My Perspective

[YLFounder]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Right now, I'm a sophomore at UAB with a little bit below average stats when it comes to GPA. I had a rough freshman year because I came from a rural town where I graduated as valedictorian, but didn't realize that the world outside of my small town is so much tougher. I underestimated my classes and ended up doing badly. It doesn't help that I'm Indian and my parents expected so much more of me.

I have always aspired to become a physician and just recently I discovered a specialty for which I am extremely passionate for, so please do not think I am trying to take the easy way out.

I plan on applying to UAB and Alabama's other MD school and 2 DO schools, but I guess what I'm asking is, what other medical schools are there that are willing to accept someone who is working hard, but has a blotch on her history?

 

[cyberchicken001]

Right now, I'm a sophomore at UAB with a little bit below average stats when it comes to GPA. I had a rough freshman year because I came from a rural town where I graduated as valedictorian, but didn't realize that the world outside of my small town is so much tougher. I underestimated my classes and ended up doing badly. It doesn't help that I'm Indian and my parents expected so much more of me.

I have always aspired to become a physician and just recently I discovered a specialty for which I am extremely passionate for, so please do not think I am trying to take the easy way out.

I plan on applying to UAB and Alabama's other MD school and 2 DO schools, but I guess what I'm asking is, what other medical schools are there that are willing to accept someone who is working hard, but has a blotch on her history?

Like, all of them.

 

[lmn]

You are only a sophomore, do well the rest of your time in school and you should be able to bring your gpa up to at least the 3.5 range (which is actually strong enough to be considered at most schools - despite what SDN will tell you), focus on doing well in school and working on your EC's asap so you can show long term commitment in each, and when the time comes, prepare and do well on the MCAT. SDN makes it seem like if you dont have a 3.7+, you'll never make it, but if you talk to people actually in medical school (maybe less common in the very top schools), hardly anyone was perfect from the get go.

 

[YLFounder]

Thank you for being so understanding. I know for a fact that they will ask me during my interview about my freshman year and why I had to take retake classes. I seem to have lost hope and I've been trying to find ways to redeem myself in any way possible.

 

[Keladry]

Thank you for being so understanding. I know for a fact that they will ask me during my interview about my freshman year and why I had to take retake classes. I seem to have lost hope and I've been trying to find ways to redeem myself in any way possible.

They will ask you, but that's your chance to show them what you've learned from the experience, how you've grown, etc. They give you that opportunity precisely because it can be such an important learning opportunity for many people. 🙂

 

[IgEdoc]

Actually a trend toward a strong, positive growth, improvement and adjustment about yourself speaks highly of your commitment and eventual success in medicine...adcoms love this
Good Luck!

 

[EMDO2018]

Asians 🙄

 

[lmn]

Thank you for being so understanding. I know for a fact that they will ask me during my interview about my freshman year and why I had to take retake classes. I seem to have lost hope and I've been trying to find ways to redeem myself in any way possible.

I didn't do well my first two years of college (including pretty much all of the pre-req classes), but I turned it all around after that and got good grades, got very involved in things I was interested in (research/leadership/work/etc), and then performed very strongly on my MCAT and with a good school list I was able to secure a good amount of interviews. You may get asked about it in interviews, but just have a good explanation, along with a strong upward trend and a good MCAT, they won't really care. Also, most schools I interviewed told us that the mere fact that we were there meant that their Adcom was confident that we could be successful academically in any med school, so I wouldn't worry too much about having to try to convince them that you aren't going to fail..

 

[Catalystik]

Right now, I'm a sophomore at UAB with a little bit below average stats when it comes to GPA. I had a rough freshman year because I came from a rural town where I graduated as valedictorian, but didn't realize that the world outside of my small town is so much tougher. I underestimated my classes and ended up doing badly. It doesn't help that I'm Indian and my parents expected so much more of me.

I have always aspired to become a physician and just recently I discovered a specialty for which I am extremely passionate for, so please do not think I am trying to take the easy way out.

I plan on applying to UAB and Alabama's other MD school and 2 DO schools, but I guess what I'm asking is, what other medical schools are there that are willing to accept someone who is working hard, but has a blotch on her history?

Applicants who had difficulty adjusting to a more rapid pace of learning after HS are common. Upward grades trends are noticed. You are by no means out of the game.

What was your GPA last term?

 

[Mt Kilimanjaro]

Why is the title of this thread "My Perspective?"

You still have plenty of time to raise your GPA. If it's not competitive during junior year, take an extra year then apply.