possibilities and options

[jokes of life]

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I'm an undergraduate sophomore at University Of Houston,Biology major

My current GPA is 3.447 overall
Science GPA is 2.93 because I ended up getting a C in biology lab 2 and C+ in chemistry 1, I know the chemistry grade is bad but back in high school I took dual credit chem 1(done at community college but it doesn't count towards my current GPA) in which I got an A, and I was asked by the professor to repeat this class over the summer and I did bad. Although I got B in chem 2 and I'm currently doing organic chem which I find it a lot better than chem 1. It hurt my GPA badly.
I have good volunteering experience since last year at a hospital over 100+ hours added up, this year I'm doing Religious Education teaching, and another hospital 6 hours per month.

How can I improve my science GPA, what should I have to do from now on to improve my application, for some reason all the science classes I take I never get more than a B+.I'm willing to work hard but sometimes lose hope. Now I feel like DO school or carribean school will only open doors for me. Sorry need some pep talk!

Also I wanted to know by the science GPA does it mean only,bio chem and physics with lab or genetics human phys all counts?

 

[Catalystik]

MD schools generate a BCPM GPA which includes all science and math classes, not just the prerequisites.
DO schools use the science GPA which does not include math, but does include a lot of applied science, too.

AMCAS BCPM GPA and AACOMAS sGPA includes: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=552026

When you apply to med school, the community college credits will be figured into your application GPA too, moderating the C+ in Chem I somewhat. You can raise the BCPM by taking more upper-level Bio courses when you're done with the prerequisites. More Bs won't help you. You need As.

 

[jokes of life]

thanks catalystik...the link is pretty helpful, and its good to know that the chem grade would be modified so now all I have to do is work towards getting and A and nothing less in all the science classes, although that will be truly hard to get in upper level biology courses.thanks again

 

[Catalystik]

Consider taking smaller class loads and cutting back on some of your ECs. Activities can be added later, but a GPA gets more and more difficult to repair as time goes by. Don't be compelled to rush things then blow it because you divided your attention to much from your first priority of terrific grades. Even if it takes an extra year to graduate and another year to beef up your ECs, those two extra years would be well worth it compared to never getting into med school or having to spend $30-40K a year on an SMP to redeem your record.

 

[jokes of life]

Again Pearls of wisdom catalystik.I never really thought about that I was really in a hurry to complete everything on time because I am on a graduation pledge that requires me to complete 30 credit every year and I just realized I have been taking classess in the summer fall spring and winter without break and that too hard classes that is irrelevent to my major, that shifted my attention from the Science specific classes..So I'm sticking to your advice and I will be reducing on my volunteering and am taking evolutionary bio, Orgo 2 and Biochem next semester because I'm getting good professors this spring, 3 hard classes and a music class to be a full time student and balance the weight.

 

[Catalystik]

OChem II and Biochem will be very challenging taken together, especially considering how important it is for you to get As. It might work out well for you with some of the ECs cut out, but since you are in your sophomore year and have plenty of time, give some thought to substituting one of them with a generally easier BCPM class that still looks respectable on the transcript, like maybe Astronomy, Microbiology, or Statistics (difficulty varies by school). Good luck.