Will one horrible semester ruin my chances?

[Jla791]

Hi all,

So basically I have a very overwhelming fear of not being able to turn around from a bad semester. During my first few semesters of college, I have had multiple personal incidents occur including substance abuse issues within my family and other things out of my control, I had to deal with very disheartening things and now on top of eveyrhing, I was only 16 when these things occurred (I am dual enrolled). I was doing okay in my classes, but last fall I received two F’s and two B’s in my semester, making my semester gpa a 1.5.

The classes i took that semester were
MacroEcon - B
English comp - B
College algebra - F
World history - F

After being forced to take a semester off, I returned to my classes and have had a 4.0 in three semesters since, this included my gen bio’s and gen chem 1 classes, also the retakes of world history and college algebra.

I’m in a very tough place because really best case scenario, if I kept a 4.0 all through junior year, I would only be able to reach a 3.55 gpa (keep in mind, this is all A’s in some upper division, which is very unlikely).

My question is, is even with the rest of my app being balanced (good MCAT, good EC’s), will I have a good chance at any M.D schools? I have very low standards, I would really like to go to FAU or some other state school in Florida, where I live. Also I am a URM - Mexican American, if that changes anything.

I just find it so discouraging that two mess ups could bring my GPA down so much, especially when it was for reasons out of my control, I did not carelessly slack off, I had issues to deal with. My science gpa will definitely be higher than my cGpa since one of the F’s was in a humanities. I really want to go to an M.D school; am I right for having a feeling that the next 2 years will be for nothing?

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[Durty-Trixxx]

I really want to go to an M.D school; am I right for having a feeling that the next 2 years will be for nothing?

Next 2 years will be for nothing? Not sure how that makes any sense?

You had a rough start to college because of personal/family problems. Read through SDN and you'll see plenty of stories like this. Everyone loves a redemption story, and it looks like you're writing your own with your recent semesters. Keep chugging away and keep cranking out those A's, regardless if you get into med school or not.

Getting good grades in college is more about the belief and confidence you have in yourself, more than anything, that's what makes people respect you and your abilities. Don't let potential rejection from a few med schools ruin all that. Bill Gates and Steve Jobs were rejected by many people saying "you'll never make it" but they kept believing in themselves and their mission and that's what really matters in life.

 

[Jla791]

Next 2 years will be for nothing? Not sure how that makes any sense?

You had a rough start to college because of personal/family problems. Read through SDN and you'll see plenty of stories like this. Everyone loves a redemption story, and it looks like you're writing your own with your recent semesters. Keep chugging away and keep cranking out those A's, regardless if you get into med school or not.

Getting good grades in college is more about the belief and confidence you have in yourself, more than anything, that's what makes people respect you and your abilities. Don't let potential rejection from a few med schools ruin all that. Bill Gates and Steve Jobs were rejected by many people saying "you'll never make it" but they kept believing in themselves and their mission and that's what really matters in life.

That came out a little differently, what I mean to say is I’m just very scared that as of now, no matter what I do, I will have stats that are too low for M.D. Of course I’m going to try and achieve a 4.0 from now on and strive my best for an amazing MCAT score, but I’m just curious to see if reinvention is good enough to save me from a 3.2-3.4 GPA.

 

[Durty-Trixxx]

That came out a little differently, what I mean to say is I’m just very scared that as of now, no matter what I do, I will have stats that are too low for M.D. Of course I’m going to try and achieve a 4.0 from now on and strive my best for an amazing MCAT score, but I’m just curious to see if reinvention is good enough to save me from a 3.2-3.4 GPA.

I guess I'm just asking what's your alternative? Start getting straight C's and totally give up on med school and plan for your career in janitorial management?

At this point, don't fret about the "what if's" and just become an undergrad who cranks out A's like nobody's business. Nothing bad can come from that.

 

[Jla791]

I guess I'm just asking what's your alternative? Start getting straight C's and totally give up on med school and plan for your career in janitorial management?

At this point, don't fret about the "what if's" and just become an undergrad who cranks out A's like nobody's business. Nothing bad can come from that.

I get what you’re saying, and you’re right. I have no other option but to get A’s and study my behind off. I’ll use this as motivation; as long as I try my absolute best then I can’t beat myself up over it. Thank you.

 

[GENEius]

one bad run shouldnt be too bad

 

[COMMANDER CLOWN]

At this point, don't fret about the "what if's" and just become an undergrad who cranks out A's like nobody's business. Nothing bad can come from that.

Kinda missing the point here. What OP is asking is if they even have a shot anymore. If the answer to that question was hypothetically a no, then it would mean that it would be complete waste of their time to take more premed prereqs and risk tanking their GPA. OP is asking this question so that they can figure out if they should even risk taking more premed prereqs if they don’t have to, and whether or not they should focus on another career path.

 

[Nedsson]

as of now, no matter what I do, I will have stats that are too low for M.D.

I was an applicant this past cycle who is matriculating to med school this fall. Had several terrible terms my first pass at University and I was not a dual enrolled high school student. Discovered healthcare while taking a break and never looked back. Did my last ~90 hours at a 4.0 GPA but still ended sub 3.5 cumulatively. My upward trend and strong MCAT more than made up for it though...ended up with acceptances to every MD (and the one DO) program that I interviewed at. You are not out at most MD schools...its really the reverse. Keep cranking out the A's and you'll have demonstrated to adcoms that you have learned from your mistakes. As @Goro always says "show them that the you of now is not the you of then". If you still want this...its in your hands

 

[Jla791]

Kinda missing the point here. What OP is asking is if they even have a shot anymore. If the answer to that question was hypothetically a no, then it would mean that it would be complete waste of their time to take more premed prereqs and risk tanking their GPA. OP is asking this question so that they can figure out if they should even risk taking more premed prereqs if they don’t have to, and whether or not they should focus on another career path.

Yes, thank you. That was my question exactly.

 

[el_duderino]

I had two semesters of straight Fs. There's a lot more to the story, but you're not tanked. Mostly As from here on out and you should be good with the right ECs and a good MCAT.

 

[Jla791]

I was an applicant this past cycle who is matriculating to med school this fall. Had several terrible terms my first pass at University and I was not a dual enrolled high school student. Discovered healthcare while taking a break and never looked back. Did my last ~90 hours at a 4.0 GPA but still ended sub 3.5 cumulatively. My upward trend and strong MCAT more than made up for it though...ended up with acceptances to every MD (and the one DO) program that I interviewed at. You are not out at most MD schools...its really the reverse. Keep cranking out the A's and you'll have demonstrated to adcoms that you have learned from your mistakes. As @Goro always says "show them that the you of now is not the you of then". If you still want this...its in your hands

Thank you so much! This is exactly the reassurance I wanted. I understand it’s going to be very tough achieving a 4.0 every semester into upper-div but I didn’t think I could even do that for my gen chem and bio and low and behold, I was interested enough to study and actually understand the classes. As long as I have a chance then I’m going to make every A count.