Need Advice For Current Progress

[PA_dud3]

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Hi all,

So currently I am set up to progress to sophomore year with a GPA of 3.96 for my freshman year, assuming I do well on all my finals. I will be taking Physics 1 and 2 next year (algebra based), Bio 2 in the fall and orgo 1 in the spring, maybe along with genetics and stats or soc in addition to my gen ed stuff. Aiming for a Spring of Junior Year MCAT.

Prereq courses I have completed so far:
Gen Chem 1 and 2 - A-/A
Psych 101 - A
Bio 1 - A
Eng 101 - A

As for EC's, I will start volunteering about 2 -4 hours a week over the summer at my community food bank for the foreseeable future, as well as working as a scribe and shadowing, etc. No leadership positions or LoRs from anyone yet.

The only thing I am really worried about is, A) would I be in a spot if I pushed back Orgo 1 until spring of Sophomore year? The classes seem to filling up where I am transferring. And B) will I get in enough non clinical volunteering? I really am glad to be volunteering in my own community but worry if the amount of Hours I get will seem lackluster. I suppose I'll be going for consistency.

Would you all make any changes or offer any advice as to things I should be doing differently?

I greatly appreciate any input you all could provide!

Thanks,

Dd3.

@Goro , @gonnif , @LizzyM

 

[DrFortiusNatando]

Overall, it seems like you are on the right course. You will be fine putting ORGO 1 in Spring of sophomore year. The worst thing that can happen is that you are not ready to apply right out of college and you do a gap year. NOTHING WRONG WITH THAT PLAN!!!! I have had students not get into a biochem course until Spring of senior year and then they take MCATs as they graduate and spend the next year (gap year) applying. They have done really well, but when they first found out that they could not take biochem until right before graduation, they felt like the sky was falling. A few of them that did this are all in T20 type med schools or are about to start.

And there are always more places to volunteer. Look for veteran's groups, hospice, homeless shelter, nursing home, after-school programs, etc.

If you are interested in research, consider staying at school during the summer after sophomore and junior year and working in a lab. You can put in some hours during the school year as well for continuity. Staying in one lab for several years is much more useful than jumping from lab to lab. And in most college towns, it is very inexpensive to sublet off campus housing as the supply seems to outpace the demand.