Psychology Major Thinking About Medical School

<p>Hey everyone,</p>

<p>I'm a junior in College majoring in Psychology, but I've always had the dream of becoming a Psychiatrist. I know that in order to do that I would have to go through medical school which is fine, but I have concerns considering my earlier years in college. </p>

<p>I didn't put the effort I do now and it will definitely show up on my transcripts. I have A/B averages in my courses now and have grown a lot since then. (I'm also paying my own way now, so there is really no room for goofing off.)</p>

<p>My question is, will my earlier college years be held against me or will they take into consideration my grades now?</p>

<p>Any advice or help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance!</p>

<p>How bad are we talking? The first step in the apps being evaluated is done by a computer so your earlier years will definitely hurt but if you make it past that step someone will actually look at them and will see the trend. That being said, there are plenty of students who didn’t falter during the first two years.</p>

<p>Every grade you’ve earned (including an co-enrollment college credit earned during high school) must be reported and will be included in your GPA (science and cumulative) calculations for med school admission. </p>

<p>Are you a non-traditional student? Someone who has returned to college after sitting out for some years? If so, you may get some slack by adcomms, assuming your application makes it past the computer screening programs to get read by an actual human being.</p>

<p>If you’re junior who has been continuously enrolled, your upward trend will be noted–again assuming you make it past the computer screening round-- but probably won’t be be sufficient to overcome a poor cumulative GPA. All your other credentials (MCAT scores, ECs, LORs, personal statement, etc) are going to have to be very, very, very good to earn you an interview</p>

<p>Well, I failed a math course, but repeated the next year and passed with a C. I maintained a C average in other Math courses, but the other courses were mostly be averages. I started college early and wasn’t taking it seriously at all. I know, big mistake, I’m an adult now and I know better. </p>

<p>I have a degree in Graphic Design already but I feel like it was the wrong path for me, which is why I went back for Psychology.</p>

<p>Ouch, all those math classes are going to hurt your sGPA as well as your overall GPA.</p>

<p>Have you been continuously enrolled in college? Or have you taken time off between your first and second degrees?</p>