Need some motivation?

[RadLife:]

Hi guys, 

I just finished (3 months ago) my second year with a solid 3.6 GPA, and my first year was 3.7. However, due to pass/fail courses my GPA is currently around 3.67.  I've always wanted to get into med, but bad studying habits and friends have led me astray and now I'm in a tough spot. I have been volunteering at a hospital for 4-5 years now but thats about my only EC. I will be going into 3rd year and will be writing the MCAT soon. 

I guess I need to be told that it can be done, because I really don't want to give up on this dream that I've always had. I am 100% willing to put aside my personal life to get a 4.0 GPA and I think I may just be able to do it. However, my last year is all coop (4th year) and unfortunately won't have graded courses, so I've got 1 year to bring up my GPA.

Sorry for this as I know having a bad GPA just because of bad study habits isn't the greatest excuse. 

[SoraAde]

Sounds like you know what to do.. get a 4.0 this year.

all hope is not lost. 

[RadLife:]

32 minutes ago, SoraAde said:

Sounds like you know what to do.. get a 4.0 this year.

all hope is not lost. 

Do you think applying to medical school this year is a good idea with a 3.67 GPA?

[Bambi]

I do understand the value of coop. However, I counsel you to delay receiving your degree and to take one additional year of full time studies, thereby giving yourself a meaningful chance of increasing your GPA into the realm of becoming truly competitive. Sometimes in life, the longest path can really be the shortest. Your situation is one of them. Meanwhile it is essential that you UP your game. We are talking about the rest of your life here! You need to focus, have a strong work ethic with excellent time and stress management skills, effectively forget about your unmotivated friends, and treat your academics professionally. Keep your eye on the ball, stay motivated always, study smart for you and attain the highest grades of which you are capable - with no excuses! *I did exactly that and today I am a senior surgical resident. I was far from the brightest lightbulb in the room, I was a mediocre student and I turned over a new leaf. The results were dramatic, although it was very, very difficult. I did what I had to do to become a competitive applicant. Bad study habits and friends - shame on you. YOU are the ONLY person to take responsibility and to suffer the consequences OR receive the benefits. What do you really want: a personal life now or a future to last your lifetime? YOU must make responsible choices and live with no regrets. Should you not make it, at least you will know you really tried. Be it in coop, volunteering or ECs, you need to have those CanMEDS competencies that adcoms are looking for. Good luck!

Applying with your 3.67 will give you the benefit of becoming thoroughly familiar with the application system and how to apply. If you have the funds, it is a good idea as a practice run.

[RadLife:]

11 minutes ago, Bambi said:

I do understand the value of coop. However, I counsel you to delay receiving your degree and to take one additional year of full time studies, thereby giving yourself a meaningful chance of increasing your GPA into the realm of becoming truly competitive. Sometimes in life, the longest path can really be the shortest. Your situation is one of them. Meanwhile it is essential that you UP your game. We are talking about the rest of your life here! You need to focus, have a strong work ethic with excellent time and stress management skills, effectively forget about your unmotivated friends, and treat your academics professionally. Keep your eye on the ball, stay motivated always, study smart for you and attain the highest grades of which you are capable - with no excuses! *I did exactly that and today I am a senior surgical resident. I was far from the brightest lightbulb in the room, I was a mediocre student and I turned over a new leaf. The results were dramatic, although it was very, very difficult. I did what I had to do to become a competitive applicant. Bad study habits and friends - shame on you. YOU are the ONLY person to take responsibility and to suffer the consequences OR receive the benefits. What do you really want: a personal life now or a future to last your lifetime? YOU must make responsible choices and live with no regrets. Should you not make it, at least you will know you really tried.Be it in coop, volunteering or ECs, you need to have those CanMEDS competencies that adcoms are looking for. Good luck!

Applying with your 3.67 will give you the benefit of becoming thoroughly familiar with the application system and how to apply. If you have the funds, it is a good idea as a practice run.

Thank you so very much for this, I know all hope isn't lost. I will be putting forth my greatest effort into improving my GPA for a bright future. I'm glad you are doing so well! Also, do you think it might be too late to apply for research as a 3rd year student?

 

Thanks for all your help!

 

[SoraAde]

It isn't too late to apply for research as a 3rd year student, 100%. 

When are you writing your MCAT? If you score 130+ on CARS, I would say you should apply to McMaster assuming you're from Ontario.

[Bambi]

Research is not necessary. Put your energies where they will do the most good for you.

[pepermintea]

Get as creative and relaxed as possible because you will ruin your year by telling yourself to "be motivated and get a 4.0" best thing is to trust yourself that the worse thing that could happen is YOU let yourself go to shit. And I've seen a guy pull his 2.8 GPA into 3.8+ within 2 years and 2 summers, nothing is impossible if you really want it.