Advice on GPA, ECs

[zrov]

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I used to be 100% sure that I wanted to go to medical school, but after a rough first year of college I’m not as sure. I’ve pinpointed the cause of my low GPA (currently ~3.0), and since then it’s been rising. I volunteer 5 hrs/week at a local hospital, am a collegiate rower, and work at an optometrist ~12 hrs/week. How is my resume looking so far? I’m expecting a GPA of at least 3.5 this quarter, and expect to continually keep it rising. I plan on taking a gap year to kill the MCAT as well. Lastly, any advice on getting into research with a low GPA? Or is it more important to volunteer in a medical environment. Thanks for your time.

 

[stayathomemom]

Having a rough first year doesn't preclude you from medical school, if you can adapt and overcome it. As far as research and volunteering, both are important, and you will definitely need clinical volunteering (if you are close enough to "smell the patients," as LizzyM would say, it's clinical volunteering). But if you have a particular interest you can focus deeper on it, and I encourage you to find one, either in research, clinical volunteering, or community volunteering. I don't know much about rowing, but is that a sport that kids/teens do? Maybe you can coach (or assist). Keep your GPA up. Foster relationships with faculty and mentors. I don't know how the normal person gets into research, as I kind of fell into my position, so I hope someone else has advice for that. Work on getting shadowing hours, and feel free to do that sooner than later. If you hate it then you'll have wasted less time.

 

[ciestar]

Having a rough first year doesn't preclude you from medical school, if you can adapt and overcome it. As far as research and volunteering, both are important, and you will definitely need clinical volunteering (if you are close enough to "smell the patients," as LizzyM would say, it's clinical volunteering). But if you have a particular interest you can focus deeper on it, and I encourage you to find one, either in research, clinical volunteering, or community volunteering. I don't know much about rowing, but is that a sport that kids/teens do? Maybe you can coach (or assist). Keep your GPA up. Foster relationships with faculty and mentors. I don't know how the normal person gets into research, as I kind of fell into my position, so I hope someone else has advice for that. Work on getting shadowing hours, and feel free to do that sooner than later. If you hate it then you'll have wasted less time.

Rowing is actually an olympic event lol

As far as research, reach out to PI’s and see if they have spots in their labs. Making connections helps, too.

 

[MyOdyssey]

Rowing is actually an olympic event lol

As far as research, reach out to PI’s and see if they have spots in their labs. Making connections helps, too.

I assume the OP rows crew rather than sculls though both are Olympic events.

To the OP, being an Olympic athlete definitely improves your resume.

Working in a traditional science lab is tough if you’re also training > 2 hours a day and then traveling to compete on the weekends.

You might consider research with more flexible hours such as psychology research. Alternatively, you might do research full time for 8-12 weeks over the summer.

 

[ciestar]

I assume the OP rows crew rather than sculls though both are Olympic events.

To the OP, being an Olympic athlete definitely improves your resume.

Working in a traditional science lab is tough if you’re also training > 2 hours a day and then traveling to compete on the weekends.

You might consider research with more flexible hours such as psychology research. Alternatively, you might do research full time for 8-12 weeks over the summer.

Regardless, it isnt a sport that mostly targets teenagers lol