Take his advice?

[SouthernGump]

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About to start my second semester as a non-traditional pre-med student but i am not sure if i should stick it out. i took bio 1, made an A, and Chem 1, missed an A by 2/100's of a point, last semester. these were my first "true" science classes because all I took as an undergrad was a year of geology and it was my first time back in a classroom in four years.

I graduated in '01 with a BA in poli-sci and journalism and did the politcal communcations thing for 4 years before i decided to follow the dream i have had all my life.

however, the chair of my science department (also one of the gross anataomy teachers at the local med-school) said that i may want to quit since i didnt pull off a 4.0. my undergrad gpa was a 3.46, but i know that doesnt really matter. I am just really discouraged from what he told me when i could be making about $50K in my old profession.

being a doctor is all i have ever wanted to be but something i never thought i could do. so it was hard to go back to school and now i am thinking it might all be for nothing...

any words of wisdom or encouragement?

 

[AZCOMstudentdoc]

however, the chair of my science department (also one of the gross anataomy teachers at the local med-school) said that i may want to quit since i didnt pull off a 4.0. my undergrad gpa was a 3.46, but i know that doesnt really matter. I am just really discouraged from what he told me when i could be making about $50K in my old profession.

being a doctor is all i have ever wanted to be but something i never thought i could do. so it was hard to go back to school and now i am thinking it might all be for nothing...

any words of wisdom or encouragement?

If you are passionate about medicine and your dream to be a physician, you owe it to yourself to press on. Being true to yourself is priceless, because it brings a true happiness to your life and the lives of everyone around you.

BTW...your undergrad GPA is NOT what this prof makes it sound like it is. Don't listen to detractors...follow-through 200% on what you know is best and right for you.

Good luck.

 

[Law2Doc]

About to start my second semester as a non-traditional pre-med student but i am not sure if i should stick it out. i took bio 1, made an A, and Chem 1, missed an A by 2/100's of a point, last semester. these were my first "true" science classes because all I took as an undergrad was a year of geology and it was my first time back in a classroom in four years.

I graduated in '01 with a BA in poli-sci and journalism and did the politcal communcations thing for 4 years before i decided to follow the dream i have had all my life.

however, the chair of my science department (also one of the gross anataomy teachers at the local med-school) said that i may want to quit since i didnt pull off a 4.0. my undergrad gpa was a 3.46, but i know that doesnt really matter. I am just really discouraged from what he told me when i could be making about $50K in my old profession.

being a doctor is all i have ever wanted to be but something i never thought i could do. so it was hard to go back to school and now i am thinking it might all be for nothing...

any words of wisdom or encouragement?

Not getting a 4.0 isn't fatal, especially where your GPA is adequate. Just make sure you don't make a habit of B's. The rule of thumb should be "mostly A's".

 

[Beau Geste]

About to start my second semester as a non-traditional pre-med student but i am not sure if i should stick it out. i took bio 1, made an A, and Chem 1, missed an A by 2/100's of a point, last semester. these were my first "true" science classes because all I took as an undergrad was a year of geology and it was my first time back in a classroom in four years.

I graduated in '01 with a BA in poli-sci and journalism and did the politcal communcations thing for 4 years before i decided to follow the dream i have had all my life.

however, the chair of my science department (also one of the gross anataomy teachers at the local med-school) said that i may want to quit since i didnt pull off a 4.0. my undergrad gpa was a 3.46, but i know that doesnt really matter. I am just really discouraged from what he told me when i could be making about $50K in my old profession.

being a doctor is all i have ever wanted to be but something i never thought i could do. so it was hard to go back to school and now i am thinking it might all be for nothing...

any words of wisdom or encouragement?

If you really want it, don't give up. Your Gpa is not that bad. Yeah, you should strive for A's, but a B or 2 is not going to kill you. In fact, even a C or D will not kill you (if it was early in your academic career).

There are some that post that have made it into med school with a less than stellar beginning, and have done well in med school. Just try to get those A's in your next set of courses. Take it one step at a time!

 

[medicalbound]

I think you received poor advice. Keep striving for the A's and press on. You are nowhere out of the running. You will undoubtedly hear discouraging statements throughout your premed years from many different people. Persevere and you can get there!

 

[sophiejane]

however, the chair of my science department (also one of the gross anataomy teachers at the local med-school) said that i may want to quit since i didnt pull off a 4.0. my undergrad gpa was a 3.46, but i know that doesnt really matter. I am just really discouraged from what he told me when i could be making about $50K in my old profession.

The chair of your science department sounds like someone who couldn't get into medical school and might be a little bitter. I got the same advice from a premed advisor--but she basically told me I shouldn't even start premed courses because I was doomed to fail.

I'm now a very content 3rd year, top half of my class, easily passed my boards, looking forward to a job that I know I will love.

That is ridiculous advice and I've never ever heard of anyone quitting because they get a B. If so, we'd have a massive physician shortage on our hands, and about 3 medical schools.

I made a habit of B's, by the way. I would say I got about half A's and half B's and even one C. So did a lot of medical students. Aim for A's, but remember that you are a whole package and GPA is just one part.

Please keep working at it and ignore the naysayers. It's worth it, I promise.

 

[remo]

About to start my second semester as a non-traditional pre-med student but i am not sure if i should stick it out. i took bio 1, made an A, and Chem 1, missed an A by 2/100's of a point, last semester. these were my first "true" science classes because all I took as an undergrad was a year of geology and it was my first time back in a classroom in four years.

I graduated in '01 with a BA in poli-sci and journalism and did the politcal communcations thing for 4 years before i decided to follow the dream i have had all my life.

however, the chair of my science department (also one of the gross anataomy teachers at the local med-school) said that i may want to quit since i didnt pull off a 4.0. my undergrad gpa was a 3.46, but i know that doesnt really matter. I am just really discouraged from what he told me when i could be making about $50K in my old profession.

being a doctor is all i have ever wanted to be but something i never thought i could do. so it was hard to go back to school and now i am thinking it might all be for nothing...

any words of wisdom or encouragement?

Go talk to your Chem teacher and try to get him/her to change your grade. When you are that close they do it sometimes. Ignore the person that told to you quit because you don't have a 4.0. They are either just trying to fire you up so you do better and "test" your commitment or they are really a negative person.

 

[gardengirl]

Doctors are people and people aren't "perfect" (well, most aren't anyway but I'm sure there are those out there who will disagree ; )

If you drop out, you don't want to look back in a few years and wonder what could have been. Stick with it and see this process through until the end. Don't reject yourself before you even apply!

Hope this helps!

 

[MJB]

All I will say is this...

When my wife went to undergrad the first time, she intended to get into Nursing school...well, she got a C in A&P the first time and gave up Nursing at the encouragement of her parents..."just got a piece of paper" as they told her too, and it was a "worthless degree" for the most part.

So, she's out of school for about 6 years and we end up meeting and marrying...and I hear this...I got a good enough job to support her going back to school. That was about 3 years ago...She graduated in December from Nursing School after getting a 4.0 on her pre-req's and graduated Nursing with Honors...

She starts her new job as an RN BSN in a couple weeks working as a Surgical Nurse in the Outpatient surgery center here in town. This includes no weekends, no call, no holidays, and daytime hours in a surgery environment. Do you have any idea how many new grads get a gig like that? Virtually none.

Moral of the story, the decision is yours...if it's in your heart, you can do it....period. The choice is yours, don't let someone else's opinion ruin your 20's like it did my wife's (and mine, for that matter). I say this ESPECIALLY because you only missed by 2/100ths......That Prof. sounds like a real prick to me.

 

[opstandzon]

I got a "C" in my first Chemistry class and a "B" in my first Physics class. After that though, I managed to get all "A"s (oh - excluding a B in a one unit bioechem lab). It can take a semester to get your brain in gear after doing a bunch of non-science stuff for a while (I was a professional actress - I was NOT using my science brain back then!).

If you want to be a doctor, go for it! Don't let this guy take you down. If you want to be in medicine, but you don't persue it, you will probably look back and kick yourself. I know I would...

 

[PineappleGirl]

AChem 1, missed an A by 2/100's of a point, last semester

I agree you Chem 1 professor sounds like an ass. I would go and try to talk to him (nicely, of course) and explain that you deserve to be bumped up to an A for any number of reasons... for example, perfect attendance and class participation. If this fails, I would seriously consider going over the prof's head and speaking with the dean of the college. It is just ridiculous to employ this type of grading policy. The dean may be able to strongly encourage the prof, if not force him, to change the grade.

 

[njbmd]

Go talk to your Chem teacher and try to get him/her to change your grade. When you are that close they do it sometimes. Ignore the person that told to you quit because you don't have a 4.0. They are either just trying to fire you up so you do better and "test" your commitment or they are really a negative person.

Hi there,
As a former professor, I can tell you that this is next to impossible. Once grades are in and certified, you get the grade that you earned.

As for the originial poster: Whose dream is this anyway? If you allow one person to talk you out of what you have a passion to do, then you probably need to question your motives. There have been people who had GPAs less than 1.5 who have overcome them, gone on to medical school and done well. So you didn't get an A. Did the world stop turning? Do you know the material? Are you going to be able to apply that material to problems on the MCAT? If you answer yes to the last two questions, then the B was well worth the effort. If you received the A and cannot answer yes to the last two questions, then you are in trouble and need to do some extra work.

Do your best and keep positive. You have other opportunities to get As so make sure that you keep moving forward.

njbmd 🙂

 

[MJB]

Not sure if it's changed, but at my University, I believe you could formally appeal a grade...

Hard to believe the prof. didn't give the benefit of the doubt over .02 percentage points...that's just being a prick.

 

[oldManDO2009]

quit when you have an acceptance letter in your hand. Then you will not have to regret a decision becuase of some "professor" who thinks you need a 4.0 to be a doctor 😕

good luck

 

[remo]

I have personally had a grade changed after it was already submitted so it can be done. I wouldn't try formal appeals or going to the Dean but just go talk to the prof and see what they say. Bring in all your exams, homework, etc.. All you have to do is find a few points in order to justify the change. A re-grade of one problem is all you need since you are so close. It may be a 1 in a 100 chance but you have nothing to lose. The worst that can happen is that he will say no. After that, just forget about it and move on like others have suggested.

 

[QuikClot]

The failure to recognise any achievement falling between perfection and incompetence is one of the personality traits that people who have to work with MDs find least appealing. I agree with what others have said, and I would also encourage you to consciously work to develop a tolerent attitude towards shortcomings and mistakes -- yours, as well as other people's. An intolerent perfectionism is an enormously destructive habit of mind.