What should I do?

Try to get >3.5.

If you feel prepared take Aug 2006, if not then wait.

 

Don't panic. Freshman year is actually the LEAST scrutinized year. ADCOMS typically give the student the benefit of the doubt and attribute a slightly weaker (although 3.2 is not weak) performance to adjusting to college life. As for the MCAT (and don't take this as an insult) I think you need to work on your English before you attempt it. Good luck in school!

 

3.2 isn't that bad. True, the freshman courses are usually easier (except maybe intro biology, because that is a "weeder" class). If you can do well enough to pull both your science and non-science GPA's to over a 3.5 by the end of your junior year, then you'll be doing great, but as long as you manage at least a 3.5 from now on, you'll still be okay as long as your MCAT is decent.

As for the MCAT, there is no real advantage to taking it in August the year before, except that if you don't do well, then you can retake it April without being behind. That being said, there are several disadvantages, the main one being the you won't have had as many courses. The MCAT actually does include a fair amount of genetics, biochem and microbiology. Even though these aren't actual medical school pre-reqs, it may be helpful to take them. Doing well in these classes certainly looks good to med schools.

Oh yes, and I would wait until 2007, because that is when they are planning to start doing the shorter, computer based MCAT, which will also be offered more often throughout the year. This is good news for you, because believe me, the paper MCAT sucks.

 

3.2 is not a bad start at all!!!! You should not stress over that start. Honestly, many adcoms expect freshman year to be average b/c they understand that that year is more of an adjustment period. Don't worry about it (I know that it easier said than done, but you will understand what I am talking about when you are a junior or senior).
About taking the MCAT after your sophomore year: The majority of pre-meds do that at my alma mater to get it out the way. The average score at my alma mater is around 31. But only you know when is the best time for you to take it. If you feel like you might need to take some upper level courses (bio upper level) before taking the MCAT then wait.

You have time to think about that! Discuss it with your pre-med advisor (but take some things they say with a grain of salt b/c most of them are just b/s ing). You should discuss it with your peers too (the ones you know well).

good luck!!!

 

You still have a good chance if you do as well as possible the next 2 years. Admissions may see it as a good sign if your GPA trends upwards over the years.

Not a bad idea to take the August '06 exam since a lot of material will be fresh in your mind. Good luck, and welcome to the forum.

 

ooo...sorry dude. If you got a 3.2 your freshman year then you'd better be prepared to become a garbageman. Maybe if you had worked a lil harder...maybe with a 3.3 you wouldve had a chance. Maybe in the next life, eh? Best wishes!

 

I was in the same position you were, except slightly worse. Just start getting straight A's man, and you'll be fine. Solid upward trends count for a lot to adcoms, just make sure you don't blow the mcat.

Also remember that it's not just mcat and gpa which determine your success as an applicant. You need to show adcoms that you know what you are getting into by gaining clinical experience, you need solid extracurriculars/life experiences, a good personal statement, etc. Numbers just show schools whether or not you can do the work that med school demands, you need an overall, well-rounded application.

 

so sorry to hear that. thats aweful. you will definitely get a chance to put that in your secondaries somewhere (or even your personal statement) and they will definitely understand. but either way - i have a 3.23 sci gpa. 4 interviews so far, still waiting to hear from 20 schools. keep your head up. underdogs make the world go round.
-mota

 

Sorry for the loss mate. Although you could feel like you may be exploiting your sister as an excuse it isn't. Do not be afraid to tell people why your gpa suffered due to this personal tragedy because everyone will understand. From this point onward, think of your work as a legacy or a way of giving your sister respect. Do what you must do to get the motivation and work ethic to get As. Your gpa is far from sabotaged. You can realistically get a 3.9 or even a 4.0 if you put your mind to it and if you do, what will your overall gpa then be for your freshmen + sophomore year? 3.55

That's more than enough to put you in the running for a competitive undergrad gpa. Also realize that for the Bs or Cs you got in classes, take EASIER bcpm classes that you know you can get an A in to balance it out. This will boost your BCPM gpa. Secondly, take some easy liberal arts classes that you know you will get As in (can be enjoyable classes too coincidentally).

I think you should aim for a 3.9 or 4.0 your sophomore year. Keep your goals high and reasonable at the same time. If you are taking organic chemistry physics, orgo lab, physics lab, and some other classes totalling 15 credits or so, it can be definitely done. Good luck.

Oh yeah, make sure you eat healthy (stay away from fats, fried food, sweets, etc), and exercise at least 2-3 times a week. It can be a nice 15-20 minute jog to get the blood in the brain flowing, or some weight lifting --- point being get some physical activity. The moment you get sick in college, it is almost impossible to get any real work done (unlike in high school), and the fact that your attention becomes the equivalent of a mongolian idiot.

 

What's a mongolian idiot?

 

There's some history around the term "mongolian idiot" one sense being that my dad used to call me it all the time. But it is an older word with someone with down's syndrome due to the facial characteristics commonly associated with someone with the disorder. Of course, people did not like the term, and now we have Down's syndorme.