poor math grade

[zmkelchn]

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I'm in my jr year, and I am unfortunately getting horrendous grade in calc, and will probably end up with an F. I am immediately retaking it this summer, and if I get an higher than a B+, my GPA should go back up to around a 3.55/3.6. My science gpa is only around a 3.3. On the positive end, I have been doing research with the chance to publish, am in the honors college, and run varsity track and cross country (about 25 hours a wek). I was named to the NCAA All-Academic All-American team last year for cross country. Additionally, I have over 1000 hours of clinical experience in a gastroenterology office, and about 50 hours of ER volunteering. I also direct the Haiti volunteer efforts in my area and work with a professor in sending books internationally to underdeveloped counties. During my so and jr years, I also held a job (25 hrs a week) as an Resident Assistant to have some sort of income, and am a fellow in a lab doing cancer research now (15 hrs a week)

On the negative side, I have two very poor grades, a C in ochem and a F in calc. If I apply DO, those grades will be replaces, and if I get As, my sgpa pre-req gpa should go up to a 3.4 and cgpa to a 3.55ish. I am probably applying after my senior year to get my stats higher to avoid applying with a such a low sGPA. I also have some Ws on my transcript (inorganic I, later got an A, and Physics I, got an A-)

I would imagine these very poor grades in my junior year are going to be a huge red flag, even if I retake for an A. I'm holding off on applying for this reason, plus I need to score very high on my MCAT if I have any change. If I get 3.75 or higher my senior year however, I should apply with over a 3.6.

Advice on what DO schools I should apply to and if holding off a year is a good idea? I'm from PA. Thanks!

 

[zmkelchn]

could a mod remove this post, I'm putting it in the what are my chances

 

[mdbound1987]

I will be entering an MD school this fall despite an F in calculus freshman year (never retook it cuz I knew I'd do horrible again), a C in physics 2 senior year, and a D+ in G. Bio 1 freshman year (retook it and got an A). Granted, I got all A's in other pre-reqs and a 400 level cell bio course, but this is all to say that you will be fine. Just do well from here on out. I applied after senior year too in order to bring my gpa up some more cuz I had a 2.5 freshman year and graduated with a 3.5. So, you can do it. Just work ur butt off. Are you only considering D.O. because you want to or because you don't feel that you would be able to get accepted to MD? By where you are now, you could possibly go MD and if you get that SGPA up even more, you definitely have a solid chance. Since your gpa is not 3.8+, you need to make up 4 it with outstanding ECs, volunteering (medical and non-medical), leadership, research, and a solid mcat score. That NCAA award is huge though. It will make you stand out and can possibly be seen as a reason for a few bad grades considering college athletics are very demanding. If you are choosing DO cuz you connect with their philosophy, then go for it.

 

[zmkelchn]

I will be entering an MD school this fall despite an F in calculus freshman year (never retook it cuz I knew I'd do horrible again), a C in physics 2 senior year, and a D+ in G. Bio 1 freshman year (retook it and got an A). Granted, I got all A's in other pre-reqs and a 400 level cell bio course, but this is all to say that you will be fine. Just do well from here on out. I applied after senior year too in order to bring my gpa up some more cuz I had a 2.5 freshman year and graduated with a 3.5. So, you can do it. Just work ur butt off. Are you only considering D.O. because you want to or because you don't feel that you would be able to get accepted to MD? By where you are now, you could possibly go MD and if you get that SGPA up even more, you definitely have a solid chance. Since your gpa is not 3.8+, you need to make up 4 it with outstanding ECs, volunteering (medical and non-medical), leadership, research, and a solid mcat score. That NCAA award is huge though. It will make you stand out and can possibly be seen as a reason for a few bad grades considering college athletics are very demanding. If you are choosing DO cuz you connect with their philosophy, then go for it.

First off, congrats on being accepted! What school are you attending? Secondly, thanks for the advice/encouragement. As far as the DO school goes, the two docs I have worked for graduated from DO schools (PCOM) and highly recommended that school. I went to their open house, and really connected well with everyone there. I like the DO philosophy, but I am not counting out MD. However, MD schools will not replace my C and F, they will average them, so my sGPA may be a little lower. If I apply this year, I should have a 3.55/3.3 cGPA and sGPA, respectively. In all likelihood, I'll just take senior year to bump up that GPA, and if I do well, I could apply with a 3.65/3.42 if I get A- or higher. The hope is that my ECs will carry me, and I should have a publication in cancer oncology research, 500+ hours of volunteering, and 1000+ clinical experience. I would really like to be named to that NCAA team next year in both cross country, and possibly track if I qualify for nationals in the 5k, but that's a different topic haha. I try not to let athletics get in the way of school, but in all honesty, my two Ws in classes occurred because practice ran into lab times, so I hope they see that I got As in both of my W classes.

Thanks again! What are you doing in your gap year??

 

[Rzarecta]

I'm in my jr year, and I am unfortunately getting horrendous grade in calc, and will probably end up with an F. I am immediately retaking it this summer, and if I get an higher than a B+, my GPA should go back up to around a 3.55/3.6. My science gpa is only around a 3.3. On the positive end, I have been doing research with the chance to publish, am in the honors college, and run varsity track and cross country (about 25 hours a wek). I was named to the NCAA All-Academic All-American team last year for cross country. Additionally, I have over 1000 hours of clinical experience in a gastroenterology office, and about 50 hours of ER volunteering. I also direct the Haiti volunteer efforts in my area and work with a professor in sending books internationally to underdeveloped counties. During my so and jr years, I also held a job (25 hrs a week) as an Resident Assistant to have some sort of income, and am a fellow in a lab doing cancer research now (15 hrs a week)

On the negative side, I have two very poor grades, a C in ochem and a F in calc. If I apply DO, those grades will be replaces, and if I get As, my sgpa pre-req gpa should go up to a 3.4 and cgpa to a 3.55ish. I am probably applying after my senior year to get my stats higher to avoid applying with a such a low sGPA. I also have some Ws on my transcript (inorganic I, later got an A, and Physics I, got an A-)

I would imagine these very poor grades in my junior year are going to be a huge red flag, even if I retake for an A. I'm holding off on applying for this reason, plus I need to score very high on my MCAT if I have any change. If I get 3.75 or higher my senior year however, I should apply with over a 3.6.

Advice on what DO schools I should apply to and if holding off a year is a good idea? I'm from PA. Thanks!

A quick question, is your calc class over? Are you able to withdraw from the class?

 

[mdbound1987]

First off, congrats on being accepted! What school are you attending? Secondly, thanks for the advice/encouragement. As far as the DO school goes, the two docs I have worked for graduated from DO schools (PCOM) and highly recommended that school. I went to their open house, and really connected well with everyone there. I like the DO philosophy, but I am not counting out MD. However, MD schools will not replace my C and F, they will average them, so my sGPA may be a little lower. If I apply this year, I should have a 3.55/3.3 cGPA and sGPA, respectively. In all likelihood, I'll just take senior year to bump up that GPA, and if I do well, I could apply with a 3.65/3.42 if I get A- or higher. The hope is that my ECs will carry me, and I should have a publication in cancer oncology research, 500+ hours of volunteering, and 1000+ clinical experience. I would really like to be named to that NCAA team next year in both cross country, and possibly track if I qualify for nationals in the 5k, but that's a different topic haha. I try not to let athletics get in the way of school, but in all honesty, my two Ws in classes occurred because practice ran into lab times, so I hope they see that I got As in both of my W classes.

Thanks again! What are you doing in your gap year??

I honestly haven't decide yet. I have an acceptance but I am on the waitlist at Tufts which is a ridiculously amazing school so I am keeping that option open. Thank God the pressure is off though. Yeah definitely keep it up with the ECs and sports, but make those grades priority. I graduated last May and have just been working at Gap and volunteering at a hospice and the Boys and Girls Club. It has honestly been a great time to chill and refresh. Towards the beginning of this year, i was ready to get back to school because I am not accustomed to having this much time off, but I know when I start school this fall, I will be more than ready to hit the ground running. Good luck with everything.

 

[zmkelchn]

A quick question, is your calc class over? Are you able to withdraw from the class?

It's too late to take a W. Our drop period is only 5 days, and the W period was over last month so it was a while ago. I would love to take a W now, but it's too late. At least if I get an A the second time, if I apply DO, they take the higher grade, although they will still see that F. I hope they see it’s sort of random and doesn't correlate with the type of student I am.

 

[zmkelchn]

I honestly haven't decide yet. I have an acceptance but I am on the waitlist at Tufts which is a ridiculously amazing school so I am keeping that option open. Thank God the pressure is off though. Yeah definitely keep it up with the ECs and sports, but make those grades priority. I graduated last May and have just been working at Gap and volunteering at a hospice and the Boys and Girls Club. It has honestly been a great time to chill and refresh. Towards the beginning of this year, i was ready to get back to school because I am not accustomed to having this much time off, but I know when I start school this fall, I will be more than ready to hit the ground running. Good luck with everything.

Wow, Tufts would be amazing! I'm sort of looking forward to having some time off during that gap year and just working back in the doctors office I work during the summer. Thanks, and good luck to you as well.