Some advice please

[Medicinecrazy]

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So I am currently a freshman at UCmerced with my major as human biology. I want to become a surgeon.
My cGpa from last semester was a 2.85 =/
And school has gotten increasingly harder this semester as I am taking Bio 001 Chem 002 and Calc.
I am actually a pretty good student so these low grades are not how I preform usually. However, I am worried that I'll get a C or lower in these courses severly damaging my Gpa.

So my question is what should I do, go for an easier major? Stick it out and possible retake some classes?

Also im not overly concerned with going to a top 10 med school, but definitely do not want to go to a carribean school etc. I am actually hoping that UCmerced's med school will be open by the time I graduate.

On another note I completed an intership over the summer at a hospital where I rotated to different parts of the Hospital and saw procedures in the Cath Lab, ER, OR etc. Will this help with my med school application when I finally apply in a few years? Im assuming not a whole lot. I am planning on doing more internships too though.

 

[JJThomson]

So I am currently a freshman at UCmerced with my major as human biology. I want to become a surgeon.
My cGpa from last semester was a 2.85 =/
And school has gotten increasingly harder this semester as I am taking Bio 001 Chem 002 and Calc.
I am actually a pretty good student so these low grades are not how I preform usually. However, I am worried that I'll get a C or lower in these courses severly damaging my Gpa.

So my question is what should I do, go for an easier major? Stick it out and possible retake some classes?

Also im not overly concerned with going to a top 10 med school, but definitely do not want to go to a carribean school etc. I am actually hoping that UCmerced's med school will be open by the time I graduate.

On another note I completed an intership over the summer at a hospital where I rotated to different parts of the Hospital and saw procedures in the Cath Lab, ER, OR etc. Will this help with my med school application when I finally apply in a few years? Im assuming not a whole lot. I am planning on doing more internships too though.

Not to be a downer but you may need to re-evaluate what your idea of a good student really is. Good students find ways to be successful no matter what the course is or who the teacher is. Also, good student in high school does not automatically mean good student in college.

Some general advice - Good college students: always go to class, take good notes, go to office hours if necessary, do "optional" homework problems.

If you think you would be happier/more interested in another major then you should change. The more interested you are in something the better you will do. If you are planning to change majors b/c you think it will be easier. . . well then medicine might not be for you. Medicine involves a lot of science and at the very least you will have to make it through the pre-reqs. You will not find an easy path to medical school. If you want to you can pull your grades up and you will be fine by the time you apply. You are only a Freshman, you have 3 years to pull up your grades. Many people have done it. If you are willing to put in some work you will be ok!

Your internship sounds good. It will help.

 

[mspeedwagon]

Given that you are a freshman this is my advice. Diagnose why you are doing badly in the classes. Talk to professors and ask fellow students about their study habits, and get help from those doing well. Your goal for now should be medical school (don't worry about surgeon or where you will be going... that's what junior and senior year are OR in my case 5 years post-college).

There are a few things to consider when choosing a major. One, can I do well? Two, am I interested? The classes you mentioned are part of a regular pre-med (some med schools require calculus) and you'd have to take them regardless of major. I was a biology major, but because I knew I didn't want to go straight to medical school and that it was practical for the work world. I was most passionate about sociology (I double-majored). I would have had a very hard time landing a job at a hospital and in biotech (where I now work) as a sociology major (this would have been a non-factor were I planning to go straight to med school). I would definitely think about switching your major to something you enjoy.

If you don't turn around your GPA and score well on the MCAT you can kiss your chance at a UC goodbye. Being a CA resident and having talked to the folks at UC - Merced, their inaugural place stats will be very similar to that of UC - Davis. There are enough folks in CA being rejected with 3.5+ and 30+ MCAT that any UC is going to have high stats.

Finally, rotating at a hospital will help, but it won't set you apart. It's expected. Build relationships with doctors, nurses and others in the medical community. This will help you down the line.

So I am currently a freshman at UCmerced with my major as human biology. I want to become a surgeon.
My cGpa from last semester was a 2.85 =/
And school has gotten increasingly harder this semester as I am taking Bio 001 Chem 002 and Calc.
I am actually a pretty good student so these low grades are not how I preform usually. However, I am worried that I'll get a C or lower in these courses severly damaging my Gpa.

So my question is what should I do, go for an easier major? Stick it out and possible retake some classes?

Also im not overly concerned with going to a top 10 med school, but definitely do not want to go to a carribean school etc. I am actually hoping that UCmerced's med school will be open by the time I graduate.

On another note I completed an intership over the summer at a hospital where I rotated to different parts of the Hospital and saw procedures in the Cath Lab, ER, OR etc. Will this help with my med school application when I finally apply in a few years? Im assuming not a whole lot. I am planning on doing more internships too though.

 

[Medicinecrazy]

Thank you for the quick response. In high school I was a very good student. I think im still just getting used to college. I definitely want to go to med school and actually enjoy science quite a bit. The changing my major idea was given to me by someone else. I do know that since my grades are poor I'll need to get somewhere between a 3.8 and 4.0 for my remaining years in college. Thanks again.

Edit: In response to mspeedwagon. I do enjoy biology a lot, it just seems to be kicking my butt right now. I started this semester off being an idiot and not focusing. What I really love is anatomy. I did receive an offer from one of the plastic surgeons at the hospital to shadow him. I should probably take him up on that offer when I get home 🙂. My father is friends with an ER doctor that said he could possibly help me get into med school. Im assuming with letters of recommendation or something.

 

[mspeedwagon]

Don't think about GPA as you are. In theory you need a 3.8 or higher your remaining semesters, however, that is a daunting way to look at it. What you really need to do is make sure you improve each and every semester (and have an upward trend).

Also, definitely shadow as much as possible. I have been fortunate since I worked in many hospitals/clinical centers post college and it re-affirmed my desire to go into medicine. I don't think any part of your experience is as important as this if for no other reason that to re-affirm your passion for medicine.

Thank you for the quick response. In high school I was a very good student. I think im still just getting used to college. I definitely want to go to med school and actually enjoy science quite a bit. The changing my major idea was given to me by someone else. I do know that since my grades are poor I'll need to get somewhere between a 3.8 and 4.0 for my remaining years in college. Thanks again.

Edit: In response to mspeedwagon. I do enjoy biology a lot, it just seems to be kicking my butt right now. I started this semester off being an idiot and not focusing. What I really love is anatomy. I did receive an offer from one of the plastic surgeons at the hospital to shadow him. I should probably take him up on that offer when I get home 🙂. My father is friends with an ER doctor that said he could possibly help me get into med school. Im assuming with letters of recommendation or something.

 

[deleted248403]

My cGpa from last semester was a 2.85 =/
And school has gotten increasingly harder this semester as I am taking Bio 001 Chem 002 and Calc.
I am actually a pretty good student so these low grades are not how I preform usually

As mentioned you need to re-evaluate how good of a student you are. I am assuming these classes are intro bio, intro gen chem and intro calc. None of those are truly taxing and should be able to do well in them if you want to go to med school.

What did you take last semester that you got a 2.85? If you got Cs or Ds in pre-reqs you should consider retaking them.

The good thing is you have a lot of time to fix the problem

 

[Catalystik]

Yes, the internship you completed will help you, but it can by no means stand alone. You'll need more clinical experience and shadowing, but this is not the time to focus on necessary ECs. Your priority right now is solely your GPA.

You are actually in a fortunate position relative to many who have a few years of dismal academics before they "wake up" and have to start doing damage control. A lot of college freshman have a bad first year as they adjust to a new academic environment and the stiff competition for good grades.

Right now, you have the option of dropping classes where you're doing poorly and getting Ws on your transcript, or toughing it out, stepping up your game, attending tutoring sessions and office hours, doing ALL the problems at the end of each chapter, changing your note-taking strategy, etc and trying to get at least a B in your prerequisite classes.

Rather than changing majors, you could concentrate on Gen Eds for awhile as you refine your learning strategies. No one cares what your major is, but you will have to perform well in science and math regardless. Med school is the equivalent of taking 21 semester hours of upper-level science classes each term for two years. No med school will take you if your transcript doesn't demonstrate that you have a good chance of surviving in such an environment.

You still have a highly redeemable situation. But you have to make it happen. Why not meet with an advisor to discuss the problem and come up with some workable ideas?

 

[Medicinecrazy]

Last semester I got
A in computer science
B in English
B in Pre-calc
C+ in chemistry

I ended up with a 79.3% and my teacher decided that he didnt want to give me the 50 points of extra credit that i had received previously...Although that's no excuse for my C+ it would have at least given me a B.

All your posts have been pretty helpful, Thanks. I have another question though. Since im only taking those three classes this semester, If i get a "W" in biology is that going to pose any conflict with the school? Such as me taking too few credits?

I am planning on meeting with my advisor today. I'll probably get my answer then. haha

 

[Catalystik]

If you drop below full-time status, you could lose your health insurance, whether it's through the university or your parents. You may no longer qualify for loans, if you have them. I'm sure your advisor will know of other potential ramifications related to school. But for med school application purposes, one light term won't hurt you, since it will be early in your college career.

Did you argue that C+? How could the teacher take back a stated policy about how extra credit would effect your grade?

 

[mspeedwagon]

Wait.... you ONLY have one semester of grades. Your grades are better than mine were one semester (my sophomore years I took for classes and got a C in Chem, B in stats, a B in a sociology class and a B in neuroscience). I still graduated with a 3.54 overall. Since, I have taken a few post-bac classes to try and further help my GPA. Don't worry about one semester, just buckle down. I was able to achieve a 4.0 both semesters senior year (which I didn't even think possible as a sophomore given the grades mentioned above).

Last semester I got
A in computer science
B in English
B in Pre-calc
C+ in chemistry

I ended up with a 79.3% and my teacher decided that he didnt want to give me the 50 points of extra credit that i had received previously...Although that's no excuse for my C+ it would have at least given me a B.

All your posts have been pretty helpful, Thanks. I have another question though. Since im only taking those three classes this semester, If i get a "W" in biology is that going to pose any conflict with the school? Such as me taking too few credits?

I am planning on meeting with my advisor today. I'll probably get my answer then. haha

 

[violincuty]

So I am currently a freshman at UCmerced with my major as human biology. I want to become a surgeon.
My cGpa from last semester was a 2.85 =/
And school has gotten increasingly harder this semester as I am taking Bio 001 Chem 002 and Calc.
I am actually a pretty good student so these low grades are not how I preform usually. However, I am worried that I'll get a C or lower in these courses severly damaging my Gpa.

So my question is what should I do, go for an easier major? Stick it out and possible retake some classes?

Also im not overly concerned with going to a top 10 med school, but definitely do not want to go to a carribean school etc. I am actually hoping that UCmerced's med school will be open by the time I graduate.

On another note I completed an intership over the summer at a hospital where I rotated to different parts of the Hospital and saw procedures in the Cath Lab, ER, OR etc. Will this help with my med school application when I finally apply in a few years? Im assuming not a whole lot. I am planning on doing more internships too though.

Don't give up hope, you'll be fine!!! Part of being in college is learning to manage time, become responsible, and discover yourself in new and challenging ways! I know for a fact that schools appreciate a student who starts off rocky and "proves" themselves through consistent improvement. They will look at your entire transcript, not just your cumulative GPA. Try to utilize resources on your campus...most campuses offer free or low-cost tutoring or peer-mentoring. Don't be afraid to ask for help when you need it!! (we've all been there at some point..)

Also, there is more to a successful application than great MCATs and a high GPA. I have a high GPA at a not well known state school and an underwhelming MCAT score, but I have gotten interviews at nearly all of my dream schools. It's possible, I promise! It's just important to always put effort into distinguishing yourself from other students in unique ways. Go on a research internship at another school over the summer, for example. Not many students realize how easy these are to get in to, and the majority of them are paid (paid travel, a stipend, and paid housing)! You should also try to get in some more shadowing and leadership opportunities. Do they have Alpha Epsilon Delta on your campus? You should be working on building your application from day 1... I am happy to send you (or anyone else in this situation) a .pdf of my AMCAS if you want to see what kinds of experiences you should be adding to your resume. When you get to it, the personal statement is HUGE, so start building a story now.

Admittedly, there is no magic formula that will get you in to med school, but there are a few things you can do to prove yourself to be genuine about your interest in this field. It's easy to sit in an interview and say "I am compassionate and I like to help people", but not many people actually demonstrate those qualities. When you do demonstrate them, there is no need to even say corny things in your interview because it's evident from your natural story.

I wish you all the best!!! Please don't give up...you WILL acheive your goals if you keep at it and seek out the resources you need. You will hear "no", a lot, but just don't take that for an answer. Feel free to message me if you have any additional questions along the way...