what to do with my LOW LOW LOW gpa?

[jessiejess]

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Hi everyone
yeah, you read my title....

LOWWWW gpa.......... its sad and tragic, but things do happen in your life...

im graduating from state university with bio major in october; im retaking organic chemistry now to finish up and finally graduate. (i couldnt graduate bc i got a f in organic chemistry 2)

i currently now have cum gpa of 2.5, and if recaculated, it will be very low. i messed up my freshman year with biology 1 and 2, and my junior year with organic chemistry....... ugh.

THE PROBLEM:
i have been looking at post bac programs bc i still want to pursue medical field career... dental programs; but with my low gpa, theres no program that would accept me. what should I do?

should i take classes over at local college as non matriculated and try to apply to these post bac programs? what should i do?
no matter what i do, ive been getting frustrated.... please help me...

any advice (brutal or harsh or honest) will be greatly appreciated.

 

[PinkIvy08]

I'd take more science courses at a local college to boost your GPA. You might want to call specific post-bacc programs you are interested in and talk to the admissions people...sometimes the cut-offs aren't rigid and they might just make an exception. The worst they can say is No...and they might just give you some advice.

Don't be frustrated. If a medical career is what you want and you're willing to work hard to get it, you will eventually get there - it's just going to take a lot of work, as it is a steep uphill battle from here on out.

 

[Anthropologist]

Hey,

I'm not sure what you mean by "stuff happens in life." But, I had some tough times in undergrad (state school, 2.6 GPA, graduated in three years). Basically, I had an older brother that was physically, mentally, and once....sexually abusive (I am male, so is my brother). I never speak to him now. I majored in General Biology, and worked 5-10 hours a work as pharmacy technician during most of undergrad. I had so much trouble performing well in college. Then I "felt" better about my past I ended up partying with friends (alcohol, marijauna, etc).

However, I received grades in the A to B range in courses such as biochemistry, organic, genetics, etc.

I graduated in December 2007 with no debt.
Immediately in January I began taking courses non-degree status at Harvard Extension School. They were science courses I did not take before. Harvard Extension School is excellent, tuition is $900 per four credit course (undergrad credit). Like I said, I was nondegree...but there is a formal program for non-science majors needed to finishing pre-reqs for medical and dental school, etc. Luckily, I had family Boston. I was there for Spring 2008,Summer 2008, Fall 2008,and Spring 2009....and earned a 3.9 GPA...full time each term. I had to use some private loans...like I said...I have family here so I stay with them.

I start the BU MAMS program August 2009. It is a MA program where you take some first year medical school courses.

Don't give up. Learn from your mistakes...overcome hardships. It will happen if YOU MAKE IT.

I suggest taking science courses somewhere and when you can afford it. Don't settle for anything less than an A! Do you best. Don't look back.

Some medical schools also offer medical school courses in the summer.
Check:

http://www.unmc.edu/summerschool

 

[hung]

wow the nebraska program seems great. gtown has a summer program like that too.
http://som.georgetown.edu/prospectivestudents/specialprograms/summer/

 

[Anthropologist]

The Georgetown summer tuition is exorbant however. You can take medical histology at UNMC for $900!

Anyways, several US medical schools offer medical school courses over the summer to non-medical students. Go to the AAMC website...under "resources for medical students/summer courses"....it's somewhere there.

 

[meilideai]

Immediately in January I began taking courses non-degree status at Harvard Extension School. They were science courses I did not take before. Harvard Extension School is excellent, tuition is $900 per four credit course (undergrad credit). Like I said, I was nondegree...but there is a formal program for non-science majors needed to finishing pre-reqs for medical and dental school, etc. Luckily, I had family Boston. I was there for Spring 2008,Summer 2008, Fall 2008,and Spring 2009....and earned a 3.9 GPA...full time each term. I had to use some private loans...like I said...I have family here so I stay with them.

Dear Anthropologist,
I'm sorry to hear about your situation. I also have a similar situation as yours, a family member was emotionally, physically, and sexually abused when he was young. I've been trying hard to find ways to therapy however, we've run into some irresponsible psychiatrists - which has really hurt our family as we are desperately trying to help him. I was wondering if you have any tips or suggestions here?
My initial question is about the Harvard Extension Program. Were the classes you took taken with undergraduates? I checked the Schedule of Classes and it seems like they meet once/week. Is that the program you are speaking of?

Thanks for your time,
D

 

[Anthropologist]

meilideai,

Harvard Extension School is one of the 12 degree granting schools of Harvard University. It is separate from Harvard College-the competitive and undergraduate section of Harvard.

Harvard Extension courses are open to the public, you do not need to be accepted to enroll in them. I know that there are non-traditional students earning undergraduate degrees via Harvard Extension, and degree programs do require some sort of admissions process (being accepted). I don't know much about that but you can read all about it at extension.harvard.edu

I am not in any program. Finished undergrad in WA state in t hree years and completed all the pre-reqs. I have family in Boston so I decided to enroll in science courses I had no been exposed to.... at Harvard Extension. Yes,the classes meet once a week. I prefer this over nondegree status at a traditional college where I would go to class every morning.

I'm not sure what your situation is. Are you seeking to complete the minimum pre-reqs? You do not need to be in a program. There is a "Health Careers Program" at Harvard Extension but I do not know what it is. I recommend that you search for "Health Careers Program."

 

[Allopathic13]

good description of HES Anthro.


To whom it may concern-the Health Careers Program students-HCP- for short- have an official thread where we discuss the program our- and expectations for the upcoming year. It is meant for students enrolled in the program but if you have questions after taking a read through the posts- feel free to post, we'll answer them. Look for posts within the last 3 pages of the Official Harvard 2009 thread---I and some others have posted some pretty lengthy descriptions concerning the intricacies of our program and Harvard life.

Good Luck!