<p>I am a freshman at Harvard College. Due to horrible depression issues stemmed from various issues in my life, I received a 3.043 GPA to end my freshman year. I am currently in a state of horrible disappointment, amongst other feelings, and really need some advice. </p>
<p>I want to go to Johns Hopkins Medical School. Its been my dream for as long as I can remember. However, with my current GPA, I do not know if this is possible. I am taking a year off to heal myself so I can take control again when I return to Harvard, and I know once I am there, I will work myself to the bone. I know I can manage a 4.0 from here on out if I work hard. And I know I will work hard, because if I don't, my goal will not be realized. I also plan on taking summer school classes for at least one summer at Harvard to help things along. </p>
<p>Please, I really need advice. I will chance back anyone who needs it. I would really appreciate any and all help!</p>
<p>Hang in there. I think you have a good plan in place. Make sure you have a plan to address the depression as well. The only flag I see in your post is your comments about JH med school. </p>
<p>I wonder if part of the depression is that your self esteem is tied up to your academics? To how you perform in school? To go from the best to average can sometimes be a shock. Of course there are lots of other things that happen in college, whether being on your own or problems with romantic relationships. I think if you can figure that stuff out, especially your self worth, you will be ok. And while I totally support having reaches and goals, you have to know that if you don’t get into Hopkins it’s not the end of the world. </p>
<p>Some other strategies to improve your GPA- find out which classes grade easier. Make upperclass friends. Take advantage of old exams and notes. Have a study partner that really studies. I think taking classes in the summer is a great idea. </p>
<p>Have you taken the administrative steps to guarantee your re-entry back as a sophomore Fall 2014?
Sit down and write down your reasons for a sabbatical, you’ll need to repeat these reasons to school officials, friends, family.
Have you told your parents?
Don’t make big promises (4.0 grades) you can’t keep, tone down the “work myself to the bone” proclamations.
Good luck.</p>
<p>Yes, I have taken all of the steps required to guarantee re-entry. I have official letters, everything. The college believes that I am taking a year off to travel the world and follow my passions. Which is something I will be doing. If anyone wants to know exactly what I am doing with my year off, please feel free to message me, and I will tell you. I just do not want to post it on here because I fear someone will recognize me, and I do not want to deal with the questions from my friends (sorry no offense to anyone :D) </p>
<p>I plan on studying up on some languages while on leave to retain some academic skills.</p>
<p>I actually think that a lot of my depression comes from that academic shock. I feel ashamed to admit this, but I tied a lot of my self worth to my ability to make the grade. That really is all I have ever prided myself in, and when that was threatened, I completely fell apart. I feel like a shell of the person I used to be, and as stated earlier, I need to heal myself. </p>
<p>I want to know if it is still possible to go to Johns Hopkins. I know it really isn’t here or now considering the other issues, but if there is one thing I know about myself, it is when I have a dream, a goal, something of that nature, I fire up and do everything I can to get it. Maybe if I can fire up again, I can get closer to my old self. </p>
<p>I firmly believe that if one works hard enough, anything is possible. I will work hard. Maybe I won’t get a perfect 4.0, but I will do anything I can to get as close as I can. I really just need advice on what to do from here to give myself a fighting chance for an interview at Johns Hopkins. </p>
<p>Any and all advice is greatly appreciated. Thank you.</p>
<p>I am not pre-med, but I know a few. They stress out over grades, too, except on a community college level. I should think that as long as you show an upwards trend or at least stay consistent, you are fine with your grades. Seriously. You need super awesome grades to get into Harvard, but they don’t expect you to maintain a 4.73 once you’re actually in. Don’t worry about Hopkins yet.</p>
<p>You can’t do better than your best. And your best is awesome.</p>
<p>The depression is something that concerns me. I think you should start pooling your resources for help, and fast. As common as it is, people seem to think it isn’t a big deal. I am here to say that it is not something to mess around with. If you need help trying to figure out the next step to take, ask someone here or at school. Is there any reason why you cannot speak to a counselor at school about this? They can help so much more than we can over a wifi connection.</p>
<p>OP if you are still reading, here is some more advice. You have a shot at Hopkins but don’t make yourself sick over it. </p>
<p>Focus first on your mental health. If you don’t get that taken care of, you will not succeed. </p>
<p>Focus next on GPA. I don’t think that med schools look at rigor that much, esp if you are coming from Harvard. For example, friends that took math 1a seemed to get same results as those that took math 55. (Not sure if course numbers are still the same, but you get my point). </p>