What if post-bacc GPA is not up to snuff?

[Tofurkey]

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Hello,

It's Tofurkey here again. I am really struggling in my classes right now. I started the fall with a 3.6 post-bacc GPA (taking pre-meds for the first time). Then this fall I had to withdraw from orgo (was getting a C+) and I'm doing about a B in physics I and who the heck knows in bio (maybe a C or worse).

The thing is, I'm doing everything I should be study-wise, I'm 26, I have a graduate degree, and I am diligent...I don't know why I'm not making all A's.

Now I'm only taking two classes this semester (phy I and bio I). Next semester I was thinking about taking my post-bacc at an easier school.

Any advice? I feel like I'm drowning in a sea of frustration.

-Tofurkey

 

[medstylee]

Next semester I was thinking about taking my post-bacc at an easier school.

Where are you taking your post-bacc now?

 

[wolferman]

Give it 100%. Seriously, when you think about it, do we ever really work as hard as humanly possible at things? Personally, the answer is rarely. There seems to always be a little extra diligence that we reserve for those times when it's absolutely needed. Those fight or flight moments. Right now you're experiencing one of those moments, and unless you unleash that untapped energy and give it your all, you may stumble and not recover academically. Now I don't mean to be negative here, just realistic. There ARE times in our lives when we need to take heed of the warning signs and react appropriately. In your case this means do whatever it takes to learn the material better and apply it to your classes. In college, my problem was television. I'd rather watch TV than study. I started to turn the problem around when I asked myself one day whether I'd rather watch the doctors on ER, or become one myself. I consciously chose the latter and my grades improved as a result. If you're serious about becoming a doctor, you will prioritize and find the resources necessary to pull your grades up. Post bacs are a great opportunity to redeem yourself, but they are a double edged sword. If you falter now, you may be sealing your fate.

 

[HawkeyeBFP]

Come on, you already know the answer.

Getting mediocre grades during post-bacc is not a great thing, but what do you want us to tell you? If you can't drop the class (as you say in your post below) then your choices are limited to A) bust your a$$ and try and pull your grade up to whatever you possibly can AND B) make sure it doesn't happen again.

Notice I don't say "or".

Switching to an "easier" school the semester after pulling Cs while taking only two classes is NOT a good idea. When you apply, what are you going to say to explain the switch? Plus, if you can't handle two level-one courses at the same time, how do you expect to handle a full-time load in med school?

This is your chance to show how you handle that frustration you're talking about. Seriously. Suck it up, finish your classes as strongly as you can, move on and DO BETTER.

You can do it.

Now get in there and learn the ten steps of glycolysis! 😉

 

[maygirl]

Where are you taking the prereqs? I see you live in Chicago, which is where I am now. Unfortunately, there's not much I can tell you except to try your hardest to pull those grades up. Schools look at the grades, and if they're not up to par, then they're not going to believe that you're cut out for med school, no matter what you tell them. For post-bacc, this is particularly true. Med school is much much harder than post-bac.

Also, are you working full-time? B/c if you are, taking orgo, bio, and physics is overkill. If they're really hard, just take one science class and work your way up. Or like you said, you can switch to an easier school next semester (which I wouldn't recommend b/c med schools aren't dumb - they'll be able to see why) or you can drop all your classes altogether, and then wait til next year to take them over again at an easier school (again, not recommended). I would seriously consider dropping to one class and concentrating on that one. I think you need to get a feel for what you're able to handle.