Just starting undergrad...

[monquin]

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I technically started my undergraduate degree right after high school, but I kept dropping out.
I am 24 years old now and I barely even have 12 credit hours. I'm not even sure what my GPA is. I think it's somewhere around a 3.25.

I am going to really start pursuing my bachelor degree this Fall (2010). I am so nervous. I know I just need to make better grades in order to pull up my GPA, but I am really nervous about the school I am possibly going to go to.

Since I am a non-trad student, I had to apply to a school that isn't really on the map. It's not a really prestigious school, just a small state school.

My dream is to make it into Johns Hopkins for medical school. Is this possible if I go to a small state school? If so, what should I do to raise my chances of getting accepted to JHU? (besides raise my GPA and make a great score on the MCAT.)

Should I spend a little time at this small state school and transfer to another school to receive my bachelor degree?

Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks.

 

[ArkansasRanger]

I technically started my undergraduate degree right after high school, but I kept dropping out.
I am 24 years old now and I barely even have 12 credit hours. I'm not even sure what my GPA is. I think it's somewhere around a 3.25.

I am going to really start pursuing my bachelor degree this Fall (2010). I am so nervous. I know I just need to make better grades in order to pull up my GPA, but I am really nervous about the school I am possibly going to go to.

Since I am a non-trad student, I had to apply to a school that isn't really on the map. It's not a really prestigious school, just a small state school.

My dream is to make it into Johns Hopkins for medical school. Is this possible if I go to a small state school? If so, what should I do to raise my chances of getting accepted to JHU? (besides raise my GPA and make a great score on the MCAT.)

Should I spend a little time at this small state school and transfer to another school to receive my bachelor degree?

Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks.

Hmmm I prefer the idea of going to the cheapest, closest medical school possible, but it's your life. That said, you're starting from square one basically. Do well, and you can do whatever you want.

 

[monquin]

Hmmm I prefer the idea of going to the cheapest, closest medical school possible, but it's your life. That said, you're starting from square one basically. Do well, and you can do whatever you want.

Johns Hopkins is just my dream school, but being a doctor is my actual ultimate goal.
Even if I don't get into JHU, I will still want to become a doctor.
I just wanted to know if I have any chance at all in getting in and what I should do to make my college resume look more appealing.
I know work outside of my major is highly recommended, but I have read conflicting things about volunteering in a hospital. Some people say it's a waste of time and others claim that medical college admissions look at that as showing interest in the medical field and would more than likely give an interview for it.

I'm just worried that going to a very small state school will hinder my chances of getting into medical school. My friend at the first college I attended (which was also a very small school in the middle of nowhere) didn't get into medical school and I can't help but feel it was because of where she went to undergrad at. She had extra activities outside of her major...she went to Nicaragua every summer and helped in the clinics there, was involved in clubs on campus..etc.

Bottom line: Will going to an un-known, hole-in-the-wall, small state school hinder my chances of both getting into Johns Hopkins and just medical school as a whole? Should I attend this small state school until I can transfer elsewhere for my undergrad degree so it will possibly look better to medical school admissions?

 

[dancingdoctor13]

I would transfer if you can at least to an in state university that is one tier higher. Although i've known people from state schools get into some medical school as well. You just never know

 

[mspeedwagon]

JHU is sort of a crapshoot. There are certain things you'll definitely need for JHU:
- Research, research, research. More so than any other school, this is what JHU is known for. Having a publication or two in your name will help. Lab research will help.
- Numbers, numbers, numbers. Again, a high GPA and a high MCAT will go a long way with the Top 20 (3.9+ and 35+). Judging from your post, you already knew that.
- Well-rounded (volunteer, sports, life outside of school etc.).
Scroll through those accepted at JHU on mdapps. They pretty much all have these things in common.

For me, given where I'm starting from with my undergrad GPA (3.5x) and disdain for lab research (though I have a ton of clinical research), JHU is not really an option. For most, it isn't. However, if you follow the above, you'll have a pretty good shot.

 

[TakinItSlow]

As long as your school is accredited then it shouldn't have any negative effect on you application. And aside from your GPA and MCAT scores schools are really looking for well-rounded applicants meaning plenty of extra curricular activities, volunteering, research, and physician shadowing. Schools might also want to know what you were doing during your "years off" so any type of work you've done related to under-served populations/medicine/activism etc. can be worked toward your benefit.
I hope this helps!