- Joined
- Nov 4, 2010
- Messages
- 119
- Reaction score
- 123
Hi SDN,
Firstly, I know I don't have many posts, but I am a long time reader of the forum and want to note how helpful this forum has been for me just as a reader only. I am a rising sophomore this year and the time has come that I have questions and worries that I hope some of you more knowledgeable members can shed light on.
My Gap Year question: As a student with sub par grades my freshman year, I was wondering when those of you who decided to take a Gap Year actually made the decision? Was it as early as sophomore year or generally later? Is this something I should even be considering this early?
My other question: I attribute my lesser grades to playing an NCAA sport my freshman year, which I decided not to continue this year because of the time commitment. That being said, I don't have many EC's or hours of anything frankly. So my plan going forward this year is to firstly get my grades up. Secondly, get involved with some of the pre-med organizations on campus this year to get my foot in the door to volunteering and possibly shadowing. So my second question is, does this sound like a good idea? Should I being doing more or something different considering I am just beginning this process? Does anybody have anymore specific advice?
Last question (thank you if you have read this far): continuing my "plan". Next summer (following sophomore year), I plan to obtain a CNA certification so I can use this to gain experience in a healthcare setting while earning some money. It is important to my family that I am working during my summers since I don't have classes and I fond the CNA particularly attractive since it allows me to work while getting some experience at the same time. I have read threads on CNA, but I still want to ask you all, is this a good idea in my particular situation? Should I spend that time doing something else? Are there better ways to go about a free summer in preparation of a medical school application?
Thank you if you have taken the time to read this, I appreciate any advice you can give me about any of the questions I posed and appreciate this forum as a long time reader. I am at UCSD and would love to offer any advice to the younger crowd who may be choosing undergraduate schools. If any of you can point me to the right direction to do that, I would be more than happy.
Thanks,
Nate
Firstly, I know I don't have many posts, but I am a long time reader of the forum and want to note how helpful this forum has been for me just as a reader only. I am a rising sophomore this year and the time has come that I have questions and worries that I hope some of you more knowledgeable members can shed light on.
My Gap Year question: As a student with sub par grades my freshman year, I was wondering when those of you who decided to take a Gap Year actually made the decision? Was it as early as sophomore year or generally later? Is this something I should even be considering this early?
My other question: I attribute my lesser grades to playing an NCAA sport my freshman year, which I decided not to continue this year because of the time commitment. That being said, I don't have many EC's or hours of anything frankly. So my plan going forward this year is to firstly get my grades up. Secondly, get involved with some of the pre-med organizations on campus this year to get my foot in the door to volunteering and possibly shadowing. So my second question is, does this sound like a good idea? Should I being doing more or something different considering I am just beginning this process? Does anybody have anymore specific advice?
Last question (thank you if you have read this far): continuing my "plan". Next summer (following sophomore year), I plan to obtain a CNA certification so I can use this to gain experience in a healthcare setting while earning some money. It is important to my family that I am working during my summers since I don't have classes and I fond the CNA particularly attractive since it allows me to work while getting some experience at the same time. I have read threads on CNA, but I still want to ask you all, is this a good idea in my particular situation? Should I spend that time doing something else? Are there better ways to go about a free summer in preparation of a medical school application?
Thank you if you have taken the time to read this, I appreciate any advice you can give me about any of the questions I posed and appreciate this forum as a long time reader. I am at UCSD and would love to offer any advice to the younger crowd who may be choosing undergraduate schools. If any of you can point me to the right direction to do that, I would be more than happy.
Thanks,
Nate