Doom and gloom ahead: my chances

[somename]

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Hello all,

So I would really appreciate it if seasoned medical school applicants could help me out. Here's how my profile looks right now:

I am a junior

Institution A: GPA:3.55
Institution B (transferred here): GPA 2.66

I've gotten three Cs overall- Calc I first year of college, first semester; Stats C+ and Biophysics C (at my new school).

My other grades have ranged from B+ to As. I think my science GPA is very much affected by the Cs, but otherwise I've gotten B+ to As in other science courses.

Math related things are not my strong suit.

I've gotten more worried this semester because I have to withdraw from a course in which I am going to get another C. This happened because I took six courses this semester (and I transfered to a top 20 liberal arts school so we have a reputation for a heavy courseload).

My other grades this semester are going to be
biochem A- w/ lab
advanced orgo A (seminar)
developmental econ A
indp study A (2CR)
advanced microscopy A (2CR) w/ lab
social policy politics C/C-

The W is going to show on my transcript.

My ECs so far have been:
president of engineer club
director of volunteer org
extensive nanotech research (I've gotten published).
clinical experience
work as EMT


I am going to take a year off to do more research or clinical work. I will apply in Aug 2012.

Other info: I am from a below the poverty line immigrant family (came here in 2002), my family is still struggling and last semester we weren't even sure if I could continue college. To top it off, my mother was afflicted with a terrible disease which really worried me about her mortality. In short, I am sort of giving excuses for why I did so poorly last semester (2.66).

I hope to do great on the MCAT (38+ fingerscrossed!), though I am worried about the physics section.

My apps are going to go to a lot of schools, from Harvard, UConn, BU med etc.

So please give me your advice and comments, and try not to be too mean I feel bad enough as it is.

Maya

 

[Contrarian]

have you taken practice MCAT exams?

 

[somename]

I've never taken an entire exam in one sitting, I've done it in bits and pieces, my highest score was 34 minus the essay section. I got most of the physics questions wrong.

 

[Dyingduck]

Hey, don't worry, I am in the same boat with similar background (immigrant, poverty, cancer) and ECs (research, clinical, EMT, ES, Wushu, etc.)

I got a 3.9 my first few years then a 2.5 my last year = 3.6 overall.

I would only suggest to not make any excuse.

 

[rockymhs]

MCAT can only do so much, and it will compensate for your low GPA only for certain extent.

You need to figure out a way to improve your GPA fast. I suggest you stop taking any more math classes since you won't be needing them anymore. As for physics, I suggest getting some help from a tutor because once you get the conceptual aspect down, only math you need is simple algebra.

As for MCAT, try taking the entire test and see where you stand. It is a much more accurate way of evaluating than adding scores of different sections that you took sepearately.

And keep chugging with your ECs as you have been doing.

 

[JJMrK]

Moving to "What are my Chances?" sub-forum.

 

[Catalystik]

One W won't destroy your chances. If that was for the Social Policy Politics class, then you'll get near straight As otherwise. That brings your cumulative GPA for the second school to ~3.33. With one more semester of straight As, your GPA is 3.55 overall at the end of this year. And you'll continue to raise it during your final year of college. If the W was not for the Social Policy Politics, then you need to start getting straight As to pull your cGPA up as soon as possible. There are other ways to repair a mediocre academic record, but they take time and money. Best to do it right the first time.

Does being the president of an engineering club mean you're an engineering major? If so, have you considered changing to a less math-intensive major?

Your ECs are coming along very nicely. Don't be so over-involved though, that you sabotage your #1 priority of a high GPA. Don't forget to get in some shadowing eventually.

 

[somename]

I was elected president b/c I am well liked.

But thanks for the advice. I am just freaking out.

And I talked with my professor, he says that I will actually end up with a B for that class. Again, I am just freaking out.

 

[Catalystik]

That you did so well this semester after a slow start at a new school is cause to rejoice. Keep up the good work.