years working towards a bachelors degree. I don't know if this sounds like a bad idea, but if I don't get into any med school after getting my bachelors, I'm planning to do a masters program in a science major or mba and reapply. What are your thoughts?

 

[triplebond]

My current overall gpa is 2.909.

 

[deleted480308]

A masters won't save you...you need a's

 

[GrapesofRath]

I really appreciate everyone's input. I understand that some people may think I'm a total nutter to aim for medical school when my grades are so low. I don't blame my low gpa on the difficulty of the science content but rather my study skills or lack thereof. I had been consistently getting C's on my cell bio exams but for the last two exams of the semester, I changed my study skills and was able to get B's, though it was too late to bring my score up to an overall B in the class. This is why I was considering switching to microbio as I know how to study for biology classes. With chemistry, it's difficult for me to study because all chemistry classes are very different so I can't use the same study methods for, say, gen chem and ochem.

If I switch to a completely different major now, I'll have to start from the beginning. I don't know if I want to spend 6 years working towards a bachelors degree. I don't know if this sounds like a bad idea, but if I don't get into any med school after getting my bachelors, I'm planning to do a masters program in a science major or mba and reapply. What are your thoughts?

You have to determine what is the issue for your grades. It is easy to say my study skills are poor or I don't put in enough work. But to actually change them in away that causes a significant improvement grades? Not so easy.

If your goal is to go to med school it's probably worthwhile to take 1 or 2 semesters of lighter courseload with fewer science classes and do well in them. See yourself have success and identify what it takes. Then you can build yourself up a bit and go with harder courseloads your senior year and maybe a 5th year if you choose. You cant just start from the beginning and say "oh I'll just work hard and get 4.0's by switching my major to something else science related". By taking some classes and concentrating on them you can also figure out if microbio is for you. It's a process. Once you figure this out then we can start talking about what your chances are for med school and what you need to do to get in from there.