Critique my plan, please.

[FelixMD]

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The past couple of semesters have had me rethink my strategy for getting into medical school. It's largely been due to an increasing workload and decreasing GPA.

Stats:
Senior (spring will be 2nd semester)

Majors: Biology and Biochemistry

sGPA: 3.357
cGPA: 3.65

MCAT: (soon, anticipate 30+)

EC: I have been involved with the honors student council as a chair for one year, the student ACS chapter chair one year, NORML chair for one year, rotary club chair one year, various random community service through Service on Saturday (40+ hours). Very active in all. I have seen about 6 surgeons and 1 dentist do their work (each for only a day, so maybe 22 hours total, though I don't anticipate any recomendations from them). Volunteered in the ER of local hospital for about one semster sophomore year (40 hours total).

Jobs: I worked as a resident advisor for 1.75 years. I tutored the sciences for half a year then switched to SI instructing in biology (same boss) for another half year.

Anyway, I have really overloaded myself this and last semester. This semester I took 19 hours of class, taught SI (=3 credit hours), and started doing computational chemistry research (another 3 credit hours). Though the last two mentioned don't count toward my registered hours, this semester has been like taking 25 total, a total nightmare.

My grades will be mediocre this semester (anticipating one C in analytical lab, various Bs and a couple As).

I know a few bad grades don't demolish my chances, but here is the plan of attack to improve.

I will volunteer again in the ER from now until I matriculate, I will find a doctor to shadow frequently enough to gain recommendations, and I am taking only 15 hours in the coming 2-3 semesters of nothing but science courses in an attempt to boost my sGPA.

Does this sound like a good idea, going super senior, to make myself a more solid applicant? My advisor told me to get a masters, but I know my undergraduate GPA is the most important. This is why I think it's a better idea to continue into a 5th year. Also, there are other classes I want to take simply because of interest.

 

[aSagacious]

Moving to the 'what are my chances' forum.

 

[Catalystik]

sGPA: 3.357
cGPA: 3.65

MCAT: (soon, anticipate 30+)

EC:
-honors student council as a chair for one year
-student ACS chapter chair one year,
-NORML chair for one year,
-rotary club chair one year, various random community service through Service on Saturday (40+ hours).
-I have seen about 6 surgeons and 1 dentist do their work (each for only a day, so maybe 22 hours total,
- Volunteered in the ER of local hospital for about one semster sophomore year (40 hours total).


-resident advisor for 1.75 years.
-I tutored the sciences for half a year then switched to SI instructing in biology (same boss) for another half year.

- this semester has been like taking 25 total, a total nightmare.

My grades will be mediocre this semester (anticipating one C in analytical lab, various Bs and a couple As).


I will volunteer again in the ER from now until I matriculate,
I will find a doctor to shadow frequently enough to gain recommendations,
and I am taking only 15 hours in the coming 2-3 semesters of nothing but science courses in an attempt to boost my sGPA.

Does this sound like a good idea, going super senior, to make myself a more solid applicant? My advisor told me to get a masters, but I know my undergraduate GPA is the most important. This is why I think it's a better idea to continue into a 5th year.

If the current school is affordable, I think it would be preferable to stay in college a fifth year (maintaining registration priority) and boost the BCPM GPA with undergrad classes, getting near-straight As, and establishing an upward grade trend, before applying to med school. This would give you a gap year to fill, so strategize what you'd do during the application year.

In my opinion you definitely need more clinical experience. At least a additional year's worth would be nice on the application. You might try another area in the hospital to broaden your experience.

Be sure to shadow an office-based primary care doctor. It is the patient-doctor interaction you want to see, not the unconsious patient. A total of 50 hours is average for all shadowing.

I'm glad the community service include hands-on efforts to help others.

Consider the bright side of this semester's mediocre performance: you have great fodder for a Secondary essay on "Tell us about a challenge you overcame." You definitely need to address what you learned about overstretching your time management skills. Limiting your course load and excelling in your future grades will show you grew from the experience.

Any plans for research?

 

[FelixMD]

Catalystik, your feedback in invaluable, thank you.

I will certainly address this as it has been a huge eye-opener.

With the research I will continue dealing with estimating energies using computational chemistry until at least next spring. The summer between 4th and 5th year, I will have hopefully completed any MCAT stuff and will use the time to apply to an REU. I really like doing research, but I don't know that I could do it for comp. chem as a career. I would like, if I can, to continue some medically related research when I matriculate.

 

[FelixMD]

Any more feedback is greatly appreciated.

 

[futuredoc1004]

You are on track with your plan and advice given. Being Canadian, I don't know how important research is - I had no research experience and it did not affect me.

 

[FelixMD]

Awesome, Thanks! I guess I'm just nervous and looking for encouragement.

 

[futuredoc1004]

Happens to us all.