need help with application+more!

[lilqu]

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i need some help getting things in order before i apply.
firstly i plan on taking my MCAT april on 2010 (as it was recommended) as i finish my prerequisites this coming spring and i finish my degree this coming fall (fall '10, if not ill have a few credits to finish in '11 spring).
so fall i have done some notable things - i have been part of the pre-medical club at my school, and lead it as president for a while and i quit last semester as i had too much of a heavy course load, i have been shadowing the chief of cardiogoly at my local hospital and got to see amazing procedures!
i am also a TA (teacher's assistant with grading), and i have tutored middle and preschoolers in math and science 1 and a half years ago for an after-school program at a church (should i include this in my personal statement?) i am planning also in tutoring next semester and volunteering at my local hospital ( i heard hours doesnt matter, just that you did it as you don't note down the hours?).

amongst the above questions...

1)when should i start my application?

2)am i taking the MCAT at the right time for the 2011 cycle? or can i take it in june/july?

3)how many letters of recommendation do i need (2 right?) and when do i send it in?

4)can i apply to schools as long as i have done my MCAT even without having completed my bachelors or my science pre-req's? (i have phy2, calc, ochem2, biochem2)

5)should i take calculus, if i am taking pre calculus now? does my statistics, and college algebra grades affect my science GPA?

6)do i need any additional activities additional to the ones i meantioned? (TA, shadowing, tutoring, involved in pre-medical club, volunteering) or am i fine if i keep it up?

7) My current GPA is 3.67 overall i should be able to increase it to 3.75/3.8 hopefully before i graduate, and my current science classes i have the following:

Bio1+lab B+ (should i retake this to boost to an A+)
Bio2+lab B+
chem1+lab A-
chem2+lab A-
ochem1 A- lab A-
ochem2+lab (yet to take)
phys1 A- lab A
phys2+lab(yet to take)
biochem1+lab (taking this now)
biochem2+lab (next sem)

what is my calculated SGPA? (i did one online just want to double check)

8) what are my chances?

9) any suggestions?


i know this is alot, but any help is appreciated.

 

[just one]

Wow, way to ease into it.
1. Application services open in May, but you should already have completed your personal statement
2. April is much better
3. depends on school
4. Prereqs are required to be completed prior to matriculation, not application
5. Depends on school
6. Fine
7. No one can calculate because you did not supply the credit hours per course
8. ?, no mcat equals no chance or prediction. Also you did not give us any schools, since this is the Osteopathic forum your shot should be good with a mid 20's MCAT or HIGHER
9. Learn more about the process on your own, some of the questions are very basic and you should be able to figure out on your own with research (outside of just asking people). Nothing personal, I just think people should take more initiative to investigate matters on their own.

 

[ole4ka]

I looked at some schools and their requirements for GPA are 3.4-3.5
I think you shouldn't retake any classes 3.7 GPA is very high enough.

 

[lilqu]

thank you for the replies guys. will sticky to my brain 🙂

 

[JediZero]

1)when should i start my application?

The application goes live at the beginning of May so you can enter data. You can submit it at the beginning of June. It really helps if you do so as close to that date as possible.

2)am i taking the MCAT at the right time for the 2011 cycle? or can i take it in june/july?

Taking it in June/July will delay your application. Schools will not send you secondaries/interviews until they have your scores. Take it in April.

3)how many letters of recommendation do i need (2 right?) and when do i send it in?

This will vary based on the school. It would behoove you to do some research now and find out what each specific school's requirements are. For DO schools, you'll typically be okay with one letter from a DO and two letters from science faculty. A school will request your letters of evaluation, but it's best to get them on Interfolio ASAP. Talk to your advisor about making that happen.

4)can i apply to schools as long as i have done my MCAT even without having completed my bachelors or my science pre-req's? (i have phy2, calc, ochem2, biochem2)

Yep. As long as you will complete the requirements and your degree prior to matriculation, you can apply. Some schools will want to see your grades in those classes, however. Sometimes they will wait until they get those to offer you an interview or an acceptance. Check with individual schools that you're interested in if you're worried about that.

5)should i take calculus, if i am taking pre calculus now? does my statistics, and college algebra grades affect my science GPA?

Science GPA is also known as BCPM (Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Math). Yes, your math classes count in your sGPA. Check if schools you are interested in require calculus specifically. If the ones you like don't care, don't bother.

6)do i need any additional activities additional to the ones i meantioned? (TA, shadowing, tutoring, involved in pre-medical club, volunteering) or am i fine if i keep it up?

Research helps, though more so for MD. In terms of hospital volunteering, hours are helpful, but more importantly, you need to be able to talk about how the experience affected you. Other than that, I'd say your activities are pretty solid.

7) what is my calculated SGPA? (i did one online just want to double check)

Too lazy to crank it out 😛 But if that's what you calculated, then I'll take your word for it. I wouldn't bother retaking bio unless you're desperate.

8) what are my chances?

Throw in a decent MCAT and I'd say you're in pretty good shape. If you can score above a thirty and keep your grades stable, I would be hard-pressed to think of a reason you wouldn't get in somewhere unless you show up to all of your interviews drunk and wearing sweatpants.

9) any suggestions?

Work hard. Do well. Good luck!

 

[Kid A]

Jedi-Math doesn't count for science GPA in AACOMAS, but does in AMCAS.