Low-ish GPA. I need advice!

[Premed.phe.16]

Hi!
I just graduated in December 2017 with a B.S. in biology, B.A. in Spanish, and a minor in chemistry. My overall GPA is a 3.33 and my science GPA is a 3.04. I have an interesting trend because I started out okay my freshman year (3.5ish). My sophomore year I was sexually assaulted, which as you could imagine took a HUGE toll on me in every possible way (including academically) and my GPA dropped for a good 3 semesters. Second semester of my Junior year I started to get it together and my grades started to improve earning mostly A's and a few B's my last 3 semesters. My very last semester I got straight A's and the one before that, 6 A's and 1 B. I received A's in Ochem 1 Ochem 1 lab, Ochem 2, Ochem 2 lab, Biochemistry, upper division Bio electives etc. I just have that LOW dip around my sophomore year.

As for medical experience,
During High school I did sports medicine (helped drive me toward the desire to be a physician), I was a scribe in the ED for 2 years, I am currently volunteering at a non-profit clinic where I do vitals, schedule appointments, medical interpretation, blood draws, basic labs (i.e. collecting for H-pylori, BGL, HCG, UA), harm reduction program (syringe exchange) etc.

My questions are:
1) Do my good grades in the higher level science courses outweigh my poor science grades sophomore/ junior year?
2) My plan is to apply to a mix of MD and DO schools, is this a good idea?
3) How do I explain to the admissions committees what happened? It is obviously a sensitive topic but I feel like it is important to be honest and I feel it helps put into perspective what I was going through.
4) I have written my first draft of my personal statement and am looking for people to read it and give me feedback. Any good resources that you know of?
5) I Have zero hours shadowing but I feel like between scribing in the ER and doing medical interpretation at a family clinic I have had good insight to what the day of a physician is like. I plan to shadow before I begin medical school but what would be a good amount of time to spend shadowing?

Any and all help is appreciated thank you so much.

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[treatem-and-streetem]

@Goro Is the king of helping with GPA issues. I am so sorry to hear about your sexual assault I would never pray that on even my worst enemy.

 

[Magus5454]

2. Cant advise without an MCAT
3. You can include it in your personal statement or secondary essays. Not sure What you feel comfortable with.
5. 50 hours or so

 

[Goro]

1) Do my good grades in the higher level science courses outweigh my poor science grades sophomore/ junior year?
Yes. And very, very sorry to hear of your troubles. But U-shaped GPA trends are very common, and you have displayed something Adcoms value: resilience!

2) My plan is to apply to a mix of MD and DO schools, is this a good idea?
It depends upon your GPA over the final two years, your MCAT score, and your state of residence.

3) How do I explain to the admissions committees what happened? It is obviously a sensitive topic but I feel like it is important to be honest and I feel it helps put into perspective what I was going through.
Many secondaries have prompts for "Tell us about how you have handled adversity". Your story can also be put into a LOR from a trusted Faculty member. As a sexual assault survivor, if this has had any influence on your path to medicine, you can mention it in your PS...but this will be strengthened if you can do any volunteer work with other assault victims. Walking the walk and all that.

4) I have written my first draft of my personal statement and am looking for people to read it and give me feedback. Any good resources that you know of?
Ask here on SDN. I can't read essays. Sorry.

5) I Have zero hours shadowing but I feel like between scribing in the ER and doing medical interpretation at a family clinic I have had good insight to what the day of a physician is like. I plan to shadow before I begin medical school but what would be a good amount of time to spend shadowing?
To me, scribing is shadowing plu you get paid for it...so you're covered.

Any and all help is appreciated thank you so much.[/QUOTE]

 

[Premed.phe.16]

@Goro Is the king of helping with GPA issues. I am so sorry to hear about your sexual assault I would never pray that on even my worst enemy.

Thank you so much!!

 

[Premed.phe.16]

2. Cant advise without an MCAT
3. You can include it in your personal statement or secondary essays. Not sure What you feel comfortable with.
5. 50 hours or so

I will be taking my MCAT in April or May and will update when I receive my score! Thank you.

 

[Premed.phe.16]

1) Do my good grades in the higher level science courses outweigh my poor science grades sophomore/ junior year?
Yes. And very, very sorry to hear of your troubles. But U-shaped GPA trends are very common, and you have displayed something Adcoms value: resilience!

2) My plan is to apply to a mix of MD and DO schools, is this a good idea?
It depends upon your GPA over the final two years, your MCAT score, and your state of residence.

3) How do I explain to the admissions committees what happened? It is obviously a sensitive topic but I feel like it is important to be honest and I feel it helps put into perspective what I was going through.
Many secondaries have prompts for "Tell us about how you have handled adversity". Your story can also be put into a LOR from a trusted Faculty member. As a sexual assault survivor, if this has had any influence on your path to medicine, you can mention it in your PS...but this will be strengthened if you can do any volunteer work with other assault victims. Walking the walk and all that.

4) I have written my first draft of my personal statement and am looking for people to read it and give me feedback. Any good resources that you know of?
Ask here on SDN. I can't read essays. Sorry.

5) I Have zero hours shadowing but I feel like between scribing in the ER and doing medical interpretation at a family clinic I have had good insight to what the day of a physician is like. I plan to shadow before I begin medical school but what would be a good amount of time to spend shadowing?
To me, scribing is shadowing plu you get paid for it...so you're covered.

Any and all help is appreciated thank you so much.

[/QUOTE]

Thank you so much for all of your helpful input. I really appreciate it!

Do you know how I can find schools that weigh the last ~60 credit hours or so more heavily? (Since these are my best grades).

 

[Goro]

Thank you so much for all of your helpful input. I really appreciate it!

Do you know how I can find schools that weigh the last ~60 credit hours or so more heavily? (Since these are my best grades).[/QUOTE]
This MAY be on their Admissions websites. You can also in the school specific threads.