<p>I'm currently a sophomore at Columbia University and premed. I finished freshman year with a strong GPA (3.8 something.) However, I think I screwed up my first semester of sophomore year pretty badly. I haven't taken my finals yet but I'm expecting 2 A-'s and 2 C's (the C's are in mowsh bio and orgo.) I made a huge mistake of taking two notoriously difficult science classes together at the same time. That combined with balancing some extracurriculars, a job, and family issues really screwed me over. Is there still hope for me as a premed or am I better off looking into some other career options? I'm worried that no med school is going to even consider me after this semester ruins my gpa. I just want some honest, even harsh feedback about my options atm.</p>
<p>Honestly. I’m only in high school and you can take my advice with a grain of salt, but I do plenty of research, just for the fun of it, and it heightens my knowledge about what I want to do.
On the AAMC website, you can check statistics(of almost any category) of people who got into med school. Gpa- major -race. See the average. See where you’ll fall in and compare yourself. Although, there will always be a discrepancy, because admissions is always hectic, but you can have a good idea by just checking it out. Secondly, many people do make it by not giving up. I would say 2 C’s are a red flag, but if you can take next pre med courses and ACE them. (Get a tutor, manage your time slightly better, seek family support. I promise, any change in your approach would help. Also think positive. Seriously. If you got into Columbia, you know what you can do to get admissions to like you) I think that shows you were able to push yourself And that you can balance other things and maintain 3.5+ Gpa.You can also try and maintain at least a 30 on your MCAT which is above average, and it might look impressive. </p>
<p>It is up to you, but also keep in my mind. Do you want to truly go to medical school? With the mindset of wanting to back down because of your pre med grades show that you’re not 100% committed. If you truly want that MD, I would say fight, because when becoming a doctor or on the path to MD, you need to Love it. Many people quit because they don’t LOVE it.
there is always a chance to get into medical school even if it’s not columbia or Mayo. </p>
<p>Lastly, you have a ton of options left, talk to other pre-med students, and talk to people who are in med school that might have fallen into the same position you’re in right now. Speak with your Pre-med advisor. Talk to other people and frankly, not people from college confidential. Unless you go to the pre med section. </p>
<p>I say, Good luck. I still think you have a chance.
(P.s disregard any spelling errors, I’m writing on my iPad and it’s just hectic)</p>
<p>Parent lurker here (physician for more than a decade).
You will be fine.
Don’t make a habit of the C’s.
Finish strong. Med schools are more concerned about where you are when you apply as an upperclassmen than what you might have done as a sophomore (understandably this does not apply if you were hoping to go to med school as an underclassman).
Ace the MCAT.
Expect to be asked about your low-ish grades when you interview. Talk about what you learned from the experience and don’t bad-mouth your professors or TA’s.<br>
If you will be taking upper-level classes in subjects whose lower-level classes challenged you, get good grades where possible (second semester orgo, etc)</p>
<p>Thank you both. You have both given me hope. I kind of really needed to hear that, especially because finals week has been pretty rough >_> Thanks again.</p>