Help me get on track for DO school

[kelminak]

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Hello,

I currently have a weak GPA of 2.6, but I have a summer and year before I intended on graduating. This summer I've already replaced a science D with an A, and from here on out I plan on getting nothing less than As (I've had a reality check and got myself in gear). I wish I had a better excuse than a poor transition to college, but I hadn't done well and I will be graduating after my fifth year in college. However, with the assumption that I can significantly bring my GPA up (I'm confident I can), I will still need to take a year to do a full year of organic chemistry, as my degree only required a semester "Survey of Organic Chemistry".

With this year for Ochem in mind, what can I be doing from here on out (this summer, then two more years) to get some ECs that would make me a more competitive applicant? I understand that I need to work with a DO doing some shadowing, but what else can someone that doesn't have experience do to add to their credentials? I'm open to a variety of ideas.

Additionally, are there any other details I should consider? Is there a better path I should be taking? I'm willing to put forth whatever effort is required regardless of time, but I'd like to make sure I get on the right track as soon as possible in order to have the best chance at success.

I appreciate your help!

 

[deleted480308]

Hello,

I currently have a weak GPA of 2.6, but I have a summer and year before I intended on graduating. This summer I've already replaced a science D with an A, and from here on out I plan on getting nothing less than As (I've had a reality check and got myself in gear). I wish I had a better excuse than a poor transition to college, but I hadn't done well and I will be graduating after my fifth year in college. However, with the assumption that I can significantly bring my GPA up (I'm confident I can), I will still need to take a year to do a full year of organic chemistry, as my degree only required a semester "Survey of Organic Chemistry".

With this year for Ochem in mind, what can I be doing from here on out (this summer, then two more years) to get some ECs that would make me a more competitive applicant? I understand that I need to work with a DO doing some shadowing, but what else can someone that doesn't have experience do to add to their credentials? I'm open to a variety of ideas.

Additionally, are there any other details I should consider? Is there a better path I should be taking? I'm willing to put forth whatever effort is required regardless of time, but I'd like to make sure I get on the right track as soon as possible in order to have the best chance at success.

I appreciate your help!

just get you degree done....your prereqs met....and as many replacement grades done as it takes to get up over 3.0 in your science and cumulative....all in the most economical form possible

do that and get high 20's on the mcat...

 

[Starry]

Some ideas:
Volunteer, both clinical and non-clinical. For example you can volunteer at your local hospital for 3-5 hours a week, and tutor underprivileged elementary school kids for another 2-3 hours a week.

Research. Approach professors and ask around. You might do very little for the first few months but if you stick around pipetting for more than a few months, they may let you do more and more. On the other hand, if you can come up with an original research idea, read about it, and ask for a professor to act as an advisor, that would be fantastic.

EMT or CNA or any other certification. These might cost some $$ for the classes, but can become very valuable and interesting experiences, especially if you have time to work as one. However, it is also a pretty large time commitment, so if you are taking Organic, this may not be the best option.

Bike to Alaska. Okay this one is a bit out there but I have a friend who is doing it this summer from Texas and it sounds like something interesting to talk about. So if you are athletic and want to have something super cool, do it! Even better is if you link it to philathropy. Get a few people to pledge a dollar for every mile you bike and donate it to curing a disease of your choice. Or donate it to the local hospital. Or donate it to a food shelter in your city.

And speaking of donations....

Maybe biking to Alaska isn't for you, but fundraising at your school is. Sell baked goods. Host a pancake marathon. Organize a gallon challenge. Okay these things take lots of effort but if you're that kind of person, it's something that can (possibly) make you stand out, especially if you took initiative.

I just spit out random ideas for the last 15 minutes. But what you want to do may be nothing on this list. In that case, I'm sure you can find something that will suit you 🙂 Hope this helps!

 

[Goro]

Key to success will be to ace everything from here on in; re-take any F/D/C science course grade, and ideally, find a DO to shadow, plus do the necessary volunteer patient contact experience. For coursework, taking Biochem, Genetics, Cell Bio, and/or antomy and physiology is recommended.\

Prepare well for MCAT and take it only when ready.



I currently have a weak GPA of 2.6, but I have a summer and year before I intended on graduating. This summer I've already replaced a science D with an A, and from here on out I plan on getting nothing less than As (I've had a reality check and got myself in gear). I wish I had a better excuse than a poor transition to college, but I hadn't done well and I will be graduating after my fifth year in college. However, with the assumption that I can significantly bring my GPA up (I'm confident I can), I will still need to take a year to do a full year of organic chemistry, as my degree only required a semester "Survey of Organic Chemistry".

With this year for Ochem in mind, what can I be doing from here on out (this summer, then two more years) to get some ECs that would make me a more competitive applicant? I understand that I need to work with a DO doing some shadowing, but what else can someone that doesn't have experience do to add to their credentials? I'm open to a variety of ideas.

Additionally, are there any other details I should consider? Is there a better path I should be taking? I'm willing to put forth whatever effort is required regardless of time, but I'd like to make sure I get on the right track as soon as possible in order to have the best chance at success.

I appreciate your help![/QUOTE]

 

[kelminak]

Key to success will be to ace everything from here on in; re-take any F/D/C science course grade, and ideally, find a DO to shadow, plus do the necessary volunteer patient contact experience. For coursework, taking Biochem, Genetics, Cell Bio, and/or antomy and physiology is recommended.\

Prepare well for MCAT and take it only when ready.

Thank you for the advice. Cell Bio is the course I just replaced the D with an A, and I'm taking genetics immediately after. I unfortunately won't be able to take biochem because it requires the full year of Ochem that I'm going to be taking the year after I graduate. I do, however, have a 400-level Human Physiology class, so it looks like I'm getting a large chunk of the coursework you've recommended.

I'll work on getting some of the ECs you guys have recommended done. Thank you everyone!