Took pre-med classes too early

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.

medicalmnt

Full Member
10+ Year Member
Joined
Mar 24, 2013
Messages
195
Reaction score
105
I'm currently a sophomore at GMU. Majoring in b/s biochemistry. I've decided I wanted to take all the pre-med required classes before my junior year so I could be as prepared as possible for MCAT. However, by doing so my GPA is junk and did pretty bad on pre-med courses.


Freshman year:
-1st semester-
gen chem 1 = A-
calculus 1 = B
English 101 (gen ed) = B
Comm 100 (gen ed) = B+
univ 100 (1cred) = A

-2nd semester-
gen chem 2 = B
art history 300+ (gen ed) = B+
cell bio = C (FU--)
calculus 2 = B (biochemistry requirement)

Sophomore year:
-3rd semester-
non-calc physics = currently over 100%
physics lab = probably B- to A- range.
biostat (wasn't required but needed the gpa boost. 4cred) = currently at 95-100%
psych 100 (MCAT 2015 required) = currently over 100%
organic chem lecture = hoping to get at least a B+ in this class. class avg was 15/25. got a 17/25 on recent exam. not sure if I can get B+.
organic chem lab = probably B- to B+ range.


Current GPA is 3.1 overall
Assuming I get mostly A's and a B or so in organic chemistry I would end this fall semester with a 3.4ish GPA. If I were to get A's from now on I would only be able to reach a 3.7ish GPA which isn't that great for schools like GWU, UVA, VT, VCU, and Ivy leagues.

I'm really lost at what I should do from now on because my biostat course is not required for my degree so I thought about switching majors to biology but calc2 isn't required for bio; only biochem majors.


Spring semester looks like it's going to be very tough.
org 2 with lab
physics 2 with lab
general biochem (400 level course)
might take genetics or an easy gen-ed course to boost GPA.


Should I take some summer gen-ed courses to boost my GPA or should I just save them all for senior year?

thanks. didn't mean it to end up writing a paper.
good :luck: to everyone applying to med-school this cycle
 
The majority of traditional applicants take all the pre-reqs in the first 2 or 2.5 years in order to take the MCAT in junior year and apply the following summer. It's not a matter of taking the pre-reqs too early, it's a matter that you need better study skills so you can pull A's in your science classes. Figure out why you got the grades you did, change your ways, and work hard.
 
The problem is your study habits. I took Gen chem, physics, and upper level biology (on top of my GE's) my freshman year.

It is the norm to finish all your premed prereqs (at least the science ones) in about 2 years (give or take a semester).
 
Top