What are my chances

[nickbytheglades]

I just finished my freshman year of college with a 2.7 GPA, I had multiple deaths in my family during my freshman year which caused my grades to suffer. I am about to start my sophomore year taking Gen chem 1 and Bio 2 with labs. i am excited and anxious but I'm afraid that my 2.7 might have ruined my chances of getting into med school. Straight As are the goal and i have been able to properly grieve with my family over the summer and I feel ready but that 2.7 is just really hard to look at.

ill take any kind of feedback, or thoughts my fellow pre-meds might have.

 

[The_Bird]

Shaky grades freshman year are recoverable. Do well from here on out, and you'll be alright.

If you made a D or F in a prerequisite course such as Bio I, you'll need to retake.

I'm sorry to hear about the deaths in your family. Best of luck.

 

[mimelim]

I just finished my freshman year of college with a 2.7 GPA, I had multiple deaths in my family during my freshman year which caused my grades to suffer. I am about to start my sophomore year taking Gen chem 1 and Bio 2 with labs. i am excited and anxious but I'm afraid that my 2.7 might have ruined my chances of getting into med school. Straight As are the goal and i have been able to properly grieve with my family over the summer and I feel ready but that 2.7 is just really hard to look at.

ill take any kind of feedback, or thoughts my fellow pre-meds might have.

The reality is that every single pre-med's 'goal' is to get straight A's. The key is to actually do it. We care about your academic prowess, ie. how well you will be able to survive and thrive in medical school and beyond. The general rule of thumb is that poor grades followed by an upward trend with the last 3 semesters being strong will alleviate most adcom's concerns. If you have a poor Freshman year and a good explanation (like you do) and the rest of your grades are normal pre-med (ie. 3.7+), nobody is going to bat an eyelash.

 

[GiveMeThatMD]

It's just your freshman year. It may be a big deal, but it surely isn't the end of the world. @mimelim is right on the money with this one. Do well the rest of undergrad, knock ECs out of the park, and explain the situation as interviews come. Absolutely stress about killer grades and you'll do just fine!

 

[SmurfingReviews]

You have 3 more years to make up. As others mentioned, you have a chance to explain your first year, and likely that when you are invited to the interview that they will ask about your grades during that time so be prepared. Stay strong, focused and motivated and you will do great. Keep strong, and sorry about your loss.

 

[ac62994]

Sorry to hear about your losses.

Retake those <Cs, especially the Sciences. You have plenty of time to recover your GPA. Just make sure you have above average ECs just in case. Good luck!

 

[nickbytheglades]

The reality is that every single pre-med's 'goal' is to get straight A's. The key is to actually do it. We care about your academic prowess, ie. how well you will be able to survive and thrive in medical school and beyond. The general rule of thumb is that poor grades followed by an upward trend with the last 3 semesters being strong will alleviate most adcom's concerns. If you have a poor Freshman year and a good explanation (like you do) and the rest of your grades are normal pre-med (ie. 3.7+), nobody is going to bat an eyelash.

thank you for the advice, I wasn't sure which path to take my freshman year and through all the death and sickness I realized that I wanted to pursue a career in medicine. i'll try my hardest to maintain a great science GPA and rock the MCAT when the time comes. do you recommend that I mention the situation that caused my GPA to suffer in my personal essay to med schools?

 

[mimelim]

thank you for the advice, I wasn't sure which path to take my freshman year and through all the death and sickness I realized that I wanted to pursue a career in medicine. i'll try my hardest to maintain a great science GPA and rock the MCAT when the time comes. do you recommend that I mention the situation that caused my GPA to suffer in my personal essay to med schools?

No. If specific secondary prompts ask, yes. Outside of that, no.