<p>I'm still an undergrad, and I've just begun the first term of my 2nd year (my uni uses trimesters), so I'm in my 4th term now. I'm a biology major, and only recently I've realized that maybe I should look into medicine as a career. At first the thought of medical school sounded intimidating, because I was so used to hearing the premeds go on about it. But after taking some of my core biological sciences and studying the anatomy of different species along with immunology, I've noticed that these are the areas I seem to excel in and have the most interest in. Immediately I discovered that I have a knack for memorizing long names, structures, and functions. :)</p>
<p>My concern is this: I decided to major in biology without the initial intent of pursuing medicine afterwards. And for my first year of college I slacked off in some classes than others. Some classes I received mediocre grades, and others I had to retake because of my negligence. Seeing how I've only now decided to take a hard look at things, I'm unsure about how badly I've damaged myself from going the medical route. Is there any way I can make up for my first three terms? Will an upward trend of grades say anything special during med school admission? Or will they just be looking at my poor first year? </p>
<p>I'm curious as to what characteristics or habits are expected of future doctors. Besides the arduous amount of studying, etc. what makes some people more worthy of handling med school and the profession than others? </p>
<p>This isn't a decision I made on a whim. So please don't say how I shouldn't be thinking about it, because I just woke up one morning and decided I wanted to play doctor. I come from a Jewish family full of doctors, and until now I've always despised the idea of becoming one of them. Now I can see their ways a bit more clearly and the passion they have for learning. </p>
<p>Anyways, if anyone has any personal experience or advice on the matter, you'd be doing me a huge favor. I'm sure most people in this forum know in their hearts they've wanted to be doctors for some time now. Please let me know if I'm making a wise/realistic decision, and if it's something I can achieve or not. </p>
<p>I've also heard of some people undertaking graduate studies before going to med school? I would rather just go straight to med school after u-grad, but if acceptance is unlikely, would that be another option?</p>
<p>I found myself in a similar position. I am a mechanical engineering major and didn’t really decide I wanted/needed to be a doctor until last year. I am in my third of five years in a BS/MS program so am I right with you. I won’t lie…your GPA is majorly important as are your MCAT scores. If your GPA is damaged beyond repair for your undergrad you may absolutely go to graduate school to raise your application. The other option is completeing a post-baccalaureate for pre-med. There are 2 types of post-bacc’s: ones for people in your situation (need to raise grades) and ones that are for career changers who didnt major in a scientific field and havent completed the pre-req courses. An upward trend in grades will NOT go unnoticed but with that said it still cannot be low (unfortunately for med school even a 3.5 is on the low side). I also slacked off my freshman year and now my GPA sits at a 3.56 and I really need to bring it up to be competitive. The other issue you must realize is the importance of extracurricular activities and leadership experience. You MUST get involved in some organizations, hold officer positions, and do alot of volunteer work (particularly clinical hospital volunteer work). The GPA and MCAT score get you an interview but if you dont have those extracurriculars thats as far as you’ll make it. To answer your question, in short, it is not too late. Some people don’t enter med school until they are in their 30’s. Its not ideal but it does happen. You have plenty of time and just need to keep going hard and make up lost ground. It won’t be easy but it certainly is doable</p>
<p>I think pre meds are champions at multi-tasking and balancing many activities simultaneously. A pre med who is All. About. The. Studying will make a poor candidate for admission. So much more is expected of pre meds and doctors. You have to be a full spectrum human being with interests and passions and hobbies AND a strong student.</p>
<p>(BTW, memorizing is fine, but I hope you also aim for deep understanding of your field–like critical analysis and synthetic thinking. Memorization is only step 1 in the process of acquiring knowledge.)</p>
<p>While some pre meds have always ‘just known’ they want to be doctor, I don’t believe this is true for all of them. Some only come to realization gradually, sometimes years after undergrad and becoming established in other careers. I met one career-changing doc who likened medicine to a irresistible religious calling that came upon him at age 35.</p>
<p>Your poor first year will hurt you in the med school admissions process. Your grades will always be your grades. Those repeated courses, Cs and W will hurt your chances because they have already damaged your GPA. Medical schools do not look at your year-by-year grades during the initial screening processes–only your cumulative stats.</p>
<p>Your year-by-year grades won’t be looked at until (or if) you reach the committee review stage when your full transcript and LORs will be examined. In detail. With an eye to eliminating applicants.</p>
<p>Three more years of excellent grades will go a long way to mitigate the GPA damage you’ve done yourself; however your poor start has also made it impossible for you to apply as a traditional applicant. (Applying during the summer before your senior year and matriculating directly into med school after college graduation.) You will need the extra year–or possibly a grad program–to make yourself an attractive candidate for admission. Whether you’re willing to do that is a question only you can answer.</p>