Tips from the wise?

[Cronac]

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Hi all! I've started my 3rd semester as a biochemistry major and I feel like things are closing in on me right now.

I'm currently sitting at a 2.4 cGPA (My first semester as a student in an honors chemical engineering program was a disaster at a 1.6, and I salvaged a 3.1 in my second semester after I switched to biochemistry)

I am taking taking Introduction to Cell Biology, Chemistry II, Stats I, and Introduction to Mechanics (It is physics with calculus) this semester and I feel like I'm getting destroyed. Chemistry and stats are not bad at all, but physics feels impossible and biology is becoming very work intensive faster than I expected.

I want to go to medical school (Leaning towards DO, but I'd take MD as well) for emergency medicine, and I've been an EMT for three years, and I plan on going for my PCA certification this year, but I feel like my GPA is going to close a lot of doors for me regardless of experience.

I feel any kind of attraction to any field other than medicine, and I know it is what I wish to pursue, but I'm afraid that my bad experience in my first semester is going to hurt me a lot. I had to deal with some issues outside of my control in my first semester (Flashbacks from a family death and issues with anticonvulsant medications), but I don't want to try to play any sympathy cards here.

I know that I have to get on the ball for physics and biology ASAP before they get out of my hands, but I have a lot of anxiety and its really getting me down.

What can I do to increase my chance at success?

 

[ealaiontoir]

Honestly, I think you are taking too many hard classes at once. Is it too late to change your schedule to make it more balanced? I would take a gen ed. instead of one of those classes. I've been advised not to take more than two really hard classes at once. Your GPA and your future application will thank you. It is better to take your time and do well as opposed to trying to get through really quickly. You may want to add an extra year (or even two) into your plan in order to be able to relax a little and take a few more classes you know you can do well in... your sanity and your GPA will be much improved. Your first semester can be averaged out by taking more classes...plus in almost every medical school application I have filled out, there has been a space to explain any grade fluctuation....Just do well from here on out and you will be absolutely fine. Also, try to find something you love that you can get a minor in...maybe something artistic? It will make your application stand out. GOOD LUCK!!! You have an excellent chance of getting into medical school! Just stick with it.

 

[TobiasFish]

HAve you taken the MCAT? you will need to be in the 95%ile.

Right now you are looking at a post bac program if you are interested in medicine. Im not sure about DO--it might be possible.


DONT get anxious, i know its stressful but its not going to help. Set some reasonable goals and make a plan. If you want to get into medicine start thinking, not freaking out.

Define your self as an applicant. EMT, RESEARCH, whatever. Pick classes you can do well in, med schools dont care about class difficulty, just how well you do.

Best of luck.

 

[wholeheartedly]

I'm going to second the don't kill yourself taking that many hard classes at once notion. Some people will probably slam me because med school will be a bunch of hard classes at once, but it's better to do well and build a solid foundation now. It sounds like you're in a situation that's going to foster cramming and getting stuff done just to get it done. That's not the type of foundation you want to build for the MCAT or medical school. While it's important to be able to show you can handle a rigorous schedule it's also important to show balance.

If you still have time to drop something without a W, I'd strongly encourage it. Then knock your semester out of the park best you can.

 

[Cronac]

Since I'm only in my sophomore year, I'm waiting until next year (or the one after depending on how long I want to stay in school) to take my MCAT.

Next semester for me would be organic chem. I, electricity & magnetism, quantitative analysis, and an elective at this point. I'm thinking that I should either pick an easy elective, or put it off until another semester at this point. I can't back out of any of the classes I have right now without a W, so I'm going to stick this semester out.

 

[Ebete]

If I had to do it all over again I would major in either English or History or something like that, and do a minor in bio (taking all the med pre-reqs.) They don't care about your major as much as your gpa, and your science grades. I advise switch to another major of interest (non-science so you have the best of both worlds and do well in the verbal section of the MCAT!) Get your gpa up and ace the science classes!!!!!