How hard is it to keep a 3.5 at Baylor?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Baylor University
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Hey everyone , I was accepted to Baylor as an undergraduate freshman . I am a national merit semifinalist, likely finalist, and to keep the national merit finalist scholarship at Baylor, I would need to have a 3.5 gpa. I’m majoring in Biology, pre med and in the honors college. How hard will it be? I wasn’t the greatest at AP Chemistry or AP Physics, since those were my only 2 B’s in high school, but I got 5’s on those AP Exams. :smiley: I didn’t work very hard in those classes lol. Also, I’ve heard to be able to go to keep your spot at Baylor medical school from Baylor2Baylor, you have to have a 3.5 gpa, which makes me think it is hard to keep a 3.5 gpa at Baylor, since Baylor Medical College is so top tier .I may go to Oklahoma University and take their national merit finalist scholarship, because I don’t think they have that high of a gpa requirement to keep their scholarship. I’m afraid that I will try my best but not be able to get that 3.5. Also, I wonder if I get under a 3.5 gpa and lose the finalist scholarship at Baylor, but still keep above a 3.0, will I retain my President’s gold scholarship? What’s your experience? Advice? Thank You :ar!

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Bump

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I would say you have a pretty challenging major. The honors college is very hard and the pre-med program is as well. My son had a 3.58 after his first semester but he got a C in Bio lab and said it was crazy hard. The chemistry classes are hard. He is in organic and did well but did well in high school. I think achieving a 3.0 is very do-able if you study. On the upside if you stay in pre-med they have a great placement rate.

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I agree with @woodlandsmom. It’s definitely doable. My son is pre-med and finished his first semester with a 3.8. To compare, his ACT was a 30. Baylor has a very impressive Pre-med program, especially with how it prepares portfolios for Med School admissions. That being said, the program has freshmen take both Bio and Chem during their first year. I would suggest (1) considering the Science & Health LLC in Earle Hall, (2) planning to study super hard, and (3) use the bubooks.com / rate my professor websites before you go to register and choose the super amazing profs. Also, choose the earliest registration date possible -the classes fill up. My son LOVES Baylor’s PreMed program - best wishes to you!!

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thanks all :slight_smile:

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@ILShawn who was your son’s professor, specifically in bio lab?

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@woodlandsmom also who was your son’s professor, specifically in bio lab

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Prof Harvill is amazing and he leads the special Bio class at Earle Hall. Bio Lab is led by a TA assigned before the semester so it changes from year to year. Get a Bio Lab later in the week (like on Thursdays) so there’s more time to study between lectures and Lab.

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I do not know the name of his professors I will have to ask. He did say that he felt as if the bio labs were weed out courses for pre-med majors and that they covered a ton of information