Junior looking for advice!

[sillysocksenthusiast]

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Hi! I’m premed and I just finished my sophomore year of uni where I ended with a 3.35 cgpa. I've had a 4.0 my entire life up until this point so I'm feeling really lost and disappointed in myself for letting myself stoop this low. I already retook Orgo 1 and now I just learned I have to retake Orgo 2 after missing the C grade by 2 points (genuinely beat myself over this so much). This was particularly disheartening because I did try my best and did all the practice problems working at it everyday and I atill fell short by just 2 points. However I can own up to my shortcomings and am planning to retake the course in the upcoming semesters (the waitlist is unfortunately long for fall since I just took this over a 6 week course rather than a traditional full semester). It was a particularly bad year and I’ll own up to the fact that I misplaced my priorities, was burnt out, and just wasn’t in the right headspace which impacted my gpa. However I’m now committed to raising it in my remaining 2 years. I’ve cried and questioned everything already so if you don’t have anything helpful to say please don’t. I’ve already thought of how it was all my fault and how I have no one to blame but myself and everything. Being a doctor is all I’ve ever wanted to be so I do not want to give up. I’ve planned the next two years more strategically and I’m certain I can get As in practically all the classes. Unfortunately I don't have the best grades in my pre-reqs from sophomore years (including Orog 1, biochem, and physics 2) but the others are alright. For circumstances I can’t disclose please assume a post bacc isn’t possible and these next two years are all I have. If all goes well, I should end with a 3.5-3.6?

Additionally I was also supposed to take the mcat this summer (and was studying while I took this accelerated Orgo 2 course - which proved to be a bad idea) but I’ve cancelled it and now plan to take it next summer. My most recent FL was a 515 (obviously not a real score so it's harder to chance me but I think I could reach a competitive enough mcat score by next summer even if I stay within this range). For now my ECs are pretty mid but over 150 in everything but clinical experience (I have clinical volunteering though just having been able to find a clinical job and juggle classes).

Is my dream of becoming a doctor still within reach or is all hope lost? My parents are urging me to apply without a gap year or at the max apply after my senior year (they weren't too happy about the idea though) and I don't want one bad year to ruin everything.

 

[chilly_md]

Thread moved to Pre-Medical forums.

You've got 2 more years of school, so it is best to see how you do going forward. Ease up on the EC's till you are able to consistently handle more advanced coursework in your schedule. You will need to apply after your senior year at a minimum most likely.

 

[MedSchoolPilot]

A rough sophomore year doesn’t necessarily define your application, especially with two years left to show improvement.
Continuing to work on your GPA, building clinical experience, and strengthening your ECs can give you more to work with, though things like school list, residency, experiences, and letters will all play a role. Taking more time with the MCAT may help avoid trying to fix everything at once.

The next couple years can get complicated with classes, hours, activities, and application deadlines, so having a simple way to keep track of what’s completed and what still needs attention can make the process easier to manage.

 

[LizzyM]

You absolutely need a gap year, or two... You must apply with the best GPA you can get and that will only happen if you have three good years to dilute the effects of sophomore year which, traditionally, is the worst year because it is the year that almost everyone takes o-chem. One common path to success is to finish school in 4 years, prep for the MCAT all summer, take it in August/September and then get a job with the plan to apply the following May. That also gives you an academic year of full-time work and volunteerism on your application in addition to whatever you did in college. It also means gaining some life experience outside of the classroom which can be hugely valuable in medical school.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Your PARENTS' dreams of you getting into medical school right after college may be unrealistic. You should do your homework on DO schools anyway, and you should plan a growth year strategy. Applicants with at least 1 growth year have successfully gotten into medical school, so as long as you address the areas where you have fallen short of goal, you can still do it. You can even get into medical school in your 30s (or older) if your dream is that compelling. If anything, don't let your parents pressure you into making a worse mistake by applying with a much less optimal profile; you must prove your dream isn't really your parents'... and from your original post, that separation is not very clear.

 

[sillysocksenthusiast]

Your PARENTS' dreams of you getting into medical school right after college may be unrealistic. You should do your homework on DO schools anyway, and you should plan a growth year strategy. Applicants with at least 1 growth year have successfully gotten into medical school, so as long as you address the areas where you have fallen short of goal, you can still do it. You can even get into medical school in your 30s (or older) if your dream is that compelling. If anything, don't let your parents pressure you into making a worse mistake by applying with a much less optimal profile; you must prove your dream isn't really your parents'... and from your original post, that separation is not very clear.

Hi! Thanks for the advice!! I guess I didn't really specify in my first post but my parent's never really imposed the career on me, I chose it myself in highschool and my ecs so far have only made me want to pursue it more which is why fumbling my gpa hurt even more I guess. They just got really into their own research after I started expressing interest in the career. So, my dream career but their dream timeline I guess? Thanks replying though, it gave me much more clarity on the situation 🙂

 

[sillysocksenthusiast]

You absolutely need a gap year, or two... You must apply with the best GPA you can get and that will only happen if you have three good years to dilute the effects of sophomore year which, traditionally, is the worst year because it is the year that almost everyone takes o-chem. One common path to success is to finish school in 4 years, prep for the MCAT all summer, take it in August/September and then get a job with the plan to apply the following May. That also gives you an academic year of full-time work and volunteerism on your application in addition to whatever you did in college. It also means gaining some life experience outside of the classroom which can be hugely valuable in medical school.

Hi! Thanks for your response!! All the panic of messing up has finally settled down and after clearly thinking, I'm definitely going to apply after my senior year. I had a 3.8 after freshman year and my gpa mostly just suffered sophomore year. The plan I came up with is pretty similar to what you suggested. I'm going to keep my gpa up and hopefully take the MCAT summer before senior year and then apply during the gap year as I work/volunteer! Since I started prepping with intentions to take it this summer, I'm confident enough in hopefully getting a competitive score as I have another year of prep now! The inital anxiety of steering off course has definitely dwindled and i've come to accept that I can't keep being anxious and just need to keep going; reading your comment has definitely cemented this idea so, thank you 🙂

 

[sillysocksenthusiast]

A rough sophomore year doesn’t necessarily define your application, especially with two years left to show improvement.
Continuing to work on your GPA, building clinical experience, and strengthening your ECs can give you more to work with, though things like school list, residency, experiences, and letters will all play a role. Taking more time with the MCAT may help avoid trying to fix everything at once.

The next couple years can get complicated with classes, hours, activities, and application deadlines, so having a simple way to keep track of what’s completed and what still needs attention can make the process easier to manage.

Thank you for this, I really needed some positivity and hope 🙂

 

[sillysocksenthusiast]

Thread moved to Pre-Medical forums.

You've got 2 more years of school, so it is best to see how you do going forward. Ease up on the EC's till you are able to consistently handle more advanced coursework in your schedule. You will need to apply after your senior year at a minimum most likely.

Thank you 🙂 I've come to figure as much after thinking more calmly and plan to do exactly that! I'm just hoping that I do well enough these next two years that I don't have to do a post-bac/smp!

 

[sillysocksenthusiast]

Also, a little edit for anyone else who might have any advice!! As I begin to reinvent myself, I want to also start building a school list/see where I fall in regards to my hopes for when I apply. I'm mostly looking at schools in the midwest (mainly MI and WI) but I'd go anywhere in the country if I got in; and I have a hugh interest in public health interest (my major) as I have a huge interest in rural health and patient advocacy. I'm also open to both MD/DO schools (obviously). So, if anyone had any advice on how I fare for these states or had any school suggestions I should look into I'd really appreciate it. I think part of my shortcomings sophomore year was lack of planning so I really want to get a start on just basic school list researching.

 

[Med Ed]

As I begin to reinvent myself, I want to also start building a school list/see where I fall in regards to my hopes for when I apply.

This is putting the cart before the horse. Trying to do everything at once is not a sign of strength, it's a marker of immaturity. You are a rising junior. You have two years of coursework left and no MCAT score. This is not the time to start building a school list.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

You don't need to build a school list, but you should talk to admissions recruiters and attend events at schools closest to you where you have any in-state or geographic advantages.

 

[sillysocksenthusiast]

This is putting the cart before the horse. Trying to do everything at once is not a sign of strength, it's a marker of immaturity. You are a rising junior. You have two years of coursework left and no MCAT score. This is not the time to start building a school list.

I see, this is good to know. A lot of people in my circle were stressing about it this summer so I thought I was falling behind in this aspect!

 

[Mr.Smile12]

I see, this is good to know. A lot of people in my circle were stressing about it this summer so I thought I was falling behind in this aspect!

This sounds like high school... though you would already be falling behind if you hadn't scoped the Ivy Leagues by the end of 8th grade. 😉

Everyone is running a different race. And everyone thinks they have to be farther along than they are.

 

[sillysocksenthusiast]

This sounds like high school... though you would already be falling behind if you hadn't scoped the Ivy Leagues by the end of 8th grade. 😉

Everyone is running a different race. And everyone thinks they have to be farther along than they are.

LOL! With everyone in each others' business comparing stats it does feel like that sometimes, but thank you for the reminder I think that's something I need to learn to accept. 😛

 

[Med Ed]

I see, this is good to know. A lot of people in my circle were stressing about it this summer so I thought I was falling behind in this aspect!

Premeds (and the medical students they beget) have a reputation, as you may know. On the plus side, they are bright and highly motivated. However, this comes with some tendency towards darker traits, like neuroticism, maladaptive perfectionism, and an inability to show weakness or ignorance. They run around acting like they know everything, but inside they are trying desperately not to crumble.

The people who are ultimately rewarded in this whole god-awful process are the ones who can do the following: (1) study the system, (2) develop a logical plan, (3) tune out the noise, and (4) execute.

Back in the day, when the MCAT was offered twice a year as a pencil-and-paper test, traditional applicants would aim to take it in April of junior year. You planning to take it the summer before junior year, when you are simultaneously trying to tackle accelerated organic chemistry, that was a bad idea. I know you know this now, but you did not sufficiently study the system and make a logical plan. It's a setback, for sure, but also an opportunity to do things better moving forward. Also, sitting around beating yourself up doesn't help anything. Go ahead and feel bad for one night, then wake up, get dressed and keep going. That's how it works when you're a practicing doctor.

There is parable about learning a martial art (kung fu?) that I came across years ago. The punch line is that when you always have one eye fixed upon your goal, then you only have one eye left with which to find your way. I have generally found this to be true.

 

[MARJLIL]

You absolutely need a gap year, or two... You must apply with the best GPA you can get and that will only happen if you have three good years to dilute the effects of sophomore year which, traditionally, is the worst year because it is the year that almost everyone takes o-chem. One common path to success is to finish school in 4 years, prep for the MCAT all summer, take it in August/September and then get a job with the plan to apply the following May. That also gives you an academic year of full-time work and volunteerism on your application in addition to whatever you did in college. It also means gaining some life experience outside of the classroom which can be hugely valuable in medical school.

Definitely agree with that sometimes it's better to take gap year(s) to build up your application and gain more experience in the medical field before you apply. Your grades in college don't fully define if you get in or not a good extra-curricular I did was work as a pre med and research intern under Improve Life PLLC a small prenatal psychiatric clinic

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