Misguided Start

[alilip]

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Hello all,

This is my first time posting so I apologize if I put this in the wrong area or this is repetitive, I couldn't find a similar thread anywhere else.

I am currently a second semester sophomore in undergrad. I came into college as a bio major following a prevet track. My first semester I had a life-altering event happen, however managed to pull out with a 3.3GPA. Second semester, the aftershock of the event hit and I struggled massively with depression and my semester GPA was a horrifying 2.46 (at this point a 2.91 cumulative). First semester of sophomore year I started to get my life together and pulled my semester GPA up to a 2.86. During this time, I realized that prevet was no longer the path I wanted to take. After some serious soul searching I realize that I want to pursue a premed track. My question is, do you think it's too late to even be considered for med school? I am assuming I'll have to take at least one extra semester to get prereqs in and such. Now that I realize where I want to go in my life I'm dedicated to working hard to pull up my GPA. My fear is that with how much I messed up my first 3 semesters it's too late to get there. Will the fact that I wasn't premed from the beginning affect anything? Any advice for increasing my chances? While I know a lot about what's needed for prevet, I'm far less informed about premed so any advice will help. Thanks!

 

[RuggerMD]

If you can pull up your GPA (I'm talking 3.5+ in almost every class from now on) and get a good score on your MCAT, you have a shot. You may have to take a gap year to ramp up your ECs beyond the normal pre-med, especially if you need to take some stuff off your plate to focus on the academics for now, but that is totally normal. Take additional steps to ensure that if life rocks you again that you don't fall off the deep end. That might mean seeking counseling and making healthy, habitual life changes.

You have your personal statement and secondaries to explain the 2 semesters that went wrong (a 3.3 semester isn't going to kill your chances) and 5 more semesters to show them that you are capable and sound academically. You also could do a post-bac if you apply and they site your academics as a weakness. Don't give up on yourself yet 🙂

 

[Lucca]

If you can get a 3.7+ every semester from now on and make sure that you are getting anything that is sinking you academically under control then you will have a shot. Furthermore, don't neglect to get clinical experience, clinical volunteering, explore research and study for a strong MCAT score. That might sound really overwhelming but you do have 2.5 years to do it (from your OP) so it's definitely possible however some serious change and hard work will be required.

 

[moisne]

No one cares about the "pre-med" status. You don't need a "pre med" status to get into med school at all.

Yeah your grades kind of are a bummer but your goal right now is to bring your GPA up (ideally/realistically 3.5 for you), do well on MCAT (30+ or whatever it is on the new scale now), get some EC in, leadership, and show your personality. Then apply broadly.