Medical Took too many sciences classes this semester and struggled. Should I go ahead and give up?

[Goro]

Hi, all. I've been reading the forums on here for a while, but I joined today because I would love some advice. Real advice, not a sugarcoated lie.

I am about to finish my first semester of sophomore year. I took 18 hours this semester (big mistake) with all of my core biologies, Organic I, Stats, and an Honors Research class. It was a hard semester for me. There were a lot of things that happened in my personal life which took my time, but I know that is definitely not an excuse. Worst case scenario, I will end this semester with a 3.0 overall GPA. Should I give up on medical school? Is there any hope for me? Please don't go easy on me -- I would rather have constructive criticism.

Way too early to give up. Go visit your school's learning or education center and get help with time mgt skills.

U-shaped GPA trends are very common, thanks to Orgo.

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[Mr.Smile12]

While I'll agree it's too early to give up, I also think you haven't even really started based on what you wrote. Have you done any shadowing or community service? What about your leadership? What about being involved with your prehealth peers or talking with your professors and advisors? What motivated you to take 18 course hours this semester? You have a lot to figure out, including understanding the complexities of US health care and how the role of the physician really plays a role within it compared to other roles you could also be a good or better fit for.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

I've done 18 hours of college shadowing in obstetrics and gynecology because thats the field I am most drawn to. I have reference letters from those physicians as well. (I also shadowed them a lot in high school; one is my legal godmother and the other is in her group. I didn't include the amount of hours I shadowed them in high school because I don't feel like its relevant in college.) I want to shadow over Christmas break in cardiology. I've gone to my advisors office as well as some of my professors in the Honors College at least 7 times this semester because I'm freaking out. I also have begun research with a faculty member, as its a requirement for me to graduate with Honors. I also became secretary of the Biology Student Association, and next semester I'll be the vice president. I took 18 hours because I felt motivated last spring when I registered for those classes. I thought I could do it and so did my advisor. I don't think it was the 18 hours that got me, I think it was the 18 hours of nothing but science that got me. I felt burnt out most of this semester, but I know that's not an excuse.

My soapbox rant: I often get disappointed when faculty try to push students to overschedule themselves, especially if the students make it clear they want to get in to medical school. It is extremely important to continue to have balance in one's schedule and not book everything solid with just science courses; the humanities and social sciences side is extremely important not just to complement health care but also nurture one's own interests in others and society. That's something that biology curricular innovators have been pushing for the past decade. It's also important that we don't overload students with tough classes and say, "this is how it's going to be in medical school..." because I'm not sure it's like that anymore.

On shadowing: IMO it's still not on par with the number of hours applicants generally have to be considered viable (usually at least 50-150). You might be interested in OB/GYN but that could change. Furthermore, you're not going to medical school to become an OB/GYN first... you have to be a physician and have the basics and strong connections to make that turn towards specializing. I think you alluded to having some patient-facing volunteering opportunities, but more exposure to family med/internal med or other so-called general specialties would also be important. Granted, you'll probably get to the "number" at some point, but I'm not sure if that's enough to gain a comprehensive insight on American health care's issues. I defer to my other colleagues here for that insight.

I completely agree with you. I wanted to shadow this past summer, but I had to take Gen Chem II in order to “catch up.” When I came to South Alabama as a freshman, we had an orientation session in which you sat down and were shown what classes to choose for your schedule based off what your major/professional track was and what your ACT score was. I was supposed to be put in Gen Chem I my first semester as a freshman, but I wasn’t. They forgot I was an honors college student, so they were scrambling to find an honors class to put me in. I was a semester behind in chemistry and they pushed me to take Gen Chem II over the summer in order to catch up so to speak. So I spent my time studying all summer and in the lab instead of doing research or shadowing like I planned.
I think I forgot to mention that I have a double minor in Health Related Science and general Business Management. I thought it might be a good idea to take a break for a semester and focus on my business minor? I was going to take Organic II, Genetics and Physics I next semester. I redid my schedule today and have signed up to take Genetics, Physics I, a First Aid elective (I’ll have a 2 year certification at the end of the class and it’s a 1 credit hour class. It also knock out my General Elective for my major), Sociology and Management Theory. Does this sound like a good idea? That will put me at 15 hours. I thought about also taking an online class for my minor over this summer too like Communication Development which will also help me get a writing course out of the way as well, but I’ll still be able to do my shadowing/volunteer. I thought it might be wise to get my GPA back up, then go back into Organic. What do you think?

 

[Goro]

Thank you! I thought about taking a break from chemistry for a semester. I have a double minor in Health Related Science and general Business Management. I wanted to focus on my business minor next semester and get my GPA back up. I thought I might be happier that way, and it would boost my morale too. I signed up for Genetics, Physics I, a First Aid/CPR elective, Sociology online & Management Theory. Then next summer, take an online class for my minor as well to help my GPA even more before junior year. I calculated it, and with all A’s, I can get back up to a 3.45. Do you think this sounds like a good idea? Please let me know!

Sounds fine