Checkpoint: Am I kind of on the right track?

[Ragtime]

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Right now I'm just midway through my 2nd year of community college with a weak cGPA of 3.1. I've only taken one science course so far, (I wanted to get my GE and major prep out of the way first). I can transfer to a university sooner and finish my B.A. in psychology, but I was thinking about finishing all the premed before transferring.

Here's a sample of what I'm trying to accomplish as of now at my community college prior to transfer.

Semesters: (the summer and winter sessions are only 6-weeks)
Spring: Chem 1 and Trig
Summer: Pre-cal
Fall: Chem 2 and Cell/Intermolecular Bio 1
Win: skip? Can you really learn enough in 6 weeks for the premed requirements??

Spring: Cell/Intermolecular Bio 2, and Organic Chem 1
Summer:
Fall: Organic Chem 2, Calc 1
Win:

I can take one more semester in community college but that's like 3 years before I transfer! I was thinking of maybe completing Calc 2 and taking the Physics series at the UNI while I take my upper division psychology courses to save time.

The science course I took was only an Chemistry Fundamental Class which I believe doesn't satisfy the medical school pre-req for my first semester of General Chemistry. I didn't do well--I got a C (but it's just a little prep course)--but I was thinking it was just a little review class for me so that I could be prepared for Gen Chem 1. I didn't do very well in high school so I'm working my way up from the bottom. For example, I'm barely going to take Trig next semester.

My progress as of now:
cGPA of 3.1
Volunteer Experience at Emergency Dept. of Loma Linda University Medical Center
Volunteer Wrestling Coach for High School
Professional Artist Music Producer
Part-time work
*I only register an average of 8 units per semester.

While it's still early I am hoping to get some advice based on my circumstances. I know my GPA isn't that great, but I really try to involve myself in different ECs which is probably why my GPA is low right now.

Should I cut down on (sacrifice) my ECs and focus more on my grades? Realistically, am I potentially on the right track as a Osteopathic Pre-med?

 

[MedPR]

Right now I'm just midway through my 2nd year of community college with a weak cGPA of 3.1. I've only taken one science course so far, (I wanted to get my GE and major prep out of the way first). I can transfer to a university sooner and finish my B.A. in psychology, but I was thinking about finishing all the premed before transferring.

Here's a sample of what I'm trying to accomplish as of now at my community college prior to transfer.

Semesters: (the summer and winter sessions are only 6-weeks)
Spring: Chem 1 and Trig
Summer: Pre-cal
Fall: Chem 2 and Cell/Intermolecular Bio 1
Win: skip? Can you really learn enough in 6 weeks for the premed requirements??

Spring: Cell/Intermolecular Bio 2, and Organic Chem 1
Summer:
Fall: Organic Chem 2, Calc 1
Win:

I can take one more semester in community college but that's like 3 years before I transfer! I was thinking of maybe completing Calc 2 and taking the Physics series at the UNI while I take my upper division psychology courses to save time.

The science course I took was only an Chemistry Fundamental Class which I believe doesn't satisfy the medical school pre-req for my first semester of General Chemistry. I didn't do well--I got a C (but it's just a little prep course)--but I was thinking it was just a little review class for me so that I could be prepared for Gen Chem 1. I didn't do very well in high school so I'm working my way up from the bottom. For example, I'm barely going to take Trig next semester.

My progress as of now:
cGPA of 3.1
Volunteer Experience at Emergency Dept. of Loma Linda University Medical Center
Volunteer Wrestling Coach for High School
Professional Artist Music Producer
Part-time work
*I only register an average of 8 units per semester.

While it's still early I am hoping to get some advice based on my circumstances. I know my GPA isn't that great, but I really try to involve myself in different ECs which is probably why my GPA is low right now.

Should I cut down on (sacrifice) my ECs and focus more on my grades? Realistically, am I potentially on the right track as a Osteopathic Pre-med?

3.1 at a community college is way off track. Do not take your Prereqs at community college. You should be able to handle ECs and community college coursework.

Sent from my SGH-T999 using SDN Mobile

 

[darklabel]

Whats your last semester GPA? Anything 3.5+ is on the right track (I'm assuming that you're coming off from (a) bad semester(s). As for time, you seem to be doing ok. Definitely seems like you won't be applying anytime soon

Good luck!

 

[MedPR]

Whats your last semester GPA? Anything 3.5+ is on the right track (I'm assuming that you're coming off from (a) bad semester(s). As for time, you seem to be doing ok. Definitely seems like you won't be applying anytime soon

Good luck!

Idk. 3.5 as a part-time student at a community college is still questionable.

 

[Ragtime]

Thanks for the response guys. So I guess an upward trend is something that would help me, and of course the obvious, which is to raise my GPA. But not focusing on scores/marks/gpa factors right now, am I on the right track in terms time-planning?


From this point, as in taking classes:

In 2 Years: Bio 1 & 2, Chem 1 & 2, O.Chem 1&2, Calc 1 (while maintaining ECs)

In next 2 Years: Transfer to UNI taking upper division courses along with Calc 2 and the Physics series. Also I will take the MCAT within these next 2 years.



By then, I'd have all the premed requirements done along with completing my psychology BA.

I'm not looking for a "What are my chances?" kind of thread, but instead, I'm trying to find out if my time-outline is on the right track.

Also, I read some threads on here that explained DO schools are preferable for nontraditional premed students along with well-roundedness

 

[Ragtime]

Thanks for the response guys. So I guess an upward trend is something that would help me, and of course the obvious, which is to raise my GPA. But not focusing on scores/marks/gpa factors right now, am I on the right track in terms time-planning?


From this point, as in taking classes:

In 2 Years: Bio 1 & 2, Chem 1 & 2, O.Chem 1&2, Calc 1 (while maintaining ECs)

In next 2 Years: Transfer to UNI taking upper division courses along with Calc 2 and the Physics series. Also I will take the MCAT within these next 2 years.



By then, I'd have all the premed requirements done along with completing my psychology BA.

I'm not looking for a "What are my chances?" kind of thread, but instead, I'm trying to find out if my time-outline is on the right track.

Also, I read some threads on here that explained DO schools are preferable for nontraditional premed students along with well-roundedness

From all my research about premed, that's the timeline I came up with, but I was thinking maybe the more-informed members on here can modify my plan.

Any advice on a timeline based on my factors and circumstances?

 

[MedPR]

Thanks for the response guys. So I guess an upward trend is something that would help me, and of course the obvious, which is to raise my GPA. But not focusing on scores/marks/gpa factors right now, am I on the right track in terms time-planning?


From this point, as in taking classes:

In 2 Years: Bio 1 & 2, Chem 1 & 2, O.Chem 1&2, Calc 1 (while maintaining ECs)

In next 2 Years: Transfer to UNI taking upper division courses along with Calc 2 and the Physics series. Also I will take the MCAT within these next 2 years.



By then, I'd have all the premed requirements done along with completing my psychology BA.

I'm not looking for a "What are my chances?" kind of thread, but instead, I'm trying to find out if my time-outline is on the right track.

Also, I read some threads on here that explained DO schools are preferable for nontraditional premed students along with well-roundedness

Do not take pre-reqs at CC if you can help it. People like to say DO schools are more friendly to those types of applicants, yes.

 

[LaCroix09]

Thanks for the response guys. So I guess an upward trend is something that would help me, and of course the obvious, which is to raise my GPA. But not focusing on scores/marks/gpa factors right now, am I on the right track in terms time-planning?


From this point, as in taking classes:

In 2 Years: Bio 1 & 2, Chem 1 & 2, O.Chem 1&2, Calc 1 (while maintaining ECs)

In next 2 Years: Transfer to UNI taking upper division courses along with Calc 2 and the Physics series. Also I will take the MCAT within these next 2 years.



By then, I'd have all the premed requirements done along with completing my psychology BA.

I'm not looking for a "What are my chances?" kind of thread, but instead, I'm trying to find out if my time-outline is on the right track.

Also, I read some threads on here that explained DO schools are preferable for nontraditional premed students along with well-roundedness

I do not believe that they prefer non-trads, it's just that they're more accepting of them. With that being said, it seems like both of my schools in-state have a similar number of folks older than 22. D.O. schools do, however, prefer well-rounded, personable students to students with stellar academics and less-than-awesome personability.

Apply to both, though, you never know where you might end up.

 

[Ragtime]

I do not believe that they prefer non-trads, it's just that they're more accepting of them. With that being said, it seems like both of my schools in-state have a similar number of folks older than 22. D.O. schools do, however, prefer well-rounded, personable students to students with stellar academics and less-than-awesome personability.

Apply to both, though, you never know where you might end up.

Right, I meant that nontraditional students prefer to go to a DO school. Thanks for everyone's advice!

 

[MedPR]

Right, I meant that nontraditional students prefer to go to a DO school. Thanks for everyone's advice!

I don't know why non-trads would prefer to go to DO school. Neither MD nor DO schools offer anything special to non-trads as a whole.

Edit: If anything, I would say non-trads prefer MD (based on the two assumptions below) school because MD students have a much lower chance of needing to do MS3 at a location(s) far from MS1-MS2.
Assumption 1: Non-trads either have a family or are at an age where they are wanting to start a family
Assumption 2: non-trads don't want to relocate for a year for clerkships.

 

[Goro]

I disagree with your assumptions. Medicine is a calling, and so I've found my applicants and students are willing to make sacrifices. I concur with the earlier post that DO programs are more accepting of non-trads.

I don't know why non-trads would prefer to go to DO school. Neither MD nor DO schools offer anything special to non-trads as a whole.

Edit: If anything, I would say non-trads prefer MD (based on the two assumptions below) school because MD students have a much lower chance of needing to do MS3 at a location(s) far from MS1-MS2.
Assumption 1: Non-trads either have a family or are at an age where they are wanting to start a family
Assumption 2: non-trads don't want to relocate for a year for clerkships.

 

[pre med 2014]

I would transfer and do your pre reqs at a university. If you can pull off a 3.1+ in your science classes at a university you will have a chance at DO and will be better prepared to do well on the MCAT

Though, if you got a 3.1 in easy classes I don't know how you will be able to do in science classes without making some changes

 

[pre med 2014]

I don't know why non-trads would prefer to go to DO school. Neither MD nor DO schools offer anything special to non-trads as a whole.

Edit: If anything, I would say non-trads prefer MD (based on the two assumptions below) school because MD students have a much lower chance of needing to do MS3 at a location(s) far from MS1-MS2.
Assumption 1: Non-trads either have a family or are at an age where they are wanting to start a family
Assumption 2: non-trads don't want to relocate for a year for clerkships.

Assumption 3: non trads have lower GPAs

 

[Goro]

Yeah, you seem to be a bit overextended in your ECs. Your academic plans are fine, but I expect you to get in the B+/A range to be competetive for DO programs. Suggest dropping the coaching and music producing for now.

Right now I'm just midway through my 2nd year of community college with a weak cGPA of 3.1. I've only taken one science course so far, (I wanted to get my GE and major prep out of the way first). I can transfer to a university sooner and finish my B.A. in psychology, but I was thinking about finishing all the premed before transferring.

Here's a sample of what I'm trying to accomplish as of now at my community college prior to transfer.

Semesters: (the summer and winter sessions are only 6-weeks)
Spring: Chem 1 and Trig
Summer: Pre-cal
Fall: Chem 2 and Cell/Intermolecular Bio 1
Win: skip? Can you really learn enough in 6 weeks for the premed requirements??

Spring: Cell/Intermolecular Bio 2, and Organic Chem 1
Summer:
Fall: Organic Chem 2, Calc 1
Win:

I can take one more semester in community college but that's like 3 years before I transfer! I was thinking of maybe completing Calc 2 and taking the Physics series at the UNI while I take my upper division psychology courses to save time.

The science course I took was only an Chemistry Fundamental Class which I believe doesn't satisfy the medical school pre-req for my first semester of General Chemistry. I didn't do well--I got a C (but it's just a little prep course)--but I was thinking it was just a little review class for me so that I could be prepared for Gen Chem 1. I didn't do very well in high school so I'm working my way up from the bottom. For example, I'm barely going to take Trig next semester.

My progress as of now:
cGPA of 3.1
Volunteer Experience at Emergency Dept. of Loma Linda University Medical Center
Volunteer Wrestling Coach for High School
Professional Artist Music Producer
Part-time work
*I only register an average of 8 units per semester.

While it's still early I am hoping to get some advice based on my circumstances. I know my GPA isn't that great, but I really try to involve myself in different ECs which is probably why my GPA is low right now.

Should I cut down on (sacrifice) my ECs and focus more on my grades? Realistically, am I potentially on the right track as a Osteopathic Pre-med?