<p>Just finished my freshman year of college and here are my grades:</p>
<p>Fall 2010 Semester
Gen Chem I C- (4 Credits)
Gen Chem Lab B+ (2 Credits)
Intro Bio I B- (3 Credits)
Intro Bio I Lab B- (2 Credits)
Philosophy B (3 Credits)
Poli Sci B+ (3 Credits)</p>
<p>Spring 2011 Semester
Gen Chem II B (4 Credits)
Gen Chem II Lab B+ (2 Credits)
Into Bio II A- (3 Credits)
Intro Bio II Lab B+ (2 Credits)
Composition B (3 Credits)
Calculus I F as of now, but is being contested (4 Credits) </p>
<p>So, here come the excuses. First, fall semester I spent a week in the hospital (spontaneous pneumothorax) which partly explains my abysmal Gen Chem I grade. I had a test the day I came back, and the chemistry department at my school doesn't give make-ups, so I was forced to take it. Needless to say, I bombed the test. Second, my calculus grade is not totally accurate. I know when students don't do well in a class their first instinct is to blame the professor, but in my case that may be justified. When I spoke to the professor about why I received the F he didn't even know who I was, and claimed to have "misplaced" any records of my grades. So, when that gets sorted out I should have a C as opposed to an F. That's obviously not great either, but I've never been a strong math student. However, if I retake calc I feel like I could pull off at least a B-. Third, throughout all of this I was working about 20 hrs. a week part time. My main questions are: 1) Will a med school be more forgiving of my chem grade because of the circumstances, or should I retake it? and 2) As long as I get my calc grade changed and maintain at least a 3.5 GPA from now on (which I should be able to do once I quit my job), is med school still a viable option? Thanks in advance.</p>
<p>I would say that if you retake everything you have received a C or less in, while maintaining B’s and A’s in your new classes, you should have a good chance. I think that admission committees can tell when something is wrong if you retake them and get better grades the second time around, and I’m sure there must be some spot on the AMCAS or secondary applications (if not an opportunity within an interview) to elaborate on why you received those grades. Don’t blame the professors, though, it won’t sound right.</p>
<p>Take summermesters and mix in the classes gradually with your new ones. You’ll knock them out in no time at all. :)</p>
<p>Well retaking classes won’t wipe out the class you you did poorly in, on your transcript nor your med school gpa. I would recommend taking upper level classes instead of retaking. Your gpa is low so getting to a 3.5 will be harder than you think, esp EXPECTING B-. Do you feel strong academically in the sciences?</p>
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<p>Yes, I have always been a strong science student and I’m a biology major so I’ll be taking plenty of upper level science courses. I know a 3.5 is no easy task, but I also slacked off quite a bit freshman year. If i give it my all, which I intend to do, I know I can do it. Also, quitting my job is going to give me a lot more free time.</p>
<p>I think you should retake the courses AND take higher level courses.</p>
<p>You need to retake because you didn’t learn the material very well. Just going on to higher level courses will likely result in lesser grades.</p>
<p>Retake the low grades, then move to the higher level courses.</p>
<p>What is your major?</p>
<p>I’m a biology major.</p>
<p>I think you should retake the low grades, continue in Bio…and do a minor in chemistry to show that you can do well in those subjects.</p>
<p>Did you come in with any APs to cover Core/ Gen Ed classes?</p>
<p>Unfortunately, my high school didn’t offer APs.</p>
<p>Retaking a C for a B- is a total waste of time. Someone not strong in math will likely struggle with physics. Plan on getting a tutor.</p>
<p>IMO, you need to stop working part-time and focus on earning A’s. If you need the $$ to attend college, then consider attending a Juco and transfer back.</p>
<p>Depending on your state, a 3.5 is low for an unhooked candidate. And note, that 3.5 is an average after four-years of courses, not a 3.5 “from now on.” (The mean gpa for California’s lowest med school is a 3.55, for example.) You will have to rock the mcat to be competitive.</p>
<p>OP, does your college have any kind of “freshman forgiveness” policy? Such a policy is common but not universal. Best of luck.</p>
<p>1) med schools do not care why you got a bad grade. (Initial screening of applications are done by a computer program. Human beings won’t look at it until much later. ) You need to retake any course in which you have a grade below C. Including Chem 1.</p>
<p>2) You need better than 3.5 “from now on”–you need to get higher than a 3.5 to offset your low first year grades. And you will need many more As in your science classes because your sGPA is low.</p>