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I hope this doesn't come across as too harsh, but you don't have much hope if you can't maintain a 4.0 from now on. Programs like the one you're in are high stakes, and you generally need a 3.7+ GPA to prove to med schools that you have corrected whatever went wrong in undergrad. You'll also likely need a high MCAT to offset this bad semester, since you don't have a great explanation for the 2.4 GPA (family crisis, medical issues, etc.) How many credits did you take last semester?Oh of course, my undergrad cGPA was a 3.3 and my MCAT score was a 27. My current grad school GPA now is a 2.4. I was average, not strong enough for medical school which is why I believed doing some sort of post-bacc would be helpful to prove I could handle medical school. I also have around 100 hours of shadowing and internships from a few hospitals and clinics. Volunteer work is also good.
I think I am not doing well because I just wasn't adjusting well to my environment. I'm an incredible introvert when it comes to reaching out and making new friends, which I understand could be a downfall. I recently moved to a studio apartment so I am living alone in a new place. I would say my studying habits are fine. I am the type of person who is just really good at staying organized and staying on track with a schedule. I guess the biggest mistake was not going to office hours every week, as well as not talking to other students and finding out more about the professors that were teaching my class and how the tests were. It's something I am going to work on this next coming semester.
I will definitely reach out to an advisor as soon as I possibly can. According to my school policies, I'll be put on academic warning. It's better than being dismissed from the program since this is something I truly want, but it does hit you hard when you realize you are struggling in something you had high hopes for. I hope this one bad semester doesn't ruin my chances. I plan on doing everything I can this semester to do better.
Is it common for graduate students to have one bad semester? I think I might feel better if I know I'm not alone. I could reach out to fellow students and ask for their feedback, as well. If anyone on here has had a bad semester during their graduate school careers, please feel free to give me any advice you possibly have!