3.57 overall gpa as of right now...one semester left

[gotta go]

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The first two years of college for me were not good. I am a senior this year and this is my last semester. I plan to apply this spring. My gpa for each semester is:

Fall 08: 3.11
Spring 09: 3.28
Fall 09: 3.30
Spring 10: 3.20
Fall 10: 4.0
Spring 11: 4.0
Fall 11: 3.96 (22 credits)
Spring 12:

And I am almost positive I will get a 4.0 this semester since it is not too bad. Hopefully that will bring my overall up to around 3.62. If I had to estimate I would say that my bcpm gpa is around a 3.52-3.55.

For my EC I am a volunteer EMT with active riding experience for 1.5 years (about 6-12 hours a week for the first year)...I just recently took a break from doing this because I am too busy and can't afford the gas.

I have 100+ hours of volunteering in the hospital and I work as a tech in a different hospital (for about a year).

I have been doing research at a medical school since June and will continue with that even after I graduate. I also plan to start shadowing this semester.

I will be studying for the MCAT this semester and taking it in May. I studied for it last summer and was averaging 31/32 on the AAMCs but voided on test day because I was just having a terrible day and felt I could do better than my average if I retook anyway.

How am I looking so far if I plan to apply this spring.

Any tips? Thanks

 

[StoicJosher]

Your upward trend in your GPA is good. The overall (projected) GPA is the average for matriculating students so I wouldn't worry too much about it. You also seem to have a good amount of clinical experience but I didn't see any shadowing mentioned. Shadowing doctors definitely helps (I believe that avg is ~50 hours). Get that. The research will help as well.

Any non-clinical volunteering or leadership examples you can add to the application? These are not requirements but they will definitely help you come across as a well rounded applicant.

But, if you are confident you can score 31/32+ on the MCAT, I say you have a very good chance of getting into medical school with what you have currently and some shadowing. Make sure you apply smartly and broadly.

Good luck!

 

[Catalystik]

The first two years of college for me were not good. I am a senior this year and this is my last semester. I plan to apply this spring. My gpa for each semester is:

Fall 08: 3.11
Spring 09: 3.28
Fall 09: 3.30
Spring 10: 3.20
Fall 10: 4.0
Spring 11: 4.0
Fall 11: 3.96 (22 credits)
Spring 12:

And I am almost positive I will get a 4.0 this semester since it is not too bad. Hopefully that will bring my overall up to around 3.62. If I had to estimate I would say that my bcpm gpa is around a 3.52-3.55.

For my EC I am a volunteer EMT with active riding experience for 1.5 years (about 6-12 hours a week for the first year)...I just recently took a break from doing this because I am too busy and can't afford the gas.

I have 100+ hours of volunteering in the hospital and I work as a tech in a different hospital (for about a year).

I have been doing research at a medical school since June and will continue with that even after I graduate. I also plan to start shadowing this semester.

I will be studying for the MCAT this semester and taking it in May. I studied for it last summer and was averaging 31/32 on the AAMCs but voided on test day because I was just having a terrible day and felt I could do better than my average if I retook anyway.

How am I looking so far if I plan to apply this spring.

Any tips? Thanks

Wow. What a terrific GPA recovery. Well done. I agree that with your likely application stats and current ECs, you will have a decent application. Does your BCPM include some upper-level Bio and Biochem? Will it go higher after this current semester also?

I'd also consider the shadowing to be important before you apply. Nonmedical community service, teaching, and/or leadership are all activities that would further strengthen your application. Also include hobbies, sports, and artistic endeavors.

 

[gotta go]

Since this is my senior year and I will be applying this year, I was planning on doing a lot of shadowing/non-medical volunteer work (as well as my usual things) on the year I will have off.

Is this not a good idea? Must these things be done by the time I first send in the application? Or can I update it after I send it the first time?

Don't really know too much about this.

 

[Catalystik]

Since this is my senior year and I will be applying this year, I was planning on doing a lot of shadowing/non-medical volunteer work (as well as my usual things) on the year I will have off.

Is this not a good idea? Must these things be done by the time I first send in the application? Or can I update it after I send it the first time?

Don't really know too much about this.

While continuing some pertinent activities during the application year is wise, only a personal letter to each school can update them on your activities, and not all schools will accept such letters before you have interviewed. Some schools don't regard them at all. Where such letters are considered, they will only help if adcomms are on a cusp about your application. So it is wise to at least have started such activities, and for shadowing (in my experience), to have most of it done. You don't want to give schools a reason to outright reject you due to significant deficiencies, as there is no appeal from that.

 

[Hotshy]

Start shadowing now if at all possible. Try to hit that 50 hour mark before you apply and then you can write on your AMCAS that shadowing is on-going. Also, great GPA recovery, the strong upward trend will help you a lot in this process.

 

[gotta go]

Is 50 hours shadowing one doctor good enough? Or should it be multiple doctors? I found one doctor that I can shadow a lot, but I don't really have time to look for other right now.

 

[Catalystik]

Is 50 hours shadowing one doctor good enough? Or should it be multiple doctors?

If it is a primary care physician, I think you'll be fine for any school (though be aware that schools serving rural populations may prefer it be a doc in a rural area). There are many acceptable ways to get in the shadowing expectation.

 

[gotta go]

If it is a primary care physician, I think you'll be fine for any school (though be aware that schools serving rural populations may prefer it be a doc in a rural area). There are many acceptable ways to get in the shadowing expectation.

It is actually a dermatologist. He was the only one to get back to me. I will try to get a primary care physician sometime this semester, but I don't know if that will happen. Thanks for replying back to my questions, it is a big help!

 

[music2doc]

It is actually a dermatologist. He was the only one to get back to me. I will try to get a primary care physician sometime this semester, but I don't know if that will happen. Thanks for replying back to my questions, it is a big help!

A derm as your only shadowing experience is likely to do little good (and might even cause trouble). You definitely want a PCP of some sort. Derm is... shall we say, not likely to be viewed positively as your reason for entering medicine (and it could be seen that way if that is the only specialty you've shadowed).

 

[Catalystik]

It is actually a dermatologist. He was the only one to get back to me. I will try to get a primary care physician sometime this semester, but I don't know if that will happen. Thanks for replying back to my questions, it is a big help!

Shadowing need not be done on a regular basis, and can be done at the last minute. Maybe you could get in a lot of hours over spring break. Have you asked your own doc, or those of your parents, or parents of friends? Alternatively, you must meet docs while in clinical environments, so be sure to ask them, too.

 

[gotta go]

Shadowing need not be done on a regular basis, and can be done at the last minute. Maybe you could get in a lot of hours over spring break. Have you asked your own doc, or those of your parents, or parents of friends? Alternatively, you must meet docs while in clinical environments, so be sure to ask them, too.

Catalystik,

I really appreciate your advice. I have been having just a few more thoughts and was wondering if you could give me some more advice. As you know, this is my last semester of senior year and I was planning to apply this year. Now I am having some doubts and am considering putting it off one more year, and therefore, will have a year off and then the application year off also.

I am studying for the MCAT this semester, but with my new plan I would take it during the summer after I graduate. After that, I would try to get a job as a lab tech, full time or part time, and in the year off before I apply, build up my shadowing, non-medically related volunteer work, like teaching or tutoring, and continue with my medically related work as well. I would have my application all ready to go and could apply as early as possible in Spring of 2013 with confidence that I have actually done everything I could to make myself stand out.

In your opinion, it is a bad idea to wait and build up my application? I am really in no rush. If I apply this year I don't think my application would be bad necessarily, but obviously it wouldn't be as good as if I wait. I am confused. Any input would be great.

Thanks.

 

[Catalystik]

In your opinion, it is a bad idea to wait and build up my application? I am really in no rush. If I apply this year I don't think my application would be bad necessarily, but obviously it wouldn't be as good as if I wait. I am confused. Any input would be great.

It is never a bad idea to wait and develop a better application. With a higher MCAT score from longer, dedicated study and beefier ECs, (and maybe a few postbac science classes with As) you are far more likely to get an acceptance from a med school you would love to attend. Additional benefit would come from a chance to recharge your academic batteries and a job to save up some cash. The main downside might be that educational loans may come due in 6 months after graduation and require repayment. You can get around the latter by delaying graduation, maybe by adding a minor.

 

[1TB4RKSB4CK]

Nice upward trend!
I'm in the process of increasing my GPA up too. My projected GPA provided I get 3.9+ over two more years would be around a 3.6 with a 3.7 cGPA.
Just keep motivated throughout the semester, which I'm also focusing on, and finish strong!
I'm sure you will have a competitive application provided that you have a good MCAT score, even more than some with a higher GPA and a downward trend.
GL and keep up the good work!
I'm motivated to follow the same trend you have!

 

[blue0rchid]

Catalystik,

I really appreciate your advice. I have been having just a few more thoughts and was wondering if you could give me some more advice. As you know, this is my last semester of senior year and I was planning to apply this year. Now I am having some doubts and am considering putting it off one more year, and therefore, will have a year off and then the application year off also.

I am studying for the MCAT this semester, but with my new plan I would take it during the summer after I graduate. After that, I would try to get a job as a lab tech, full time or part time, and in the year off before I apply, build up my shadowing, non-medically related volunteer work, like teaching or tutoring, and continue with my medically related work as well. I would have my application all ready to go and could apply as early as possible in Spring of 2013 with confidence that I have actually done everything I could to make myself stand out.

In your opinion, it is a bad idea to wait and build up my application? I am really in no rush. If I apply this year I don't think my application would be bad necessarily, but obviously it wouldn't be as good as if I wait. I am confused. Any input would be great.

Thanks.

I think you have a good plan here. Working a year and build your app is great. You make some $$, save some $$, and prepare for the best app you can instead of rushing it and possibly become reapplicant. Try to get your desirable MCAT the first time. And plan to apply only once.

 

[gotta go]

It is never a bad idea to wait and develop a better application. With a higher MCAT score from longer, dedicated study and beefier ECs, (and maybe a few postbac science classes with As) you are far more likely to get an acceptance from a med school you would love to attend. Additional benefit would come from a chance to recharge your academic batteries and a job to save up some cash. The main downside might be that educational loans may come due in 6 months after graduation and require repayment. You can get around the latter by delaying graduation, maybe by adding a minor.

Do med schools look down on applying later than right after your graduate? Do they question or suspect why you didn't apply right away?

Nice upward trend!
I'm in the process of increasing my GPA up too. My projected GPA provided I get 3.9+ over two more years would be around a 3.6 with a 3.7 cGPA.
Just keep motivated throughout the semester, which I'm also focusing on, and finish strong!
I'm sure you will have a competitive application provided that you have a good MCAT score, even more than some with a higher GPA and a downward trend.
GL and keep up the good work!
I'm motivated to follow the same trend you have!

Good luck! I hope it works out!

 

[Catalystik]

Do med schools look down on applying later than right after your graduate? Do they question or suspect why you didn't apply right away?

No. No. Average age of applicants is 24. SDN has an entire forum dedicated to those applying after another career, called NonTraditional, where folks in their older 20s, 30s, and 40+ hang out.