- Joined
- Jun 24, 2016
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Hi everyone. I'm entering my third year at my university. I'm trying to figure out a plan of action to finish my last 2 years strong. This is going to be long, but I appreciate any kind souls who have a few minutes to spare.
I currently have a cGPA of 3.19 and my science GPA is a 2.57. I was struggling with depression/anxiety for my first 2 years which contributed to the lower grades, but it was actually ADD that was the main culprit. With treatment and medication, I am doing very well - I've been able to concentrate properly, complete tasks well ahead of time, managed to take a CC course in organic chemistry and received an A when I previously received a C- at my university. I'm more confident about pursuing medicine, but that leaves me with a poor GPA to fix and trying to figure out my path after graduation.
1) Even if I do well in all my courses for the next 2 years, I'm still looking at a cGPA and sGPA that will not be as competitive for medical school. Should I re-take the classes I got a low GPA in (physics, calculus I for example), enroll in a SMP, or apply for one of the post-bacc pre-med programs (not sure if this is the same or different than a SMP)? I want to make myself as good as a candidate as possible so I will be taking a minimum of 2 gap years to increase my chances.
2) As far as ECs/research/volunteering, I'm not sure what I should focus on more. So far, I have research experience - biology & neuroscience over 2 summers (but I don't really enjoy research). I do a lot of volunteering/interning, but I'm worried that it seems all over the place (180 hours as a volunteer intern at a healthcare related non-profit, 400 hours this summer as a intern at 2 healthcare related non-profits, mentor for disadvantaged high school students who want to go to college, 50+ hours volunteering and coordinating projects at dog shelter, and some volunteer hours at the Ronald McDonald House Charities). And then I play in a community orchestra and I'm an executive member for my university's chapter of the pre-health fraternity. I've shadowed as well with a infectious disease physician (100+ hours), a urologist (in Thailand), and internists (in Thailand). Planning to shadow more specialties and DO doctors during winter breaks and the summer.
This year, I'm trying to find an organization I can volunteer with and commit to for a long time. I think I have too many interests and causes I want to help with and I don't really have clinical experience. I'm interested in applying to work with a domestic and sexual abuse organization that sends volunteers to provide resources and information to victims of abuse while they're at local hospitals or to help with their hotline service. Would the former count as clinical volunteering?
Or there are opportunities to work more with the Ronald McDonald House Charities as a volunteer in their children's center (interacting with patients and/or the families of patients) in a nearby hospital. Would that count as clinical as well?
I always appreciate the no BS, no sugar-coating attitude many people have on this forum. This is my first post but I've looked at different threads to get some advice as well. My mental health has hindered me, yes, but I'm still here, and just ready to do well as a pre-med student. Any advice is helpful.
I currently have a cGPA of 3.19 and my science GPA is a 2.57. I was struggling with depression/anxiety for my first 2 years which contributed to the lower grades, but it was actually ADD that was the main culprit. With treatment and medication, I am doing very well - I've been able to concentrate properly, complete tasks well ahead of time, managed to take a CC course in organic chemistry and received an A when I previously received a C- at my university. I'm more confident about pursuing medicine, but that leaves me with a poor GPA to fix and trying to figure out my path after graduation.
1) Even if I do well in all my courses for the next 2 years, I'm still looking at a cGPA and sGPA that will not be as competitive for medical school. Should I re-take the classes I got a low GPA in (physics, calculus I for example), enroll in a SMP, or apply for one of the post-bacc pre-med programs (not sure if this is the same or different than a SMP)? I want to make myself as good as a candidate as possible so I will be taking a minimum of 2 gap years to increase my chances.
2) As far as ECs/research/volunteering, I'm not sure what I should focus on more. So far, I have research experience - biology & neuroscience over 2 summers (but I don't really enjoy research). I do a lot of volunteering/interning, but I'm worried that it seems all over the place (180 hours as a volunteer intern at a healthcare related non-profit, 400 hours this summer as a intern at 2 healthcare related non-profits, mentor for disadvantaged high school students who want to go to college, 50+ hours volunteering and coordinating projects at dog shelter, and some volunteer hours at the Ronald McDonald House Charities). And then I play in a community orchestra and I'm an executive member for my university's chapter of the pre-health fraternity. I've shadowed as well with a infectious disease physician (100+ hours), a urologist (in Thailand), and internists (in Thailand). Planning to shadow more specialties and DO doctors during winter breaks and the summer.
This year, I'm trying to find an organization I can volunteer with and commit to for a long time. I think I have too many interests and causes I want to help with and I don't really have clinical experience. I'm interested in applying to work with a domestic and sexual abuse organization that sends volunteers to provide resources and information to victims of abuse while they're at local hospitals or to help with their hotline service. Would the former count as clinical volunteering?
Or there are opportunities to work more with the Ronald McDonald House Charities as a volunteer in their children's center (interacting with patients and/or the families of patients) in a nearby hospital. Would that count as clinical as well?
I always appreciate the no BS, no sugar-coating attitude many people have on this forum. This is my first post but I've looked at different threads to get some advice as well. My mental health has hindered me, yes, but I'm still here, and just ready to do well as a pre-med student. Any advice is helpful.