I got a C, can I still become a doctor?

Hello! I am a sophomore, and am panicking a little bit about my GPA… Does anyone have experience applying to med-school with mediocre grades. Last semester I got a C in my Organic Chemistry I course, and this semester in Organic Chem II I’m poised to do about the same.

Last semester I was working two jobs, about 60 hrs/week trying to pay my way through school. This semester I cut back my hours a bit, but had to change depression/anxiety meds several times, so I was pretty much a complete trainwreck for the first two months of class. Even though I feel a lot better know, it doesn’t leave me much time to fix things. I’m not trying to make excuses, I know my bad grades are my own fault for not being more responsible, getting help sooner, etc, but I honestly think I’m capable of doing better if given the chance. I just want to know if the situation can be salvaged or if I’ve screwed up irreperably and need to pick a new career goal. (I really, really don’t want to do this, but I don’t want to ignore reality).

Aside from Chem, most of my other grades have been ~A minuses (in mostly biology classes, plus some psych electives and distribution requirements). If the semester goes as expected my GPA would be about a 3.2. I have a few more semesters to boost that, and am planning to take summer classes, but I doub’t I’ll be able to get above a 3.4 or 3.5 by the time med school application season comes around. I have a ton of volunteer/work experience in the medical field (incuding 5 years of employment at a University Medical Center), and plan to study for the MCAT until my brain bursts, I just don’t know if anything will be enough to compensate for my year of underachievement. Please Advise!!! What, if anything, can I do to boost my odds?! (Thank you!!)

3.4 or 3.5 are below average for medical students and sounds like more grade trouble than a C or two. I had a C and several Bs and my GPA was still 3.7.

You may look into DO option where a 3.4 or 3.5 GPA and applying broadly would probably be a more attainable goal and take some stress off you. Good luck.