Entering Junior Year...

[TubingensenA]

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Hey, I just finished my sophomore year and I'm thinking one year before I apply. In high school I did PSEO and earned a 3.35 GPA while completing 60 credit hours of coursework. I am a chem major and my cGPA and sGPA are both ~3.29 which includes PSEO coursework and my current university grades. I have an upward trend of 2.98 cum freshman GPA to 3.58 cum sophomore GPA and hoping I can keep this trend going heading into junior year. My required course grades are:

Bio 1 and 2: C and B, respectively
Chem 1 and 2: C and C
Orgo 1 and 2: A and A
Orgo Lab 1 and 2: B+ and A, respectively
Physics 1 and 2: B and B+, respectively
Stats and Calc 1: A and A-, respectively
(my chem major obviously requires me to take other chem classes so I'm not retaking either gen chem, and I'm not taking P-Chem til senior year so I don't wreck my GPA even more)

I am starting research this upcoming fall and am expecting to spend ~15 hours a week in the lab since I'm earning credit for it as part of my chem major. I will have one year of research experience before I apply.
I volunteer at a hospital and have about 25 hours so far but I expect that I'll have about 3-4 times this by next summer when I'm thinking about applying.
I am currently trying to TA a course for the same professor that I am doing research with.
I worked the last month and a half of this spring semester for a total of about 90 hours and will continue working throughout the summer.
I worked last summer as well for a total of probably 500 hours.
(my EC's are dry but I try to do things that I genuinely care about or am interested in, I'm open to EC suggestions here)

I have a student conduct record from freshman year which included arguments with roommates (never physical) and an alcohol violation the second day of the school year. These scare me.

I guess my question is do I have any chance given that I maintain good grades and can bring my GPA up to 3.4's range by the time I apply? I'm URM but I really don't like thinking about any potential advantage from being URM. I don't have an MCAT yet as I am taking it in a little less than a year, but I am hoping to do well with a lot of studying.

 

[Catalystik]

I am starting research this upcoming fall and am expecting to spend ~15 hours a week in the lab since I'm earning credit for it as part of my chem major. I will have one year of research experience before I apply.
I volunteer at a hospital and have about 25 hours so far but I expect that I'll have about 3-4 times this by next summer when I'm thinking about applying.
I am currently trying to TA a course for the same professor that I am doing research with.
I worked the last month and a half of this spring semester for a total of about 90 hours and will continue working throughout the summer.
I worked last summer as well for a total of probably 500 hours.
(my EC's are dry but I try to do things that I genuinely care about or am interested in, I'm open to EC suggestions here)

Consider adding some nonmedical community service to those outside your campus, ideally for a cause you care about. It helps at many schools to show that you remain connected with folks that share your same background.

 

[TubingensenA]

Consider adding some nonmedical community service to those outside your campus, ideally for a cause you care about. It helps at many schools to show that you remain connected with folks that share your same background.

Thanks for your reply! I will definitely look into some off campus community service! Do you have any thoughts on the latter part of my post?

 

[Catalystik]

I have a student conduct record from freshman year which included arguments with roommates (never physical) and an alcohol violation the second day of the school year. These scare me.

Do you have any thoughts on the latter part of my post?

I doubt you'd want to reveal the level of detail that would be necessary to a definitive answer, but assuming these were low-level issues, you've had a clean record since, and you write a good essay explaining them, I don't think they'll hold you back.

As far as your last paragraph, a reliable prediction can't be made at this time. I suggest you aim for a 3.7+ during your next year, and even potentially during senior year before you apply, for your best shot at MD schools. DO schools are a more lenient option, if you continue on your current trajectory.

 

[TubingensenA]

I doubt you'd want to reveal the level of detail that would be necessary to a definitive answer, but assuming these were low-level issues, you've had a clean record since, and you write a good essay explaining them, I don't think they'll hold you back.

As far as your last paragraph, a reliable prediction can't be made at this time. I suggest you aim for a 3.7+ during your next year, and even potentially during senior year before you apply, for your best shot at MD schools. DO schools are a more lenient option, if you continue on your current trajectory.

I would consider them relatively low level issues. Multiple cases is my biggest worry I think.

Unfortunately my GPA will forever be held down by my 3.35 PSEO GPA from high school. I can get to 3.45 with all A's during my junior year and maybe a 3.5 with all A's during my senior year too.

 

[TubingensenA]

Anyone else have any opinions?

And I actually got a B+ in physics 2 so that gives me a sophomore year cGPA of 3.63. Up from a 2.98 GPA from freshman year. University cumGPA of about 3.29. Overall cumulative (PSEO included) of about 3.3.

 

[cactus8910]

Keep working hard and bringing up our GPA. After you have your junior year fall semester grades, reevaluate. You may want to wait until your senior year to apply so you have more time to raise your GPA. You may want to apply to DO schools if your GPA ends up below the average for most MD schools. The upward trend (and URM status) will help you, so I would say you definitely have a shot if you keep your grades up and apply wisely.

 

[TubingensenA]

Keep working hard and bringing up our GPA. After you have your junior year fall semester grades, reevaluate. You may want to wait until your senior year to apply so you have more time to raise your GPA. You may want to apply to DO schools if your GPA ends up below the average for most MD schools. The upward trend (and URM status) will help you, so I would say you definitely have a shot if you keep your grades up and apply wisely.

Okay I will definitely consider your advice. Thank you! I'm thinking more and more about waiting until right after senior year where the possibility of my GPA being at least a 3.5 is likely.