Half way through the pre-med path

[Mystic123]

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Hi guys,
I just joined this site, so I really hope I'm posting in the right place. If not, I apologize.

I completed 2 years of my undergrad and just finish spring semester. I am going to be a junior in the fall, but this is what happened.

My first year I went to a cc then transferred because it was a lot cheaper, then I transferred to a uni for my sophomore year. For most of my pre-med classes I got A's and B's. However, this past Winter semester I got a C+ in OrgoII and this spring just finished I got a C- in Biochem ( *insert sad crying face here* ). Winter semester I signed up for TOO many classes and was working in 2 research labs. Spring semester biochem was just hard because I spent too much time doing research. Those are my only 2 c's, but I'm worried about this kind of downward trend.

My GPA listed on my uni account isn't accurate because it doesn't factor in the grades I received from the cc classes I took, but it does show the classes as T (transfer) credit. The classes from cc transferred, just not the grades. So when I apply to med school I will have to send a transcript from both schools. I really am starting to doubt myself, but this is really what I want to do. I want to pursue a career in medicine and be an MD. I am not really sure if any school will accept me. I really really hope to do good on the MCAT. Just my luck, it's been changed this year. Not really sure if it's good because there's not many other numbers from past applicants to compare to or bad because it just encompasses a lot more information.

I am also debating about changing my major. I haven't officially declared, but have been taking the classes for the major I want. A new friend I made at school told me not to pursue that major because the classes for it are a lot harder and when you get to the higher classes your gpa will drop, which isn't something I need. My cc gpa is a 3.9 (I was there for one year as a college student and also dual enrolled as a high schooler leaving with 60 credits) at the uni I'm at I have a gpa of 3.1 with only 33 credits ( 2 c's really brought me down).

I am hoping I would be a good enough applicant for one of my in-state schools. I am going to try harder my junior year and the mcat. Should I take my friends advice and switch majors? Any advice or constructive criticism would be great. I just need the truth and nothing sugar coated.

Thank you very much and have a wonderful day!!

 

[chemist16]

You got two C's. It's not the end of the world. It'll make a big impact on your university GPA because you have so few credit hours. You should continue taking upper-level science courses to round out your GPA and do well on them. Stop working in two labs and budget your time wisely so that you can focus on school.

About changing majors - class difficulty is relative. If you know that your new friend is a smart kid, then you might want to put a little weight on his words. But if you know he's not that smart to begin with, saying that a class is "difficult" doesn't mean much. Most science classes are graded on some sort of curve and somebody ends up on top. Those are the kind of people you want to be taking advice from. You also want to be doing something enjoy because if you switch to something you don't enjoy, schoolwork will just seem like a terrible chore and your GPA would surely drop then.

 

[deleted577188]

ONE. RESEARCH. LAB. WILL. SUFFICE.

 

[mk04447]

In life you can only do your best. Honestly you're so early in this process it's tough to discuss your competitiveness, but I can provide a few pointers.

Try to find some doc that will let you pull a regular gig with them. For example, shadow them 2-4 hours a week forever. Hopefully this will develop a relationship of guidance and a solid recommendation. It fill also help you keep your eye on the prize and stay motivated.

Along with that, you sound like you'll be an extremely traditional applicant; you'll need to work hard to stand out. So, find a good clinical volunteer opportunity and rack as many hours as your schedule will permit.

Make nice with your professors, you'll need letters. Not once a semester, talk to them, show them you're driven, get to know them well. Don't ask them for a recommendation, if you do this right and demonstrate passion they'll ask you if you'd like them to write one.

Most important, learn. You don't need a transcript or a piece of paper, you need mastery of the information you're being presented. If you work hard, the grades will follow. As for your friends comment, hard classes don't lower your GPA, taking hard classes and trying to goof off like its an easy class lowers your GPA. So, it will be your fault if you don't get A's.

As for the MCAT. Get every practice test you can find and take them all. No kidding, a dozen or more. Don't take it lightly and work hard for it.

I personally think anyone can become a doctor, or do anything for that matter. What separates the ones who succeed is effort. You'll know whether you could have dug deeper. Good luck.

 

[emraldragon]

You've got two years to make up for those two Cs. Don't get anymore but you haven't shot yourself in the foot yet. You didn't say what major you wanted or what you might want to switch to. . . I don't know your friend enough to trust their opinion.

You seem to worry about your Uni GPA not taking your earlier GPA into account--don't. AMCAS will combine both when you input your courses when you apply.

You blame your two Cs on poor decision making (too many classes one semester) and poor time management (too much research another semester) and say that you will try harder in junior year. Don't just work harder, work smarter. And when you notice your grades are starting to falter as you must have throughout the semester, try to fix the mistake before you end up with a C. If that means dropping classes or researching less so you have more time for your studies, so be it.

 

[chemist16]

Try to find some doc that will let you pull a regular gig with them. For example, shadow them 2-4 hours a week forever. Hopefully this will develop a relationship of guidance and a solid recommendation. It fill also help you keep your eye on the prize and stay motivated.

Along with that, you sound like you'll be an extremely traditional applicant; you'll need to work hard to stand out. So, find a good clinical volunteer opportunity and rack as many hours as your schedule will permit.

Probably not something OP should be focusing on right now. Time management sounds like a huge problem for him/her and I think he/she should focus on academics before adding on ECs. And when the time comes to add on ECs, do it slowly and gently, i.e. not 5 all at once.

 

[GrapesofRath]

You have two years. Over 70 credits maintain a 3.7(which is the average MD matriculant GPA) and you'll be close to a 3.5. That on top of a 3.9 at CC and your GPA will be fine. Think big picture.

 

[mk04447]

Probably not something OP should be focusing on right now. Time management sounds like a huge problem for him/her and I think he/she should focus on academics before adding on ECs. And when the time comes to add on ECs, do it slowly and gently, i.e. not 5 all at once.

Figure out the time management now and pull away from the pack. Medicine is getting more and more competitive, towing the line isn't acceptable anymore. The OP should find a way to do everything or choose another career.

 

[chemist16]

Figure out the time management now and pull away from the pack. Medicine is getting more and more competitive, towing the line isn't acceptable anymore. The OP should find a way to do everything or choose another career.

Figure out time management? Yes. Doing everything at once is not the way to do it. Adding on ECs as you learn to manage your time better and better is the way to do it. Finding "a way to do everything" is not good advice because it's exclusively emphasizing quantity over quality and that is not what med schools want.

 

[mk04447]

Figure out time management? Yes. Doing everything at once is not the way to do it. Adding on ECs as you learn to manage your time better and better is the way to do it. Finding "a way to do everything" is not good advice because it's exclusively emphasizing quantity over quality and that is not what med schools want.

We disagree. I suggest adding a small amount of shadowing and volunteering now. These hours will accumulate and set them apart come interview time.

 

[Mystic123]

Thank you all SO much for the replies! I genuinely appreciate them all 🙂

@chemist16 I really do agree with you on pulling back. I already left one research lab and now I'm only in one. I felt really bad leaving the other one and am really torn. I enjoyed the other lab better because the environment was nicer with nicer lab members, but wasn't too interested in the project. The lab I stayed in has a cool project, but the environment isn't too friendly. I really miss the other lab. However I'm not really sure I'll get a publication in this lab and not sure how to ask…or even if I potentially go to the other one HOW DO I ASK (about the publication)???? Also I think I would've gotten a nicer LOR from the other lab.

@mk04447 You give good advice! I like the part about finding someone to shadow a little bit at a time like 2-5 hours a week, I think that'll really help me and it doesn't require a lot of time. I also agree medicine IS getting more competitive and you must be good at a lot of things and balance everything all at once. However, I am going to take a step back with my ECs because I feel like my gpa has been hit pretty hard. How can I even be granted an interview if my gpa isn't good? Also @chemist16 you make an excellent point of quality over quantity, I shall keep that in mind 🙂

@emraldragon Thank you for the reassurance of not shooting myself in the foot! That was something I desperately needed because I was really starting to panic and freak out. Not only would my dreams be crushed, but I would also disappoint my parents. I know I shouldn't blame my C's on anything, but myself. I know my limit, yet I pushed myself too far and these were the consequences. Also I seen you're med school accepted, did you ever do research or get a publication? Could you please give me some advice on ec's? I'd greatly appreciate it. Thanks!

 

[Mystic123]

You have two years. Over 70 credits maintain a 3.7(which is the average MD matriculant GPA) and you'll be close to a 3.5. That on top of a 3.9 at CC and your GPA will be fine. Think big picture.

Hi there,

I have a question. What do you mean over 70 credits? Wouldn't I send out my application the end of my junior year? So I'd only have one year of damage control since I just finished my sophomore year.

 

[GrapesofRath]

Hi there,

I have a question. What do you mean over 70 credits? Wouldn't I send out my application the end of my junior year? So I'd only have one year of damage control since I just finished my sophomore year.

If you are worried about your GPA wait until you graduate to apply and take a year off.

 

[Grace184]

I

ONE. RESEARCH. LAB. WILL. SUFFICE.

i wish I could unlike and like again!!!

 

[chemist16]

@chemist16 I really do agree with you on pulling back. I already left one research lab and now I'm only in one. I felt really bad leaving the other one and am really torn. I enjoyed the other lab better because the environment was nicer with nicer lab members, but wasn't too interested in the project. The lab I stayed in has a cool project, but the environment isn't too friendly. I really miss the other lab. However I'm not really sure I'll get a publication in this lab and not sure how to ask…or even if I potentially go to the other one HOW DO I ASK (about the publication)???? Also I think I would've gotten a nicer LOR from the other lab.

A lot of times people sacrifice great projects to be in a more conducive work environment. Some people do the opposite. It's just how having a job is. Are you doing your own project in the lab you're in right now or are you just cleaning glassware, preparing buffers, etc.? If you're doing the latter, you won't get a publication out of that and you should talk to your PI about having your own project or working with a grad student/post-doc on one of their projects.

 

[emraldragon]

@Mystic123 I am a non-trad who lived abroad for several years before I came back and decided med school was the way to go. I had no research or publications, but I had started putting out feelers to labs to make up for that if my application cycle didn't work this time around. My life experiences no doubt had a large part in helping me get admitted. Given my situation, I wouldn't feel comfortable steering you towards any particular ECs you should or must do. The common ones on here seem to be shadowing, volunteering in a clinical setting, volunteering outside of a clinical setting, work in a clinical setting, and research. You can probably guarantee that your competition will have most if not all of these. If I were you, I would find something else to do that you love and do it in your free time--maybe its sports, or hiking, or knitting. I would try to make it something constructive that will enable you to grow as a person. Given you are attempting to transition straight from undergrad to medical school, I would want something that differentiates you from everyone else who has the same high school/college experiences you do. Just make sure its something you enjoy so you don't get burned out on it and think you HAVE to do it. Good luck, you still have plenty of time.

 

[NeuResurgens]

What is your major?