<p>Hi guys! So i'm new to CC so i'm still getting used to how everything works. but anyways, i've wanted to be a doctor ever since i can remember (specifically an OBGYN). I'm 18, and just started my second semester of my freshmen year. My first semester I got a 3.175 GPA, but right now I'm currenty re-taking a class from last semester. Also, right now I'm enrolled in an honors level writing class and a 4-credit calculus class. I'm a commuter student going to a public university and majoring in Exercise Physiology with a Pre-Med concentration. I'm not trying to make excuses for myself, but working part time, going back and forth everyday and taking demanding classes was a lot harder than I thought it was going to be and the transition from high school to college wasn't as easy as I thought it was going to be. Now that i'm used to it, I'm ready to work my but off and bring my GPA up. But did i completely ruin my chances at medical school? I know GPA isn't the only thing that is important but I'm really nervous that I won't be able to get into any medical school with this GPA. Can someone enlighten me?! Thanks guys!</p>
<p>That’s your FIRST SEMESTER GPA. Yes your cumulative GPA is going to matter a lot, but if you maintain A’s in all other science classes as well as in English, psychology, and sociology, you should be fine, that 1st semester GPA will be chalked off to “adjustment to college”. If you continue the trend, then, yes, med school is not in the cards, but there are lots of other medical professions: PA, nurse, radiologist…</p>
<p>You haven’t ruined your chances. However, keep in mind that even if you’re retaking a low grade, that low grade will still show up and MD med schools don’t allow grade replacement.</p>
<p>You need adjustment. Most work at college, but most do not commute, unless the college is in hometown. I would consider dropping commute and start living on campus. However, you are the only one who knows how much time you spend on your commute. Other than that, you will be adding to your ECs later, so time management is important. Most as I said work, voulnteer, intern at Med. Research Lab. Some are in Greek, doing sport, having minor(s), double/triple majors, travel abroad. It is not required, but people do not want to stop pursuing their interests and they want to use all chances to develop personally. I see that your major obstacle is your commute.
Transition from HS requirements to college requirements is NOT easy for anybody, including all valedictorians. Those who do not make adjustments, fall out. Re-assess your time and make adjustments in your study efforts and you will be fine!</p>
<p>You also might consider switching majors. There’s some speculation that “softer” majors (such as ex phys) do not produce the most successful med school applicants. This speculation has been supported by data that show that “vocational” majors, including those in health-related fields such as ex phys, tend not do fare as well in admissions as science or humanities majors. You may be better off switching to a different major, probably a science major, with biology, chemistry, and biochemistry all covering some of the “bases” for med school prereqs (that is, classes will “count” toward both your major and toward you premed prereqs).</p>
<p>Now, you also might be genuinely interested in ex phys or have a genuine passion for the material you’re learning. These would be acceptable reasons to continue with your current major, but realize that you may be setting yourself up for a slight disadvantage come med school application time (and there’s always the chance that you may change your mind completely and choose an entirely different career path, so that disadvantage for med school apps becomes irrelevant). </p>
<p>Some general advice is not to do something or choose a major based on what you perceive to “look good.” So, if you chose a major that allowed the designation of a “Pre-Med Concentration” with the hopes that eventually med schools would recognize this and think it is important, you should think again. You should choose a major based on what you think is the most fascinating thing to study; for most premeds, that includes some sort of science, but it doesn’t have to. You probably don’t technically need the “Pre-Med Concentration” in order to “be” premed because all “being premed” means is that you’re taking a set of courses that satisfy med school prereqs. Sure there’s a chance that your school bundles these all into the concentration and thus you are de facto required to take the concentration, but I’ve never heard of that being the case. </p>
<p>All of this to say: choose your course of study based solely on your interests, and avoid choosing something solely because you think it will “look good.” </p>
<p>(And I don’t think you implied any of this; I just thought I’d put it out there because you’re finishing up freshman year, which means there’s plenty of time to change majors, and also a relatively good chance that you or someone else reading this has some misconceptions about major choice.)</p>
<p>At D’s UG. most pre-meds were in major that was considered to strong major (strong department) at their school. So, with some exceptions, most were in Zoology major. It attracted the top of the top caliber students. We learned it at graduation. The summa cum laude “cut” in Zoology was 3.96, absolutely the highest by far in the whole campus. Many parents complained since the kids with the straight As might end up NOT making it. We did not care one way or another, but few A- wiould put you under this “cut”. You want to be among very strong students, the ones who will push you to work harder and harder, the ones that will be your classmates in Med. School. D’s Honors program in UG had 100% Med. School placement (consider 43% nationally) with most pre-meds in very challenging Zoology major that had killer weed out Bio class in a very first semester of Freshman year. That is where you want be be to insure success.</p>