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How does this schedule look?
- Thread starter V
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So are you planning on graduating as soon as possible (next semester) and then sticking around to take classes without being in any particular degree program? That seems like the best option to me.
Being a URM will help you, but the fact that you are a CA resident and the fact that you were suspended for a year will both work against you. Which means that if you're going to get into med school, you need to get that GPA up. You want something that least 3.4ish and ideally 3.6+. If you're going to get that GPA, you'll need to get mostly As in your future classes. That clearly hasn't been the case so far.
My personal observation (and please don't take any offense -- this is just a generalization) is that a 3.1 GPA is typically an indication that you're still in the process of learning how to handle college level coursework. You are going to need some great time management skills if you will be able to get mostly As from here on out. Especially if you plan on three science courses at once. In fact, don't do that, at least not right away. You need to learn how to get 4.0s with lighter course loads before you can work your way up to taking heavy course loads. Because at this point, where your GPA is already lower than you want it to be, you can't afford to overburden yourself and end up getting a bunch of Bs.
Following the same reasoning, I'd recommend that you don't add on shadowing and other extracurriculars right away. Wait until you've reached the point where you have A grades in most of your classes, and then layer on more work.
The same thing goes for the MCAT. You need to get a good score, so don't put yourself in a situation where you have so much coursework and/or extracurriculars that you don't have time to study. Give yourself a solid six to eight weeks to prepare. You will need all of it. And take lots of practice exams.
Being a URM will help you, but the fact that you are a CA resident and the fact that you were suspended for a year will both work against you. Which means that if you're going to get into med school, you need to get that GPA up. You want something that least 3.4ish and ideally 3.6+. If you're going to get that GPA, you'll need to get mostly As in your future classes. That clearly hasn't been the case so far.
My personal observation (and please don't take any offense -- this is just a generalization) is that a 3.1 GPA is typically an indication that you're still in the process of learning how to handle college level coursework. You are going to need some great time management skills if you will be able to get mostly As from here on out. Especially if you plan on three science courses at once. In fact, don't do that, at least not right away. You need to learn how to get 4.0s with lighter course loads before you can work your way up to taking heavy course loads. Because at this point, where your GPA is already lower than you want it to be, you can't afford to overburden yourself and end up getting a bunch of Bs.
Following the same reasoning, I'd recommend that you don't add on shadowing and other extracurriculars right away. Wait until you've reached the point where you have A grades in most of your classes, and then layer on more work.
The same thing goes for the MCAT. You need to get a good score, so don't put yourself in a situation where you have so much coursework and/or extracurriculars that you don't have time to study. Give yourself a solid six to eight weeks to prepare. You will need all of it. And take lots of practice exams.
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Whether or not you should postpone applying for another year depends on a lot of factors. Are you going to be able to study full time, or will you have to get a part time job to pay for your living expenses? Are you able to learn how to handle heavy course loads quickly, or do you need to ease into it over a few semesters? You will only know for sure when you are a few months into the process. I would plan on applying in 2015 for admission in 2016, but leave plenty of flexibility for pushing things back a year if necessary.
How difficult it will be to get into a top school depends on your definition of top school, but if you ace the MCAT (36+) you should have a shot (but not a guaranteed admission) at top 20 schools. Even if you don't end up scoring that well on the MCAT, it never hurts to apply to a couple of reach schools just in case you get lucky.
Many adcoms do love upper trends. How much depends on the specific school. But one thing is certain, having an upward trend is never as good as having a good GPA from the start. Getting into a California school will be tough. You will really need to pick up your grades and do well on the MCAT. I can't say I really know enough about how Texas treats OOS students to comment on your chances there.
How difficult it will be to get into a top school depends on your definition of top school, but if you ace the MCAT (36+) you should have a shot (but not a guaranteed admission) at top 20 schools. Even if you don't end up scoring that well on the MCAT, it never hurts to apply to a couple of reach schools just in case you get lucky.
Many adcoms do love upper trends. How much depends on the specific school. But one thing is certain, having an upward trend is never as good as having a good GPA from the start. Getting into a California school will be tough. You will really need to pick up your grades and do well on the MCAT. I can't say I really know enough about how Texas treats OOS students to comment on your chances there.
