<p>I'm a freshman and I just finished up the year. I'm a psych and pre-med student planning to go to medical school.
First, semester I had a gpa of 3.74, but I took psych, history, english, theology, and discover ny- all are core classes, no science classes
Unfortunately, I got a "B-" in psychology which gave me the 3.74.</p>
<p>Spring semester, I took biostatistics and biology and ended up getting a "C" in both classes.
The stats class is 4 credits and it really hurt me.
I have not received all my final grades yet, but the gpa for this semester is like a 2.3 or something.
Should I retake those classes? Would it improve my chances of getting into medical school? Do I still have a chance at med school?
I also haven't gotten involved in anything, what are some things I should do?</p>
<p>Did you enjoy the bio classes? It seems like you are doing much better in humanities then in sciences. Are you sure you want to stay on the premed track? It’s not going to get any easier any time soon - just wait for ochem…</p>
<p>Dont be discouraged. The truth is that there are several core courses that are required of those who apply to med school, but I also know plenty of psych majors and a number of classics major who end up going to med school. Just like freshman year of high school, freshman year in college is a year full of transitions which people understand. I have no idea what kind of school you are currently attending, but it seems to me that you should maybe have a chat with an advisor.</p>
<p>Physician here. Definitely discuss things with an advisor. There are many rewarding professions which also require advanced degrees that help people just as much- it may be that you have more aptitude and interest in some other field than the heavy duty math science requiring premed path. You can probably take tests through your student counseling center to help you identify fields you may not have heard of that would be satisfying and suit you. Going to medical school and being a physician is the typical thought of many just out of HS who are intelligent and want to help people. Don’t think that is the only prestigious health related occupation or the most worthwhile. Reevaluate your plans- now is a good time before you have wasted time in chemistry and other math science courses. With your interest in psychology and health you may want to consider an eventual Psych D degree (no thesis as in PhD in Psych) to be a doctor and follow your interest. Most freshmen will change their minds and colleges have the advisors for that. Good luck.</p>
<p>OP When my H was in highschool he wanted to be a professional hockey player. He didn’t make it. I know how disappointing it can be, at first, to see your childhood dreams morph into something else. But, it can also be incredibly freeing! What about, “I don’t know what I want to do, yet. Right now I’m going to get my undergrad degree and see what really catches my interest!” Just be you. At the risk of sounding like Joseph Campbell, do what you find you are best at and the success will inevitably follow. This is true. I’d love to hear you were involved in all sorts of things, looking into all sorts of things, making new friends, looking at travel abroad programs, finding out what you are good at…at least this is what I would tell you if you were MY kid. (Which obviously you are not.) At any rate, good luck!</p>
<p>Psych, it is even more competitive to get into a PhD clinical phychology program than medical school? My daughter just got into the program at UCLA.</p>
<p>I go to St. John’s University in Queens and I did way better last semester because I was dorming but spring semester, I was on campus 3 days a week and I commuted from Jersey to Queens, I also had two jobs, so I admit I didn’t put as much effort into bio but I put a lot of work into math. My professor just screwed me over though, but I plan to retake that class.
I enjoy biology science and math- chemistry I am taking in the fall, but in hs I did not like chem at all.
I just have to work harder but I appreciate the feedback so much. Thanks</p>
<p>Can you try to live in the dorms agian? It seemed to work for you then. What about trying to find a job on campus? You wouldn’t have to commute and your hours would be flexible enough to where you could study more. Just a thought.</p>
<p>I doubt Psyd programs are more competitive than med school admissions. Something else that you might want to take into account is that you won’t be able to prescribe any medications.</p>
<p>You know…it was one semester. I know the premed folks may not agree with me…but if this student can pull it all together AND do very well on the MCATs, his future isn’t ruined yet. The point is NOT to make the same “mistakes” again by not really preparing for the courses in the same way as in the first semester. It doesn’t matter where you live…you need a quiet spot to study and time dedicated to that. Can’t you also go early and study in the school library? Working two jobs sounds like it was too much with the courses you were taking. Now you know that this may not be possible in future terms. </p>
<p>I know (quite personally) some students who get much better grades in the humanities with ease…and have to work much harder in the sciences/math. BUT they cannot see themselves DOING anything in the humanities even though those courses are easier. They WANT to be engineers or nurses or doctors even though the coursework is harder…because they LIKE those fields of study.</p>
<p>Sure, lots of premed majors get all A’s…but I’m sure they don’t ALL get all A’s…do they??</p>
<p>“I doubt Psyd programs are more competitive than med school admissions. Something else that you might want to take into account is that you won’t be able to prescribe any medications.”</p>
<p>Well, maybe not in SOME states…At least not yet…</p>
<p>Speak to any psychiatrist and you’ll get the same thing about how dangerous it is to prescribe medicine without a strong basic science background, especially in pharmacology.</p>
<p>Hey, I AM a psychiatrist. I get it. I also get that there is a lot more to mental health then prescribing drugs. Doesn’t stop SOME folks though. (steps off soapbox).</p>
<p>If the OP wants to pursue pre med, I suggest taking the courses over and improving the grades. Many who do not make it into Med school got a C or C+ in an important science. Improving the transcript, especially in an important science is a necessary step. BTW there are off campus places to live near St. Johns that are decent.</p>
<p>I’m sneaking into the parents forum to add to this topic (my usual haunt is the pre-med forum). Our advice in the pre-med forum regarding re-taking classes is that most med. schools require a C or better in the pre-reqs in order to be admitted. Obviously if you make lower than that, you’ve got to re-take the class. If you make higher than that, rather than retake the class, it might be better to take an extra course in that subject or something to prove that you can do well at a higher-level course. And you definitely shouldn’t retake the class unless you’re completely committed to making an A in the course the second time. Going from a C to a B isn’t going to impress anyone. Making a B on the first go-round isn’t a huge deal, but if you’ve had the course before and still don’t make an A, it’s not a good sign. And even if your school replaces the grade on the transcript, both grades have to be reported when applying to medical school.</p>
<p>That said, one bad semester freshman year isn’t going to ruin your chances at getting into medical school.</p>
<p>The reason to suggest a psych grad level degree has nothing to do with competitiveness but rather interest/abilities may correlate better with that than the MD degree. If the math/science courses prove to be difficult for a student it is better to find out other options early and not waste time trying to fulfill premed reqs at the expense of time that could be spent taking other classes, as well as having a higher gpa. The Psych D grad I know said the difference was the research thesis- a student can look up the current differences if interested.</p>
<p>^
Fair enough but keep in mind that the OP got a B- in Intro to Psych. I’m not saying a B- is a nail in the psych coffin, but would you recommend med school based on a B- in Bio 101?</p>
<p>For some reason, people seem to think that psych isn’t a competitive field at all when it really is incredibly competitive (unless you want to go to a low-quality and/or prohibitively expensive professional school).</p>
<p>so now should I retake the math and the bio both of them? or just one of them?
and I’ve received all my grades my gpa for the year is 3.41 and I’m a freshman</p>