How to Get Straight A's

The average GPA for acceptance into U.S. medical schools ranges from about 3.5 (at less selective universities such as Eastern Virginia Medical School) to almost 3.9 (at the most selective schools, such as Harvard Medical School.) Admissions committees will typically look at both your core GPA and your science GPA.

Visit this page to view medical school admissions statistics (although a few years old) or purchase the book Medical School Admission Requirements (MSAR) for more up-to-date numbers.

It's apparent from these statistics that you need a high GPA to be competitive as a pre-medical student. Generally a GPA of 3.5 and above is seen as competitive, however your goal should be to make your GPA as high as possible. Think for a second about how impressive it would be to have a 3.8, or even a 4.0, on your application. It would certainly impress most medical schools, and since it is one of the most important factors in admission, it can make or break you when it comes to getting in.

So how do you go about getting good grades? I will start by saying that you should always aim for an A. In every class, on every test, and on every quiz, your goal should be 100%. I realize this may sound unrealistic to a lot of you, but the first step to succeeding is setting a goal for success. You will be surprised at how well you can do with hard work and a few helpful strategies.

The Schedule

Picking your schedule is one of the most important factors determining your success. Now, as a pre-med student, your schedule is probably already going to be very difficult. You're going to have to take Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Organic Chemistry, and Calculus, among other courses. However, there is a lot you can do when making your schedule to ensure you get that perfect 4.0.

• Don't take too many classes - This one is pretty obvious. If you take too many classes, it is easy to begin feeling overwhelmed by the work load, which will make all your grades suffer. Try to stay around 15-18 credit hours max. 
• Take classes that interest you - Don't shy away from more challenging classes out of a fear that your GPA will suffer. If you genuinely enjoy learning about a particular subject, I guarantee you that it will make for an easier class than a supposedly "easy" class that does not interest you at all. 
• Balance your schedule - Knowing you will need to take some very difficult courses your first few years of college, you should do what you can to balance your schedule. Plan accordingly to make sure you don't have to take several hard classes one semester. Don't shy away from taking easy classes to benefit your GPA and balance with your difficult classes. However, try to pick classes that interest you, not just classes that other students say is easy.

Performing in Class

• Go to class - Another obvious one, but I am writing it out to emphasize how important it is. Instructors typically only test on material that is presented in class. This varies depending on the professor, but test material is rarely taken from the dark depths of your textbook. Being in class allows you to hear the information while also writing it (if you are taking good notes). Don't think that reading your book is enough to do well in the class. You should never skip class because you think you can get more of the material learned on your own.
• Take good notes- Your notes serve as a transcript of your instructor's lecture. They can be the easiest material to study from when it comes time to take a test, so it is crucial you take good notes. This isn't a skill that can be easily taught, however, I can give a few tips to make the job easier. Develop some sort of shorthand to get more information down in less time. Use abbreviations such as w/ instead of with. Take notes in a style that is legible and useful to you. Don't worry about making them look nice because they are for your benefit only. You don't need to write down every word the instructor says, but make sure you pay attention because they often emphasize points that are important. In other words, they are alerting you to potential test material. 
• Review your notes immediately after class - Review your notes the first chance you get after class. Just looking over them again will boost your retention of the material significantly. If you have other classes right after earlier classes then just review the notes the first chance you get. 
• Pay attention to the syllabus - The syllabus is that useful piece of paper that has information on your assignments, quizzes, and tests. Basically it is the schedule that the class follows. Instructors usually mention assignment information in class. However, sometimes they do not so you must read the syllabus closely to even know what is coming up. Pay attention to the instructor and don't be afraid to mark your syllabus if he/she makes changes to important dates. 

Acing the Test

• Stay organized - Keep your notes in chronological order, with good titles telling you what each section of notes is about. I suggest buying a calendar or using a computer program or website to keep track of upcoming test/quiz dates or due dates of important assignments. A calendar provides a clear visual indicator informing you of important events that are approaching. 
• Develop good study habits - The single most important factor determining your grade will be the work you put into it. I recommend you begin studying at least a week before important exams. This gives you time to absorb the information rather than simply remembering what you need to for the test. 
• Stay calm - Many people freak out or get extremely nervous when it comes time to take a test. This is the worst thing you can do because it makes it harder to focus. Take deep breaths and tell yourself you know the material. It won't be the end of your life if you do poorly on one test. And if you took good notes and properly prepared yourself, there's no chance that you will struggle through the test.  

You'll quickly realize how easy it can be to get straight A's if you follow a few simple guidelines and put a little bit of hard work into it. I'm not saying that these hints are the miracle cure for bad grades but following them will most likely give you a significant boost to your GPA.

If you need more help with your grades, then I would look into purchasing a book written for students trying to improve their grades like you. Here are a couple I recommend:

Getting Straight A's by Gordon W. Green focuses on 10 rules that you should follow to ensure you get the grades that you want. It's gotten great reviews and I've read it myself. Check out the reviews on amazon to decide if it's something you think will help you. There are numerous success stories of people who completely turned around their GPA from using Dr. Green's system.

What Smart Students Know: Maximum Grades. Optimum Learning. Minimum Time. by Adam Robinson is considered a classic in the study guide sub-genre. It has helped plenty of people transform their grades and it continues to get great reviews.

Other resources:

VueMinder is a great calendar program that has fantastic customization. There is a free version that can be downloaded from their website. I recommend it to anyone who would rather use computer software than a physical calendar.

How to take good notes:
http://suite101.com/article/how-to-take-good-notes-in-college-to-improve-study-skills-a265567
http://jerz.setonhill.edu/writing/academic/notes-tips.htm

Overcome test anxiety:
http://www.studygs.net/tstprp8.htm
http://www.testtakingtips.com/anxiety/index.htm

Quizlet for studying vocab and making practice tests.