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Dang these Software to medicine posts are getting too common 😉

I can't comment on the academic probation since I have no idea, but had a few follow up questions and suggestions.

Did you finish all pre-reqs and just doing GPA boosters at Berkeley Extension or do you still have some to fulfill?

Was your UC either Cal or UCLA? Because schools known for tougher grading might be a little more forgiving in apps. (EDIT: Just saw the mention of quarter, so not Berkeley.)

Regarding work, I'm not sure why a year before the application cycle would matter? What does that align to? The most time consuming stuff will be taking classes and preparing for the MCAT. I've heard of people doing 2 classes and a FT job (I'll be doing this in a few weeks) but it will be hard with a demanding software job.

Is your software job related to health? I'd would recommend looking into a software job at a research lab. A google search shows that the Gladstone Institutes has some offerings, and I'm sure Berkeley, UCSF and Stanford will as well. This will help your application to PhD/MD programs, and labs (with lesser pay) are more accommodating to your academic ambitions and so you can work there longer. If you're okay with relocating, PM and I can give you some tips.
 
Hahaha. I know, right? Something about "money can't buy happiness." 😉

I have finished all the pre-reqs. I am taking classes at Berkeley Extension for two reasons: GPA booster, but also because I am still hungry to learn more.

No, it was not UCLA. Though it is good for others to know that schools tougher on grading are more forgiving in apps.

I want to take a year before the cycle to really double down on volunteering, shadowing, focusing on apps, and study for the MCAT full time.

My software job is not related to health. It is related to AI and image processing. Both are fields I am passionate about and I would love to be able to apply the skills I learn at my job here to helping in medicine. I am definitely going to look in to labs and other software jobs in healthcare.
 
Does the IA mention anything about plagiarism? IA for academic dishonesty are pretty serious app killers from what I've read around, so I'd definitely make sure what the IA says and what you'll have to explain on your app.
 
No, you don't get kudos just because your school is known for grading tougher (a criterion that is so subjective to begin with). GPA is GPA. Your saving grace will be your GPA's upward trend.

Also, yeah, if your IA was for cheating you're pretty much done. Sorry.
 
No, you don't get kudos just because your school is known for grading tougher (a criterion that is so subjective to begin with). GPA is GPA. Your saving grace will be your GPA's upward trend.

Also, yeah, if your IA was for cheating you're pretty much done. Sorry.

There is a large body of evidence that schools evaluate candidate GPAs differently. It might not apply to this case and it's slight if anything. But a 3.7 from a community college and a 3.7 from MIT are viewed drastically differently.

From a self reported adcom: "something like 3 points for a GPA of 3.8 and above, 2 points for 3.6 to 3.8, 1 point for 3.3 to 3.6. 3 points for MCAT of 36 or above, 2 for 32-36, 1 for 30-32. 3 points for Cal, Stanford or other ivy league/top tier schools, 2 points for mid tier schools, and 1 point for lower tier schools and Cal state schools (CSU, not UC) "
 
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