Screwed up college so far. is there a way to redeem it in the future?

[seven3]

It's difficult creating a thread but I guess I want to give it a chance. I was always diligent in high school, but of course didn't put to much work into it, just slowly passing by. ( that's what I did). Until recently, and basically in fall of 2015, I attended college and didn't do so well my first five semesters. During the first year, I realized I can carry on pre- med but because I was too distracted and lost my motivation, my grades slowly dwindled into C's and F's.

I feel guilty and ashamed of spending away my parent's money but here is my stats:

3 W's- two second semester of sophomore year
My first year of college- C in both General CHEM 1+2
C in general CALC 1 and pass option with no grade for CALC 2
D- in GEN BIO

second year-
third semester: F IN ORGANIC CHEM, AND RETAKING GENERAL BIO- F( this one bugs me out till today)- B in English, European history and sociology of medicine.

fourth semester- C- ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY 1, C IN PHILOSPHY 1, C In BIOLOGICAL ANTHRO.

summer course for second year- F in organic chem 2nd time around.


junior year-
( fifth semester around) - D+ research methods for health science major
C- for health science major
C+ social psychology

Now, as I begin to spend another two years at college, will my gpa ever hit a 3.0+?

What I'm asking for is any and all comments about my situation. I've tried to do this college thing by myself and I see that I've been clueless. So, I'm reaching out for ANY help in building a reconstruction plan so I can possibly get to where I would like to be. I am stubborn so telling me to give-up on becoming a doctor will do nothing but make me want to chase it harder.
Obviously, taking prereqs in community college would shape me for the right path. but, is it hard to become a doctor? I still believe I can. anyone can, so shall I. also, don't bash me, thanks.​

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[bananafish94]

Based on what you've written here, it sounds like your GPA is about a 1.7. Unfortunately, even if your GPA was 4.0 for the rest of college, it would not rise above 3.0. Obviously, this will make admission to medical school challenging.

In terms of reconstruction, the first step is to completely turn around your grades and salvage your GPA as much as possible. Don't worry at all about pre-med classes or anything like that, I would take the classes that you need to take in order to graduate in your major (if you even want to stay in your major) and graduate college. That's your first priority.

Your second priority is getting into the real world and slowly building a resume that could be successful for medical school. The only way you can successfully present these grades is if you present them as the "old you" that is no longer representative of your academic capabilities. And the only way you can do that is by putting a lot of years between these grades and your eventual medical school application. Once you have some kind of job after college, you can maybe start doing some volunteering or work in some sort of healthcare capacity, and maybe after a few years you can begin taking prerequisite classes for medical school at a community college and rebuilding your academic credentials. Then if you're able to do that you can think about the MCAT and maybe begin thinking about actually applying.

But all of that is a long way away. Right now, your priority should be to do as well as possible in your current classes and graduate. More importantly, the way you have described some of your experiences here, it sounds like you might be dealing with some mental health issues. If so, you really should talk to a professional and get the help that you need, because at the end of the day nothing is more important than that. I wish you the best of luck! By the way, I am not an admissions person, just a medical student, so you should take this with a grain of salt as it is only my opinion.

 

[altblue]

I'd like to emphasize that if you work with a professional to improve your mental health and that you seek advice from academic support, the improved grades will follow. But for the time being, you come first. You come before medical school.

Lay down the foundation for success.

 

[ndafife]

I'd start with actually getting good grades this next semester

 

[Dr.Sticks]

Based on what you've written here, it sounds like your GPA is about a 1.7. Unfortunately, even if your GPA was 4.0 for the rest of college, it would not rise above 3.0. Obviously, this will make admission to medical school challenging.

In terms of reconstruction, the first step is to completely turn around your grades and salvage your GPA as much as possible. Don't worry at all about pre-med classes or anything like that, I would take the classes that you need to take in order to graduate in your major (if you even want to stay in your major) and graduate college. That's your first priority.

Your second priority is getting into the real world and slowly building a resume that could be successful for medical school. The only way you can successfully present these grades is if you present them as the "old you" that is no longer representative of your academic capabilities. And the only way you can do that is by putting a lot of years between these grades and your eventual medical school application. Once you have some kind of job after college, you can maybe start doing some volunteering or work in some sort of healthcare capacity, and maybe after a few years you can begin taking prerequisite classes for medical school at a community college and rebuilding your academic credentials. Then if you're able to do that you can think about the MCAT and maybe begin thinking about actually applying.

But all of that is a long way away. Right now, your priority should be to do as well as possible in your current classes and graduate. More importantly, the way you have described some of your experiences here, it sounds like you might be dealing with some mental health issues. If so, you really should talk to a professional and get the help that you need, because at the end of the day nothing is more important than that. I wish you the best of luck! By the way, I am not an admissions person, just a medical student, so you should take this with a grain of salt as it is only my opinion.

If OP maintained a 4.0 form here on out OP could realistically raise it to about a 3.3 with around 4 more years of study

OP could realistically get a 3.3 or so, and paired with a decent MCAT and great EC's would be a decent candidate for d.o.

Of course I think OP should personally evaluate his situation, maybe sit down with a professional, because at this point I would worry about just getting a degree before the university dismisses you for academic reasons.

NOW

The other option is wait 10 years, and live in TX.. Or do the abaove suggestion..

 

[PreMedMissteps]

How much longer will your parents continue to pay for college? Unless they’re wealthy, i can’t imagine that they’ll pay for a few more years.

 

[Geo16]

Goro's advice for pre-meds who need reinvention
And
**The Official Guide to Special Masters Programs**

Hope these will help

 

[OrthoTraumaMD]

but, is it hard to become a doctor? I still believe I can. anyone can, so shall I. also, don't bash me, thanks.

You ask for advice and then end with “but just make sure you tell me only what I want to hear.” You can barely pull a C in prereqs, even after several years of trying. How do you think you will fare on the mcat? in med school? Residency?
Not “anyone” can become a doctor, that’s why not everyone is. I would reassess your future plans before you waste any more time and money.


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[Afp0731]

OP, your undergrad history thus far looks a lot like mine did after my first two and years. Your past isn't a death sentence my friend, but it's imperative you face these roadblocks now and address them fully. May I ask what you think is hindering your success? I know that can be a tough question and perhaps not even completely clear. For me, it was just a general lack of care for anything other than the present moment, fear of missing out on fun, and low self awareness especially where learning was concerned. I blamed a lot of my mistakes on my surroundings instead of taking responsibility for them. The first and most important thing you need to do here is look inward. PM if you would like. The world is still at your feet.

 

[dr_kateb]

If OP maintained a 4.0 form here on out OP could realistically raise it to about a 3.3 with around 4 more years of study

OP could unrealistically get a 3.3 or so, and paired with a decent MCAT and great EC's would be a decent candidate for d.o.

Of course I think OP should personally evaluate his situation, maybe sit down with a professional, because at this point I would worry about just getting a degree before the university dismisses you for academic reasons.

NOW

The other option is wait 10 years, and live in TX.. Or do the abaove suggestion..

FTFY.

But seriously OP got an F retaking an introductory biology class. Isn’t that like the nail on the coffin already? What I’ve seen on here is that Adcoms pretty much need to see an A if you retake a class.

 

[chemdoctor]

FTFY.

But seriously OP got an F retaking an introductory biology class. Isn’t that like the nail on the coffin already? What I’ve seen on here is that Adcoms pretty much need to see an A if you retake a class.

I mean that’s the expectation. But people fail orgo 2-3 times and still keep trying and eventually make it to medical school. It’s ideal to get an A but I don’t think it’s a “nail on the coffin”

 

[chemdoctor]

@Goro We need your advice here!

 

[Goro]

It's difficult creating a thread but I guess I want to give it a chance. I was always diligent in high school, but of course didn't put to much work into it, just slowly passing by. ( that's what I did). Until recently, and basically in fall of 2015, I attended college and didn't do so well my first five semesters. During the first year, I realized I can carry on pre- med but because I was too distracted and lost my motivation, my grades slowly dwindled into C's and F's.

I feel guilty and ashamed of spending away my parent's money but here is my stats:

3 W's- two second semester of sophomore year
My first year of college- C in both General CHEM 1+2
C in general CALC 1 and pass option with no grade for CALC 2
D- in GEN BIO

second year-
third semester: F IN ORGANIC CHEM, AND RETAKING GENERAL BIO- F( this one bugs me out till today)- B in English, European history and sociology of medicine.

fourth semester- C- ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY 1, C IN PHILOSPHY 1, C In BIOLOGICAL ANTHRO.

summer course for second year- F in organic chem 2nd time around.


junior year-
( fifth semester around) - D+ research methods for health science major
C- for health science major
C+ social psychology

Now, as I begin to spend another two years at college, will my gpa ever hit a 3.0+?

What I'm asking for is any and all comments about my situation. I've tried to do this college thing by myself and I see that I've been clueless. So, I'm reaching out for ANY help in building a reconstruction plan so I can possibly get to where I would like to be. I am stubborn so telling me to give-up on becoming a doctor will do nothing but make me want to chase it harder.
Obviously, taking prereqs in community college would shape me for the right path. but, is it hard to become a doctor? I still believe I can. anyone can, so shall I. also, don't bash me, thanks.​

You need to discover why you're doing so poorly before you can entertain med school.
Depression or other mental health issue?
Get thee to your school's education or learning center, STAT, for help with time mgt, test taking strategies, finding your best learning modality.

And you you can recover from this, but it will take time.
Read this:
Goro's advice for pre-meds who need reinvention

 

[seven3]

Well hi! Thanks for commenting on my post! If I do get A’s for all the semester, My GPA could realistically rise to atleast a 2.8 and above before I graduate. I am a junior now but I have atleast two more years of college. It’s possible it could hit a 3.0. If I know I can do it, it really can!

If OP maintained a 4.0 form here on out OP could realistically raise it to about a 3.3 with around 4 more years of study

OP could realistically get a 3.3 or so, and paired with a decent MCAT and great EC's would be a decent candidate for d.o.

Of course I think OP should personally evaluate his situation, maybe sit down with a professional, because at this point I would worry about just getting a degree before the university dismisses you for academic reasons.

NOW

The other option is wait 10 years, and live in TX.. Or do the abaove suggestion..

FTFY.

But seriously OP got an F retaking an introductory biology class. Isn’t that like the nail on the coffin already? What I’ve seen on here is that Adcoms pretty much need to see an A if you retake a class.

 

[ndafife]

Well hi! Thanks for commenting on my post! If I do get A’s for all the semester, My GPA could realistically rise to atleast a 2.8 and above before I graduate. I am a junior now but I have atleast two more years of college. It’s possible it could hit a 3.0. If I know I can do it, it really can!

I recommend you quit thinking about what you can raise your gpa to if you get all A's and start focusing on actually getting an A

 

[IlDestriero]

It’s never too late, but you’re pretty much there.
Unless you can determine what your problems with the classes are, you won’t find any success.
It’s not just motivation.
Figure that out, work on plan B. Have a glorious rebirth, crush the MCAT like those beer cans you’ve been pounding on the weekends, and you might have a chance.
Good luck.


--
Il Destriero

 

[seven3]

thanks for all the responses.

 

[AllBleedingStops]

Fix any mental health issues - start with counseling (including with psychologists), academic advisors, professors, and physician referrals as needed. Then fix study habits and do the best you can in classes you need to graduate in a major of your choosing (which one and which courses do not matter at this point). Take a 5th year if you need to.

Plan on a post-bacc or more likely a master's program. It should take at least 2 extra years with summers to get the grades you need in pre-req courses. During this time figure out the MCAT and some medical related volunteering. Look to old threads for inspiration and reinvention ideas.