Some comments on the responses, most of which I agree with.
1. Parmoset, why don't you consult your peremded advisors at Penn? They are in the best position to evaluate your numbers etc. You need the experience of Penn's applicants to med school. It does make a difference where an applicant did his/her undergrad work, although professional schools rarely will say that up front. Penn is Ivy League with a strong reputation. However, the experienced, excellent premed advisor at Penn just left. The current advisors, there are two of them, are to be found in the Career Counseling office. I don't know them, but try them, they are your side.
2)Wing Zero is right on target, especially about research and EMT work. You should do research only if you really want to, not simply to enhance your application. Interviewers commonly, not always, ask questions about your research, and if you stumble and mumble, they will surely not be impressed. I believe premeds should do volunteer work to learn about themselves, the people they will be delivering help care to, the people, such as nurses and others they will be working with, the system. If a hospital, for example, will not let you do much beyond running errands, find some other place that will. Talk with patients, chat with nurses if you can, speak with physicians if they are willing to. Speak with male and females. Assess your reactions to what you learn about yourself and the medical setting. Learn what you are getting into, not hold on to the romantic stereotype about "helping people." If you say only that at interviews, they will probably upchuck. If you speak intelligently with feeling and insight about your experiences, they will be pleased with you. But remember, volunteer work is only one facet of your application.
I have some reservations about taking the MCAT in the sophomore year, reservations not
objection. You can take the MCAT no more than three times, if necessary. After that, you must secure permission from MCAT to take it again. Probably not a risk for you; if you are at Penn, you must have had high SAT scores. However, there is a "statute of limitations," so to speak. Many med
schools will not accept MCATs more than two years old, most of the rest more than three years old. If you take a year off, for whatever reason, and delay graduation, you might find your MCATs over the two year time limit. Also not a great risk, but you might want to think about it. The MCAT science portion tests in only chem I, II, organic I, II; biology I, II, and physics I,II, all of which you are likely to complete by the end of your sophomore year. Just food for thought, not a disagreement with Wing Zero.
3) Marquette had a medical school. It was a drain on their resources and I believe it is now the independent Medical College of Wisconsin.
4) Year off may or may not be a good idea. My personal bias, and it is just a bias, if you choose to do so, spend the year abroad. Cultural enrichment at a foreign university, for example, not to take science courses. Penn might even have study abroad programs for which they will give credit; ask them.
5) Unless you rob a bank, or have a talent that will earn you big money, you are not likely to earn enough in a year to pay off all your student loans, if you have any, unless you have not borrowed too much. Penn ain't cheap. The top med schools ain't cheap either. Most med students don't come from wealthy families and so have to borrow. Just a thought to keep in mind.
Good luck, enjoy and as Mr (not Dr)Spock said, live long and prosper.
