Withdraw or take a GPA drop?

[premedsy]

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Fog currently occupies the space left open after my brain ran away screaming. I really need some help to see what to do next.

I expect that the answer will be to not withdraw, but... what would you do?

- post-bacc student (undergrad in arts)
- 3.3 GPA right now
- 200+ hours volunteering at children's hospital
- ER scribe
- school science club secretary
- taking physics and ochem

My dilemma is whether to withdraw from my current school and classes to attend a school with much stronger academics OR to stick it out and take what will probably be Cs or lower in my physics and organic chemistry classes. These are my causes of stress:

- I strongly dislike my current school for various reasons, including the huge class sizes (120+), the disgraceful chemistry department (the awful, disorganized profs/TAs make me irate), and the fact that I was sexually assaulted on campus in the spring (this took a huge psychological toll on me and the court hearings/trial were drawn out through my summer class, so my GPA suffered and I'm still reminded every day when I have to walk near the area).

- I live with my family - two people in the house are clinically depressed, and this takes a huge toll on everyone - brings us all down. Oftentimes I feel the need to drop what I'm doing and try to fix the miserable state of my family. This paired with the effects of the assault... my motivation is dying quickly.

- Just had a death in the family. Missed a week of school. In college, I amazingly got straight As even when two grandparents died in different semesters. But right now, this death on top of everything else is hitting hard.

- I have lost my focus and determination regarding classes. If it's due to some underlying depression, I wouldn't be shocked. I went to counseling for months after the assault and am currently on a wait-list for my new counselor. I feel so behind in my classes, I feel like I'm not learning or retaining anything - just "getting by" - and my test grades are awful right now. I think I could be lucky if I end up with a C. I think I could be lucky if I regained an iota of my original enthusiasm and determination to do schoolwork.

So.... that's my sob story. I know people face a lot worse. But will it hurt me so much if I withdrew from my current classes and restarted them at a small school, well known for strong academics, but more importantly, at a school where I wasn't assaulted and where I'll do better (smaller classes are much better for me)?? Do med schools reject people for medical leaves/withdrawals?

 

[deleted303591]

Just drop the courses. Don't make the situation any worse for yourself. It is already taking a toll on you.

You will get plenty of opportunities to explain what happened on the AMCAS application.

If you interview, you will have to convince them that the situation is under control and that you are capable of finishing on time.

 

[ribbondino]

I think that as long as you have stellar grades after the transition (and of course make up the WFs) that you will be absolutely fine. One thing that may come up in an interview though is how you handle with stress. You don't want them to think you run from stress and can't handle stressful situations in general. Since someone in your family died and you have all kinds of different situations going on I think they wouldn't be too harsh on you, though.

 

[premedsy]

Thank you both for your answers and for putting my mind at ease! Convincing them I can finish on time/don't run from stress seems more possible than finishing this semester with good/passing grades, so I'll probably take those Ws.

 

[Lollygag]

Definitely take the WD's for reason's that everyone said, those are reasons that are very understandable and I'm really sorry to hear what happened to you. I hope everything works out for you and your able to get through.

 

[skiing]

It's admirable that you're taking the initiative and courage to take action, and I'm sure you'll find a way if you keep at it.

I think for all these reasons, a withdrawal would be fine. If you can pull your grades up and do well once you leave, you will have a unique win story to talk about in interviews, and demonstrate maturity and deptha nd life experience a lot of people might not have had.

I have 4 W's on my transcript and so far nobody has asked about them at ANY of my interviews. I've had 5 so far. I even failed a community college class in high school too. lol

I think you need to do what you need for yourself to get yourself on track. Why not switch to another school? Why not leave home? I think those are fine options, provided you do well once you get there. It makes no sense to stick around in an environment that holds you back.

The environment around me in high school didn't work too well for me. I left for college, and excelled. Starting a new life can be done, it has been done. It's just my opinoin, but I think you should what you need to do. It just takes a bit of courage and perseverance.

When you do move, make sure to plug yourself into a social support system so you get the support and encouragement you need especially if you go to a big school. It can be tough being on your own for the first time, but it sounds like you have the right idea. A spiritual community helped a lot for me. Others may find other places of support.

 

[Lucky Louie]

I agree that you should def withdraw and restart at a time and place when your situation has settled down. Meanwhile, can you also be sure to at find a counselor to help you through this difficult time? Seems like you're dealing with a lot and with that kind of pressure, many people may be relying on you to "keep it together".

 

[bigdogrob4284]

Definitely withdraw

 

[JustMeditate]

Withdraw. It'll save your GPA a massive drop, which is essential if you want to apply to MD schools with no grade replacement policy. And, you'll have some much needed to time to re-evaluate your life, situation, and to start anew. But depending on how many courses you are taking, this may be the last set of W's you can afford to have on your transcript. From here on out, you should avoid a withdraw unless you are certain of a D or F.

 

[A7X]

no doubt, you should withdraw.

 

[premedsy]

Thank you everyone for your advice and words of encouragement. You've helped me see the positive side of withdrawing and worrying a bit about my situation. :-]

I sent my application to a new school. Kinda feel like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders. Now just have to make the W's official...

But depending on how many courses you are taking, this may be the last set of W's you can afford to have on your transcript.

I'll have 3 W's from this (two lectures + one lab). I have one prior W on my transcript, but it's not exactly a real W... I switched lab sections after only two labs (one of which was syllabus day), but I completed the semester. I just switched a couple days after the non-W deadline. But anyway, I guess 3 W's plus one pointless W isn't terrible.

 

[deleted303591]

You don't want them to think you run from stress and can't handle stressful situations in general.

This is clearly an extreme circumstance that the OP is in.

1. The OP was a victim of a crime on campus and was expected to do well in classes as if it never happened.

2. The OP has other life stressors that make the situation complicated.

3. The OP is not happy at the school he/she is at (for good reasons)

The OP is going to have to do things to prevent the withdrawals and similar life stressors from being problems in the future. He or she may need to do things such as move out, go to counseling, switch schools, etc.

But, because of the circumstance, it is understandable that he or she needs to drop the courses and just move on and try to restart as if all of these bad things never happened.