<p>So, I have a long story to explain why I need help and what not. So basically I was a student at Boston University for three semesters, from Fall 2009-Fall 2010. I started off at Boston University as a Biology major however, during the summer I made a switch to engineering (a decision I would regret for a while). I initially did well in my basic engineering courses during my freshman year, however the work I ended up putting in to those classes, and poor time management led me to not putting enough work into my three other classes (Intensive Chemistry, Calculus 127, and WR 100). I ended up finishing that semester with a terrible 2.5 GPA, due to not handing in work on time and poor performance on my midterms. I saved myself in each class from failing by doing extremely well on my finals. (Many of my professors looked at me in confusion, when I was doing terrible the entire semester and pulled 100's on my finals.)</p>
<p>I continued on into my second semester with a new mindset; trying to get all my work done in timely manner, making sure to study and get involved with my professors. However this semester instead of taking four courses I decided to be an overachiever and take 5 courses (PY 211, Intensive CH II, MA 124, MA 203, EK 107 (whatever Matlab was). At first I was doing well, and by at first I meant the first month not the first week <em>lol</em>. However as the semester dragged on there was an overflow of personal events going on in my life that distracted me from my studies leaving me unable to think as well as focus properly. As well as working ridiculous hours throughout the semester. (From a poor family, so I had no option but not to work, in order to pay for books and what was left over from my bill) I went on throughout the semester trying my best to study and work hard. I did well in one class once again, however pulled below average grades in my classes. I received an A, C-, C+, D, and finally a D in my last class. Bringing my GPA to a terrible 2.07 this semester. Nearing the end of the semester I received a warning of being put on Academic Probation from the engineering college if I didn't change my grades.</p>
<p>It was during this time I had considered changing my major to what I was doing well in: Chemistry. However I didn't really get the advice needed from adviser and ended up basing my decision around what my friends were telling me. They generally said, I've come so far why give it up now? And I had thought the same, I didn't want to be a quitter and change my major. So during the summer course, instead of retaking the courses I had gotten a terrible grade in, so I had a better foundation for higher level courses I ended up taking Multivariate Calculus and Japanese during my first summer session to try and get out of academic probation. Though once again I made the same mistake and didn't realize the load of work one class would put on me during the summer, having two made it even worse (especially taking a language course where you cram 4 months into 6 weeks). In the end, I ended up passing my Japanese class because i focused on it and got myself a B+ and ended up getting a D in multivariate. I then went on to summer session II and retook Multivariate, wasting more money trying to get myself out of the hole I had put myself in. I ended up getting a A-, bringing my already low GPA to a measly 2.06.</p>
<p>This ended up landing me in Academic probation during my Fall 2010, all I had to get was a 2.3 for the semester and I would have not put myself in the situation I did today. I was still at that time flirting with the idea changing my major to chemistry something I started gaining a huge interest over the summer after talking to my former professors. However I remained in engineering and once again made the same mistake of overloading my self with high lvl engineering courses. I ended up this semester taking Diff Eq, Orgo I, Engineering Mechanics, Probability for Engineers, Physics: Electricity and Magnetism. I ended up doing well once again for the first month and a half. However, then my personal life began to crumble. I've had a very stable life despite only living with my mother, but within a month my whole family was crumbling apart, people very close to me were dying left and right as well as my mother constantly bothering me with her personal life. One may say, you needed to ignore this and focus on your studies. However I just couldn't, I tried my best but I was mentally falling apart. I this time decided to lower my load before I ended up getting D's in all 5 of my courses. I dropped two of them leaving me to deal with 3 courses for the rest of the semester. I worked my way through the semester, struggling to get the concepts in my ENG and PY courses, however Organic Chemistry I did fine in. I ended up meeting with the professors and they tried their best to help me, but I wasn't in any state to comprehend the material. Eventually the semester ended and I received an A, C-, and D in my courses. Earning me a GPA of 2.23, shy of my mark by .07 points. I was then academically dismissed from the college of engineering and there after lost my scholarship to the school, earning me no way to continue my degree at that time. I had appealed to the Dean of the Engineering college, explaining my mental condition at the time with paperwork to back it up. However I was eventually denied, not allowing me to continue to pursue my education at BU.</p>
<p>During the past spring semester I took one class and ended up working a 40 hr blue collar job, just to help me pass time and get back into the right mental shape. During this time, I had sorted out all my problems fixed the personal problems going on in my life as I actually had time to breathe and deal with them. I ended up getting an A in the course I took during the spring.</p>
<p>I'm currently taking classes at SUNY Stonybrook during the summer and I will be taking classes at SUNY Farmingdale during the fall. I'm taking alot of classes over (I know many people will say it's a waste, but when they are low grades such as a C-, C+ or D, I would rather retake them and get an A). I've been doing well in all my classes at the moment, currently taking Gen Chem 1, and Calc 1 and have an A in both classes based on my current performance and evaluation from the professor. However I am not in a degree program and wish to transfer somewhere that I can finish my degree in <em>Chemistry</em>. By the end up of spring semester of 2012, I will have finished taking 60 credits pertaining to my major (so I'm still not behind). </p>
<p>Now that you know the whole story behind it (well mainly), there are some questions I would like some help with.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>So basically I will be applying as a transfer student because I was once in a degree program. My thing is, how do I go about getting recommendation letters from some professors. I basically will only see most professors for either a month, or 3 months at max. Not enough time I personally think, to develop a relationship and ask them to write a recommendation letter for me. I was going to ask my Chem professor from the summer, however I can never get in touch with her during her office hours to talk to her at all?</p></li>
<li><p>One person in my family said maybe I should consider not doing something in the sciences. I told them that I just didn't have a passion for what I was doing, and I didn't get it and that's why I couldn't grasp the material. I've done well in my chem classes, and I'm focused on getting my degree in Chemistry. Should I really think about not taking a major in the sciences, and fall back and do something like Business or what not. I would hate to do a switch like that, but it may be necessary cause I don't want to fall into the same cycle I was in before =(?</p></li>
<li><p>I'm making a list of schools I want to transfer to, after taking courses throughout the year. I'm not happy with them, after leaving BU and seeing what I left behind it makes me sad that I missed out on so many great opportunities that the school offered. I would love to transfer back there <em>I already got an O.K. from the head of admissions to re-apply even though I was academically dismissed, however it could only be a college that isn't ENG</em>. Is it foolish to transfer back there, despite my first failings. I think I have learned from all my mistakes and I'm making sure that I am doing well and I have a clear goal and I am positive that my major is something I can see myself doing for the rest of my life.</p></li>
<li><p>At first I had initially wanted to go to Med School, because I had wanted to be part of the field of medicine. However, as you can see I clearly shot my chances down. Would it be foolish to still try and take my MCAT's and apply? I also have other career aspirations that I would love to still pursue, that still lead me into the medical field, such as research and what not.</p></li>
<li><p>Yes I know my grades are terrible. But if I have a complete turn around as my grades are starting to show now, will I still be eligible to apply to graduate schools. Because I think explaining my academic dismissal will be hard, as well as it being a huge factor on my admissions to graduate programs. I don't want my life to be ruined because of this one mistake :(.</p></li>
<li><p>Last question, I'm trying my best to take all my classes at a University <em>well my science courses</em> because I want them to be eligible. Though it is quite troublesome because I have to hop from university to university each semester so I don't go over their visiting student credit limit. Would it hurt me to take them at a Community College? My mother would rather me go there, because it's somewhat cheaper than the SUNY and she thinks it's better for me in the long run. I'm really not sure on this one, I've got some time before I officially register.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Anyways, thanks for taking the time to read this you guys. Any help or answers would be greatly appreciated.</p>