<p>Hi everyone [that responds and not just views],</p>
<p>I was just wondering if i put myself into a hole with my gpa. I am a freshman and this is my first semester in college. I came up with a few possible cumulative GPA scenarios being:
worst case(probable)- 3.34
middle case(likely)- 3.46 or 3.54 (cant remember)
best case(unlikely)- 3.63</p>
<p>these are cumulative GPAs. My Science GPA, I'm banking on a 3.61 to 3.76
(Calc 1 + gen chem 1 + lab = 8credit)
Im good at my core classes but my gen ed classes are killer as in english(4credit) i got a super rough professor and im looking at a C+ to B. and my music class(3credit) I'm looking at a B to B+</p>
<p>so did i put my self in a hole or can i still make it out? i plan on talking to my advisor about padding my gpa with summer classes or something</p>
<p>Sonic, you have not yet received these grades, so there is still time to improve. </p>
<p>Go talk to your English and Music professors and/or TAs and ask them (very politely) what they would suggest to improve your class performance. Can you re-write a paper, do an extra paper? At the very least they will give you credit for being thoughtful and making an effort. </p>
<p>This information about areas for improvement will be very helpful for you as you move to next semester as well.</p>
<p>Talking to your advisor is a good plan too.</p>
<p>this is what my final semester grades look like
Chem A- (3 credits)
English C+ (4 credits)
Music B+ (3 credits)
Chem Lab B- (1 credit)
Calculus B+ or A- (4 credits)</p>
<p>I tried to talk to all the profs and they said they cant help me with any extra cred. My adviser is apparently the most popular and the earliest appointment is mid january.</p>
<p>Extra credit is sooooo high school. </p>
<p>Just so you know….most college profs don’t allow extra credit except under special circumstances. (Esp profs who teach pre meds. It opens their grading to too many challenges.)</p>
<p>Except for your English class, none of your grades look particularly damaging. And the good news is a C+ is the minimum allowable grade for pre-reqs at most med schools so you won’t need to take an extra English class later on. The other good news is you have plenty of time to fix your GPA and sGPA. You’re not the first freshman to get off to a rocky start in college. It happens more often than you’d think.</p>
<p>What to do now: </p>
<p>----Figure out where you need improvement: study skills, background preparation/ remediation, organizational skills, communication skills, homework consistency, class attendance, etc</p>
<p>----Seek out sources for help (college tutoring center, study groups, peer tutors, TA/professor office hours, library/internet for additional resources, etc) </p>
<p>-----Talk to your advisor. (HINT: leave the word “padding” out of that conversation)</p>
<p>-----Talk with profs and TAs (and not about doing extra credit–approach it as “how can I improve my performance in X class for the future”.)</p>
<p>^You said that a C+ is the minimum allowable grade for most med schools, I’ve always heard it was a C (as in you have to pass), so which schools are these? Just freaking out since I got a C in orgo1.</p>
<p>Varies by school–you need to check admission websites and MSAR.</p>
<p>But you’re probably right; at most schools it’s a C minimum.</p>
<p>Maybe they make an exception for us since there are no ± or maybe I am misremembering but I believe we were told the minimum is C for all med schools.</p>
<p>yeaa… so it looks like im getting a 3.2ish gpa for the semester. I looked around on studentdoctornetwork and many people said that a 3.2 isnt the greatest but its not the worst.</p>
<p>edit: not even 3.2, i have 3.15 gpa</p>
<p>Just work harder, there is no trick to it. Your goal is an A in every class, do not settle with the lower goal. Do whatever it takes. If it takes 30 hrs of study for one test, then just accept this challenge and do it. Yes, it is only one semester. However, the first one is easier, it get harder with each, so adjust at every step…and there will be a huge adjustment in Med. School.
Why C+ in easier class, like English? Take advantage of easier classes, do not let it slide. There is nothing else, no magic, no genius is required, no talents, just work hard and adjust your working habits in every class.</p>
<p>Sonic thats seriously not even bad. There are some people that have seriously screwed up freshman year and have been paying for it for years. I got a 2.5 one semester freshman year. I have been paying for the mistake ever since but its a good thing. It’s made me work harder than I ever have in my entire life. I’ve had a 4.0 for 2 and half years, i have made a lot of sacrifices, and it has been extremely rewarding. Use this as motivation to NEVER end up in that position again. Because look at yourself, was that fun? Definitely not. You can definitely do it. It just takes some hard work and motivation which you clearly have.</p>
<p>Remember its just one semester and GPA is one portion that they consider. If you take everything like it is the end all you’re going to stress yourself to death like I do ever single semester and I’ll tell you right now, its not fun. They look at grade trends as well remember that!</p>
<p>You’re doing great, better than most freshman I can tell you that!
Be positive, keep your head up.</p>