Chance me

[predmed2014]

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Hey guys im pretty worried about getting into medical school. Below are my GPA and extracurriculars. I'm a chemistry major/math minor/nutrition minor and a junior.

chemistry 1 B+
chemistry 2 B+
biology 1 A
biology 2 B+
orgo 1 B
orgo 2 C+
chemistry lab A
animal science A
calculus 1 A
calculus 2 A
calculus 3 B+
calculus 4 A
physics 1 B
physics 2 B+
physics lab 1 A
physics lab 2 B+
chemistry course A
chemistry course B
chemistry course A
biochemistry 1 B
intro writing B
school requirement course A
school requirement course A
school requirement course A
research A
psychology 1 B+
genetics 1 B
economics 1 B+
statistics 1 B+
math reasoning B

My overall GPA is around a 3.5 and im really worried about my C+ and B's in courses. It's not that I don't understand the material, its that I can't apply it on tests or I'm too stressed during finals week because the semester test grades go generally well for me. Maybe taking about 18-20 credits a semester also takes a toll on my grades? Also, I have a year of research experience in organometallics and I will do shadowing this summer or spring. I don't have a lot of extracurriculars because all my free time is devoted to research because the synthesis is very intensive. I probably have around >300 hours of research and thats just for 1 semester. I also have around 150 hours of volunteer work. I have not attemped the MCAT's yet. What do you guys think in improving? Also, I think I have a good chance at getting straight A's next semester since I'm not taking as much stressful classes. What else should I add to my resume? Thanks a lot for the feedback.

 

[Goro]

Numbers are fuine, so quit fussing about one C+. You should be at 3.6 to be fully competitive for most MD programs but with a solid MCAT you're fine for the low-tiers. Currently, you're also fine for any DO program.


With the stress you're under, you're doing pretty good. BUT, medical school will be a LOT more stressful, so find a way to deal with that. Suggest seeing a counselor or your school's education specialists. We're addicted to constant high-stakes standardized tests, and so that's a skill set you need to develop.


My overall GPA is around a 3.5 and im really worried about my C+ and B's in courses. It's not that I don't understand the material, its that I can't apply it on tests or I'm too stressed during finals week because the semester test grades go generally well for me.


My students are taking about 30-40 hrs a semester. Medical school is hard.

Maybe taking about 18-20 credits a semester also takes a toll on my grades?

You haven't mentioned what your volunteer work is, so, just to make sure, consider that you're going to be spending the next 4- years being around sick and injured people, youmight want to find out if you actually like that sort of thing. So, if haven't already gotten some patient contact experience, you do need to display your altruism.

Also, I have a year of research experience in organometallics and I will do shadowing this summer or spring.

Wow! That's a lot! I commend your diligence, but just beware of the "why not just get a PhD?" questions at interviews.

I don't have a lot of extracurriculars because all my free time is devoted to research because the synthesis is very intensive. I probably have around >300 hours of research and thats just for 1 semester. I also have around 150 hours of volunteer work. I have not attemped the MCAT's yet. What do you guys think in improving?

 

[halterst]

Grades look pretty good to me!

Research is looking great too! Any chance on a publication?

I didn't see it anywhere, but by your class list, it seems like you're nearing graduation. What I would suggest is to take a gap year. Many, many students do this. Take some time, work on your clinical/community ECs, and study your ass of for the MCAT. A year after grad, you should be fine to apply to MDs.

Good luck!