How am I doing so far? Improvements/Suggestions/ Help Please!

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aa1992

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I am a current sophomore at an academically competitive research university in the Northeast. As it has come time to think seriously about med school applications I am getting nervous about how strong my application is but I know I still have some time so I am willing to do whatever it takes to make mine a strong application and bring my grades up.

Grades: Current GPA is 3.71 but after this semester it may go down because of Orgo II
science classes
Gen Chem I - A-
Bio I - B+
Calc I - A
Gen Chem II - A
Bio II - B+
Calc II - A
Orgo I - B+
Neuroscience - B+
Stats - A
Projected Biochem and Orgo II are both B+

I have mostly As and A-s in my other humanities classes


Extracurriculars
-Research assistant in Cancer Center for 8 months about 10hrs/week
-Primary researcher in clinical geriatric research for past 6 months. presenting poster/abstract at national conference in May
-Worked an office job on an NIH study last summer for 40hrs/week
-Alot of shadowing experience
-Volunteered at a hospice every friday for 2 summers
-Tutored inner city children for all of last year 4hrs/week
-Competitive dance team 10hrs/week
-Work for International Student Office as a student mentor, will be a senior leader next year
-Junior RA, head of the Blood Drive Committee

What do you think? I know I have alot of B's in my science classes but I will bring up my GPA next year, where can I improve my extracurriculars?
Thanks! (This is also my first post)
 
thick, solid, tight, keep us updated on your progress OP and keep up the good work
 
I am a current sophomore at an academically competitive research university in the Northeast. As it has come time to think seriously about med school applications I am getting nervous about how strong my application is but I know I still have some time so I am willing to do whatever it takes to make mine a strong application and bring my grades up.

Grades: Current GPA is 3.71 but after this semester it may go down because of Orgo II
science classes
Gen Chem I - A-
Bio I - B+
Calc I - A
Gen Chem II - A
Bio II - B+
Calc II - A
Orgo I - B+
Neuroscience - B+
Stats - A
Projected Biochem and Orgo II are both B+

I have mostly As and A-s in my other humanities classes


Extracurriculars
-Research assistant in Cancer Center for 8 months about 10hrs/week
-Primary researcher in clinical geriatric research for past 6 months. presenting poster/abstract at national conference in May
-Worked an office job on an NIH study last summer for 40hrs/week
-Alot of shadowing experience
-Volunteered at a hospice every friday for 2 summers
-Tutored inner city children for all of last year 4hrs/week
-Competitive dance team 10hrs/week
-Work for International Student Office as a student mentor, will be a senior leader next year
-Junior RA, head of the Blood Drive Committee

What do you think? I know I have alot of B's in my science classes but I will bring up my GPA next year, where can I improve my extracurriculars?
I suggest adding a third summer of hospice volunteering or some other medical environment. Be sure you include an office-based primary care doc in your shadowing.

Overall, I agree you've got a solid start, needing only additional longevity in some of the activities, ideally (at least) clinical, research, and peer leadership.

Don't forget hobbies. Dance team is great as artistic endeavor or a sport.
 
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