Do I have a chance? - Sophmore

[joebell]

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Hey guys, first post here. I've been freaking out a little bit over the past few weeks, so I've decided to post this and see if I have a chance.

Basics:

Caucasian middle class from Florida, going to a state university
No history of medicine in the family
Overall GPA: 3.72
Science GPA: 3.82
I'm a sophomore Biology major hoping to get a minor in Chemistry and Biomedical Physics.

Grades:

Freshman Fall Semester
English - A
Chem 1 - A
Chem 1 Lab - A-
Psych - B
Precal - A-

Freshman Spring Semester
Chem 2 - A
Chem 2 Lab - A
Bio 1 - A
Bio 1 Lab - A
Nutrition - A-
Trig - B+

Sophomore Fall Semester
Orgo 1 - A
Calc - A-/B+
Liberal Arts - A-/B+
Physics 1 - A
Physics 1 Lab - A

Other Stuff:

-100+ volunteering in a children's clinic
- Around 30 hours of shadowing
- Medical mission trip to a 3rd world country through a little-known organization
- Heavy involved and hoping to be on the exec board of one of the largest student-run philanthropies in our region
- No research/lab experience (yet)
- Very little community involvement (except for the philanthropy)
- Member of a Pre-Med Honors society

Basically, I'm really worried about my extracurriculars and my clinical experience. I can definitely maintain/improve my GPA without a problem, but it's the other stuff that is worrying me. What do you all think of my chances and what should I do to improve my chances? I'm looking to go out of state and to a decent MD school. Thanks!

 

[Catalystik]

Since you're only a sophomore, I think you're making excellent progress and clearly have an idea of the weaknesses among your ECs. Do you have some research lined up for next semester? Can you start some hands-on, local, nonmedical community service soon? Any plan for some teaching (Tutoring, TA, coaching, mentoring), maybe provided to benefit the poor in your community?

I'm sure you will continue to acquire clinical experience and shadowing hours, and the planned leadership gig sounds good.

So, don't be "worried."

 

[Nymphicus]

You are doing great. To answer your question, yes, you definitely have a "chance".

 

[joebell]

Catalystik, thank you for your input.

Unfortunately, I don't have any research lined up for next semester. I've been trying over the past few weeks, and they've all fallen through. Still trying to get something though.

As for the nonmedical community service: I have kinda shoved that under the rug this semester so I could focus on school and the philanthropy thing. Hopefully I'll be able to pick that up next semester.

And for tutoring, I haven't thought about that. I've been toying around with the idea of some unofficial tutoring at my university aka putting up flyers and such. But I'm assuming you mean going tutoring kids in schools in my area. I'll definitely look into that. I know a few of my friends who are studying education do something similar, and I'll try to get some information on it.

Thanks again for your input. Makes me feel a lot better!

Oh also, is there some sort of system in which I should record my shadowing hours? Or should I just keep my own record?

EDIT: Thank you too, Nymphicus!

 

[dreamweaver1988]

Hey guys, first post here. I've been freaking out a little bit over the past few weeks, so I've decided to post this and see if I have a chance.

Basics:

Caucasian middle class from Florida, going to a state university
No history of medicine in the family
Overall GPA: 3.72
Science GPA: 3.82
I'm a sophomore Biology major hoping to get a minor in Chemistry and Biomedical Physics.

Grades:

Freshman Fall Semester
English - A
Chem 1 - A
Chem 1 Lab - A-
Psych - B
Precal - A-

Freshman Spring Semester
Chem 2 - A
Chem 2 Lab - A
Bio 1 - A
Bio 1 Lab - A
Nutrition - A-
Trig - B+

Sophomore Fall Semester
Orgo 1 - A
Calc - A-/B+
Liberal Arts - A-/B+
Physics 1 - A
Physics 1 Lab - A

Other Stuff:

-100+ volunteering in a children's clinic
- Around 30 hours of shadowing
- Medical mission trip to a 3rd world country through a little-known organization
- Heavy involved and hoping to be on the exec board of one of the largest student-run philanthropies in our region
- No research/lab experience (yet)
- Very little community involvement (except for the philanthropy)
- Member of a Pre-Med Honors society

Basically, I'm really worried about my extracurriculars and my clinical experience. I can definitely maintain/improve my GPA without a problem, but it's the other stuff that is worrying me. What do you all think of my chances and what should I do to improve my chances? I'm looking to go out of state and to a decent MD school. Thanks!

Looking really good so far, I would say try to push up your cumulative GPA. If you can do well in the hard sciences, you should be able to breeze through the soft sciences.

 

[Catalystik]

Oh also, is there some sort of system in which I should record my shadowing hours? Or should I just keep my own record?

It is fine to keep your own records about times of involvement.