I'm a sophomore political science major, and I've decided within the last 6 months that I would like to go to med school. Although I've got a 3.83 GPA, I'm a little worried because I've only taken one science course so far (physics 1, but I got an A-). I intend to take chem 1 and zoology this summer at a community college (A's in both I hope). Since we have three academic terms, I plan to take chem 2 and another bio class in the fall, orgo 1 and physics 2 in the winter, and orgo 2 in the spring. Based on what I know about our professors, I think I could get A/A-'s in the chem and bio classes and B/B+'s in the orgo classes.
I am also a little worried because I don't have a billion (or so it seems) volunteer hours in a medical setting that other people seem to have, but I've got some pretty good ec's. I am a soldier in the Army National Guard and I will be doing ROTC in the fall. In the Army, I've served as an indirect fire infantryman and a legal specialist, and I'm going to be transferring into a medical unit this spring. I've also played Div III college football for the last two years, done student government, and have worked on campus as a writing tutor. As far as volunteer activities, I worked for a nature preserve the summer before college, I'm volunteering with the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation this spring, and I also voluteer to do campus tours to incoming freshman. However, I do intend to do some doctor job shadowing this summer and next fall.
I'd really appreciate any feedback. I'm just kinda worried because I haven't taken most of the science classes (but I anticipate doing pretty well in them), and for the fact that I haven't had much medical volunteer experience. Our school's pre-med program has a great reputation for kids doing well on the mcat, so I'm not too concerned about that (at the very least, I'd rock the verbal as a poli sci major). I really want to go to my state school, UW-Madison, and I'm going to apply early decision to have the best chance. Anyway, thanks for putting up with this rather long winded summary of my college life!
I am also a little worried because I don't have a billion (or so it seems) volunteer hours in a medical setting that other people seem to have, but I've got some pretty good ec's. I am a soldier in the Army National Guard and I will be doing ROTC in the fall. In the Army, I've served as an indirect fire infantryman and a legal specialist, and I'm going to be transferring into a medical unit this spring. I've also played Div III college football for the last two years, done student government, and have worked on campus as a writing tutor. As far as volunteer activities, I worked for a nature preserve the summer before college, I'm volunteering with the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation this spring, and I also voluteer to do campus tours to incoming freshman. However, I do intend to do some doctor job shadowing this summer and next fall.
I'd really appreciate any feedback. I'm just kinda worried because I haven't taken most of the science classes (but I anticipate doing pretty well in them), and for the fact that I haven't had much medical volunteer experience. Our school's pre-med program has a great reputation for kids doing well on the mcat, so I'm not too concerned about that (at the very least, I'd rock the verbal as a poli sci major). I really want to go to my state school, UW-Madison, and I'm going to apply early decision to have the best chance. Anyway, thanks for putting up with this rather long winded summary of my college life!
