I’m a rising sophomore at top-tier undergraduate school, but I’m already worried about being a competitive medical school applicant. I have around a 3.0 GPA, which I’m pretty sure can only increase (especially comparing my first semester grades to second) but I’m worried about the science GPA. I had a rough freshman year, beyond the adjustment that everyone has to make, which I would consider a factor but it’s not an excuse. I received a B- in biology (I had an A- as a midterm grade, but then something pretty devastating happened and hit this grade the hardest), a B in chemistry, but the grade that worries me is a C- in Calculus. I think my problem with Calculus was that I was inappropriately placed, just couldn’t keep up and didn’t realize it might be in my best interests to drop it. I know I can retake the Calculus, but how much focus will med schools place on the initial grade received? At this point I’m thinking maybe I should do a post-bacc program, but is this a pre-emptive decision?
