A Pre-Med's Rough Start

Pre-Med & Medical School Pre-Med Topics
21

<p>Hey ccers,
Just an update, </p>

<p>Another premed who lives down the hall from us just ended up with a 2.7, (a B, B+, C, and C+). Again, this person is really discouraged about following the medical route of classes, etc. </p>

<p>Personally, I know that hard work always pays off. My advice (to all in general who are struggling) is keep your head up. If you have a 2.7 or 2.8 first semester freshman year, and then a 3.6 or 3.7, that averages out to a 3.2 or so. This is not bad at all; you do have to make sure to average 3.5's or so the rest of your semester. That puts a lot of pressure on the student, no room for screw ups, but if you accomplish it, the improvement really stands out to the medical school. Besides, it is not impossible to get into med with say a 30 MCAT and 3.3 or 3.4.</p>

22

<p>
[quote]
I know that hard work always pays off.

[/quote]
Well, when combined with good sense. For example, if he gets a 2.7 for both of the next two semesters as well, it doesn't matter how much he works; the game is (mostly) over.</p>

23

<p>
[quote]
Besides, it is not impossible to get into med with say a 30 MCAT and 3.3 or 3.4.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>I'm always one for hope and hard work, but frankly, a 30 MCAT and a 3.4 GPA applicant is going to find it challenging. Getting into medical school isn't easy even for good applicants, so realistically, weaker ones are going to struggle even more.</p>

24

<p>Actually I think a 3.4/30 with good EC's and sensible applications should be fine -- but those are two fairly big IF's.</p>

25

<p>3.4/30 would make me nervous but I'd be hopeful.</p>

26

<p>Oh man, that's bad for me then.</p>

<p>I'm taking 3 out of 4 of my pre reqs this semester. Among them, Orgo and Bio</p>

27

<p>That is a very bad idea. Unless there is some overwhelming reason that you have no choice, I would not advise taking nearly that many requirements simultaneously.</p>

28

<p>how heavy a courseload is math, chem, and bio, as is the procedure for a lot of schools?</p>

29

<p>What's the third? A lot of my classmates did three at a time at one point. It's pretty standard to have to do that at least once, especially if one of them is English or something.</p>

30

<p>I'm doing Organic/Physics and a Bio course both semesters this year. If you're comfortable, go for it.</p>

31

<p>I also did bio, gen chem, math together freshman year and orgo, physics, bio sophomore year. No one can tell you if you can do it or it. Only you know the answer. It's better to err on the side of caution if you're unsure though.</p>

32

<p>does english take a lot of time? b/c there's a lot of long essays right? when did u guys take english?</p>

33

<p>^Almost everyone takes it freshman year because most schools have a freshman writing requirement.</p>

34

<p>would it be recommended to take more than 1 yr of english, or just get the 1 yr over with?</p>

35

<p>Take one year, unless you 1) are an English major, 2) really like English, or most importantly, 3) are really good at it and will get great grades. You aren't going to get brownie points for taking more, and I doubt you'll see any benefit towards your MCAT score.</p>

36

<p>does english improve things like your essays for med school?</p>

37

<p>If you're writing personal essays in your English class, then it might. If you're analyzing the works of American women writers in the 1900s, then probably not.</p>

38

<p>good point, and i guess the fewer classes i need to take, the better</p>