- Joined
- Jan 27, 2015
- Messages
- 8
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Hi everybody,
I am currently a junior neuroscience and psychology double-major at JHU. I took AP Bio in high school and got a 5, so received credit for the course in college.
I have been discussing taking gen bio or upper levels (genetics or cell bio) with my advisers but would like SDN's input. I have already taken biochemistry and received an A, but did not take lab with it. I was looking to take gen bio with lab to fulfill the biology requirement instead of taking upper levels with lab. I have a 3.62 GPA right now (although AMCAS will score it lower because I retook orgo I from a C- to an A). I am taking a gap year after senior year, so I will be taking the MCAT at the end of this coming summer.
I have not taken a strict biology-related course since my senior year of high school (apart from biochemistry) and feel as though jumping into more upper levels with labs (which are very tough here) would put my already borderline GPA in jeopardy. I also feel as though I lack the requisite laboratory skills to be successful in upper level labs. On the other hand, my advisers feel that taking lower level bio classes as a senior would look bad to medical schools (as though I am taking the easy route).
I have been under the impression that medical schools do not very strongly consider course rigor because it is so variable among schools, so I would prefer not taking courses which could jeopardize my GPA although they may show that I have challenged myself above the introductory biology courses (even though they are not within my major).
I have done research and will have several papers published by the time I graduate and have a fair amount of volunteering, clinical experiences, and leadership, so I feel that GPA and MCAT are the last few areas in which my choices will have some major effects in terms of my strength as an applicant.
Thank you for reading!
I am currently a junior neuroscience and psychology double-major at JHU. I took AP Bio in high school and got a 5, so received credit for the course in college.
I have been discussing taking gen bio or upper levels (genetics or cell bio) with my advisers but would like SDN's input. I have already taken biochemistry and received an A, but did not take lab with it. I was looking to take gen bio with lab to fulfill the biology requirement instead of taking upper levels with lab. I have a 3.62 GPA right now (although AMCAS will score it lower because I retook orgo I from a C- to an A). I am taking a gap year after senior year, so I will be taking the MCAT at the end of this coming summer.
I have not taken a strict biology-related course since my senior year of high school (apart from biochemistry) and feel as though jumping into more upper levels with labs (which are very tough here) would put my already borderline GPA in jeopardy. I also feel as though I lack the requisite laboratory skills to be successful in upper level labs. On the other hand, my advisers feel that taking lower level bio classes as a senior would look bad to medical schools (as though I am taking the easy route).
I have been under the impression that medical schools do not very strongly consider course rigor because it is so variable among schools, so I would prefer not taking courses which could jeopardize my GPA although they may show that I have challenged myself above the introductory biology courses (even though they are not within my major).
I have done research and will have several papers published by the time I graduate and have a fair amount of volunteering, clinical experiences, and leadership, so I feel that GPA and MCAT are the last few areas in which my choices will have some major effects in terms of my strength as an applicant.
Thank you for reading!
