GPA (cum) 2.10 (45 credits some F's, D's)
Sci GPA: ?? don't know but failed Bio I, Chem I (2x) not sure i'll get an A on the retake.
I have 2 more years (will be a junior in the fall). I'd like to know what to do so I can come up with a plan. I'm not even going to kid myself and play w/ the whole, "if i get 4.0's straight A's from here on out" game. I'm determined to cut the crap and do what I have to do to get into a post-bacc, masters, SMP, etc.,.
I'm a minority.
so question is:
after I graduating college should I apply for a bost-bacc or masters? right now, i'm considering switching majors from bio to chem. I like it more than bio. if not, i'll just stick w/ bio and graduate.
my concern is that after 6 months i have to pay my loans back (unless i'm continuing school). an informal /unofficial post-bacc wouldn't fall into that category
a MS program, post-bacc, or one of those guaranteed linkage programs would at least offer fin aid and would be considered as continuing education
what should i do. advice appreciated. thanks
-Red sea
Hmmmmm...this is tough.
Normally, my advice is, retake classes. But you expressed the fact that you have failed several classes, and even chem twice.
This is my harsh/blunt advice. If you fail a class twice and really tried even once, you may not be cut out for the academic challenges of med school. You would waste money in post bacc or SMP, so don't even consider.
You might think about other careers in healthcare with lower academic requirements.
This is coming from a person (me) who has a lower GPA and spent time repairing it.
The main thing here is, HONESTLY determine if you can get almost all A's in all your science classes from here on out. If you realize you can't...thats really OK. Not everyone needs to be a doc, and there are several other great careers.
If you MUST become a doc, you need to quit everything else you're doing, and focus on retaking your failed and bad grade courses. You have 2 years of good work ahead of you. (minimum one FULL year).
And even then, you'll need a Solid MCAT.
Good luck in your decisions!! Either way, Im sure you're a great person so don't get depressed. find your strengths
OP, I really have to agree with HalfListic, here.
MedPR is also correct in that the first step you can take to remedy your situation is retaking courses. That's just the bottom line, IMHO.
Here's my two cents of constructive criticism:
My biggest concern for you is your performance in basic sciences. All these pre-reqs in bio, chem, physics, and organic chem are weed-out courses. Now, academic setbacks are common and shouldn't discourage someone from dropping their pursuit of becoming a doctor after one or two failed attempts in courses.
In your case, you failed Bio 1 and Chem 1 (twice, even). Thus, I am really wondering why you think switching from biology to chemistry for your major will do you any good. I just don't see it happening, unless you really get your head in the game and succeed in the required chemistry courses and labs. My sister is going through these classes now and failed chem 1 the first go-around. I will tell you what I told her: things generally aren't going to get any easier if you don't have a solid foundation. You need a solid foundation in these courses not only to proceed into upper-level sciences in the respective fields, but also to have a good foundation for the MCAT... which you need to do well on.
I wouldn't waste the money on a post-bacc before exhausting all opportunities to retake these courses in preparation for the MCAT. Regarding these retakes... I know you said you aren't going to kid yourself about getting all As. However, you need to be realistic: you have a 2.1 cGPA right now.... That means your average in any course is not stellar. Maybe you have some other personal issues, I have no idea. In which case, your applications to post-baccs and eventually medical schools will be a great place to detail these issues, if they really do exist. BUT STILL, you need to realize the mathematical fact that getting mostly Bs is just not going to cut it if you want to get well above the 3.0 mark. You really need to make an effort to get mostly As in your retakes, like HalfListic correctly pointed out. If you cannot manage that, but are still set on becoming a doctor, THEN I feel that a post-bacc or SMP might do you good. I just wouldn't waste the money going straight into one, they are expensive. Judging by your concern about loans being due within 6 months of graduation... money seems to be somewhat of a factor. So, why throw more loan money toward a post-bacc/SMP if there is a risk of not even doing well and really crushing your dreams? You can't just do mediocre in post-baccs or SMPs, either.
Sorry if I sounded harsh, but I don't think switching from biology to chemistry is going to do you any good unless you know in your heart that you will do better. If you think you can, more power to you... I hope you succeed. In the end I cant, and I won't, tell you what to do with your life, it's your decision. But I hope that my remarks made some sense, as they come with good intentions.
Good luck!!
