How worried do I need to be?

[Dragod]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Please bare with me as I explain my situation. Any advice or insight is welcome.

I just used the AMCAS GPA Calculator spreadsheet and I had a minor freak out. I have one more semester before graduation (Biochem major, Physics minor) and according to the calculator, I have an overall GPA of 3.54, a BCPM GPA of 3.41 and an AO GPA of 3.80. Without actually doing the calculations, I thought I was closer to 3.5 BCPM GPA and I knew that was in the low end of competitive. Seeing a 3.41 now has me wondering what I should do. I came in to school as a Physics major with plans to transfer into an Engineering program, but later realized it wasn't for me and started on this path. As a result, I took calculus-based versions of physics courses and have several difficult physics courses lowering my science GPA (lowest grade being a B-). I've attached an image of the graphs the excel spreadsheet produced.

I plan to take the MCAT September. I'm generally pretty good at taking tests and I've just recently been able to start focusing on studying for it, but I still only have three months. I was thinking that if I could just get above a 30, I have a very good shot at an interview and from there a good shot at being offered. I'm now wondering if it's better for me to delay taking the exam to allow myself more time to study and get a higher score. This is one of my big dilemmas right now.

I don't have the exact number at the moment, but I have been volunteering at a hospital for 3-4 hours per week for about a year now. I enjoy it and so will be continuing for the foreseeable future.

Currently have no shadowing experience. I'm waiting to hear back from my hospital, so I hope to get some good time in this summer. How many hours would be recommended?

I have worked all through school, one year as a desk receptionist, two years as an RA, two summers as an RA while taking classes, one year as a desk supervisor, and this summer I am working fulltime in university maintenance.

I have two years of Physics research experience. 3 semesters 2-3 hours a week and 1 semester of 4-5 hours a week.

I have several ECs over the course of the last three years, mostly centered around ResLife (on-campus housing) organizations, but it includes exec positions.


These are most of the factors that I feel have *some* bearing on my chances. Now my real question is this... Do I continue with my plan to take the MCAT in three months, get shadowing experiences this summer, and apply? Or would it be better to delay the MCAT in hopes of a higher score and for some time to get some work experience and more time shadowing?

 

[claduva94]

For which cycle were you planning to apply?

 

[Dragod]

I was hoping to start in the fall of 2015.

 

[baxt1412]

that is awfully late to take the MCAT to apply for matriculation into 2015 classes. i'd suggest taking your MCAT before the year is up and apply to matriculate in 2016.

 

[claduva94]

Yeah if you don't take the MCAT until September it will likely be too late. Most interview spots will be full. Your best bet is to take your time and apply next year.

 

[Dragod]

What would be the best way to approach that? My final semester starts in September and I'm guessing that this would push my MCAT back to January, before the 2015 exam starts. In that time, do I try to find a job in healthcare, like CNA? Or do I continue volunteering and get more shadowing experience? If I do push it back a year, I want to make the most of that time.

 

[claduva94]

Anything that gets you clinical experience is good. Shadowing is a good think to have on your application but a half year is hardly necessary. But a job as a CNA or EMT is great too!

 

[FalconSlice]

Not to mention that the MCAT in 2015 is going to be the brand new one. (I guess this reason for this post is to mention this...)

 

[claduva94]

I think OP was still planning on taking one of the final administrations of the current MCAT

 

[allantois]

Application cycle for DO schools is longer so you may still apply to DO schools if you take your MCAT no later than September and get some of the shadowing under your belt quickly.

 

[Dragod]

Not to mention that the MCAT in 2015 is going to be the brand new one. (I guess this reason for this post is to mention this...)

I'm well aware. That's part of the reason I feel pressure to do the MCAT sooner rather than later. I just don't want to do it too soon and risk bombing my first attempt.

Application cycle for DO schools is longer so you may still apply to DO schools if you take your MCAT no later than September and get some of the shadowing under your belt quickly.

With my GPA being what it is and with only three months to study while working full time, does that seem wise?

Anything that gets you clinical experience is good. Shadowing is a good think to have on your application but a half year is hardly necessary. But a job as a CNA or EMT is great too!

I've also been told that CNA isn't the best choice for healthcare experience and that I should look into joining some medical research. Is there any truth to that?

 

[masaraksh]

What are you doing now? If you don't have multiple summer classes or a full time job, you have no excuse not to be studying for MCAT full time.

 

[Dragod]

What are you doing now? If you don't have multiple summer classes or a full time job, you have no excuse not to be studying for MCAT full time.

I work 10-hour days Monday-Thursday and volunteer for four hours on Fridays.

 

[masaraksh]

I work 10-hour days Monday-Thursday and volunteer for four hours on Fridays.

Oh (sorry, I skimmed the post).

In this case, PLEASE DO NOT APPLY THIS CYCLE. You will be shooting yourself in the foot. Here is best plan:
- take MCAT by end of this year
- focus on getting good grades in classes to up GPA
- apply next summer
- work somewhere during app cycle
- plan on matriculating 2016.

 

[Dragod]

I have only one semester left. Realistically, I might raise my GPA .05 or less if I get a 4.0.

What sort of job would benefit me the most in this time? I've heard medical research would be the best, but I'm not sure how I would go about looking for that. The closest major research institution would be UW-Madison.