Hours of experience and variation

[Ezio]

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I don't have a lot going for me in the right direction at the moment. My GPA/sGPA is far below average, I am going to be a junior next fall.

However, my concern is work experience. I have around 600 hours working in research and possibly around 100 more this summer. I am trying to take the MCAT spring/summer 2016 and plan on studying all this summer.

I know I don't have a lot of time but should I start volunteering and working? I don't want to burn out this summer with the studying, or should I not start studying yet since I still have to take physics next year, but I am done with all the other pre-reqs.

 

[mcatjelly]

Well, you're going to need a decent amount of volunteer hours before you apply. When you get those hours is up to you and when you plan on applying, but it's better to get involved sooner vs. later.

 

[Doctor Dream]

I don't have a lot going for me in the right direction at the moment. My GPA/sGPA is far below average, I am going to be a junior next fall.

However, my concern is work experience. I have around 600 hours working in research and possibly around 100 more this summer. I am trying to take the MCAT spring/summer 2016 and plan on studying all this summer.

I know I don't have a lot of time but should I start volunteering and working? I don't want to burn out this summer with the studying, or should I not start studying yet since I still have to take physics next year, but I am done with all the other pre-reqs.

I'm just a silly little pre-med but here are my thoughts...

1. If you're not planning on taking the MCAT until next year spring/summer, I don't think it pays to study much now. Unless you continue studying into next semester (which I would NOT recommend, given your GPA), you're most likely going to forget a lot of what you studied.

2. Clinical experience is practically a must, but I don't think work experience is quite as imperative. Definitely start volunteering this summer if you haven't been already.

3. The MOST important thing is to make sure your grades are in place. You said your GPA/sGPA are far below average. No one is going to care how much you worked or volunteered if your grades are poor. Work on that GPA, and try to limit your EC's during the semester if you have to. Even if you graduate and haven't taken the MCAT yet because you wanted to focus on grades, that's okay! Med school will always be there. Don't take the MCAT until you're completely ready, and don't apply until you've built as strong an app as possible.