Not smart enough to go to med school.

[gogreenx123]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Okay, before I start this thread just know that I am the class of 2016 and I have lots of factors working against me (cough cough new mcat).

I did very well my first semester at Michigan State University. I 4.0ed Gen Chemistry and Calculus and ended up with a 4.0 overall GPA. That GPA is what got me invited into MSU Honors College which gives me perks here and there (get to pick classes 3 weeks before everyone else).

I was dead set on taking the old MCAT no matter what. Standardized testing has always been my weakness, as I have always done well in my AP classes in high school and never scored above a 2 on the actual exam and that it took me THREE times just to score a 25 on the ACT. I ranked sixth in my graduating class because I work pretty hard, not because I'm super smart. My hard work ethic is what got me a 4.0 Fall semester.

However, my spring semester has hindered my self confidence.
Here are the grades
gen chem II: 3.5 (missed the 4.0 by one question on the final!)
bio cells and molecules: 3.0
bio cells and molecules lab: 3.5
writing course: 4.0
gem chem II lab: 4.0

I basically took really crappy bio professors my spring semester, just so I could avoid taking the new MCAT. When you're cramming in your classes, you dont have the luxury of deciding when you'll take the class with a good professor because you have to get those prereqs in as soon as possible. My overall GPA is now a 3.78 after completing my freshman year, which I know is okay/kinda good but I cant help but feel concerned. After talking to my advisor, she said cramming in my prereqs to take the old MCAT is not possible. Or actually it is possible but I'd only have one shot to take it and thats January, which is kinda scary because if I ever mess up I have to take the new one. I've decided to take the new MCAT so I can spread out my classes more and avoid those crappy professors. I might even take a gap year so I can dedicate myself to studying for the MCAT in the summer before senior year.


I just feel so freaked out. I had a good fall semester only because EVERY one of my classes had a good professor. I do well with a good professor. I go to class, take notes, pay attention and review over 2 weeks prior to the exam. I'm not really a textbook or "teach yourself" kinda person, but everyone learns differently. But I won't have a good professor every time and I guess I just don't know how to adapt. My spring semester bio professors were not only pretty sucky teachers, but they were sucky people. They would say things like "this third exam right here will separate the smart from the dumb." His exams were a surprise every time. They weren't even close to the practice exams, and extremely difficult. People did do well in his class and even 4.0ed, but probably because they're very smart. My professor even told me I should reconsider my profession in medicine because I'm struggling so much in his class. Basically, his class was a weed out class based on how smart you are. This was a class where you couldnt really work hard for because he didnt go by the book and his lecture notes were too simplistic. I don't know, I just feel really bad about myself. I think I'm a hard worker, but according to his exams scores I was one of the dumb ones. And I don't understand why! Biology isnt really that hard of a subject, but they made it way harder than it needs to be. I did end up with a 3.0 in his class, but thats because he had a failing average and had to curve it or else the university will talk. I would've originally gotten a 2.5

So I'm trying my best to show med schools I work hard by a good GPA. My GPA is good but needs to be better. Hopefully, I'll get it to a low 3.9 by the time I apply. However, I know I won't do so well on the MCAT. Especially since I'm taking the new one. And well maybe the reason why I couldn't do well in biology or I won't do so well on the MCAT is because maybe my bio professors were right....I'm not smart enough to go to medical school. I don't know if this is true of myself or not, but how can I bounce back from this?

 

[JustintheDoctor]

Get a 33-40 on the MCAT and you should be able to get into med school

 

[shishy]

When you have professors who avoid the book and go with simplistic lectures, it usually means that you have to go based on what he says in lecture and be more proactive and go to his office hours... you'll adjust to it eventually. It sucks you didn't do as well as you had hoped but it looks like you now have a plan for what you want to do in terms of approaching the new MCAT, which is good! You still have 2 (or 3 more years) to improve your GPA and a 3.78 can be salvaged (although it isn't as bad as you might think it is to be honest).

I don't know what your study habits, etc. are so I can't really help you there but especially for biology classes (or most classes in general) it helps to be systematic and give yourself a week and a half to two weeks to properly study for exams (review notes and find practice exams, problems, etc. to do). I wouldn't give up just yet.

 

[shishy]

oops double

 

[gogreenx123]

Well since I have problems with standardized testing in the first place, what do you think about the new MCAT? Do you think it will be as terrible as everyone says it will be? My concern is not only the new exam, but lack of preparation materials. Which is why I want to take a gap year and take the MCAT in August. Because maybe more prep material will be out by then! But I don't know if that's an accurate judgement.

And I dont think I'm capable of 33-40. Remember standardized testing is my weakness. I'll score a 30 if I'm lucky

 

[JustintheDoctor]

Well since I have problems with standardized testing in the first place, what do you think about the new MCAT? Do you think it will be as terrible as everyone says it will be? My concern is not only the new exam, but lack of preparation materials. Which is why I want to take a gap year and take the MCAT in August. Because maybe more prep material will be out by then! But I don't know if that's an accurate judgement.

And I dont think I'm capable of 33-40. Remember standardized testing is my weakness. I'll score a 30 if I'm lucky

You can still get into some MD schools with a 30 just apply for the ones that aren't the top. Also just prepare harder for this mcat, For example my buddy did over 2000 practice questions on the 2012 mcat and scored a 38. Try to double his questions and you should get a very high score. With over 4000 questions you're bound to know what you are doing

 

[gogreenx123]

AAMC says they will only release 3 practice exams for the new MCAT though. What do I do about that? 🙁 This whole new MCAT thing is really quite the predicament.

 

[JustintheDoctor]

AAMC says they will only release 3 practice exams for the new MCAT though. What do I do about that? 🙁 This whole new MCAT thing is really quite the predicament.

Then do them all. Take some of the questions from them and replace them with different numbers and ect. And keep doing them. Also you can use old mcats to help study too. It won't be entirely different

 

[okokok]

I think if you're this concerned and on top of your studies, you're going to get yourself into med school. I don't necessarily see the harm in taking the current MCAT at the last possible moment like you mentioned, then retaking the new one if necessary. Obviously I have no idea, but I'd bet money that there will be prep materials available for the new MCAT, and that the AAMC will have communicated with the prep companies to make the practice material reflective of the new exam. I say this because the AAMC wants students to take the exam so the company will make money, but if there's no way to prepare for the exam then a lot of students may say f it and choose a different route. Also, I feel like med schools will be pretty lenient with the first year of the new MCAT scores, since they don't have much to compare it to. Taking the new MCAT, though it looks like a monster of a test, may actually be beneficial if schools are softer on your scores.

With as concerned as you are, I really think you'll do fine and will figure things out. You're new at college, but will eventually develop a strategy that works for you regarding professors you don't like. Learning how to self-study and learn from a textbook is a really good skill that puts you in control of your grade instead of blaming a bad professor (who another student might think is a great professor).

Stay anxious enough to push yourself to do well and meet your goals, but not so anxious that you psych yourself out.

Also, please have a little bit of fun in undergrad.

 

[KinesiologyNerd]

Are you seriously freaking out because you got a B? Not sure if srs. Go find a good psychiatrist to tackle your anxiety, and use this proclaimed superior work ethic to study for the MCAT.

 

[graduate2be]

Agreed. Stop making a mountain out of a molehill. Rather you take the new or the old MCAT, you'll have to prepare well for it. If you do that and come out with a 30+, then you'll be OK.

Are you seriously freaking out because you got a B? Not sure if srs. Go find a good psychiatrist to tackle your anxiety, and use this proclaimed superior work ethic to study for the MCAT.

 

[Doctor116]

Don't feel dumb...you sound like a very hard worker and that will take you far. So stop putting yourself down! 🙂 Weed-out classes don't have to weed you out. And just remember: it's just one class, one grade, one moment. Your grades don't define you in any way. So don't let them.

About the standardized tests: I have friends who are the same way--not good test takers. Some got in (with scores under 30), some didn't. My advice is to apply early (like have your app all ready to go so you can send it in as soon as AMCAS opens...early June of whatever year you're applying). Also, get to know people at your in-state school. See if you can get an advocate there...or maybe if you can even get someone there to write a letter of rec for you. That could go a long way.

Get at least a 30 (or aim higher!), and you should be fine (although, like I said, people get in with lower/higher scores)...if you boost your app in other ways (research, shadowing, volunteering, etc...btw, research is NOT necessary). The scores are kinda necessary to get you past the screen (i.e. to give you a shot at getting an interview). Once you're past that, no one really cares about scores. It's more about you and your experiences.

When you start applying, apply wisely...pick schools that you have a good shot at and include a few reach schools (b/c you never know!). Also, don't disregard DO and Caribbean schools...if you really want to be a doctor, this is the country to be in because there are so many opportunities! Esp for a hard worker like you.

 

[UCFMD]

We're seriously talking about 'salvaging' a 3.78 after freshmen year? We are talking about the MCAT freshmen year?

TC, take manageable course loads. Volunteer. Shadow. Get involved with a student organization. Don't think about the mcat for at least another year.

The problem with you asking for advice here is that most of these people are just as paranoid as you. A 3.78 Is well above the average for MD matriculants and it is your FRESHMEN year. Don't be one of those people that thinks you're an idiot because you don't have a 4.0. There are much smarter people with much lower GPAs.

And again, stop thinking about the mcat. A year from now, you can start looking into materials. But you're going to drive yourself absolutely nuts with your current mindset, and this thread isn't helping.

Remember, college should also be fun. You don't have to make yourself miserable to get into medical school, and you certainly shouldn't live in fear because your GPA is only so much higher than everyone else's.

Relax, take a deep breath, and get the hell off this site. These people will make it worse, not better.

 

[MadRadLad]

I'm a current MSU student too, and I never took the intro Bio courses (AP credit), but i've heard from a lot of people that the intro courses are a lot tougher than some of the more advanced ones.

If you want to discuss more things specifically (i.e. professors and such) PM me.

 

[ChartaBona]

[deleted]