PreMed GPA

[MedSchoolBound2]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

Hey guys. I'm a sophomore in undergrad and I recently admitted I have a problem: I need to take control of my life and focus on my priorities. I want to attend medical school; it is my dream, my passion, and all I look forward to. I've messed up this semester, and I need advice. I may get a C or D in one of my biology courses, and I also had a W (nonscience course).
Here are my grades so far.
Intro to engineering: W (changed majors...didn't need it)
Chem I: A
Intro Bio: A
PreCal: A
Bio Lab: A
Comp I: A
Chem II: B
Cal I: B
Cultural Anthro: A
Biol. Anthro: A
Biol Anthro lab: A
Comp II: A
Anthro Honors Colloquium: A
Organic I: A
Organic I Lab (2 hours): B
Spanish: A
Other grade: W
Cell Bio: D or C

My main concern is cell bio. I feel like I haven't learned the stuff very well because I've been just preparing for the test and forgetting afterwards. I feel like I need to retake it. Would it be a good idea to take it for the MCAT, or can I just study the bio MCAT a lot part and do fine? Also, how will the D or C affect my chances of getting into med school? I feel like my peers in premed are doing better than I am and am worrying about being competitive.

I read SDN all of the time, and I love it. Thank you guys for what you do. Also, ahead of time, I appreciate any responses.

 

[deleted432862]

One C or D will not affect your GPA that much in the grand scheme of things. That's really the only significant way it, alone, could possibly hurt your chances, and it doesn't even do that. As long as this is not a pattern in the future, you should be fine with it.

As far as the MCAT goes, it looks like to me you're not quite prepared for it anyway. You'll need to get some physics under your belt in addition to genetics to really round out your MCAT prep, and it wouldn't hurt to take second semester organic chemistry. And just because you haven't adequately learned the material from cell bio does not mean that you're hurt badly for the MCAT. You may consider retaking the course (or even just auditing it) or maybe just going over MCAT prep books to get the bare bones of what you need to know for cell bio specifically for the MCAT.

So far your grades aren't bad at all. Keep up the good work, and if it doesn't tax you academically, get involved in extracurriculars. Good luck!