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I am in the 10th grade, I'm majoring in the medical professions field in high school.

I am in the 10th grade, I'm majoring in the medical professions field in highschool, I'm at a 2.6 GPA, taking 3 AP classes and 1 honor class. What is some advice you could give me to improve my GPA? In the future, I strive to be a neurosurgeon but I'm afraid my grades are going to prevent me from becoming a neurosurgeon and entering a good college, I also want to join the Navy while studying my major, so any suggestions to set my life up for success (such as what classes and majors should I study) and to improve my grades?

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James Constantine’s Answer

Good Day Jaylin!

Improving Your GPA and Preparing for a Career in Neurosurgery

1. Understanding Your Current Situation You are currently in the 10th grade with a GPA of 2.6 while taking three Advanced Placement (AP) classes and one honors class. This indicates that you are challenging yourself academically, which is commendable. However, to pursue a career as a neurosurgeon, you will need to improve your GPA significantly, as medical schools typically require strong academic performance.

2. Setting Academic Goals To improve your GPA, set specific, measurable goals. Aim for a minimum of a 3.0 GPA by the end of your junior year and work towards higher grades in your AP and honors classes. This will help demonstrate your ability to handle rigorous coursework.

3. Time Management and Study Habits Effective time management is crucial for academic success:

Create a Study Schedule: Allocate specific times each day for studying different subjects.
Prioritize Tasks: Focus on assignments that have the highest impact on your grades first.
Break Down Larger Projects: Divide larger assignments into smaller tasks to make them more manageable.

4. Utilize Resources Take advantage of available resources:

Tutoring Services: Seek help from teachers or peer tutors if you’re struggling with certain subjects.
Online Resources: Websites like Khan Academy offer free tutorials on various subjects that can reinforce what you learn in class.
Study Groups: Collaborate with classmates to enhance understanding through discussion and shared knowledge.

5. Engage Actively in Class Participate actively during lessons:

Ask Questions: If you don’t understand something, ask for clarification immediately.
Take Detailed Notes: Good notes can be invaluable when studying for tests or completing assignments.

6. Focus on AP Classes Since you are taking AP classes, aim to excel in these courses:

Understand Exam Formats: Familiarize yourself with the format of AP exams and practice accordingly.
Study Early for Exams: Start reviewing material well before exam dates to avoid cramming.

7. Explore Relevant Extracurricular Activities Engage in extracurricular activities related to medicine:

Volunteer Opportunities: Look for volunteer positions at hospitals or clinics; this experience can strengthen your college applications.
Health Clubs or Science Fairs: Participate in clubs that focus on health sciences or enter science fairs with relevant projects.

8. College Preparation As you approach the end of high school:

Research Colleges: Look into colleges known for their pre-med programs and consider their admission requirements.
Prepare for Standardized Tests: Begin preparing early for the SAT or ACT, as strong scores can offset lower GPAs.

9. Consider Future Military Service If you plan to join the Navy while pursuing your education:

Navy Programs: Research programs like the Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP), which can fund medical school in exchange for service after graduation.

10. Maintain Balance and Wellbeing While striving for academic excellence is important, maintaining balance is equally crucial:

Manage Stress: Incorporate relaxation techniques such as mindfulness or exercise into your routine.
Seek Support When Needed: Don’t hesitate to talk about stress or anxiety with trusted adults or counselors.

By following these steps diligently, you can improve your GPA and set yourself up for success both academically and professionally as you work towards becoming a neurosurgeon.

Top 3 Authoritative Sources Used:

1. American Medical Association (AMA)
The AMA provides comprehensive resources regarding medical education pathways, including information about required GPAs and coursework necessary for aspiring medical students.

2. College Board - AP Central
This source offers detailed guidelines on AP courses, including study strategies and exam preparation tips essential for succeeding in advanced placement classes.

3. U.S. Navy Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP)
This official military resource outlines scholarship opportunities available to those pursuing medical careers while serving in the Navy, providing insights into how military service can align with medical education goals.

Probability that the answer is correct: 95%

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Laurie’s Answer

Agree completely. Take fewer ap courses. May take you longer to accomplish your goal but the point is how well you do, not how fast.
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Michelle’s Answer

Hello, Jaylin !

I am really impressed at how ambitious you are and that you are interested in becoming a medical doctor. That is so wonderful and being in the tenth grade now is a good time to focus on plans for your academic route towards a career in surgery.

My advice is to finish your courses this school year and perhaps use the services of a tutor or form a study group at school with some classmates. The reason your GPA may be what it is could be that you are taking a heavy load and the demands for the AP courses are not compatible enough for you to be getting high marks right now because of time constraints. I would concentrate in the next two years on regular human science classes (I never heard of majoring in anything in High School because you get a diploma, not a degree) and maybe a foreign language class, but take it a bit lighter for eleventh and twelfth grades so you can bring your GPA up. Also ask your guidance counselor if you can take credit classes, one or two in summer school. It's important that you get your High School Diploma, however your college undergraduate GPA and degree will be the important focus when applying to medical school. Try not to overload or rush yourself right now. Use your high school subjects as introductions and a baseline because when you get to undergraduate study you'll be familiar with the sciences and have the foundation .

It is competitive, but you must approach your preparation for medical school realistically, know your strengths, focus on time management and take classes that you can understand and your marks will improve. I give you credit because you seem to be committed to your dream. That is why I would advise going to college for undergrad study, get your B.S. degree and than to medical school and than you can think about military service and even serve as a surgeon in the military. Take one step at a time. Medical School requires a lot of sacrifice, focus and dedication.

In your free time, you can participate in science based groups at your school and/or get a part time job in any non-medical position in a hospital just to be in that environment and have the experience of being around the medical field. Don't feel that you have to cram a lot into your life right now, though. That may be why your GPA is not where you want it to be and GPA is a factor when applying to undergraduate colleges. You have time to reach a higher GPA goal.

I hope that this has helped and I wish you all the best !
Thank you comment icon I appreciate your support, Michelle Jaylin
Thank you comment icon I am happy to help, Jaylin ! Michelle M.
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Angela’s Answer

Hello,

Firstly, I would recommend arranging your timetable and tasks systematically. Once you have a well-structured plan for your ongoing coursework, consider seeking additional assignments if you feel your grades aren't matching up to your expectations.

Furthermore, it would be beneficial to communicate with your teachers about any gaps in your understanding, stay vigilant about submission deadlines, and if you're not getting all the answers right. Make it a habit to revisit and review your coursework with your instructors, as often, previous assignments are included in tests or finals, which carry more weight than individual textbook exercises.

Consider enrolling in a tutoring program or joining a study group, as these can also contribute significantly to maintaining a strong GPA.

Best of luck on your academic journey.
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