How do I pull this off?

[lambchop39]

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OK, I am just starting my junior year at a University. Spent my first year of college at a community college, did poorly. Took a year off, started again at a community college in a different state due to family stuff. Did pretty well. Then decided to finally pursue what I've always wanted to do...medicine. So now I'm in my first year at a University and have about 2 years ahead of me to complete my requirements. I got a 3.5GPA last semester (my first semester at this school) and am heading for about the same this semester. I'm trying really hard to pull that up for this semester though. This was the first semester Ive really taken a hard look at my study habits and made some significant changes that I hope will allow me to do better in the future. I am also retaking some of my course I didnt do well on in the past.
Anyways, I have worked in medical offices, done some volunteering and am currently trying to get in to do more in the area, have at least 3 doctors/professors willing to write recommendation letters. I am also applying for medical trips to Africa and South America.
Realistically, what do I need to do from here on out to give me the best possible chances at getting into medical school? I am open to either MD or DO school, although I might be leaning towards DO school the more I hear about the differences between the two.
Any advice is appreciated, no matter how bad it is! I want this more than I can express and I am willing to do the work to make it possible, I just need to know what to do!

 

[Telomeres]

I don't think its worth going to Africa and South America as an addition to your application, if you are doing it because you are strongly interested in learning about the medical community there and helping out then by all means go for it. If your experience really changes your perspective on medicine then it would be something interesting to talk about, but thats only if you really want to do it.

Next, you might want to be more specific on how many hours of community service, shadowing, and clinical experience you have. The final decision between MD and DO will be up to you, because if you have all the hours and a stellar MCAT then MD might still be an option.

 

[Catalystik]

It would help to know your overall GPA from all grades earned at all schools attended. Here is a tool to help figure it out: DO GPA calculation spreadsheet: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=450050

And what are the lowest grades you earned that first year? If you replaced those grades with As, how much would that improve your cGPA?

 

[Catalystik]

I don't think its worth going to Africa and South America as an addition to your application

I agree with this. From the point of view of what would strengthen your application more, I think adcomms would rather see a weekly activity where you provide hands-on, noncampus, nonmedical community service to those in your own community who don't have good economic resources.

 

[lambchop39]

I am not going to Africa or South America just for the application. I really want to do it. Some of my family does volunteer work in Africa and I would love to go. I am talking to several people about volunteer opportunities locally, both medical and non. The lowest grade I got was a D, but only one, and I am retaking that next semester. I have done about 30-40 hours volunteering so far, worked in a medical office for about a year, and am hoping to increase my work experience and volunteer hours this year. I will figure out my exact GPA and post that when I do. Thank you to everyone for your input.
How much do school weigh your first year or two of college? For me, I didnt want to be in school so I slacked off to prove a point to my parents and now Im digging myself out of that hole. If I maintain really good grades from here on out, will that make up for the beginning grades?

 

[Catalystik]

How much do school weigh your first year or two of college?

If I maintain really good grades from here on out, will that make up for the beginning grades?

Every school has a different formula to judge applicants by.

How much you'd need to compensate for your past poor grades depends on your overall GPA and how many credit hours you've already earned.