will have a chance to redeem myself with upper divs. or should I just change my major

[melbox93]

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I am currently a Bio major, 2.79 gpa
Bio, 1: C
bio. 1l: A
cal. 1: C
Cal. 2 : in progress expecting B
pre.cal/trig. : B
Bio. 2: C
Bio. 2l: C
Gen Chem 1: B
Gen Chem 1l: C
Gen. Chem. 2 : C
Gen Chem. 2l: B
i have such bad grades because i was trying to balance a heavy course load and working 2 jobs 30+ hours a week, i really want to go into medicine and these grades were not in vain because i understand the material so well that i can tutor other classmates, but because of my life circumstances i haven't had much time to just focus on my studies like other students, i have a drive to go into medicine but currently i am discouraged because of my performance i am enrolled to take statics and orgo. chem but i might drop it because my situation at home is not getting any better. can someone give me some advice as to where my science credits can take me, i don't want to give up on medicine but i have to be realistic. Honestly, I know where my faults are and I plan to change things around for my upper divs. But do I even still have a chance?

 

[Awesome Sauceome]

Its not impossible, but it is important to note that those are the foundation courses. If your knowledge in some of those areas is poor (even though you say you "understand the material so well") then it can make it an uphill battle and may result in you having similar or worse grades in the increasingly difficult upper division courses.

If you have full faith that you have the knowledge (as you say you do), then continue with your head held high. Many people have recovered from rough starts - some way worse than you. You absolutely still have a chance. But you must figure out what went wrong (you say your life circumstances) and fix them. Eventually there will be a point where you have to start busting out A's. No amount of experience or drive or whatever will be able to help you if you cannot meet the basic GPA requirements set by each program. Drive is not enough to get in, you have to prove to them that you will be able to succeed. The two ways you do that is by your grades and MCAT score.

Figure out how to get better grades, reduce your work hours, focus on school. You are in no way out of the running, but you need to assess what is wrong and make tangible changes to improve your grades.

 

[melbox93]

So with an upward trend and a high gpa, and amazing scores I should be fine, does it matter if I take one or two semesters off to resolve my current situation, I hear a lot of people saying that taking time off may hurt me but if I continue I know my situation at home will increasingly worsen.

 

[Awesome Sauceome]

Taking time off would not hurt you at all. I have no clue where you are getting that information (naive pre-meds, gunners, gung ho professors?). Everyone has a different path, why should it matter how you get there? The only way it is looked as bad is like if you are only taking like 2 classes a semester and then have breaks and stuff. In that case its like you are cushioning your grades by taking lighter loads.

But I can almost guarantee that it wont even come up in an interview (especially since so many people take 5 years in undergrad anyways <--- count me as one of them). And if it does it will take you about 15 seconds to clear up - "I had major life circumstances that were affecting my grades, so I decided to step out and get stuff settled."

So yea, if it means taking a semester or two off and that will drastically change your future grades, then it is imperative that you do so. Getting your stuff settled now with the promise of helping your future seems like a good investment to me. This will be especially successful obviously if you can actually go back after and destroy your classes - thats some goods for a strong personal statement if you ask me.

 

[melbox93]

Wow! I wish I found this site before, this information is very helpful, and I truly plan to come back and be a more focused student, thank you so much.

 

[Awesome Sauceome]

No problem. Personal message me if you need any more help.