Hi guys,
I could really use some help in planning a good school list and deciding whether I should take a gap year (I don't want to, but if it will improve my application, I will).
I'm currently finish my second year. I am an URM (AA, 1st generation - I don't know if this matters) with a 3.7cGPA 3.76sGPA - overall upward trend, with a sGPA dip in my sophomore year. I currently go to the University of Minnesota with a Neuroscience major.
Flaws in my academic record: 4Ws (2 in the same class and it's a prerequisite)......i know, yikes.
Extracurriculars:
-Clinical Hospital Volunteer - around 50ish hours so far and I'm continuing it because the people are amazing
-Mentor through TRIO/Upward Bound - 59ish hours - serving underserved highschools
-Physician shadowing ~ 13 hours so far w/ more to come - primary cary, neurology, neurosurgery, and EM
-Medical Scribe - just started the position, it's two days a week with 5 hour shifts and it's in EM (the specialty i'm leaning towards)
Religious Public Speaker - I go around to schools (mostly) and community centers and explain what my religion is for schools that are having the "World Religions/Geography" curriculum. This was probably one of my favorite experiences and often times it was at very large audiences so it helped me improve my social anxiety.
-Research - Currently 65 hours in an social psychology lab, starting a neuroscience lab at a major EM hospital in the summer and an anxiety research lab (I'm not sure if I should commit to all three, but I'm really interested in all of them).
A little bit more about myself, I'm very into learning about different languages. I grew up bilingual, my native tongue is an Ethiopian language most people haven't heard of. I started learning Spanish when I was in 4th grade and continued it through college, plus it helped that I enjoyed latin music. I also started learning to read and write classical Arabic as a child and it's something I've mastered. For anyone who's into Korean pop culture, I started taking Korean classes mainly to understand the Korean dramas I was watching and the music I was listening to haha. I listen to a lot of foreign music, latin/korean etc.
Outside of this, I like traveling, road tripping, etc. and I'm pretty big into rock climbing and anything that gives me an adrenaline rush. Sorry, this is long. I appreciate any help!! Thank you!!