Ok, so I’m a freshman in college and I’m nearly done with my first semester. However, I pretty much know already what grades I got in each class, and I’m worried after looking at them that I have irreparably tanked my GPA. I have B- on both Freshman Studies courses, a B- in my major (Biology), a 90 or A- in my mathematics course, a C in an elective class (counts for one credit hour), and an F in my Laboratory class (counts for one credit hour). Due to a misunderstanding concerning a major assignment in that class (my Lab class), I submitted a project in the wrong format and I just noticed, three weeks later. Obviously my professor gave me a 0 for the assignment and it is highly unlikely that I will be able to convince him to allow me to resubmit. Worse case scenario, if these would be the final averages for my classes, would I be able to bring my GPA up next semester and ultimately be well on my way for my goal of a 3.7 at least by Senior year? I’m following the Pre-Med track and so my final GPA is important for Med-School
To provide you understanding of the hole you’re in: med schools breakdown and calculate 3 separate GPAs. Cumultative GPA (or cGPA). Science GPA (or sGPA) which includes all bio,chem,math,physics courses. All other GPA which includes all non science courses. Don’t forget to include any college courses taken in hs. Med schools calculate each GPA by year and running totals for each of the 3 separate GPAs. I’m assuming you have some 4 year plan in mind. Find an online GPA calculator and play around to see what you would have to do to raise your GPAs up to 3.7 for each GPA. (as a note cGPA and sGPA are most important)
I suspect you’re facing quite a hill. It’s easy to think okay I’ll just get straight As from hereon but sometimes thinking and doing are different things. Every grade below an A would be painful to your chances. You may have to consider thinking about staying in college and applying in your senior year in order to take enough units to raise your GPAs. You may have to consider DO option which can have lower GPA hurdles to get over. If the F is in a science lab, med schools do not accept grades below C in premed reqs so you’ll have to retake and both grades would be factored in sGPA and cGPAs although as only one unit it shouldn’t have much impact. DO schools allow grade replacement meaning they’d see the F, but only take into consideration most recent grade in GPA calculations. Dont forget you’ll need to make time for ECs, and prepare and rock MCAT.
If it offers any hope S had sGPA and cGPAs at end of freshman year under 3.2 and is currently a resident. Good luck.
Furthermore, if you want to improve your chances after graduation, you might try getting a MS in an allied field. This will give you a chance to prove your academic ability and improve your MCAT scores. My niece successfully moved from a 3.1 GPA in her undergraduate to a nearly 4.0 in her MS and then being accepted to several medical schools.
How many credits are the rest of your classes? Have you calculated your GPA out?