Need advice. Please =]

[UrbanMuscle]

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Hey everyone,

I was wondering if I could receive some advice in terms of my choice of action during the coming years.

I graduated from high school in 2006 and enrolled at a local community college. During my first semester everything went well, however, when the second semester came around I was struck with a debilitating depression (I was sexually abused as a child). From there on, I developed a habit of adding classes and showing up for the first few weeks and then dropping them, or just plain out receiving F's in them (I received F's in 5 courses). This tomfoolery lasted for about four years until in the summer of 2010 when one of the counselors at the school notified me I had to attend another community college because I was on academic probation. At that point, I realized I had to make a change for myself and address the issues within me.

So, during that summer I began seeing a therapist and it really helped me out. My outlook on life and everything around me began to change. So I decided to enroll at another community college in the fall of 2010. I began as a new student taking different classes from the ones I had taken at my first community college and completely changed my academic standing.

All in all, I have 38 units with a C average (I received academic renewal, and 30 of those 38 units aren't being counted towards my overall cGPA) 5 F's and 26 W's (withdrawals) from my first community college. At the second community college, I have retaken the classes that I had F's in and I'm about to complete 65 units (I applied as a transfer student for fall 2012 admission to all the UC's in Ca). While at this second community college I have not dropped a class (2 years and counting) and I have maintained a cGPA of 3.75.

I would like to know how much the W's on my transcript will affect me when I apply to medical school? Will they acknowledge the fact that I made a change in my life?

Also, I have been reading the threads about SMP and though I realize it is mainly for people with low GPAs, would it help me if I enrolled in such a program just to prove that I have the willingness, commitment, and desire to go into medical school? Or would it be better to simply enroll in a masters program?

Any and all advice will be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

 

[Deekle]

It's an uphill battle, but one which can be fought. Community college is a good start, but ultimately, a lot of places look down upon them for the medical school prereqs. It's a little early to be worrying about if you're going to get accepted or not (Unless you're trying to decide if you really want to do the medical school thing.) A 3.75 isn't bad, but I would try to keep as close to a 4.0 on the rest of your courses after you transfer. That's the best way to prove that there has really been a change. The more upper level sciences you take, the better. Don't just study for tests, spit out the information and forget it because you'll need it for the MCAT. The more you actually understand, the better.

I had a similar track record, though not quite as bad, had several W's and an F and still got interviews. I think the key is to establish that you have had a significant life change. Not to belittle your past experience of sexual abuse, but you will want to focus on how you reacted poorly to the circumstances and what you did to change those habits that were detrimental to your college experience.

I also did 2 years of community college before transfer to a 4 year institution. It's going to be a lot harder. The associates degree stuff is all pretty simple really, when you start getting into the high level science classes it gets harder and harder to maintain that good GPA. Work hard, know when to ask for help and keep a positive outlook. Come back here whenever you need a shot of encouragement or a kick in the pants.

Good luck!

 

[stefspets]

All in all, I have 38 units with a C average (I received academic renewal, and 30 of those 38 units aren't being counted towards my overall cGPA)

Take my opinion with a grain of salt, but here goes:

Only on SDN will you here that 3.75 is not an excellent GPA. I don't see the problem with your recent coursework. But keep in mind that all of your previous courses will be in your AMCAS GPA when you apply, even though you have academic renewal from your current institution. I would try to track down one of the AMCAS GPA worksheets and figure out where your GPA is right now. Those C's and F's are still going to be with you pulling you down. If you do very well at the four year then you'll be able to pull it up some; I think the wisdom around here is that if you can get your cumulative above 3.0 you're in ok shape. You'll have the recent upward trend and you'll be able to explain the circumstances and how you addressed them in your personal statement. AMCAS won't replace those F's with new grades, they all get averaged in. The DO schools have grade replacement so your GPA would be higher with them if the damage is beyond repair for AMCAS. There's lots of low GPA advice threads so I would do a search for that.

The OP never mentioned taking prereqs at the CC since he/she's applying to four year right now. Plenty of premeds start at CC and transfer to four year not to mention I just got in with most of my prereqs done at CC and no upper levels at the four year. It is all contingent on the rest of your application. In this case I would advocate taking them at the four year because of the previous history of not doing well.

Good luck to you--it is possible but the GPA repair won't be easy. Looks like you're off to a good start on that though. 🙂

 

[UrbanMuscle]

It's an uphill battle, but one which can be fought. Community college is a good start, but ultimately, a lot of places look down upon them for the medical school prereqs. It's a little early to be worrying about if you're going to get accepted or not (Unless you're trying to decide if you really want to do the medical school thing.) A 3.75 isn't bad, but I would try to keep as close to a 4.0 on the rest of your courses after you transfer. That's the best way to prove that there has really been a change. The more upper level sciences you take, the better. Don't just study for tests, spit out the information and forget it because you'll need it for the MCAT. The more you actually understand, the better.

I had a similar track record, though not quite as bad, had several W's and an F and still got interviews. I think the key is to establish that you have had a significant life change. Not to belittle your past experience of sexual abuse, but you will want to focus on how you reacted poorly to the circumstances and what you did to change those habits that were detrimental to your college experience.

I also did 2 years of community college before transfer to a 4 year institution. It's going to be a lot harder. The associates degree stuff is all pretty simple really, when you start getting into the high level science classes it gets harder and harder to maintain that good GPA. Work hard, know when to ask for help and keep a positive outlook. Come back here whenever you need a shot of encouragement or a kick in the pants.

Good luck!

Congratulations on your turn around, and thanks for the kind words of encouragement.

As of now I have not taken any all I have taken is one semester of upper-level biology, but I stopped taking science because I had to finish taking the rest of the requirements for my major (History).

I was thinking of double majoring to establish credibility, but I realize it is dangerous because I potentially do more harm to my gpa. What would you suggest? Should I just finish my degree and then do an SMP?

 

[UrbanMuscle]

Bump

 

[tantacles]

Congratulations on your turn around, and thanks for the kind words of encouragement.

As of now I have not taken any all I have taken is one semester of upper-level biology, but I stopped taking science because I had to finish taking the rest of the requirements for my major (History).

I was thinking of double majoring to establish credibility, but I realize it is dangerous because I potentially do more harm to my gpa. What would you suggest? Should I just finish my degree and then do an SMP?

A double major will not "establish credibility." What MIGHT establish credibility is if you continue to do well in your courses, get amazing grades in all of your pre-reqs, do very well on the MCAT (32+ at the bare minimum), and have a knockout personal statement that addresses the changes you've gone through during your time in college. If you're applying DO, you can use grade replacement to get rid of some of the blemishes on your GPA. If MD, they'll be there forever.

Medical and non-medical volunteering, shadowing, and long-term peer leadership will go a long way as well.