Transfer student to UCSD, first quarter academic problem! Urgent help

[PrinceElvis97]

Hello Everyone,

So, I am a recent transfer student to University of California, San Diego. My first quarter proved to be a very difficult transition, being away from home and the entire atmosphere being very different from community college. I transferred after two years at cc, where I finished all my lower divs/ ge and had a 3.81 overall and a 3.72 Science gpa.

Anyways, I got my grades back for my quarter here and I was taking 14 units.
Biochemistry(4 units): B-,
Medical research ethics (6 units): A-,
Independent research (4 units): A

My gpa for the quarter is a 3.50 and I’m not sure what my new overall is because I transferred from a semester system with 115 units.

Anyways, I wanted to know how you all think I did and any constructive feedback would be great, I am very sad and down right now. If it means anything my last semesters gpa at the cc was a 3.47 so as far as a trend: 3.47—-> 3.5.

Thanks
@Goro
@gyngyn
@gonnif

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[Hopefulpremed123]

I think your overall gpa is around a 3.77-3.78, and science gpa should be between a 3.70-3.71. So I think you have to Ace your classes from here on out, and get it to a 3.8 overall gpa in two years to be competitive. Good luck with your stuff

 

[PrinceElvis97]

Please I am looking for some advise. I feel so lost and upset on what my state is right now 🙁


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[CloverBale]

Just start doing well. It's natural to do worse once you transfer to a 4 year, especially the UCs ( I transferred to UCLA). So don't panic. Start doing well in your classes and do your best to shoot for all A's. It's all about how you come back from this and do better.

 

[PrinceElvis97]

Just start doing well. It's natural to do worse once you transfer to a 4 year, especially the UCs ( I transferred to UCLA). So don't panic. Start doing well in your classes and do your best to shoot for all A's. It's all about how you come back from this and do better.

Thanks for your reply! So in regard to my gpa how do you think it is? I have a 3.77 overall and a 3.702 Science gpa. I know I will definitely work harder but am I still doing okay so far? I’m done with all myprereqs now btw.


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[CloverBale]

Thanks for your reply! So in regard to my gpa how do you think it is? I have a 3.77 overall and a 3.702 Science gpa. I know I will definitely work harder but am I still doing okay so far? I’m done with all myprereqs now btw.


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You're worried for nothing 🙂 3.7 is really good! You're doing very well. Take some more upper division science courses if you're worried about your science GPA.

 

[freedoctor17]

Thanks for your reply! So in regard to my gpa how do you think it is? I have a 3.77 overall and a 3.702 Science gpa. I know I will definitely work harder but am I still doing okay so far? I’m done with all myprereqs now btw.


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I think you're doing fine. 3.7 is still pretty good. Get a solid MCAT score and you can still be pretty competitive. Make sure to get some A's in some upper science classes so they know you can handle 4 year University classes. The one thing that worries me is it looks like most of your prereqs were at community college which unfortunately may be looked down upon a little. So you may need to prove to them that your gpa wasn't good there just because it was CC. That's where a solid MCAT will help and any upper level science A's.

 

[PrinceElvis97]

I think you're doing fine. 3.7 is still pretty good. Get a solid MCAT score and you can still be pretty competitive. Make sure to get some A's in some upper science classes so they know you can handle 4 year University classes. The one thing that worries me is it looks like most of your prereqs were at community college which unfortunately may be looked down upon a little. So you may need to prove to them that your gpa wasn't good there just because it was CC. That's where a solid MCAT will help and any upper level science A's.

Yea I actually had to take lower division classes in order to transfer to a university of California school as I am a science major. I think what’s like ddown upon is if I was at a 4 year and took classes at a cc, but I think it’s not as big a deal since I am a transfer. But in any regard I will definitely look to take a lot more upper divs( I kinda have to for my major) and look to Ace them. I’m worried about that b- in biochem tho.


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[PrinceElvis97]

I think you're doing fine. 3.7 is still pretty good. Get a solid MCAT score and you can still be pretty competitive. Make sure to get some A's in some upper science classes so they know you can handle 4 year University classes. The one thing that worries me is it looks like most of your prereqs were at community college which unfortunately may be looked down upon a little. So you may need to prove to them that your gpa wasn't good there just because it was CC. That's where a solid MCAT will help and any upper level science A's.

Thank you! I’m just worried that I got a b- in my biochem class. Overall I’m just bummed out that I got a 3.5 this quarter 🙁


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[21Rush12]

I have a couple questions —

1. How is this urgent, it’s Christmas break?

2. How can we provide constructive feedback without an idea of your study habits?

3. Why exactly are you upset about these grades? You didn’t fail, you handled the transfer the best you can and you know that you need to get A’s as much as possible.

 

[freedoctor17]

Yea I actually had to take lower division classes in order to transfer to a university of California school as I am a science major. I think what’s like ddown upon is if I was at a 4 year and took classes at a cc, but I think it’s not as big a deal since I am a transfer. But in any regard I will definitely look to take a lot more upper divs( I kinda have to for my major) and look to Ace them. I’m worried about that b- in biochem tho.


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Well in that case it sounds like you're doing fine! Don't be too bummed about biochem. Do better in your other science courses and I think you won't have any problems.

 

[PrinceElvis97]

I have a couple questions —

1. How is this urgent, it’s Christmas break?

2. How can we provide constructive feedback without an idea of your study habits?

3. Why exactly are you upset about these grades? You didn’t fail, you handled the transfer the best you can and you know that you need to get A’s as much as possible.

Urgent in the sense that I am really sad and dejected over my grades and I feel so lost.
Also, I know that I didn’t fail but to be honest I just worry about getting accepted; already there’s a stigma against transfers and I want to just have a confirmation from my peers regarding how they think I am doing, just for reassurance you know?


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[21Rush12]

I certainly understand that. However, I don’t think there’s a stigma against transfer students. Maybe at the top top schools they’re more picky, but otherwise it’s no big deal. Many more applicants are choosing the community college option for cost reasons.

Everyone worries about being accepted, it’s the biggest unknown you face overall. Take this semester in stride and move forward working hard. Don’t worry about being perfect, just get as many A’s as you can and don’t give up. A B- can’t be the biggest adversity you have faced, so you shouldn’t let it take your confidence down.

 

[Hopefulpremed123]

I think you have to have a 3.8 gpa to be competitive for admission to MD schools. I just haven't heard of too many people getting into MD schools personally who have a 3.6 gpa and i think even a 3.7 is a little edgy. I appreciate the comments everyones been giving you, but from what i heard you need a 3.8 to be considered okay especially cuz ur coming from a cc. Just my 2 cents. I think @Goro and @Catalystik can both offer their opinion on ur case.

 

[freedoctor17]

I think you have to have a 3.8 gpa to be competitive for admission to MD schools. I just haven't heard of too many people getting into MD schools personally who have a 3.6 gpa and i think even a 3.7 is a little edgy. I appreciate the comments everyones been giving you, but from what i heard you need a 3.8 to be considered okay especially cuz ur coming from a cc. Just my 2 cents. I think @Goro and @Catalystik can both offer their opinion on ur case.

You've probably only been hearing from SDN people then. In the real world not everyone has 3.8+ 😛 . If you check the MSAR they show you general range of gpa of students accepted at each school and 3.6/7 is within the range of most mid level and some upper schools.

 

[PrinceElvis97]

I think you have to have a 3.8 gpa to be competitive for admission to MD schools. I just haven't heard of too many people getting into MD schools personally who have a 3.6 gpa and i think even a 3.7 is a little edgy. I appreciate the comments everyones been giving you, but from what i heard you need a 3.8 to be considered okay especially cuz ur coming from a cc. Just my 2 cents. I think @Goro and @Catalystik can both offer their opinion on ur case.

I think that may be the case for upper tier schools like UCSF, Yale, Harvard e.t.c but for most schools I think a 3.7 overall and science is fine. I know I am from a cc, but If I have a 3.7 by the time i finish overall along with a good mcat score (at least 510) I hope I would still a competitive applicant to all med schools.

 

[piii]

I think it's ironic when people put MD in their username while having academic trouble freshman year.

 

[SteyrFWB]

Take another biochemistry class, a same level repeat, ie. medical biochemistry or similar class.

The same level biochemistry will be more manageable. You will get your A, and it will ameliorate your B from this quarter.

But most important of all, the reinforced biochemistry will put you in good stead for MCAT. That's the real McCoy. More important than biochemistry or GPA.

 

[PrinceElvis97]

I think it's ironic when people put MD in their username while having academic trouble freshman year.

Really? its a username, and I chose it because I hope to become an oncologist. Nothing serious was intended by it man. Also i am a junior right now, not a freshman.

 

[freedoctor17]

Really? its a username, and I chose it because I hope to become an oncologist. Nothing serious was intended by it man. Also i am a junior right now, not a freshman.

Laugh off the trolls and don't let them get to you. Just keep taking into account the constructive feedback like you've been doing.