How bad does this look

[TooMuchPressure]

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Started out in a community college finished the two years with a 3.95 gpa, and 4.0 science (took bio 1/2 and chem 1/2) as well as all my math up to calculus. I had 2-3 really high B's that were boosted to an A. After I transferred to university I got a W in organic chemistry, C in immunology, and retook orgo 1 and got a C, also a B in phyiscs 1. I don't want to make excuses so let's leave it at that. I had to take anatomy and physiology for my degree so I took it as a transient at the same community college. I did this for 1 reason and 1 reason only(no excuses i'm going all out), it was easier and didn't want to get another C or B. Anyways, after that I tried to get my act together so I took orgo 2 and got an A, took orgo lab got an A, then physics 2 and biochem and got A's, also taking ecology and genetics and might get an A in ecology and B in genetics. My gpa is 3.8 and bcpm is ~3.7. My science gpa without math is probably like a 3.55 or 3.6. I know i'm not fooling anyone... So obviously this isn't good with the downward trend and the 2 transient classes. I didn't want to put this in the "what are my chances section" because of no MCAT yet but realistically speaking how bad is this and any advice? Let me have it straight.

Note: there are other factors as to why I messed up when I transferred other than university was a little more difficult but I just supplied the abridged version.

 

[ed*26]

So let's get this straight:

-At CC earned 3.95 cGPA/4.0 sGPA
-After transfer to university earned several bad grades (W, multiple Cs) in relevant science courses
-Returned to CC to get your act together
-Got act together, returned to university* to earn As in higher level science courses
-Final cGPA ~3.8, sGPA ~3.7

I think you're going to be fine. You proved that you are able to tackle higher-level science courses. Your GPA also came out relatively competitive (even if CC heavy) and is not a true downward trend. Yes university-level science threw you for a loop, but you were able to take a hard look at yourself, identify your weaknesses, and ultimately come out as a capable student. If you are honest and address the situation in your personal statement/secondaries then I think adcoms will see a mature student who overcame a significant obstacle. Continuing to earn good grades in upper-level courses and getting a good score on the MCAT will go a long way towards validating your capability.

I would look very carefully at specific requirements for each of your schools, though, since each school will set its own policies regarding how they view CC credit. If you're genuinely concerned about grades, remember that DO schools do grade replacement.

My advice: craft your story so that it focuses on the reinvention, not the struggle. Continue getting good grades and take the MCAT very seriously. Make sure your ECs are great. Apply broadly. Get into medical school.

*You did return to university, right? If the As in biochem/ochem/etc were at CC then that would change things

 

[Me.D.]

What you can do: dominate MCAT

What is useless to do: worry about what has already happened

If you get a good score on the MCAT your past academic struggles shouldn't be too troublesome. If you get a troublesome score on the MCAT then your past struggles will likely be amplified.

Second what the previous poster said about grade replacement at DO schools - this makes you quite a fine candidate for DO matriculation (again just work on MCAT).

 

[Cookiess]

A difficult transition from CC to university classes is understandable and it sounds like you are doing fine now. Do the best you can in your remaining classes before you graduate. That way you can finish with a stronger GPA and your senior year GPA will demonstrate that you can handle tough science classes. Do well on the MCAT and apply broadly.

The key take away is to not let your past affect your confidence moving forward. You can't change the past but you can control how you do moving forward.