Hello,
I have an issue that I could really use some advice with. Although this is not a "what are my chances" post, I feel it necessary to give some background information to hopefully paint a clearer picture of what I am going through.
I am a 22 year old senior at my state school, and I will be graduating this fall. If I do what I am capable of doing this semester, I expect to graduate with a 3.35. My GPA history looks like this,
1st semester - 2.51
2nd semester - 2.75
3rd semester - 3.00
4th semester - 3.3
5th semester - 3.3
6th semester - 3.3
7th semester - 4.0
8th semester - 4.0
9th (this) semester - (assuming 4.0)
So, if I do what I need to this semester, I will graduate this December with a 3.35. My EC's, I feel, are solid, and most likely slightly above average.
I have been planning to apply in the Spring on 2010. I have been debating whether or not I should take classes in the spring (as a post bacc), do well, and push my GPA to a 3.4. If my calculations are correct, I would need a 4.0 in about ~10-11 credits to bump my cumulative GPA up to a 3.4.
But, here is the compounding factor - I haven't taken the MCAT. I was planning on studying for it this past summer, but spent most of my time training and working as an EKG Technician, a position that I still hold.
So, I could either graduate with a 3.35, start studying for the MCAT in mid December, and do nothing but study for my test, which would likely be scheduled for March.
OR, I could schedule those 10-11 credits I need, do well on those in the spring, and hopefully get my GPA to a 4.0. Of course, if I go this route, I won't have as much time to dedicate towards the MCAT, and may have to push the test date back to April or May (which may be my only shot at the exam).
So, does anyone have any advice for me? Will there be a significant difference between a 3.35 and a 3.4? I'm not trying to get into a top 5 school - my state schools are my #1 choice (and I don't live in Cal or in the Northeast...). I've been thinking about this for weeks, and after a few Google searches I found this site - so hopefully a few here could provide some genuine advice for me.
Thanks.
I have an issue that I could really use some advice with. Although this is not a "what are my chances" post, I feel it necessary to give some background information to hopefully paint a clearer picture of what I am going through.
I am a 22 year old senior at my state school, and I will be graduating this fall. If I do what I am capable of doing this semester, I expect to graduate with a 3.35. My GPA history looks like this,
1st semester - 2.51
2nd semester - 2.75
3rd semester - 3.00
4th semester - 3.3
5th semester - 3.3
6th semester - 3.3
7th semester - 4.0
8th semester - 4.0
9th (this) semester - (assuming 4.0)
So, if I do what I need to this semester, I will graduate this December with a 3.35. My EC's, I feel, are solid, and most likely slightly above average.
I have been planning to apply in the Spring on 2010. I have been debating whether or not I should take classes in the spring (as a post bacc), do well, and push my GPA to a 3.4. If my calculations are correct, I would need a 4.0 in about ~10-11 credits to bump my cumulative GPA up to a 3.4.
But, here is the compounding factor - I haven't taken the MCAT. I was planning on studying for it this past summer, but spent most of my time training and working as an EKG Technician, a position that I still hold.
So, I could either graduate with a 3.35, start studying for the MCAT in mid December, and do nothing but study for my test, which would likely be scheduled for March.
OR, I could schedule those 10-11 credits I need, do well on those in the spring, and hopefully get my GPA to a 4.0. Of course, if I go this route, I won't have as much time to dedicate towards the MCAT, and may have to push the test date back to April or May (which may be my only shot at the exam).
So, does anyone have any advice for me? Will there be a significant difference between a 3.35 and a 3.4? I'm not trying to get into a top 5 school - my state schools are my #1 choice (and I don't live in Cal or in the Northeast...). I've been thinking about this for weeks, and after a few Google searches I found this site - so hopefully a few here could provide some genuine advice for me.
Thanks.
