Looking for some validation

[MaxFarnsworth]

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I'm a junior at State majoring in biology with a sequence in zoology.

So far, I have a 4.0, but I'm taking a graduate level Biostatistics course this semester and it may end up being my first B.

I withdrew from organic chemistry last semester because I didn't feel I could handle it at the time. I just entered a new relationship, the professor was poor, and I already had an overloaded semester.

If it weren't for going for med school, I could graduate in the spring, but I'll need my fourth year to catch up and take Orgo II and Biochem.

I haven't taken the MCAT, but I've begun studying for it and Orgo in general on my own time. I live with my girlfriend and her 6-year old daughter (a hefty extracurricular commitment on its own) and we don't have much money, nor do my parents, but my mom ordered me some older MCAT materials (how helpful will these be on the new version?)

I'm in the Honors program, am currently working on an independent project that will be the source of my undergraduate thesis in an avian ecology lab, and I have plans to begin working with a distinguished professor in his neurophysiology lab next semester.

I'm part of the LGBTQ community (I'm a transman) and had significant involvement in diversity groups and social issues my first two years. I've also presented at a philosophy conference.

I have depression and ADHD (for which I take medication), which affect me daily, but I am able to function well enough, it seems.

I guess I'm looking for advice and inspiration. I want to be told honestly how I compare to others who want to be physician-researchers (though I'm not planning on entering an MD/Ph.D program).

I've been fascinated with the way bodies work since I knew what a body was. I believe everyone should have access to competent healthcare and physicians who will fight for them. I understand the importance of wellness and holistic care, and am just as thankful to social workers as to surgeons for my well-being and life.

It's late and that was a load of rambling, so I apologize for this "rough draft" introduction. 😉

 

[BluMist]

1. if that's you in the profile picture, consider changing to maintain anonymity
2. https://www.aamc.org/students/download/377882/data/mcat2015-content.pdf goes into detail what is on the NEW MCAT. Compare to your materials and see what is missing.
3. personally, I'd recommend taking biochem before MCAT since it is now a much bigger component
4. figure out what you can handle with regard to your other responsibilities, a single B will not sink you, but if you take ochem, biochem, or MCAT when you're not ready, you could do some damage.

 

[NotASerialKiller]

I also have done research in avian ecology, props

I think the only thing you're missing is some shadowing and (more importantly) clinical experience. Work on getting that before you apply.

 

[raiderette]

Please don't take the MCAT before biochem. Also, get new MCAT materials but only in the semester that you are taking biochem. This is a marathon not a sprint.
As for telling you how you are doing, grades and scores are only part of the battle. Research, ECs, and a great application are important. Know why you want to be a doctor, prove you know what you are doing, and take steps to make sure you are healthy.

 

[piii]

+1 on keeping personal identity private. Don't know if that applies to your name as well as pic. A few B's will be fine. You are going to face challenges in medical school too - you need to face it head on and take the risk, you can't hide.

 

[MaxFarnsworth]

1. if that's you in the profile picture, consider changing to maintain anonymity
2. https://www.aamc.org/students/download/377882/data/mcat2015-content.pdf goes into detail what is on the NEW MCAT. Compare to your materials and see what is missing.
3. personally, I'd recommend taking biochem before MCAT since it is now a much bigger component
4. figure out what you can handle with regard to your other responsibilities, a single B will not sink you, but if you take ochem, biochem, or MCAT when you're not ready, you could do some damage.

1. Done! It was my Facebook profile pic which automatically attached when I connected to SDN. My tag is a pseudonym.

I plan on reading through a biochem book or two and getting some tutoring in the subject before taking the MCAT.

 

[LizzyM]

@familyaerospace may have some insights to provide by PM or otherwise.

 

[Goro]

Your GPA is outstanding. That's all I can tell you at this point.

I'm a junior at State majoring in biology with a sequence in zoology.

So far, I have a 4.0, but I'm taking a graduate level Biostatistics course this semester and it may end up being my first B.

I withdrew from organic chemistry last semester because I didn't feel I could handle it at the time. I just entered a new relationship, the professor was poor, and I already had an overloaded semester.

If it weren't for going for med school, I could graduate in the spring, but I'll need my fourth year to catch up and take Orgo II and Biochem.

I haven't taken the MCAT, but I've begun studying for it and Orgo in general on my own time. I live with my girlfriend and her 6-year old daughter (a hefty extracurricular commitment on its own) and we don't have much money, nor do my parents, but my mom ordered me some older MCAT materials (how helpful will these be on the new version?)

I'm in the Honors program, am currently working on an independent project that will be the source of my undergraduate thesis in an avian ecology lab, and I have plans to begin working with a distinguished professor in his neurophysiology lab next semester.

I'm part of the LGBTQ community (I'm a transman) and had significant involvement in diversity groups and social issues my first two years. I've also presented at a philosophy conference.

I have depression and ADHD (for which I take medication), which affect me daily, but I am able to function well enough, it seems.

I guess I'm looking for advice and inspiration. I want to be told honestly how I compare to others who want to be physician-researchers (though I'm not planning on entering an MD/Ph.D program).

I've been fascinated with the way bodies work since I knew what a body was. I believe everyone should have access to competent healthcare and physicians who will fight for them. I understand the importance of wellness and holistic care, and am just as thankful to social workers as to surgeons for my well-being and life.

It's late and that was a load of rambling, so I apologize for this "rough draft" introduction. 😉

 

[familyaerospace]

Not worried terribly about your GPA since that looks pretty good. A B isn't going to kill you.

Curious about the upcoming MCAT of course, I agree with taking biochem before MCAT.

Looks like you have some good research that will help with getting into the MD/PhD program. You will need some clinical shadowing and volunteering just to help boost the MD component. Your girlfriend's kid unfortunately cannot be included as an EC unless you actually did something like volunteer for scouts or something. I have 4 kids so yes, I totally know how it is.

I strongly recommend not advertising the ADHD or depression because they seem to really hate that. I have ADHD myself as well as what is apparently now PTSD. My anxiety officially moved to PTSD a month ago.

Where are you considering applying? I would recommend being very careful about announcing you are ftm unless you know the school is going to be ok with that. They really do not like it or if that is the reason you are going into medicine. I am ftm, my entire PS was basically about trans health. I live in the south. It was a bad idea and is probably the reason that I had to apply 4 times even when I applied to northern schools as well as international schools.

When you get a little further down the road, drop me a PM and we can see how to work on your PS.

 

[Strigon]

Mental health is one of the most important things to monitor. From my own experience, managing that is key to ensuring your future success. What helped me through some depressive ruts I've had in the past was staying social and connected. Also, read The Fifth Agreement. It focuses on ways we can work to mitigate our anxieties and depression by changing our frame of reference and how we interpret our thoughts and our interactions with others.

Echoing what @familyaerospace and others here said, shore up your clinical exposure and you should be in good shape. The difference between a 4.0 and a 3.9x is negligible. And don't take the MCAT until you're as prepared as you can be. Take the coursework and see if you can get your hands on updated MCAT prep material.