One bad semester?

[NStarz]

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Hi all, I've noticed similar threads lurking about, but nothing specific to vet--and I know there are vast differences between, say, vet and med. I'm in the first semester of my junior year. I've had a high GPA thus far (3.8+) but I have a feeling it's going to go down this semester. 🙁 I don't really have any excuses besides overwhelming myself with 20 credits, 3 prereq classes and the writing of a thesis proposal (as well as volunteering, shadowing, etc).

Is all hope lost? I know that many people say that bad early semesters can be overcome, but I'll be applying in the spring for next cycle and therefore won't have any "after the bad semester" grades to show the adcoms.

I hate to be a whiner, but will a couple of C's this semester kill me? (Most likely in biochem and micro, possibly physics as well, though I believe I can pull a B in micro with the final).

Advice greatly appreciated!

~NStarz

 

[parietal]

I think quite a few people have gotten in with a C or two in their prereqs. It's not ideal, of course, but I don't think it's a deal breaker.

But part of it will depend on the school. Some vet schools (like Minnesota) look closely at your GPA for your last 45 credits and your prereq GPA and don't look at your comprehensive GPA at all. So for a school like that, it's going to be much harder for you. But if you don't pull your comprehensive GPA down much, you should still be in better shape for schools that weigh that more heavily.

If you have your heart set on a school with a last 45-credit (or 30 or 60 or whatever), it might be worth taking some summer courses before you submit your application to pull that number up a bit.

 

[PM2009]

I think you'll be okay but you'll prob have to explain why at some point. I just started a thread today b/c I also have a single bad semester caused by medical issues beyond my control and am nervous about explaining it in my interview but most schools will take people with a few C's. I think the vast majority of people get C's in either O chem or Biochem it seems so you aren't alone.

My current equine vet had a 1.9 GPA semester and got in on his first try so there's hope for sure. His prereq GPA was low as well, in the 2.8 range but luckily our instate doesn't look at that (just overall and last 45). He's an amazing vet and super smart, he just had a bad 5 months and they actually listened to his reasons why.

I hope they do the same for me...

 

[Caninerepro]

I got in, and even at MN, with a single 2.8 semester just outside my last 45. My overall was a 3.4 undergrad, but my last semester was a grad school 4.0, and my last 45 was a 3.8. So, one bad semester should not kill you. You may want to address it in your PS, but I would not worry about it too much. There is not a whole lot you can do once it happens, but if you do have ANY chance of bringing a class up even to a B, focus there and do what you can. Good luck, and congrats on the 3.8 so far!

 

[yksAggie09]

I think you'll be okay but you'll prob have to explain why at some point. I just started a thread today b/c I also have a single bad semester caused by medical issues beyond my control and am nervous about explaining it in my interview but most schools will take people with a few C's. I think the vast majority of people get C's in either O chem or Biochem it seems so you aren't alone.

My current equine vet had a 1.9 GPA semester and got in on his first try so there's hope for sure. His prereq GPA was low as well, in the 2.8 range but luckily our instate doesn't look at that (just overall and last 45). He's an amazing vet and super smart, he just had a bad 5 months and they actually listened to his reasons why.

I hope they do the same for me...

Hey! im new here! where did your equine vet go to Vet school?

 

[chyactnate]

Hey! im new here! where did your equine vet go to Vet school?

That is exactly what I was wondering...lol

 

[PM2009]

University of Missouri, the caveat being that he had several 4.0 semesters after the initial mess up (it was fall semester his freshman year). That semester had several of his prereqs in it and even averaged out after he repeated them it was hard to raise the GPA too much. Plus he had tons of experience.

 

[Cypress]

I know Purdue looks at everything - your over all GPA including classes you may have repeated, they count all of the grades. For your core GPA if you repeat a class they average the 2 grades together.

I'm still new to this process, first time applying, I am a returning student and my GPA isn't the greatest because of some of my first few semesters which took place almost 8 years ago, they still count against me when it came to Purdue. They didn't look at the last 45.

But like other people have said some schools do look at the most recent semesters more heavily. GPA is that first hurddle so it's a big one. You may want to contact the schools you are interested in for admission advice, or check out their info online to see if retaking a course is worth it.

Good luck!