<p>So the final quarter of my freshman year is ending this week. Unfortunately, I have a G.P.A. that I know will not get me into medical school: a mere 3.0. This year has been a very difficult year for me first it was shoulder surgery that made me redshirt my whole first year of Division 1 soccer, and then it was a crazy auto-immune/blood disorder that periodically kept me out of class for a couple weeks with occasional hospital and doctor visits throughout the year. I have only taken two science classes, Biology and Chemistry, but I did so poor in Chemistry that Im retaking it this quarter. The next couple of years I will be taking all of my core science courses. I do very well in Biology and Physics, but the math portion of Chemistry kills me. Im hoping to pull off a C in Chemistry this quarter just so I can advance. I know that I am capable of pulling off at least a 3.7 G.P.A. for the remainder of my undergraduate years, but was wondering if that was enough. I have wanted to be a doctor since I was seven years old, practicing stitching techniques on play-doh lol. My medical condition is finally under control, and I got released to start training again. Id appreciate any advice. Thanks!</p>
<p>I think your medical condition is a good enough reason, but at the same time it worries me that you only got a few points higher in chem after retaking it. That’s definitely not going to look good. I don’t even know if they would accept a C- for a prereq. If it was because you were out of school still in the Spring then that’s more understandable, but if it’s just because you don’t like chem you’re going to have trouble with Orgo.</p>
<p>Would you be able to take maybe summer classes at your institution?
Also, if it’s that bad, would you consider giving up on Division 1 soccer?
And this is nothing important but practicing stitches on play-doh? Haha… :P</p>
<p>Thanks everyone for your responses. I think a big problem is that I haven’t been playing the sport due to my injury - it has taken a toll on my body and mind. I have noticed that since I have been released and my condition has been “treated”, I have done significantly better in my classes. My major concern is chemistry - I do very well in Biology, Calculus and Physics, and I think missing classes because of my health has killed me in Chemistry. Should I retake it if I get a C- or take the next Chem course and do very well in it next quarter? I’m worried about what would look worse on a transcript. My GPA is something I know I can raise significantly if I apply myself. Also, would it be a good idea to pursue a masters degree or take five years to graduate while taking additional science courses in order to bump up my science GPA?</p>
<p>My auto-immune disease is somewhat hard to describe - basically my body starts attacking itself and I have symptoms such as internal shingles which reacts with my Von Willebrand blood disorder and I “internally bleed” around my ribcage. I’ve been hospitalized up to 4 days at a time for this, typically on 4-5 different medications (lasts about 2-3 weeks). I’ve seen rheumatologists, hematologists, you name it. My hematologist took my case with her to a Geneva medical convention to try to get a firm diagnosis. Turns out this condition is very very rare.</p>
<p>Any med school prerequisite needs to be passed with a grade of C or higher. A C- won’t cut it.</p>
<p>What concerns me is that, as I understand your transcript, you’ve taken Chem 1A twice and failed to earn that C or higher. That’s going to send up a big red flag.</p>
<p>I know that I can understand Chemistry, it’s just that when I was sick and in-n-out of the hospital, I only picked up bits and pieces at a time. My hospital visits did carry over into Spring Quarter’s Chem. I feel that I did really well on the final, and I’m waiting to hear what I got. However, I’ve been doing some research - I know that I can realistically finish my undergrad years with at least a 3.55cGPA and a 3.43 BCPM, partly because I have barely taken any BCPM courses. The only reason I suggested post-bac work was so that I could take additional science courses to bump up my BCPM if needed. I was wondering if those GPA’s would be enough to get into some US medical schools? I have great extra-curriculars (memberships in 3 different clubs, I begin shadowing with an Orthopedic surgeon this summer, working at a Pediatrician’s office, and have been volunteering at a Children’s Hospital for 2 years now). I’m also taking EMT classes in the winter to get certified if that helps any too. I’ve heard people say that because I am a minority, I have an even better chance. Is this still true nowadays?</p>
<p>I think that there was a thread that said becoming EMT doesn’t help unless you can really relate that to how you will be for medicine (I’m not sure what this “how” meant though… I just remember skimming through the thread).</p>
<p>What do you mean by “minority”? “Minority” as in “underrepresented”? That’s the only case that you will benefit. Otherwise, you are you… No exception.</p>
<p>Thanks for your response. Yes, I am African American. I was hoping EMT would at least serve as an extra-curricular. Regardless if it does or not, I feel that I would really enjoy being an EMT during college - my friend who is an EMT said that he really likes it, so I thought it would be a great job for the next few years.</p>