What should I do?

[sportsfan2347]

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Hi all,

So here is my dilemma.

I've dreamed of going to med school since I was a kid and that's the only profession I've zeroed in on. I did my senior project shadowing a team of neurologists and neurosurgeons at the Cleveland Clinic and loved it. If there were any other professions I was considering at the time, they pretty much flew out the window after that experience.

The only problem?

I've done awful with my pre-med coursework, starting pretty much from first semester of college until now. To give you a better idea, the following is my math and science coursework starting from freshman year until today:


Fall 2011:

• Biology I: B+
  
  
• Biology I Lab: B
  
  
• Calculus I: W
  

Spring 2012:

• Biology II: B
  
  
• Biology Lab II: C
  

Fall 2012:

• General Chemistry I: B-
  
  
• General Chemistry Lab I: C+
  
  
• General Physics I: W
  
  
• General Physics Lab I: W
  

Spring 2013:

• General Chemistry II: C
  
  
• General Chemistry Lab II: B-
  

Fall 2013:

• Genetics: W
  
  
• Organic Chemistry I: F
  
  
• Organic Chemistry I Lab: C
  
  
• Calculus I: C+
  

Fall 2014:

• General Physics I: C
  
  
• General Physics Lab I: B-
  

Spring 2015:

• General Physics II: B+
  
  
• General Physics Lab II: B
  

Fall 2015:

• Endocrinology: B
  
  
• Organic Chemistry I: A
  

Spring 2016:

• Organic Chemistry II: D+
  
  
• Organic Chemistry II Lab: C+
  
  
• Analytical Chemistry: C-
  
  
• Analytical Chemistry Lab: B
  

In total, I've received only 1 A, 10 B's, 8 C's, 1 D, 1 F and have withdrawn from four courses, which would show up on my transcript. Right now, my math and science gpa is at a 2.41, with a cumulative of a 3.03. These courses are to fulfill a degree in biochemistry.

My question is, where do I go from here? I still have one year left of undergrad, and still have plenty of math and science courses yet to take, but do I truly have a legitimate chance in getting any interviews even if I were to do well from here on out and score well on the MCAT? I improved slightly in the spring and fall of 2015, earning a spot on the dean's list for both semesters, just to fall right back where I started in the spring of 2016.

I have not done any research or internships, however, this is partly due to the reasoning that if I were to apply for something like that, I would lose study time, which God knows I can use as much of it as possible. My gpa right now is alarmingly low, so I want to focus on raising that first before thinking about any ECs.

Please, any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

 

[candbgirl]

Your current GPAs are too low for MD and really, really low for DO ( I think they are too low). What are you doing this summer? I'd suggest going to the Academic Learning Center on campus and have them help you figure out why you are doing so poorly in school. It might be an easy fix or it may take some hard work. You should also plan to take several gaps years. You have some major grade repair to do before you can determine if you'll ever be a competitive candidate. You also have all of those ECs you've been putting off. And then there is the MCAT...Are you open to DO school? They have the lovely grade replacement option that MD schools don't have. You have lots of work ahead of you and you should always have a Plan B.


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[sportsfan2347]

Your current GPAs are too low for MD and really, really low for DO ( I think they are too low). What are you doing this summer? I'd suggest going to the Academic Learning Center on campus and have them help you figure out why you are doing so poorly in school. It might be an easy fix or it may take some hard work. You should also plan to take several gaps years. You have some major grade repair to do before you can determine if you'll ever be a competitive candidate. You also have all of those ECs you've been putting off. And then there is the MCAT...Are you open to DO school? They have the lovely grade replacement option that MD schools don't have. You have lots of work ahead of you and you should always have a Plan B.


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This summer I'm actually planning on retaking calculus I and organic chemistry II. I plan on retaking calc I not necessarily to replace my C+ I previously got on it, but in order to strengthen my calculus background so I can perform well in calc II. However, I am retaking organic chemistry II to hopefully show graduate schools I can perform considerably better in that class. I don't know if I can handle both summer courses plus do some EC as well, such as a research or internship opportunity.

DO school for me is definitely an option as well, however, they are almost just as competitive as MD schools. If I can't find any interviews at the MD level, I highly doubt I'll have much success with DO schools.

Before this semester, I was planning on taking the MCAT in January, and then taking a gap year between 2017-2018. However, like you said, I might need to take more than just that one gap year if I plan on being competitive.

Thank you for your feedback

 

[candbgirl]

You're right about DO becoming more competitive each year. I wouldn't attempt two classes this summer especially if you are already doubting your ability to be successful in both classes. Take one and get an A. You really have to find out why you are not being successful in classes. Both of your summer classes are retakes so you should be able to do them well. You do know you can't apply with a 2.4 sGPA right? What are you going to do to bring that up to >3.3?


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[Dreamislandcaptive]

Retake some of the C classes and aim for 520+ on the mcat. Do a lot of different volunteer activities and do not I repeat do not give up. You came this far so keep pushing forward. Remember greatness is upon you

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

Agree with the don't give up. Personally ot looks like you are in the wrong major seeing all those low grades in chem classes. DO grade replacement is your friend. Spend the next 2-3 years buffing up the ole app with retakes, a good MCAT score, and ECs and you should be good down the line. Baby steps here