I'm having a terrible first semester. What are my options? Can I still be accepted?

[courtney1996]

---

Members do not see this ad.

In August, I was very excited to begin my first semester in college and take a step closer to medical school. I spent about two months working hard to maintain A’s in all of my classes, pulling all-nighters and studying religiously (I’m taking Biology, Calculus, and Psychology). Late last month however, I was hospitalized for nearly two weeks, during which time my grades have dropped. I now have a C in Biology and a D in Calculus. B in Psych. (I’ve lost several points for attendance, missed quizzes, etc. and I’ve done poorly on my my recent exams in those classes). There is only a month left in the semester, and the only thing left that can help my grade at this point is our final exams. Even if I manage to do well my GPA for this semester will be an embarrassing stain on my transcript. I considered dropping the classes for a W, but if I take less than 12 units my financial aid will be effected. I feel so behind in the material and I’m anxious and frustrated… I know I can demonstrate an upward trend in future semesters, but I’m curious: how will medical schools view me as an applicant when they look back on my very first semester? Am I crazy to think they’ll even consider me at all? I’m estimating my GPA will be around a 2.5 by the time this semester is over.

 

[chappikachu]

Take a deep breath. It's going to be okay.

Try to do as best as you can on your final exams and on the rest of the semester. You have time to pull those As in future semesters. Adcoms care most about an upward trend, plus if they ever ask you about what happened your first semester, you have your hospitalization to explain the poor grades. You will be fine.

edit: Try going to office hours to meet with your professors and see what you can do to salvage your grade this semester. Again, not the end of the world.

 

[mistafab]

Easy option: Do better from now on.

Can you still be accepted? Yes, of course.

My gpa was around a 1.1 for the first semester of college. Here I am now, crushing med school - living the good life.

 

[VincentAdultman]

It seems crazy to me that you'd lose attendance points because you were admitted to the hospital.

 

[deleted804295]

I got a sub par grade in a class during my first semester and I'm still battling to improve my GPA a year later because of it.

Put your chin up, work harder in the next semester and don't look back. As for the W? I'm not sure. You may want to ask the members here who are more used to taking Ws for advice on that.

Also I might as well tell you now as long as you have a strong upward trend most med schools won't bat an eye to a crappy first semester. You're really going to have to improve calculus though. C- is passing anything below that and you'll have to retake it.

 

[Forever Geebs]

First semester of many semesters in your journey. Learn from your mistakes and don’t make them again.

If you were admitted to the hospital then consider spending with school resources to see what can be done, if anything. Odds are if it were for two weeks there’s a medically justified reason of which can help you.

Back to the point, and to echo what others have said, it is a long journey and there will be bumps along the way. You will not come out unscathed, but you will be wiser. Keep pushing and focus on the journey, not the destination.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[psychgirl95]

It seems crazy to me that you'd lose attendance points because you were admitted to the hospital.

Agreed.

Did you contact your professors about the hospitalization? Even if you didn’t, check and see if your school has a student outreach office that will handle your professors allowing you to make up work. Medical withdrawals are also an option; I know you’re worried about the financial aid (I’ve got about 8 withdrawals all due to serious health issues so trust me, I understand), but you may be able to talk to your school’s financial aid office and tell them what happened.

By the way, feel free to ask me any psychology questions. (I’m a psych/neuroscience double major.)

 

[stickgirl390]

It seems crazy to me that you'd lose attendance points because you were admitted to the hospital.

Not necessarily. My UG had a policy that if you missed 20% or more of class you had to retake, excused absence or not.

 

[Goro]

In August, I was very excited to begin my first semester in college and take a step closer to medical school. I spent about two months working hard to maintain A’s in all of my classes, pulling all-nighters and studying religiously (I’m taking Biology, Calculus, and Psychology). Late last month however, I was hospitalized for nearly two weeks, during which time my grades have dropped. I now have a C in Biology and a D in Calculus. B in Psych. (I’ve lost several points for attendance, missed quizzes, etc. and I’ve done poorly on my my recent exams in those classes). There is only a month left in the semester, and the only thing left that can help my grade at this point is our final exams. Even if I manage to do well my GPA for this semester will be an embarrassing stain on my transcript. I considered dropping the classes for a W, but if I take less than 12 units my financial aid will be effected. I feel so behind in the material and I’m anxious and frustrated… I know I can demonstrate an upward trend in future semesters, but I’m curious: how will medical schools view me as an applicant when they look back on my very first semester? Am I crazy to think they’ll even consider me at all? I’m estimating my GPA will be around a 2.5 by the time this semester is over.

A) You need to recover and do better
B) One bad semester isn't lethal. Hell, even two bad years may not be lethal.
C) Get thee to your school's education or learning center for help, STAT!

 

[ekmf27050]

My first semester of college: A-, B, C-, W --> 1.7 sGPA

Now: two acceptances

Don't panic my friend.

 

[timephone]

My first semester at college: B+, F, A-, W.

And I didn't even have an illness as an excuse. Freshman year is tough, you're likely living on your own for the first time in your life, you're in an unfamiliar environment, and you're still a child (no offense). As another commenter said, this is the first of many semesters in your future. You can and will recover. I'm doing my post-bacc/second degree right now and maintaining a 4.0 over all my pre-med pre-reqs. You're smart enough, you just need some time to adjust.

I would take a break from the BCPM classes next semester and maybe take some of your Gen Ed classes. Take a breather and get in the swing of things with some easy classes. Get healthy mentally and physically, join some clubs or other social groups. Don't pull all-nighters; these shouldn't be necessary if you are managing your time well.

If I were you--and this advice is heavily dependent on the specifics on your situation, so don't take our advice verbatim--I would finish out the semester without withdrawing and try to get your Calc grade up to a C-. If you're going to get an F, it might be worth withdrawing, but that's impossible for me to say. Just try to go easy on yourself. Try to have some fun!