In my situation what should I do before I apply?

[Dr. Syzygy]

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[LONG]

Hi

I would like some advice on how I should proceed.

I am an engineering major that has also double majored in biology and have graduated this past May from a well regarded public university.

I did poorly for about 3 semesters (2.19, 2.19, 1.92) leading to academic probation mainly due to not having the study skills and self-discipline necessary to juggle a large credit load (18-20) in engineering and sciences. 😳

Since then I have tried hard to improve myself and have made the following improvement with semester averages 3.12, 2.85, 3.0, 3.25, 3.35, 3.41 with the last two semesters being 20 and 21 credits respectively of engineering/science classes

After calculating out the aacomas GPAs I have the following: 2.89 science only GPA, 3.17 engineering GPA, combined science w/ engineering GPA: 3.06, cGPA: 3.12. A lot of the science classes I did poorly in, occurred during the aforementioned 3 semesters.

Since I have graduated, I am trying to find a job while thoroughly studying to take the MCAT. I have already taken it and received a 27 but felt I wasn't prepared well enough so will take it again. Once I have received a satisfactory score (>34 due to low GPA), I plan to retake all the science classes I did poorly in at a local community college or 4yr institution depending on where I work, cost issues and scheduling issues (plan to work full time).

A list of all the pure science classes I have taken:

Physics I Lab: A, Physics I (mechanics): B+, Physics II Lab: B+, Physics II (E&M): B+, Physics III (Quantum): C+,

Chem I: A, Chem II: C+, Chem Lab: C+, Orgo I: C, Orgo II: C, Orgo lab: B, Intro Biochemistry: B, General Biochemistry A,

Neurobiology: C, Genetics: C, Cell Biology: C+, Developmental Bio: C+, Systems Phys: C+, Sys Phys lab: B, Advanced Neurobiology: B, Molecular Bio: B, Endocrinology: B, General Microbiology: A


I plan to retake
Orgo I: C
Orgo II: C
Chem II: C+
Genetics: C
Neurobiology: C
Systems Physiology: C+

By re-taking these courses, I can get pure science GPA: 3.5 and total science and cumulative GPAs to 3.2-3.3 if I receive all As (tall order but I am willing to do what's necessary).

I have done some non-clinical volunteer work for school open house as well as working with minority elementary school children for about 2yrs

For clinical work I have done hospital volunteering for about 2 months in the ICU, got bored with that so got an EMT-B certification and have been responding to 911 calls for nearly 5 years at a volunteer EMS agency, 12 hours a week. I shadowed ER docs for about 10 hours as part of EMT certification process (got to help out a trauma surgeon with a guy who came in with slashed wrists due to suicide attempt). I plan to do more shadowing while I re-take courses and work full-time.

I have a few leadership positions and experiences, design work on medical devices/prototypes on the engineering side of things but nothing else. I also have 2 science and 2 non-science LORs secured (I am assuming engineering LORs can be accepted as science LORs?).

I hope to finish re-taking courses and do shadowing while working full-time and hope to be ready to apply only to DO schools (I like the OMT for neurology and the retake system also helps) in about 2 years (2014-2015 cycle) with the MCAT taken in March 2012. When I apply, I hope to be a competitive candidate.

Should I change what I plan on doing, keep as is or add anything extra?

Is it okay if the re-takes occur at a community college for financial and scheduling reasons?

Do I need more clinical ECs/non-clinical ECs?

Are engineering LORs excepted as science LORs for DO schools since AACOMAS factors in engineering courses under science GPA?

Anything else that I am missing that I should be aware off? 😕

your opinions, critiques and witticisms are much appreciated and thank you for taking the time to go through this long winded post. 🙂

 

[tigerdude]

[LONG]

Hi

I would like some advice on how I should proceed.

I am an engineering major that has also double majored in biology and have graduated this past May from a well regarded public university.

I did poorly for about 3 semesters (2.19, 2.19, 1.92) leading to academic probation mainly due to not having the study skills and self-discipline necessary to juggle a large credit load (18-20) in engineering and sciences. 😳

Since then I have tried hard to improve myself and have made the following improvement with semester averages 3.12, 2.85, 3.0, 3.25, 3.35, 3.41 with the last two semesters being 20 and 21 credits respectively of engineering/science classes

After calculating out the aacomas GPAs I have the following: 2.89 science only GPA, 3.17 engineering GPA, combined science w/ engineering GPA: 3.06, cGPA: 3.12. A lot of the science classes I did poorly in, occurred during the aforementioned 3 semesters.

Since I have graduated, I am trying to find a job while thoroughly studying to take the MCAT. I have already taken it and received a 27 but felt I wasn't prepared well enough so will take it again. Once I have received a satisfactory score (>34 due to low GPA), I plan to retake all the science classes I did poorly in at a local community college or 4yr institution depending on where I work, cost issues and scheduling issues (plan to work full time).

A list of all the pure science classes I have taken:

Physics I Lab: A, Physics I (mechanics): B+, Physics II Lab: B+, Physics II (E&M): B+, Physics III (Quantum): C+,

Chem I: A, Chem II: C+, Chem Lab: C+, Orgo I: C, Orgo II: C, Orgo lab: B, Intro Biochemistry: B, General Biochemistry A,

Neurobiology: C, Genetics: C, Cell Biology: C+, Developmental Bio: C+, Systems Phys: C+, Sys Phys lab: B, Advanced Neurobiology: B, Molecular Bio: B, Endocrinology: B, Microbiology: A


I plan to retake
Orgo I: C
Orgo II: C
Chem II: C+
Genetics: C
Neurobiology: C
Systems Physiology: C+

By re-taking these courses, I can get pure science GPA: 3.5 and total science and cumulative GPAs to 3.2-3.3 if I receive all As (tall order but I am willing to do what's necessary).

I have done some non-clinical volunteer work for school open house as well as working with minority elementary school children for about 2yrs

For clinical work I have done hospital volunteering for about 2 months in the ICU, got bored with that so got an EMT-B certification and have been responding to 911 calls for nearly 5 years at a volunteer EMS agency, 12 hours a week. I shadowed ER docs for about 10 hours as part of EMT certification process (got to help out a trauma surgeon with a guy who came in with slashed wrists due to suicide attempt). I plan to do more shadowing while I re-take courses and work full-time.

I have a few leadership positions and experiences, design work on medical devices/prototypes on the engineering side of things but nothing else. I also have 2 science and 2 non-science LORs secured (I am assuming engineering LORs can be accepted as science LORs?).

I hope to finish re-taking courses and do shadowing while working full-time and hope to be ready to apply only to DO schools (I like the OMT for neurology and the retake system also helps) in about 2 years (2014-2015 cycle) with the MCAT taken in March 2012. When I apply, I hope to be a competitive candidate.

Should I change what I plan on doing, keep as is or add anything extra? 😕

your opinions, critiques and witticisms are much appreciated and thank you for taking the time to go through this long winded post. 🙂

You may consider a post-bac program at one of the DO schools which would show you are capable of the work load. Make sure to only retake courses that will significantly improve your GPA. Going from a C/C+ to a B or B+ is a waste of time. A "C" in organic will not keep you out of med school; the low GPAs will.


Keep in mind with the MCAT that at some point you will plateau. I was able to improve my MCAT from around your area to a 32, so I will not discount that possibility. I had a similar situation my freshman year of undergrad and made a full recovery after completing a PhD program.

 

[Dr. Syzygy]

Should I change what I plan on doing, keep as is or add anything extra?

Is it okay if the re-takes occur at a community college for financial and scheduling reasons?

Do I need more clinical ECs/non-clinical ECs?

Are engineering LORs excepted as science LORs for DO schools since AACOMAS factors in engineering courses under science GPA?

Anything else that I am missing that I should be aware off?

 

[VeeTeeHokies]

Should I change what I plan on doing, keep as is or add anything extra?

Is it okay if the re-takes occur at a community college for financial and scheduling reasons?

I'm not sure about retakes, but the general consensus is that classes taken at community colleges don't really hurt although I'm sure it does look better if it's at a 4 year university.

Do I need more clinical ECs/non-clinical ECs?

It looks like your ECs are all pretty solid and you don't really need anymore hours per se just to beef up your application, but it may look funny if you volunteered for a program for years and then stopped all of a sudden for no good reason. If you're having trouble finding the time to keep up with those programs and your classes I would consider just cutting down the weekly hours, but it also may show maturity and ability to manage priorities to adcoms if you realize that you do need to drop them in order to focus on your grades (granted you succeed in your classes after dropping them).

Are engineering LORs excepted as science LORs for DO schools since AACOMAS factors in engineering courses under science GPA?

I was told a clinical psyc prof's LOR was "sciency enough" and could be counted as a science faculty LOR. So I'd be willing to wager that engineering definitely counts.

Anything else that I am missing that I should be aware off?

I can't speak to the other two questions because the first one is entirely up to you and the second one I don't know what you are missing, if anything.