Need Advice...in tough spot

[bryceg]

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So....

I have had a rough undergrad. for the past 3 years I have been struggling with some family problems (father not wanting to live anymore...sister suing the family because she is crazy....looooooong story)....well basically i have been going back and forth from school and home to constantly take care of family issues. ive tried to keep my grades up (slacking below a 3.0), i have a crap ton of EC's, lots of volunteering and shadowing, and soon I will be taking the MCAT. though my sGPA is low...real low...im worried that because of my family problems and the effects it has had on my grades, it will hinder me from being accepted anywhere...

So...what do i do?

 

[KLycos]

So....

I have had a rough undergrad. for the past 3 years I have been struggling with some family problems (father not wanting to live anymore...sister suing the family because she is crazy....looooooong story)....well basically i have been going back and forth from school and home to constantly take care of family issues. ive tried to keep my grades up (slacking below a 3.0), i have a crap ton of EC's, lots of volunteering and shadowing, and soon I will be taking the MCAT. though my sGPA is low...real low...im worried that because of my family problems and the effects it has had on my grades, it will hinder me from being accepted anywhere...

So...what do i do?

gotta get that gpa up to above 3.0 dude, sorry about the fam issues tho.

 

[Medicinewoman85]

You need to bring that GPA up as high as possible. Maybe you should retake your pre reqs where you got a C or less. Prepare ahead of time for the MCAT so you can score high on that. You don't want to take the MCAT if you don't have a clear understanding of biology, chem, org chem,etc.. Maybe consider doing a SMP or Post Bac if you are close to graduation. There are many options as to what you can do. There really is no cut and dry answer. Just stay positive and do your best.

 

[bryceg]

and if im graduating soon? should i do a post bacc?

 

[KLycos]

and if im graduating soon? should i do a post bacc?

just retake any class you got a c+ or lower in

 

[CoolWhipp]

You need to not take anymore classwork unless you can get an A. Do what you have to do to take care of your life, sometimes this means taking a long break.

 

[IlDestriero]

You need to distance yourself from your family problems. Easy to say, I know, but they are, by your admission, getting between you and your dreams. If you can't, it's time for a break until you get your situation stable and your priorities straight. Retake classes where you did poorly, get As, and enjoy the benefits of DO grade replacement. Don't take the MCAT unless you're getting a >30. The last thing you need is a questionable grade history and a bad score.
You won't get anywhere with a low GPA. Everyone has problems, how you deal with them and overcome your challenges is the difference. Retake some classes, post bac, whatever it takes. But, don't do it until you're ready to get As. If you can't, maybe it's not the way to go.

 

[Prncssbuttercup]

and if im graduating soon? should i do a post bacc?

You need to not take anymore classwork unless you can get an A. Do what you have to do to take care of your life, sometimes this means taking a long break.

Yes, you should do a post-bacc, but not until (as coolwhipp) said, you can get As. If that means taking time off, or taking fewer courses, whatever you need to do to get As.

As for 'distancing' I disagree, your family clearly has some psychological issues and if something were to happen while you were 'distanced' you could feel very badly for a long time... Do what you need to do to get As...