Need some advice

[PressPforPi]

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Hello everyone. I'm new to the SDN and this is my first post. I have undoubtedly decided on going through with medical school. However, this wasn't always the case. I recently switched over from a History major. Now, here's where my problem initiates. This is a post of my grades from my first year of college:
Biology (Bioterroism/Germwarfare) - A
Chem 1 - B Lab - A
English Comp - A
First Year Seminar - A
World History since 1500 - C
U.S. History since 1865 - B
Concepts of Fitness - A
Intro to Philosophy - C
American Government - C
Elementary Spanish 2 - C
GPA: 3.08
These total out to 36 Hours

As you can see, I slacked off and really didn't care. Well, now I do care, a lot. My study habits are quite different. At least an hour each day per subject.


Now: My schedule this semester with expected grades:
Principles of Biology w/ Lab - A
Statistics - (Probably A) but let's say B
Communications - A
English 2 - A
Retaking Intro to Philo. - A
GPA - ~3.3 I believe

I will have at least a 3.5 GPA when I graduate. (It can be done even with those C's) Would you advise retaking those classes? If so, when? Should I re-take them now or later on, like around my Senior year? I do intend on going to a half decent medical school. I'm shooting for Medical College of Georgia, or somewhere close to home.

My EC's: I do Habitat for Humanity, volunteer at a cancer center, I do CPR classes at the Red Cross, I do computer programming, I'm involved in a Big Brothers/Big Sisters program, I fix computers, and I also organize food drives for the homeless or needy.

As far as research goes, I have done none. Although, it is a requirement for a BS in Biology. I have to conduct a whole year's worth and present it in a symposium project (I'm sure most of you know this already). Would that be enough research or should I do more?

Also, as far as shadowing a doctor goes, do pre-med students normally get to this? I thought it was only for the med students that are doing their residency?

I know these are more than a few questions, but ANY help whatsoever would be greatly appreciated! 😀

*Items that are emboldened are the questions I'd like responses to🙂

 

[studmuffin]

Retake the classes. Your GPA is savable even w/o retaking. With retaking-do the math. Retake them ASAP b/c the material will be fresh in your mind the earlier you retake. Do more research than is required only if you enjoy it. If you are into it adcoms will see it, and it can only be a plus. If you hate it, however, don't bother, there are other things you could be doing.Finally, yes, premeds who are halfway serious about going to med school should shadow some doctors. It's not hard- just get on the phone and don't give up.
All in all, you are still in good shape. Your GPA is not up to par, but it is repairable b/c you only have 36 credits. Get all A's from here on out (or even a 3.7) and you will be fine. Shoot for all A's from here on out. If you don't shoot for a 4.0, then you can't get it. Don't sell yourself short and be happy with a 3.5 from here on. All A's.

 

[studmuffin]

BTW, your science GPA is better than your overall- the science GPA is more important- so you are sittin pretty if you are serious.

 

[PressPforPi]

Thanks a lot Studmuffin!🙂

 

[the duck]

The good news is that your science GPA is going quite well, and that is generally harder to pull up then your cGPA (total gpa). The fact that your run of bad grades was in your first semester, is even better, as you can use the excuse you were getting used to college. However, the average GPA for acceptances is about 3.7, so you still need to pull it up a bit. First off, make sure you get an A in stats. Note: when you retake classes, MD schools average the grades, meaning retaking 3 units, will not effect your gpa any differently than taking a different 3 unit class. However, DO schools replace the grades.

As for ECs: You don't need research. People get in every years without doing any. The fact you will be aiming for lower ranked medical schools ( if you wanted to to apply to higher ranked schools, it'll take a lot more work to pull that GPA up, and make up for it), means research is generally less important. But it still looks quite good!

As for shadowing, yes you need shadowing. around 50-60 hours total, not that much.

Just to correct something you said: Residency comes after medical school.

 

[PressPforPi]

I'm from a small town where my school only had 400-500 students. I attend a college that has around 9,000 students I believe so the transition was a little difficult. There were only 99 people in my Senior class. Also, Sorry for my error duck. Thanks for correcting me and thanks for the info. 🙂

 

[two thirty]

I'm from a small town where my school only had 400-500 students. I attend a college that has around 9,000 students I believe so the transition was a little difficult. There were only 99 people in my Senior class. Also, Sorry for my error duck. Thanks for correcting me and thanks for the info. 🙂

My school had 40 graduate and my college has 34,000+ .

Anyway, I wouldn't recommend retaking the classes. sGPA is a lot more important than nonscience anyway. Just keep up the study habits and make A's in your pre-reqs and you're golden.

 

[PressPforPi]

My school had 40 graduate and my college has 34,000+ .

Anyway, I wouldn't recommend retaking the classes. sGPA is a lot more important than nonscience anyway. Just keep up the study habits and make A's in your pre-reqs and you're golden.

There's no way I could handle that lol. Thanks for the advice though😀