- Joined
- Apr 4, 2016
- Messages
- 7
- Reaction score
- 3
For a bit of background:
As an undergrad I took two semesters each of General Chemistry and Biology, got a scattering of A's and B's, and while taking the first semester of Bio I also took Orgo I and got a C. After that I continued with Bio II but otherwise dropped the entire pre-med track, graduating with a 3.07 science GPA and 3.44 overall GPA.
After 3.5 years in the Army, I'm back for revenge and currently taking Orgo I and Physics I to ease back into academics, doing well (I think). I'm arranging my fall semester schedule and suddenly having a lot of concerns:
1) GPA: neither science nor overall GPA are great, so I am working to make 12+ credits sciences per semester for the next two semesters, like so:
Upcoming fall: Orgo II, Physics II, ? (<-- any advice on what to take here?)
Next spring: Biochem I, genetics, cell bio
This is where I'd ideally end my pre-reqs due to financial constraints, but I worry that these won't boost my science GPA enough to make me competitive. From reading various threads, it seems that it's more important to show that I can handle a course load like the above while doing the EC's (and "kill the MCATs"), but at the end of the day it's a numbers game. Do I have to inflate my GPA with more upper-level sciences?
2) I couldn't help but feel anxious when my pre-health advisor told me that most med schools prefer pre-reqs to be less than 5 years old (mine are 8+). I've looked at the non-traditional threads regarding old pre-reqs, but I'd really appreciate a realistic idea of how much this might hurt me when compared to the traditional applicant.
*my calculus class is actually AP calc credit from my ancient HS days, and it's gonna be 10+ years old by the time I apply. Should I retake this?...
3) I realize that answers to these concerns will be different depending on the med school, so I need help: How do I decide on my list of prospective schools? Location and price are important factors of course, and everyone refers to "tiers" of schools. Is there a definitive thread categorizing med schools by tier, and are there any other factors I should be considering?
I will be doing a research internship at Northwell this summer (which will count towards volunteer hours), and hopefully start community service (required by my pre-health advisor, if I want a committee letter) as well. I intend on continuing hospital volunteering (patient care) and community service for as long as possible.
And finally, taking all of this into account is the big question: What are my chances at MD/DO, and what else can I do to improve them?
To all those who read through all of my pent-up concerns above and even respond, thank you, thank you for your patience and kindness...
As an undergrad I took two semesters each of General Chemistry and Biology, got a scattering of A's and B's, and while taking the first semester of Bio I also took Orgo I and got a C. After that I continued with Bio II but otherwise dropped the entire pre-med track, graduating with a 3.07 science GPA and 3.44 overall GPA.
After 3.5 years in the Army, I'm back for revenge and currently taking Orgo I and Physics I to ease back into academics, doing well (I think). I'm arranging my fall semester schedule and suddenly having a lot of concerns:
1) GPA: neither science nor overall GPA are great, so I am working to make 12+ credits sciences per semester for the next two semesters, like so:
Upcoming fall: Orgo II, Physics II, ? (<-- any advice on what to take here?)
Next spring: Biochem I, genetics, cell bio
This is where I'd ideally end my pre-reqs due to financial constraints, but I worry that these won't boost my science GPA enough to make me competitive. From reading various threads, it seems that it's more important to show that I can handle a course load like the above while doing the EC's (and "kill the MCATs"), but at the end of the day it's a numbers game. Do I have to inflate my GPA with more upper-level sciences?
2) I couldn't help but feel anxious when my pre-health advisor told me that most med schools prefer pre-reqs to be less than 5 years old (mine are 8+). I've looked at the non-traditional threads regarding old pre-reqs, but I'd really appreciate a realistic idea of how much this might hurt me when compared to the traditional applicant.
*my calculus class is actually AP calc credit from my ancient HS days, and it's gonna be 10+ years old by the time I apply. Should I retake this?...
3) I realize that answers to these concerns will be different depending on the med school, so I need help: How do I decide on my list of prospective schools? Location and price are important factors of course, and everyone refers to "tiers" of schools. Is there a definitive thread categorizing med schools by tier, and are there any other factors I should be considering?
I will be doing a research internship at Northwell this summer (which will count towards volunteer hours), and hopefully start community service (required by my pre-health advisor, if I want a committee letter) as well. I intend on continuing hospital volunteering (patient care) and community service for as long as possible.
And finally, taking all of this into account is the big question: What are my chances at MD/DO, and what else can I do to improve them?
To all those who read through all of my pent-up concerns above and even respond, thank you, thank you for your patience and kindness...