SMP, Masters, or double major?

[VicsTown]

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Hello,

so I am not doing to well as an undergrad. As a freshmen I pretty much failed everything. As a sophomore I did well one semester but the next I decided to take 17 credits and pledge for a demanding sorority. Right now I am in the 2s with 48 credits but I don't want to give up my dream of becoming a doctor. Honestly I am so determined I will do whatever it takes, no matter how long it takes.

But what is the best option for me now?
Getting a Masters- probably in neuroscience because that is my favorite field.
Going into a SMP- like UMDNJ that gives you a masters in biomedical science
Taking on another major (currently I am a psychology major and music minor)- and if this is the best option, should I take on a science major (cell bio and neuroscience) or a GPA booster major?

Also, if you suggest I take a SMP or a masters program, should I graduate on time no matter what GPA I have or what GPA should I graduate with minimum?

 

[JohnSnow]

Hello,

so I am not doing to well as an undergrad. As a freshmen I pretty much failed everything. As a sophomore I did well one semester but the next I decided to take 17 credits and pledge for a demanding sorority. Right now I am in the 2s with 48 credits but I don't want to give up my dream of becoming a doctor. Honestly I am so determined I will do whatever it takes, no matter how long it takes.

But what is the best option for me now?
Getting a Masters- probably in neuroscience because that is my favorite field.
Going into a SMP- like UMDNJ that gives you a masters in biomedical science
Taking on another major (currently I am a psychology major and music minor)- and if this is the best option, should I take on a science major (cell bio and neuroscience) or a GPA booster major?

Also, if you suggest I take a SMP or a masters program, should I graduate on time no matter what GPA I have or what GPA should I graduate with minimum?

If you want to go to DO school study your *** off for the MCAT. You get a 30+ MCAT and all will be forgiven. Then you can just retake the classes you did poorly in and get As.

Also, a big mistake I made was continuing to take prereqs when I wasnt ready to commit academically. Don't make that mistake. It's not hard to get all As when you're mature enough to make a commitment. All it takes is time and effort. So stop taking science courses if you don't feel like you can come out and rock them next year.

 

[VicsTown]

If you want to go to DO school study your *** off for the MCAT. You get a 30+ MCAT and all will be forgiven. Then you can just retake the classes you did poorly in and get As.

Also, a big mistake I made was continuing to take prereqs when I wasnt ready to commit academically. Don't make that mistake. It's not hard to get all As when you're mature enough to make a commitment. All it takes is time and effort. So stop taking science courses if you don't feel like you can come out and rock them next year.

I finally feel mature enough for the science courses. I actually have pretty much been taking psych, music, and core classes my first two years so my science GPA is not greatly affected (except failed chem once but have yet to retake it)

 

[JohnSnow]

I finally feel mature enough for the science courses. I actually have pretty much been taking psych, music, and core classes my first two years so my science GPA is not greatly affected (except failed chem once but have yet to retake it)

The biggest thing is DON'T take classes until you're ready. You're in a hole already. Realize it and don't continue down that path.

Einstein said "insanity is repeating the same mistakes and expecting different results." I'll agree with that.

If you're ready for the academic commitment to get As then go out and do it. If you want to party and have fun leave college for a year or two and return when you're ready. Bad grades hurt you a lot more than taking a year or two off.

 

[VicsTown]

The biggest thing is DON'T take classes until you're ready. You're in a hole already. Realize it and don't continue down that path.

Einstein said "insanity is repeating the same mistakes and expecting different results." I'll agree with that.

If you're ready for the academic commitment to get As then go out and do it. If you want to party and have fun leave college for a year or two and return when you're ready. Bad grades hurt you a lot more than taking a year or two off.

I have already taken a year off and worked two jobs and realized that I need to get back to my dream! 🙂 Thanks for the advice. I think I am going to take an extra year of college so I can take a easier course load each semester to study more.

 

[VicsTown]

n

 

[JohnSnow]

n

For Organic Chemistry you need a very basic understanding of Orgo 2.

The BS section is heavily reasoning. There will probably be 5-10 questions (out of 52) that require direct knowledge of a specific detail but for the most part if you understand how and why reactions occur you can figure out the majority of the Orgo on the exam. Know things like stereochemistry, SN1, SN2, Nucleophiles, Electrophiles, steric hinderance, resonance, and the inductive effect and you're golden. A firm understanding of these concepts is really all you need for MCAT Orgo.

MCAT Orgo is nothing like university Orgo. You don't really need to know reagents. Obviously the wicked important ones but you wont need to know the discrete things, not knowing them won't kill your score.