advice about my spring semester - what to do

[linguistafeliz]

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Hello everyone,
I don't know if this is the appropriate place to ask this, but I'm going to go for it anyway.
I am looking to apply to enter medical school in 2012 (so applying this summer). I just graduated in 2010 with a BS in chemistry. I'm mainly looking at the University of Oklahoma (since I'm from Oklahoma).
My application at this point is still fairly weak and I'm looking at what I can do to improve it. I wanted to ask for advice in planning my spring.
Right now I'm planning on focusing on studying for the MCAT, getting clinical experience, and taking some classes this spring. I wanted to ask about the emphasis I should put on each of these aspects.

1. My GPA is fairly low, esp my science GPA. Part of this is bc I went to a hard college undergrad, but I'm worried about how much they will take that into account. I even got a C my last semester 🙁 Should I go for improving it as much as possible (by taking some hard classes and trying to get As)?

2. I need to take the last few classes I need for my prereqs (like bio lab, cell bio, and maybe an English class). Should I take a good number of classes to try to improve my GPA as much as possible, or is there so little time left now that I should just work on taking those few requirements I have left, and try not to overload myself?

3. Clinical experience is the weakest part of my app (I decided relatively recently to apply). I've shadowed one doctor once. The things I've been contemplating are: 1. hospital volunteering--but the stuff I've seen from the hospitals in my area seems to imply that much of it is clerical/interacting with patients' families. However I am still seeking something. 2. EMT - I can afford the EMT class at my local community college. I couldn't get in any experience before the application, since it would take all spring to finish the class (and this is assuming I pass the exam). But I might be able to get a volunteer job in the fall, which would help me for interviews. and the class looks really interesting. 3. shadowing--I'm going to try to do that off and on if I can get one, although I'm prob. going to have to cold-call/email doctors to try to get something. 4. volunteering at a local clinic. I called a bunch of them today but didn't have much luck (I think bc it's christmas 😛) but maybe I can get something.

Do you think there is enough time, in one semester, to get clinical experience?

4. I'm signed up to take the MCAT on April 9th. I took a practice test and just got a 36, which made me happy, but that might have been a fluke 😉 I'm planning on studying a lot between now and then, esp what with my GPA.

5. I would also like to volunteer tutoring local high school students for the SAT chem test, as I've done that before and really enjoy it. That's if I have any extra time which may be doubtable.

Is this all too much? Which things should I focus on more?

Also--I'm new to these forums, is it considered ok to post more of my details and ask for advice on whether it's likely I'll get in? I'm worried it's so unlikely that I should just push it off until 2013 ^^ I keep hearing horror stories about people applying multiple years and never getting in.

Let me know what you think. Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[iniquus]

Don't rush anything. Medical schools love older applicants. Apply once when you feel your application is strong enough.

You still need to take your pre-reqs, and they should help you with the MCAT studying. Nice practice score. Taking more classes to raise your GPA along with your pre-reqs (post-bac) is something you should only consider if you feel like you could handle it. You got a C your senior year, so I don't know if you had a downward trend. It's better to keep your GPA up, then take too many classes and just do average.

A lot of volunteering is just interacting with families and patients, but even the clerical work will have a few poignant moments. It'll be difficult to get a lot of hands-on action as an untrained volunteer. The purpose of volunteering, in my opinion, is to learn from the nurses, physicians and to ensure this is a setting you are comfortable in.

 

[doit4themunki]

What's your GPA? The fact that you said "I even got a C once" makes me thing that its probably fine. Because I've gotten like 2 C's and a buttload of B-'s and been accepted. Lots of people around here have a really skewed perception of what a "good" gpa is (aka "am I going to get into med school because I got an A- in ochem?").

My gut is to tell you not to overload yourself at this point, but this depends on your GPA. If your GPA is decent/around average, I would just take the reqs and focus on improving your ECs. Definitely volunteering at the hospital and shadowing some docs (even if its just for a day). I don't know much about being an EMT but i think the general consensus around the forums is that it's probably not worth it (tons of time and you won't be doing it for long...plus you're taking away from a person who actually wants to do it as a career).

Share your GPA (sci and cumulative if you know it) and I think people may be able to help you better.

 

[Political]

Share your GPA (sci and cumulative if you know it) and I think people may be able to help you better.

👍
i second this

 

[linguistafeliz]

Hello,

My GPA is a 3.2 at my college. However, before I went to my undergrad, I took a lot of college courses (in high school)...I understand that those count...if so, my GPA is more like a 3.4. I haven't calculated my science GPA yet.

I'm also a bit confused about how to calculate it in terms of weighting the courses...at my college, courses were weighted 12 units, whereas the college classes I took in high school were weighted normally (normal course=3 units). I'm not sure if I should just be weighting my undergrad courses by dividing by 4.

Thanks for everything!
Mary

 

[linguistafeliz]

bump... please... ^^