Improving my applicaton

[Quibbles]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

Hello all, and thank you to anyone who decides to take the time to read, let alone respond. I know it is a long post:
I was just wondering what you guys would suggest someone do to improve their chances of getting accepted. I have two years left, and my GPA is (with grade replacement) a 3.2. (2.9 without) I have retaken a few classes, and have 7 Ws (5 from one semester, as the previous problems that got to me finally caused me to withdraw and go home. Though, I have had 0 since. HOwever, this semester I was taking very important classes). I also have two Fs. I am doing an extra year, so I still have 2 years left in school. I may be transferring because I am really unhappy where I am, but I am afraid that medical schools will say I transferred down because I was struggling so much (I am transferring down, but not by a great amount. Basically large public university to well respected HBCU).
I have repeats in a lower level core class (Chem 1), though I did okay after retaking (B+) as well as average/below grades in A&P1&2 (B-s in both).
I do, however, also have some good grades in other sciences (Kinesiology classes are all As, B+ in chem 2 my first time around, working on orgo at the moment, doing well).

Basically, my college career has been a mess. But at no point have I felt that I couldn't do it, as much as life got in the way. And I do apologize if that statement comes off as cocky. I more mean nothing I have taken yet has been too much for me when I didn't have 1000 other things going on. I know that I can write a kick ass essay, because I have a LOT to say. I have been volunteering at BB since I was 16 and a food kitchen since I was 18. I am getting working experience as a CNA as well as doing lab research (granted, it is in marine biology, but still lab stuff). I still have many sciences to take (Bio, physics, Biochem, finish orgo, and other kinesiology classes), so I know i can bring up my science GPA.

What else do you guys suggest? Is everything I'm doing enough to try to off set the Ws and the Fs, even though they're in important classes? Should I look into taking higher level sciences like P-chem? Should I change my path?

Thank you. Will take every response very seriously.

 

[AlteredScale]

I think the very first thing you need to prioritize is doing extremely well on your retakes for the prerequisite courses for medical school (ochem, chem, physics, bio). I wouldn't say you transferring from a large public university to an HBCU is "transferring down" either. Just go where you can feel confident getting the grades you need to get to boost our GPA. Right now you're on track (going from 2.9 to 3.2 with grade replacement) so I'd say you're in a good position.

All your other EC's are great. Keep at them!

For the higher level science courses, I'd take those after you complete the prereqs. Just take things like physiology, embryology, biochemistry, anatomy, immunology, genetics, and microbiology. Really make sure you do well in those as they will help with presenting your turn around from undergrad strongly.

Good luck!

 

[tea guzzling traveler]

1. Most important things on the agenda, get your grades up, which I'm sure you are already aware of. You mentioned that you were doing too much to get good grades. Grades are the priority, everything else can be done later.
2. Don't really worry about transferring, not a big problem
3. look into retakes for the F classes, not sure about W's
4. The essay is actually pretty tricky, because it's hard to say anything truly original
5. Pchem would likely not help your GPA, first do well in your prereqs, then maybe some upper level bio.