<p>Hello everyone,
I just finished my first semester at UC Berkeley and I am a pre-med student. However, like many people it seems, I am worried about first semester grades. I got a B in general chemistry, A- in math, A- in an English/writing class, and an A in a Balkan folklore class. While altogether my GPA is not to bad, I am concerned about my pre-med GPA. It is much lower than the averages for most medical schools. Some people I have talked to say that generally people do better after their first semester, but I don't see how since classes only get more difficult. Also, Berkeley tends to be a competitive school, with no grade inflation; will medical schools consider this in their desicions and of so, to what degree? I really want to go to medical school, and itis not of the utmost importance to me to go to the best. I am asking for advice based on the possibility of going to ANY med school in the country.</p>
<p>Why are you worried, that is a great GPA for your first semester at Cal. But I am warning you that it gets much harder especially with ochem. Med schools do not consider the fact that Berkeley has no inflation (i know it sucks). But as long as you keep around a 3.5 and a MCAT around 30 your in good shape. Good luck</p>
<p>I think that you should not worry. You have many more classes ahead of you, an your grades are NOT bad. I think if you can float around 3.4, you should be able to get in SOMEWHERE. At my school, classes may get harder, but students also get more comfortable with study strategies and material in general. My GPA has definitely gone up since I've gotten into upper division courses. I will stress again that you are not in a position where you should be so concerned.</p>
<p>I hope you are also thinking about extracurriculars such as clinical volunteering and research. These will be critical to your application to show that you know what you're getting yourself into and you have interests outside of classes. Great ECs, I believe, can give a boost if your grades are less than spectacular. But again, you have a lot of time left, and I believe you can improve even as classes get more difficult (curriculum-wise).</p>