Half Way Through Undergrad

[DrKKG]

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Hey guys,

I was wondering if I can get some advice. I'm already have way done with my undergrad, and right now, my grades are going on a progressive incline. I started a little poorly during my freshman year getting a lot Bs in my pre-reqs. I pulled it up last year with getting many more As, but should I retake those classes that I got B's in at a community college? (e.g.: Physics (Mechanics), Life Science (Intro to Anatomy and Molecular Biology), General Chemistry). I feel like if I didn't do much during my freshman year, I would have gotten an A. (I'm a perfectionist by the way if anyone is wondering why I'm complaining about Bs).

Currently I'm taking Language, Immunology (OMG IT'S A KILLER!!!!) and a Psych class.

My GPA is about a 3.41....But I think it's going to go down to a 3.37 after this quarter so yeah...

The activities I'm involved are:

Volunteer at a Pharmacy
Research
Pre-Pharmacy Society
PCH (Philipinos for Community Health)
Tinig (Choir)
Church (Praise team, Autistic teacher, small group)

Does anyone have any suggestions? I mean I enjoy these clubs and all the activities I'm involved in; however, I kind of feel like my grades are taking a toll because I'm involved with a lot of things (In taking a toll, I mean like I might get all B's this quarter)...It was a major jump from being in two clubs to six, so can I have some input in what I should do? Thanks guys. 🙂

Oh and I'm taking a year off and may do some Pharm Tech work before I apply to Pharm school (Meaning that I'm applying the end of my 4th year)

 

[YouthHealth]

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[andrewattheU]

I would not retake any of the classes you have B's in as those are not bad grades. Your GPA is good and you have great extracurricular just keep getting good grades and take all your prereqs and you'll be good to go.

 

[YouthHealth]

I would not retake any of the classes you have B's in as those are not bad grades. Your GPA is good and you have great extracurricular just keep getting good grades and take all your prereqs and you'll be good to go.

Andrew you go to the UW? When are you applying? I'm thinking about applying there this year, I go to WSU haha (It's okay over here in Pullman, not a big fan though).

 

[DrKKG]

Thanks guys.....my goal is UCSF though....I really need to get out of SoCal...LOL.....yeah I don't know if I have what it takes to get there.....

 

[fenixtnlfan]

Definitely don't retake those B's...that's just a waste of time and money. If I got an application from someone who retook Bs, I would think you were crazy and too preoccupied with grades to be successful in pharm school. Your GPA is about average for admission so keep that up. Your ECs are all really good and different, but remember to only do what you can handle. Sounds like you are doing fine though! I don't think it would hurt to apply earlier unless you really want that year break.

 

[andrewattheU]

Andrew you go to the UW? When are you applying? I'm thinking about applying there this year, I go to WSU haha (It's okay over here in Pullman, not a big fan though).

Yes, I currently attend UW as an undergrad and am applying for Programs that begin Fall 2008... meaning I am applying right now.

 

[DrKKG]

mmm...k

 

[Strutter]

There are a number of factors that can influence the decline of your grades.

They include:

- Teaching methods
- Learning Methods
- Difficulty of subject
- Difficulty of teacher
etc.

But perhaps the answer to this decline lies within your study habits and methods.

That being said, what do you think about your study habits/methods (time management, paying attention, etc.) that made your GPA drop?

 

[DrKKG]

It was more of me being a freshman and getting adapted to the college environment. When I become a second year, I saw A LOT more A's during that year, and that whole year, I took ALL science courses, meaning I was able to handle taking the hard core sciences together, but I can't say that on my application of why my grades were down my first year. It's common to many freshman who enter college not knowing how to study or how the pace is. It is right?

 

[xshooshix]

It was more of me being a freshman and getting adapted to the college environment. When I become a second year, I saw A LOT more A's during that year, and that whole year, I took ALL science courses, meaning I was able to handle taking the hard core sciences together, but I can't say that on my application of why my grades were down my first year. It's common to many freshman who enter college not knowing how to study or how the pace is. It is right?

This is something you should state in your application if you haven't already written it.

 

[DrKKG]

Really? For UCSF??? On the application, it's financial, personal (family), educational disabilities or educational disadvantage (e.g. coming from a poor neighborhood or not going to a competitive high school). Does doing poor during freshman year go under the educational disabilities? Because most undergraduates who do enter college have that adjustment period from high school to college.

 

[xshooshix]

Really? For UCSF??? On the application, it's financial, personal (family), educational disabilities or educational disadvantage (e.g. coming from a poor neighborhood or not going to a competitive high school). Does doing poor during freshman year go under the educational disabilities? Because most undergraduates who do enter college have that adjustment period from high school to college.

I should have stated clearer the first time. Ha. I meant on your personal statement which is a part of the application process.

PCH (Philipinos for Community Health)

Is this purposely spelled this way? I always thought it was spelled "Filipino". Well... at least you're one of the very few who hasn't gone to the nursing route. 🙄

 

[DrKKG]

I should have stated clearer the first time. Ha. I meant on your personal statement which is a part of the application process.



Is this purposely spelled this way? I always thought it was spelled "Filipino". Well... at least you're one of the very few who hasn't gone to the nursing route. 🙄

LOL...nursing route....mom wanted me to do that though......it's purposely spelled that way....hahaha....but yeah...okay....Thanks shooshi.....do you guys have any other recommendations for undergrads who are half done???....besides starting the application process early..I heard that a lot...LOL....

 

[DreamSeller]

You have good stats, but it might not be competitive enough for UCSF. I don't think it would be wise to retake the classes that you got B's in because 1.) you wouldn't be able to bring up your GPA that much, 2.) it would be a waste of money and 3.) it would be a waste of your time. I think you would benefit more by taking higher science courses and get A's in them. That would impress the adcoms more.

 

[DrKKG]

You have good stats, but it might not be competitive enough for UCSF. I don't think it would be wise to retake the classes that you got B's in because 1.) you wouldn't be able to bring up your GPA that much, 2.) it would be a waste of money and 3.) it would be a waste of your time. I think you would benefit more by taking higher science courses and get A's in them. That would impress the adcoms more.

How does getting a B- in immunology look? 🙁🙁🙁 I had such high hopes for that class, until my grade came out, and now it's game over...

 

[UES Girl]

Really? For UCSF??? On the application, it's financial, personal (family), educational disabilities or educational disadvantage (e.g. coming from a poor neighborhood or not going to a competitive high school). Does doing poor during freshman year go under the educational disabilities? Because most undergraduates who do enter college have that adjustment period from high school to college.

I wrote a comment - but now I think it's almost too personal to share - especially since it's exactly what I put into my UCSF supp. I'll just say this - putting your poor perfomance within your first year due to the lack of studying skills as an educational diasadvantage into your UCSF application is just wrong IMHO.

 

[Bugieman]

B's are fine. A few C's are fine too. FEW

 

[1908PharmD]

yeah concentrate on getting as many a's and b's some schools want you to have a b no less in organic

 

[DrKKG]

Thanks for the encouragement everyone....I was hoping to get an A in immunology...(it's also known as the hardest undergrad at my school....😱)....but yeah...needed that support....thanks....good luck with interviews....🙂

 

[grimacingpeon]

So far so good. Just keep up the grades and plan on killing the PCAT. You shouldn't have any troubles getting into a pharmacy school. Good luck.