Throwing in the Towel?

[ItzYaYa]

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I am at the point in my life where the future has begun to look very bleak and the sun no longer rises in my side of the world. I am entering into my junior year with much of my academic life in shambles. This can be attributed to poor work ethic and a general sense of indiscipline. I have resolved myself to changing my errant ways and am reaching out to my fellow SNDers in an attempt to find Ithaca (a reference to the Odyssey).

Currently my sGPA lies somewhere at the bottom of Bikini Bottom. These are the classes and the grades I received.

Molecular & Cellular Biology : C
Cellular & Organ Physiology : C-
Gen Chem I : C
Gen Chem II : D/B- upon retake
Gen Chem Lab I : B
Gen Chem Lab II : D/retaking this summer
Calc I : D/F upon retake

So far, these are the odious grades I received. You can only imagine the impact that they have had on my cGPA. Is there anything I can do to salvage my GPA and keep my med school hopes alive? Or is that it for Yaya? So far I have begun prepping/studying for Orgo I which I will be taking in the fall, and have been taking several measures in order to keep my word that I will succeed in my academic endeavors from here on out. I'm open to any advice that you have for me.

Help...please? 🙁

Edit: I would like to add that I plan on taking the GRE next summer just to keep my options open.

 

[Web MD]

How hard have you been trying? If you've been putting in 60-70% effort then I kind of doubt med school will be a good fit for you

 

[Narmerguy]

These grades are honestly quite poor. I think that I'd wait on taking Organic before figuring out how to get your performance because if you continue to strike out on so many courses that will make it extremely difficult for you.

My suggestion is that you should figure out what's really the problem here. If you don't have the motivation, is that going to change? Is that just who you are? Is it the material? Figure that stuff out man and take a year off if you have to. If you find that you can come back and do this stuff with some real fire and consistency, start retaking some of those courses because DO schools will allow you to replace grades when calculating your GPA.

If you're serious about becoming a doctor, repairing all that path that's been pretty ugly so far will take lots of time and you certainly won't accomplish it in the popular 4-year cycle that many applicants do but with only 2 years of college completed, there's plenty of time to turn the corner. But it seems to me that you'd be better served taking time off and figuring yourself out than stumbling through another year digging a deeper whole that might just be too deep at that point. Best of luck to you man.

 

[ItzYaYa]

How hard have you been trying? If you've been putting in 60-70% effort then I kind of doubt med school will be a good fit for you

Freshman Year: 3.2/1.5
Sophomore Year: 1.9/3.5

I hope that I can keep up this upward trend. My effort, or lack thereof, proved to be the bane of my existence. I have dedicated myself to at least ~3 hours of Orgo a day. I volunteer at a hospital, and also have been taking steps towards becoming a research assistant. Is it too little, too late?

 

[ItzYaYa]

Thanks Narmer, I'll take that into consideration. I guess I really just need to clear my head and figure out what I need to do to repair my current situation.

 

[stormchao]

What happened with Calc I? Why did you do worse when you did the retake? Are you taking your classes seriously? Have you reached out to your professors?

 

[Astarael]

With your GPA the way it is, you're probably out of luck as far as MD schools go. You could potentially reopen that option through an SMP, if you can get your GPA up to a 3.0 with a 30+ MCAT, but that's going to be a rough and expensive road. The other option is to apply to DO schools, since your retakes wipe out the first grade from the class. I think you should wait and see how you do this next semester. If improved focus results in improved grades for you, then stick with it. It will be a lot of work, but probably still a possibility. If, on the other hand, you still fail to perform, then it might be time to rethink your career choice.

 

[ItzYaYa]

My second semester of my freshman year and my first semester of my sophomore year were spent mostly taking care of my mother. Without getting into details, due to a traumatic event she suffered a nervous breakdown and I was unable to attend school regularly. I live about an hour away from school and the commute from home to school was quite rough. I was always one to place family first so I neglected my schoolwork. This wasn't one of my brightest decisions, but I slowly nursed her back to health. But I am not one for excuses so I partially attribute these grades to my situation.

 

[calvnandhobbs68]

You have some big motivation issues if you're getting a D in Chem II LAB and an F in Calc I. That F can be a big problem since its going to drag down your GPA, but for the rest of it DO schools will probably be your best bet since you can get grade replacement. Your Gen Chem II retake was a big boost. I'd retake physio and cell bio too...you're gonna need all the GPA help you can get.

What do your other classes look like? Is this a general motivation problem or just problems with science classes? Also, if you can't fix this motivation problem fast, you're gonna have some serious problems getting motivated enough to study the huge amount you're going to have to for your MCAT. You're gonna need a decent MCAT score to compensate for your low end GPA.

Edit: Sorry to hear about your mom. It doesn't sound like a motivation issue as much then as it is life experiences. Retakes/upward trend combined with some kind of explanation for these low grades can put you back on the right track.

 

[Swiss Medical]

I also see you are from the Brook. Very hard Univ.....

 

[kexy]

Just my opinion (as a lowly premed) so take this with a grain of salt. As others have said, look into DO schools. Do some calculations to figure out how many classes you'll need to retake (keeping in mind that DO schools will only count the retake grade) to pull your overall and science GPA's to around a 3.4. You should probably not major in a science, unless you absolutely love it. Instead, major in whatever you can easily succeed in (humanities? Social sciences?). Preferably, change your major to something that doesn't require very many classes, so that you can retake your science classes without spending tons of time and money and being in college forever. Don't leap into orgo immediately; try building study skills first by retaking an easier class (bio or gen chem). Don't take more than 1 or 2 science classes at a time, and major in something that is not too demanding, so you can save your energy for prereqs. Good luck, I hope you figure this out.

 

[Whatyousay]

Currently my sGPA lies somewhere at the bottom of Bikini Bottom.

Ouch. Have you considered spending an extra year in school to boost your GPA? That's thinking a little far into the future, but it seems like you're still a little unsure about what you want to do after college (i.e. taking the GRE), and taking an extra year of college to flesh things out might be worth it in the long run.

 

[Eric01]

Doing an SMP is expensive, they do exist for people like you, but you would need to bring your gpa up into the low 3's and get a reasonably good MCAT score.

Retaking the F and D and getting an A in them, and then if you can retake the C's turn them into B's or A's you can probably drastically improve that GPA for D.O. schools.

If you're really motivated, you could do something like take your regular courses and then take 1 or 2 of the classes you got C,D, or F in. Then over the summers take the remaining C, D, or F courses. Turn them into As and your GPA will have a quick turnaround for D.O. schools.

You have to ask yourself if you would be opposed to going D.O.

 

[PressPforPi]

I also see you are from the Brook. Very hard Univ.....

I have no idea if Stonybrook is a tough university, but you're a d!ck if you're being condescending. If not, then I apologize.

 

[Swiss Medical]

I have no idea if Stonybrook is a tough university, but you're a d!ck if you're being condescending. If not, then I apologize.

I am actually being serious. it is a very competitive university. A friend of mine majored in biochemistry there. The area is also the setting of my favorite book series, the Babay Sitters' Club.

 

[1TB4RKSB4CK]

The classes may be too difficult for you or you're just not putting the effort. Med school isn't a walk in the park. Evaluate your priorities before continuing on such as schoolwork, grades, extracurric's, study habits. Remember you want to get into med school, not be a promoter of some club. Make sacrifices and it will pay off.

 

[45408]

Thanks Narmer, I'll take that into consideration. I guess I really just need to clear my head and figure out what I need to do to repair my current situation.

Take fewer credits. See if you can start getting some good grades. If you can't get good grades with 12 credits per semester, then yes, you should throw in the towel.

 

[Green Grass]

Take fewer credits. See if you can start getting some good grades. If you can't get good grades with 12 credits per semester, then yes, you should throw in the towel.

I agree with this. Lower the course load and see if you can cut it. If you are still struggling after this change, then maybe medical school isn't in your future and you should consider other options.

You don't have to throw in the towel yet, but if you really want this to happen then step it up!

 

[ItzYaYa]

You have some big motivation issues if you're getting a D in Chem II LAB and an F in Calc I. That F can be a big problem since its going to drag down your GPA, but for the rest of it DO schools will probably be your best bet since you can get grade replacement. Your Gen Chem II retake was a big boost. I'd retake physio and cell bio too...you're gonna need all the GPA help you can get.

What do your other classes look like? Is this a general motivation problem or just problems with science classes? Also, if you can't fix this motivation problem fast, you're gonna have some serious problems getting motivated enough to study the huge amount you're going to have to for your MCAT. You're gonna need a decent MCAT score to compensate for your low end GPA.

Edit: Sorry to hear about your mom. It doesn't sound like a motivation issue as much then as it is life experiences. Retakes/upward trend combined with some kind of explanation for these low grades can put you back on the right track.

As far as my other classes go, I made the switch from Biochemistry to English because I am more proficient at it. I thought that by changing majors it would help boost my overall GPA. My English classes and electives = 3.53.

 

[ItzYaYa]

I appreciate the advice and help, it would seem that I have a long ways to go in order to fix my situation. I regret ever letting it get this far...

 

[ponyo]

Is there a reason you are so adamant about going into medicine when it seems clear that you are far more talented and potentially also more interested in other fields?

Not trying to interrogate--just curious.

As far as my other classes go, I made the switch from Biochemistry to English because I am more proficient at it. I thought that by changing majors it would help boost my overall GPA. My English classes and electives = 3.53.

 

[HINKLO]

is there a reason you are so adamant about going into medicine when it seems clear that you are far more talented and potentially also more interested in other fields?

Not trying to interrogate--just curious.

+1

 

[calvnandhobbs68]

Is there a reason you are so adamant about going into medicine when it seems clear that you are far more talented and potentially also more interested in other fields?

Not trying to interrogate--just curious.

He just said he was more proficient at it (aka it was easier for him)...not that he's potentially more interested in it. Besides, being a biochem major doesn't have a ton to do with medicine anyway. Lots of pre-meds are humanities majors who just take the pre-req science classes.

 

[AugustBurnsDan]

What exactly are your motivations for medical school? If you really want to be a physician, keep on pursuing your dreams! However, you will no doubt need to be putting in much more work and hours than you currently are as a student. If money...well let's just say that the world's richest man is NOT a doctor. I don't mean this in a condescending way, but if you are better at English go for it! Proficiency in language skills along with a science background could lend itself to scientific literature publication.

I agree with others, rachet back on the classes until you get your life in order. Take the process in little digestible bits. Little successes add up to big accomplishments!

Hey let's face it, we are all human. Humans make mistakes, have troubles, and fail from time to time. How are YOU going to pick yourself up and move on from this stumbling block?

Good Luck!

 

[theWUbear]

I am at the point in my life where the future has begun to look very bleak and the sun no longer rises in my side of the world. I am entering into my junior year with much of my academic life in shambles.

I have done 11 semesters of college, worth two bachelors degrees, and 1 semester of grad school, worth half a masters.

It's June 27th and I just interviewed for med school with a 2.96 GPA - ten days after the school initially got my application. If you're throwing in the towel after your sophomore year, your resolve is weak. Step your game up or throw in the towel

 

[ItzYaYa]

I've wanted to become a doctor for as long as I can remember. I've had to grow up seeing most of my family members die around me and for the life of me I couldn't understand why. At the time I believed it was the incompetence of doctor's so I resolved myself to become one to help not only my family members, but my country out. [I'm from Haiti by the way] Despite the fact that I was only there for about a year, I've revisited the country several times and each and every time I go the medical situation gets worse. I remember telling my pediatrician this as a child and she told me about Doctors Without Borders. I looked into it and I felt as if that was my calling. I'm the type of person who seeks to relieve and alleviate others of whatever pain they are in, whether it be tangible or intangible. I thought that by becoming a doctor, it would put me in a position to help those in need, especially those with little to no access to medical aid/care. "We can do no great things, only small things with great love." - Mother Teresa

 

[ItzYaYa]

I have, and will.

 

[1TB4RKSB4CK]

I have done 11 semesters of college, worth two bachelors degrees, and 1 semester of grad school, worth half a masters.

It's June 27th and I just interviewed for med school with a 2.96 GPA - ten days after the school initially got my application. If you're throwing in the towel after your sophomore year, your resolve is weak. Step your game up or throw in the towel

Your determination is strong. Hopefully you get in man.

 

[MedAdComMD]

OP, what you need to do is push your degree to 6 years.

(2.5 + 2.5 + 4 + 4 + 4 + 4)/6 = 3.5

Maybe even to a 3.6 if you take summer classes

So, it is mathmatically possible that you can become a competitive applicant statwise.

The real issue is to identify why you have done poorly and improve upon that.

 

[MedAdComMD]

I have done 11 semesters of college, worth two bachelors degrees, and 1 semester of grad school, worth half a masters.

It's June 27th and I just interviewed for med school with a 2.96 GPA - ten days after the school initially got my application. If you're throwing in the towel after your sophomore year, your resolve is weak. Step your game up or throw in the towel

I am intrigued that you chose EDP - if you dont get accepted you are handicapped the whole year. Even with a ridiculous upward trend like yours, EDP programs would be reluctant to accept you, because they look for people with stats higher than the school averages.

 

[latrala2300]

I have done 11 semesters of college, worth two bachelors degrees, and 1 semester of grad school, worth half a masters.

It's June 27th and I just interviewed for med school with a 2.96 GPA - ten days after the school initially got my application. If you're throwing in the towel after your sophomore year, your resolve is weak. Step your game up or throw in the towel

I was like WHA how'd you interview already, but then noticed that you're ED. This is now a PSA to others in the shoes I wore before being enlightened

 

[ItzYaYa]

OP, what you need to do is push your degree to 6 years.

(2.5 + 2.5 + 4 + 4 + 4 + 4)/6 = 3.5

Maybe even to a 3.6 if you take summer classes

So, it is mathmatically possible that you can become a competitive applicant statwise.

The real issue is to identify why you have done poorly and improve upon that.

Instead of pushing it to 6 years, would it be possible that I take 13 to 18 credits over the summer? Or is that not advisable at all?

 

[theWUbear]

I am intrigued that you chose EDP - if you dont get accepted you are handicapped the whole year. Even with a ridiculous upward trend like yours, EDP programs would be reluctant to accept you, because they look for people with stats higher than the school averages.

I would first like to thank you for the advice you gave me when you previously commented on my situation about a month ago. Your recommendations prompted me to seek further council; there were many factors that played into my decision to apply EDP rather than broadly, and it was far from black and white. There are indeed many strong points to your position. I will refrain from further hijacking this thread other than to say that I will be hearing back by August 1st, and to reiterate my appreciation for your recommendations.

 

[theWUbear]

Instead of pushing it to 6 years, would it be possible that I take 13 to 18 credits over the summer? Or is that not advisable at all?

Many people can't handle taking two three credit classes over the summer and getting A's. Your goal right now is not to overload yourself to the point where I'd bet 100 bucks you won't get straight A's - your goal is to underload yourself (I made that word up but you get the idea) and get the grades dude

 

[lowgpa013]

@theWUbear wow, that is a big redemption right there. I hope you get in to the school that you want. Oh, is your MdApps up-to-date? I gonna bookmark your profile and wait for the good news!

 

[bassvp]

Instead of pushing it to 6 years, would it be possible that I take 13 to 18 credits over the summer? Or is that not advisable at all?

I've done 15 hours one summer (after freshman year), but that's the most I've heard of and it just happened to work perfectly. The classes lined up so that I never had more than 2 at one time. I don't think you could do it with classes any higher level than that (well...you could, but not when you can't afford any lower grades).

 

[JonnyL]

You're definitely in a tight spot. Take things slow, and start doing better from here on out. Don't overload yourself. I understand that when things get tough, you start to overload in hopes that you can compensate your drop in GPA by taking more units but if it's too much too handle, you could be digging yourself into an even bigger hole. Retake the classes you did bad in and get A's and you can be competitive for D.O schools and few M.D schools if you're lucky.

 

[SN1]

I have no idea if Stonybrook is a tough university, but you're a d!ck if you're being condescending. If not, then I apologize.

It is NOT a tough university to get in.

 

[MedAdComMD]

Instead of pushing it to 6 years, would it be possible that I take 13 to 18 credits over the summer? Or is that not advisable at all?

The point is to take as many credits as possible to bring your GPA up - so if you are serious about this route, you are realistically looking at 6 years.

Now, if you want 5 years.

It would be a 3.4, possibly a 3.5 if you take summer classes each summer. So, its up to you. To lower GPA you get, the higher MCAT you must score to redeem it.

Good luck.

 

[Ride Big Sky]

In all honesty if I were in your shoes and I was still committed to pursuing medicine I would forget about MD school because it would take too long to increase the GPA and instead focus on DO. ***Please people do not turn this into a MD vs. DO thread yet again*** The simple fact of the matter is that having the ability to retake the classes in which you scored poorly and have the grades replaced rather than averaged together will be a huge advantage to you.

It's not as bleak as it seems, but it is serious. Your mentality has to be nothing but A's...a B+ just isn't going to cut it. I wish you all the best.

 

[willen101383]

Sometimes what you need is a little perspective and maturity. I remember being in your shoes as a sophomore/junior and posting on SDN totally freaking out. Pretty much everyone was like "blah blah you wont get in" etc. I remember posting a similar thing: "I will do much better from here on out, and try harder, etc." But I never did as an undergrad...I was just too immature. I would start out great...and my grades would just slide as the semester went on.

I graduated with a 2.45 just as hopeless as you are now. But I started working, grew up quick and ended up in graduate school with a 3.75 upon graduation. So like I said...sometimes it is hard as an undergrad to change your ways and buckle down and get the grades. I found that getting myself into a new social/academic situation and working in the field full time really gave me the maturity and incentive to get those grades...and ultimately get into medical school...where I continue to excel academically.

So dont give up my friend...it is FAR too early for you to throw in the towel.

 

[willen101383]

And for the asshat talking down about SUNY schools: know that most SUNY sciences courses have zero grade inflation. You get in the 70s and you get a C....none of this 78=B+ bull**** that so many undergrad/grad schools dish out. I went to a suny for undergrad and the courses were rigorous and it was VERY difficult to get an A...even for people that had their $hit together.

 

[Swiss Medical]

And for the asshat talking down about SUNY schools: know that most SUNY sciences courses have zero grade inflation. You get in the 70s and you get a C....none of this 78=B+ bull**** that so many undergrad/grad schools dish out. I went to a suny for undergrad and the courses were rigorous and it was VERY difficult to get an A...even for people that had their $hit together.

Damn bro. You are pretty real. As I said above, it is very competitive at Stony Brook. Some took that as sarcasm...

 

[willen101383]

Damn bro. You are pretty real. As I said above, it is very competitive at Stony Brook. Some took that as sarcasm...

Wasnt referring to you homie...I knew you were the one who was jk.

 

[glassware]

Don't want to threadjack, maybe someone can PM with the info, but how is Stony Brook and its courses? Thinking about possibly attending the school. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks

 

[MDOnlyWillDo]

Don't give up completely, just move your deadline. What you need more than anything else is time. Time to get your head focused back on med school after you've focused your energy on your mother. You already know in your soul that you aren't going to work harder if the energy isn't there (which it hasn't been.) If you know med school is what you want, then change to an English degree and avoid messing up your sGPA anymore. Graduate, take a few years off, join the Peace Corp, and then return as a post-bacc to finish your pre-reqs, taking your MCAT after those classes.

It's way to early to say you you'll never get in, even for an MD. Not everyone takes that straight golden path to med school. Some of us have to come at it from a different angle, but are stronger than others when we do.

 

[SN1]

And for the asshat talking down about SUNY schools: know that most SUNY sciences courses have zero grade inflation. You get in the 70s and you get a C....none of this 78=B+ bull**** that so many undergrad/grad schools dish out. I went to a suny for undergrad and the courses were rigorous and it was VERY difficult to get an A...even for people that had their $hit together.

Relax nobody is talking crap aout SUNY. The best SUNY that I know is Binghamton, stony is around there. I am NOT talking about medical schools ok.

I go to a community college and NONE of my professors curve. NOT a single one. Your final grades are based on 3 tests (85-90%). If you fail one it is IMPOSSIBLE to get an A or even an A-.

Just ignore those ignorant bastards that talk **** about what college you go to. They have NO idea what the classes are like. Just focus on your MCAT.

At least you don't go to a community college, they bash us down even worse.