GPA and volunteering concerns

[Zweisamkeit]

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I'm only a sophomore-and-a-half but after hearing some gripes from juniors, I have two application concerns and I'm worried they're going to affect me in the long run:

First of all, the university that I attend uses a plus/minus system for calculating GPA. If I want to get a 4.0 in a class, my grade has to be somewhere between 95-100%. Otherwise, if it's an A-, we only receive 3.67 quality points. Will this screw me over? Last semester I got an A- in general chem but if it had been at another university, I wouldn't have to worry. This advisor at the school says not to worry since the university a little prestigious but I beg to differ.

Secondly, I'm involved in some school clubs and I'm a lab assistant for my work-study job. In the evenings I'm an assigned tutor. During the summers, I work. There's never time for volunteering and I don't know what to do about that. I went to a health-premed-prep high school and took a lot of clinical and diagnostic classes there, but that's the only health related experience I have. Do you think that I might receive some slack since I do things outside of the classroom or would it be best to give up some of the much-needed money and plow through the volunteering forms?

 

[rayzer]

To help you with your first question, the grading system at your school is, in my opinion, normal so it shouldn't screw you over. I went to a Big 10 school where we had the same grading scale as your school and a few of my friends from other schools also had the same scale. An A- in gen ghem is not the end of the world, it's decent. Just try to do well (A/A-) in your science classes and you'll be alright.

 

[TexPre-Med]

In Texas, 7 of the 8 schools do not accept +/- systems. Meaning a B+ is the same as a B-. I expect that most other medical schools do the same. I believe Baylor only started accepting it because its undergrad used them years ago when they were affiliated. Also I think Baylor only accepts +'s. Meaning they only inflate g.p.a.'s! You will be fine.

Secondly, volunteer whenever you get a chance. Freshman year I was so busy that all I could fit in was volunteering at a nursing home 2 hours per week. Do the best you can.

 

[fever5]

You can justify why you couldn't volunteer, i.e. you really needed the money for school. I think a lot of people on the comittee would understand.

However having medical volunteer, in my opinion, is a plus, as on interviews it allows you to answer questions drawing from experience. It doesn't have to be a huge commitment but it should be regular.

 

[tmarsh]

A 3.67 BCPM should be plenty good at most schools.

 

[45408]

You can justify why you couldn't volunteer, i.e. you really needed the money for school. I think a lot of people on the comittee would understand.

However having medical volunteer, in my opinion, is a plus, as on interviews it allows you to answer questions drawing from experience. It doesn't have to be a huge commitment but it should be regular.

Why not get a job in the medical field? Two birds, one stone.

 

[Zweisamkeit]

Why not get a job in the medical field? Two birds, one stone.

Already considered that. All the places down here want someone who can work full time and/or has a bachelor's degree. I also have zero transportation so I have no clue how I would get to the other side of town. 🙁 Now I wish I went to a cheaper school.