GPA worries, looking for advice

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My current GPA is a 3.34 overall. After this semester (first semester of my sophomore year), I will have 50 credits and my GPA could fall to a 3.26.

Right now I have a C+ in both physics and organic chemistry I. If these grades remain unchanged, I will have 3 Cs on my transcript. I know I can pass these courses, but I'm afraid of what will happen to my GPA. If I do well on my final exams, it is possible to finish these two courses with a B- or even a B.

I eventually want to apply to medical school, but my low GPA is beginning to really worry me. What will MD schools think if I have 3 Cs on my transcript? Do you think I still have a chance at med school with my low GPA?

Any advice will be appreciated greatly.

 

[Mobius1985]

What will MD schools think if I have 3 Cs on my transcript?

The concern wouldn't be that you have three Cs on your transcript, but rather that you have Cs in two or three of the med school prerequisites. For every C you get you need to spend more time redeeming them, by repeating the class, or by getting an A in a class higher in the same sequence. The more serious implication of getting these Cs, is that you did not master the material sufficiently well to score well on the MCAT.

It's not impossible to dig yourself out of the GPA hole you're in. In fact your GPA isn't that bad for a first semester sophomore. You need to start ASAP to expect straight As of yourself, though, so you won't need to spend extra time in college to achieve a competitive GPA. If your GPA is 3.26 after three semesters, then after three more at 4.0 each, your total GPA would be 3.6, the mean of accepted allopathic med students.

 

[tdittyx2x3]

I have seven interviews this cycle with a 3.30 cum/3.47 sci gpa and an above avg MCAT. Your gpa was very similar to mine as a sophomore.

I am not saying do not worry or make changes. You need to do well in the pre-requisite classes. Anything less than a B will raise eyebrows. So sack up and nail your finals. If you really apply yourself, you can do it. I almost always brought up my grade with a solid final.

I mentioned changes because I think its important to realize that if you don't change your studying behavior, you won't see different results. Figure out what is working and what is not. My biggest change was treating school more like a full-time job. I didn't shy away from spending 6-8 hours (including class) in the science building each day, in part because I was working towards a goal.

There is plennnnnty of time for you to raise or lower gpa. So if you really want this, then pull yourself together to do well and in particular with the classes the schools actually care about (BCPM).

 

[Mobius1985]

Do you think I still have a chance at med school with my low GPA?

In your original post, you asked specifically about MD (allopathic) med school chances, but I'll throw in there, to give a broader picture, that the mean acceptee for DO (Osteopathic) med schools has a GPA of 3.4. Some osteopathic schools have a cut off of 2.75 for applicants, and many have their cut off at 3.0. So if you are unable to sustain straight As to achieve my original suggested plan, you do still have a chance at med school.