<p>Get a 3.7+ gpa and maintain it?</p>
<p>It must be difficult to get a 95 on every single thing in every class…</p>
<p>how can one get a 3.7+ ?</p>
<p>In the pre med track</p>
<p>You can attain a high GPA by studying subjects that truly interest you and allow you to go beyond what is required by the courses you take in developing a thorough understanding of the topics presented. I frequently did extra research in areas where I felt the lectures and textbooks were too superficial in their coverage. </p>
<p>BTW, <a href=“Caduceus as a symbol of medicine - Wikipedia”>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caduceus_as_a_symbol_of_medicine</a> </p>
<p>What do you mean how can you get good grades? You go to class, attend office hours, ask questions and seek help when you don’t understand something. You work hard, and sometimes, you sacrifice going out so that you can study for your midterm. You learn how to study effectively and efficiently, and you keep working at it until you understand the material. You take classes that you are good at or are willing to get good at, and then you put in whatever effort it takes to do well.</p>
<p>Also, getting a 3.7 GPA does not mean that you have 95+ on every assignment. A 3.7 GPA is an A- average (an average of 90, or even lower if there’s a curve). If you got a 95+ on every assignment, then you’d likely have a 4.0 GPA. </p>
<p>First, you must have a goal of an A in every single class. Then you have to see what is required in every class to obtain it. Whatever it takes. if YOU need 30+hrs to prepare for a single exam, you have to spend 30+ hrs doing so. This is YOUR personal plan, not you classmate, not your best friend and not your parents. If class required from you to ask often question, then ask them, there are office hours, your tuition is covering them also, not just lectures, do not be shy. I do not know what else. Genius is definitely NOT required, not to fullfill pre-med requirements, not to get straight As in UG.
Definitely, do not set up a lower goal, do not think about curves. Do your absolute best. Much much more will be required in Med. School, not even close to UG academic requirements. We are talking about real endurance tests, mental stamina, (and in clinicals - physical, bladder…whatever). Might as well get used to working hard.<br>
No tricks, NO magic, No genius, just old fashioned plain hard work.</p>
<p>I had a (relatively) poor GPA and am now in medical school. </p>
<p>Here’s what I realized my med school peers realized during undergrad that I did not (this may sound harsh, sorry!): </p>
<ul>
<li>Your goal is not to study, it is to get an A. No brownie points for studying, for trying, for sitting in the library, for missing events. No one cares about your sacrifices.</li>
<li>How to get an A? Study correctly. This may mean different things for different classes. Accept that. You may have to put in 4x the hours into one class than another to get an A. Accept that, too. </li>
<li>How does one study correctly if everyone studies differently? There are some people who need less time to process the material. If that’s not you, accept that and put in more time.<br></li>
<li>In general, you will have to adapt to the demands of the class. This may mean that you need to do more than attending class. More than reading the assigned text. More than outlining the assigned text. You may have to also obtain outside resources (textbooks, review books, youtube videos), get your hands on practice questions (and possibly do them for regular studying, not just for exam studying), attend review sessions, and be part of study groups. Sometimes, all for one class. As a rule of thumb, you want as much exposure to the material as possible (don’t skip class and think you’ll learn it before the exam) and have an opportunity to test your knowledge in several ways prior to the exam. </li>
<li>I had an easy major that did not require this level of commitment, but pre-med classes are different. They are designed for people who want an A. That little bit of information about tested material may be told to you in a review session this afternoon that you can only find out about this morning in class (so you have to go to class, go to the review session, understand what’s going on there because you kept up with the material, and extract that bit of information). </li>
<li>Your lab classes let you miss if a few labs. Do you trust yourself to study the lab if you miss it? There tend to be lab tests at the end of the semester. </li>
</ul>
<p>I think pre-med favors the committed student. Put aside any fears that you’re not intelligent enough. </p>
<p>Thanks for the replies even if the question was rather redundant. </p>
<p>@worth2try how did your mcat look?
How were pre med classes for you?</p>
<p>@WannaBeDocc I had a 30. </p>
<p>“I think pre-med favors the committed student. Put aside any fears that you’re not intelligent enough.”
-This is it!!! Old fashioned hard work, no genius is required, no tricks, no magic. Yes, every class is different. I am sure that my D. spent much more time doing work in her Paper Making class that she did in Chem. It just the way it was for her. She had a goal of A in every single class. I would say, looking back, that every pre-med should have this goal. Then you will have a proper attitude, as worthy2try mentioned, do whatever it takes in every single class. If class is required for you (not your friend, not any other classmatem but you) to talk to prof. at prof. frequently at office hours, then do it. if it requires for you to explain material to others, then do it, believe me they will also appreciate it - that is how my D. got an SI position for Chem. class - the best job on campus that lasted for 3 years. Yes, figure out every single class, this is a very good advice.
Not sure though, that 30 will make it any more, competition gets worse every year.<br>
When applying, you will have to compile the list that more or less will match your stats keeping in mind your acceptance rate goal. Again, some might shoot for 75%, others are OK with the 25% acceptance. People are different, and some even include DO schools. </p>