help! low gpa! what do i do?

[codylynn11]

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Okay, so I attend Duquesne University which is a fairly decent school. But I have a cumulative gpa of about 2.85 and I just finished my first semester sophomore year. I got my first D ever in my life in cellular and molecular bio. and a C in ochem. I got A's and A-'s in my other core classes. I'm seriously considering quitting premed because of my low gpa.

I intend to take an mcat prep course this summer, as well as apply for a research position at my school. I already do research for the Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh and I am involved in 4 extracurriculars and I have a job at the same time.

Is my dream of being a doctor completely over because of my bad science grades?? Also, I got two C's in gen chem my freshman year...(obviously I am not the brightest in chemistry). I just love working with kids and I want to be a pediatrician so bad. Please help me!!!

 

[CHOCCHIP1207]

OMG No worries! If you want to be a doc...I know YOU will make it happen. I have some ugly ugly grades...worse than yours! I retook a class and this guy asked me...arent doctors supposed to be smart!?😱 lol but i didnt let that bother me...i want to be a doc and i will make it happen...even if it takes a bit longer than i planned...key is to enjoy the ride along the way. you could always do a post bac program. i got accepted into one. if i dont get into med school this yr I will be doing my post bac program which I thank God that I got into. PM me if you want to talk and I will give you more specifics of my AMAZING gpa! ha you can do it friend!

 

[thepoopologist]

Okay, so I attend Duquesne University which is a fairly decent school. But I have a cumulative gpa of about 2.85 and I just finished my first semester sophomore year. I got my first D ever in my life in cellular and molecular bio. and a C in ochem. I got A's and A-'s in my other core classes. I'm seriously considering quitting premed because of my low gpa.

I intend to take an mcat prep course this summer, as well as apply for a research position at my school. I already do research for the Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh and I am involved in 4 extracurriculars and I have a job at the same time.

Is my dream of being a doctor completely over because of my bad science grades?? Also, I got two C's in gen chem my freshman year...(obviously I am not the brightest in chemistry). I just love working with kids and I want to be a pediatrician so bad. Please help me!!!

Your grades suck and you still intend to do all this? Here's a suggestion. Cut it away and focus on your grades. Keep the job ONLY if you need the money. Take a reasonable load of classes and study hard for a year. Then, after a year, work your extracurriculars back in, slowly.

Frankly, with a 2.85 gpa you could have your extracurriculars x1000 and admissions is still going to wipe their ass with your application. On the plus side, you have plenty of time to bring your gpa up. I would not recommend MCAT prep until you have your gpa under control.

Remember, your GPA and MCAT are the most difficult things to improve. They should take priority over any extracurriculars you will do. From next semester on do not **** up your grades or you will regret it.

 

[thepoopologist]

OMG No worries! If you want to be a doc...I know YOU will make it happen. I have some ugly ugly grades...worse than yours! I retook a class and this guy asked me...arent doctors supposed to be smart!?😱 lol but i didnt let that bother me...i want to be a doc and i will make it happen...even if it takes a bit longer than i planned...key is to enjoy the ride along the way. you could always do a post bac program. i got accepted into one. if i dont get into med school this yr I will be doing my post bac program which I thank God that I got into. PM me if you want to talk and I will give you more specifics of my AMAZING gpa! ha you can do it friend!

Did you even read the post? She's a sophomore in college and you're advising her to go into a postbacc program? Next time you give advice try to make it useful.

 

[codylynn11]

hmm well thanks? thats super encouraging...

 

[thepoopologist]

hmm well thanks? thats super encouraging...

Would you rather I blow hot air up your ass like the other poster?

You need to encourage yourself. If you want to make it you have to look at what's important, and I am telling you that no amount of ec's will make up for a bad gpa (or MCAT for that matter, and keep in mind the MCAT thoroughly tests your understanding of the core courses). Think about it before every test of every class you have to take, "I am going to get 100%," and then study your ass off and let the chips fall where they may. All that other stuff you do is nice but again, do it after you get your gpa under control.

 

[codylynn11]

Problem is I have really bad test anxiety. and I've tried reading books about it and I've tried new study habits but I don't feel like the studying I do is sufficient. I feel like I don't retain it in the way I am studying...

thank you for being honest with me. I'm just really upset today cause I have never received a D before. And only a few C's before...

 

[thepoopologist]

Problem is I have really bad test anxiety. and I've tried reading books about it and I've tried new study habits but I don't feel like the studying I do is sufficient. I feel like I don't retain it in the way I am studying...

thank you for being honest with me. I'm just really upset today cause I have never received a D before. And only a few C's before...

You need to overcome it if you want good grades. If it's not sufficient then put more hours in until you adjust your habits to the point where you can study efficiently in a short amount of time. Study until the end, or until you're sick of it. Then right before the test, do something relaxing.

All the other stuff too...
1. ratemyprofessor for the easy professors
2. old tests/quizzes from previous semesters
3. talking to people who've taken the course
4. most important, is to study your ass off

Good luck. You still have time. Get off SDN.

 

[chicubsfan]

Problem is I have really bad test anxiety. and I've tried reading books about it and I've tried new study habits but I don't feel like the studying I do is sufficient. I feel like I don't retain it in the way I am studying...

The counseling center at my school has programs for people with test anxiety and the tutoring office helps students develop better study habits. I suggest looking into similar resources at your school. Despite the fact that they may help you raise your grades, you will need excellent study habits in med school and testing never goes away (think boards) so these are things you want to get a handle on now. Good luck!

 

[thepoopologist]

I have a few more things to add before I cram in more anatomy.

1. Immediate results are nice, but don't expect them. Expect to improve as your study habits improve.

2. Be willing to stay a fifth year to get your grades up, IF NEEDED. Postbacc programs cost a ton of time and money and are a pain in the ass pressure cooker. I would know, I did one. Do you know how much fitting in more ec's cost? Just time and very little brainpower.

3. Once you are done with your degree requirements your final year, and have room to take some filler classes, take some easy science courses to boost up your gpa.

That is all.

 

[codylynn11]

thanks. i'll seriously consider all of that. i need all the help i can get at this point.

 

[Catalystik]

It's way better to do the job right the first time than to have to pay for expensive remediation programs. Thepoopologist has given you sound advice.