Am I making the right decisions?

[PB2464]

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Last semester was my first as an informal post-bac student and I took bio, chem, and physics (no labs, 10 hrs, 4.0 w/ 2 A+'s). I did not work, as I wanted to guarantee that I could handle school again after 8 years.
Well, I decided to take only 10 hrs again this semester, going against my advisor that I should be a full-time student. I also started ER volunteering 4 hrs/week. But, I'm finding that being a student is "easier" this semester and I have more free time. So, I regret only taking 10 hrs.

A little background info: Graduated in 2000 with degree in Biology, received C/D's in Org I/II and C in Physics II, took all prereqs and labs, 3.3 cum GPA, and never took the MCAT.

Should I feel guilty about only having 10 hrs this semester and will I need to explain this to adcoms? My ECs are particularly weak so I plan on using my free-time this semester to work on these.

How hard should I be working to raise my undergrad GPA? I only plan on retaking the prereqs and then taking the MCAT. If I continue with A's, I should be able to get my cum GPA near 3.4 for MD and almost 3.5 for DO.

Future Plans:

Spring '08: Bio II, Chem II, Physics II
Summer '08: Org I, possible EMT course
Fall '08: Org II, MCAT prep
January '09: Take MCAT
Spring '09: Apply. Take upper level courses? Retake Calc I? (received C)
-Keep in mind that I've already taken numerous upper level Biology courses due to my Bio degree and did fairly well...split of As/Bs.


Thanks in advance for any advise.

 

[OncoCaP]

Last semester was my first as an informal post-bac student and I took bio, chem, and physics (no labs, 10 hrs, 4.0 w/ 2 A+'s). I did not work, as I wanted to guarantee that I could handle school again after 8 years.
Well, I decided to take only 10 hrs again this semester, going against my advisor that I should be a full-time student. I also started ER volunteering 4 hrs/week. But, I'm finding that being a student is "easier" this semester and I have more free time. So, I regret only taking 10 hrs.

A little background info: Graduated in 2000 with degree in Biology, received C/D's in Org I/II and C in Physics II, took all prereqs and labs, 3.3 cum GPA, and never took the MCAT.

Should I feel guilty about only having 10 hrs this semester and will I need to explain this to adcoms? My ECs are particularly weak so I plan on using my free-time this semester to work on these.

How hard should I be working to raise my undergrad GPA? I only plan on retaking the prereqs and then taking the MCAT. If I continue with A's, I should be able to get my cum GPA near 3.4 for MD and almost 3.5 for DO.

Future Plans:

Spring '08: Bio II, Chem II, Physics II
Summer '08: Org I, possible EMT course
Fall '08: Org II, MCAT prep
January '09: Take MCAT
Spring '09: Apply. Take upper level courses? Retake Calc I? (received C)
-Keep in mind that I've already taken numerous upper level Biology courses due to my Bio degree and did fairly well...split of As/Bs.


Thanks in advance for any advise.

No, don't feel guilty. It should be easy to explain, especially as you take more hours per semester. Yes, focus on getting your GPA as high as possible to improve your options as much as possible.

 

[Percival]

OP, you sound a lot like me. Only, when I decided to pursue medicine, I only needed 24 hours total. I took 2x12 hour semesters and made all A's like you. I wouldn't worry about the admissions committe looking down on your 10 hour semesters. I'd be worried more aobut time! Don't you want to get finished?

 

[PB2464]

Well, I guess I could take Org I this summer, take the MCAT in August, and apply for '09. But, it just seemed like it was too much at one time and I'd be applying late. I just assume put more time into MCAT prep and apply as early as possible in the cycle for '10. This will also give me more time for EC's as well. I guess it's never too late. Any opinions?
Dang, I knew I should have started Gen Chem last summer.

 

[gman33]

What is your science GPA from UG and what do you project it to be when you are done? Retaking the classes is great for DO schools, but it is a lot of work to bring up your gpa if you count all your past grades.
If it is low, you may need to take some additional classes to get the science GPA up into the 3.5 range.

 

[njbmd]

If you already have a degree, you don't need to be "full-time". Use any extra time that you have to make some money or pursue something outside of medicine and the sciences. Perhaps you can do another volunteer exercise or do some preparation for the MCAT.

In the end, your grades and MCAT scores are going to be what gets you to the interview stage, not the number of hours that you took in any one semester. If want to take more hours, then add them during your next semester but keeping your grades up and getting the experiences that you need are you main concerns at this point.

 

[Percival]

I agree with njbmd. I don't think they really care about your number of hours so much. You need to do well on the MCAT. I think that will open more doors than your grades even. I can personally recommend the Kaplan course. I took it (it was expensive: $1300 or so), worked hard at doing their homework, and made a 30 on my first (and only) MCAT and got accepted pretty much immediately.

Also, don't worry about having all of your prereqs done before you take the MCAT. If you take the prep course like I did, you will learn a lot of stuff that you haven't covered in class yet, and you'll be fine. Just work hard!!