Need Some Advice On How To Approach Senior Year!!

[KH8819]

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Hey everyone!

First, thanks for reading my post... I could really use some advice! So I am in a dilemma, I am entering into my senior year with a cgpa: 3.57 and scigpa: 3.5. In my senior year, I still have to take physics and 4 more biology courses (with hopes of continuing an upward trend and increasing gpa stats).

I initially entered into college undecided (first semester: 2.92). It wasn't until I entered into my school's biology program (2nd semester freshmen year) that I began to perform exceptionally well in all my classes, but especially my biology classes (gpas for each semester: 3.53, 3.97 ,3.6, 3.67, 3.88). I have been working my a** off to continue to offset my first semester GPA and I have received no grade lower than an A- in my biology courses.

Now as a senior, I am stuck deciding what to do after I graduate, especially whether or not I should focus on post-bac/ SMP programs. In addition, I was just offered a research associate job from my internship with Genzyme Corp. (Biotechnology giant). Do I apply to full-time academic enhancers post-bacc programs/SMPS and give up the money that I would be making, or should I focus on taking more classes through Harvard Extension School (I am in the Boston Area) and take up the full-time job. Money is an issue, but I would be willingly to take on debt if it potentially meant securing my future.

One more question, should I focus on taking the GREs or MCATs. Since I have not taken physics, the earliest I can take the MCATs are April/May... is this too late for most programs?

THANK YOU!!!

 

[DeucesHigh3]

Hey everyone!

First, thanks for reading my post... I could really use some advice! So I am in a dilemma, I am entering into my senior year with a cgpa: 3.57 and scigpa: 3.5. In my senior year, I still have to take physics and 4 more biology courses (with hopes of continuing an upward trend and increasing gpa stats).

I initially entered into college undecided (first semester: 2.92). It wasn't until I entered into my school's biology program (2nd semester freshmen year) that I began to perform exceptionally well in all my classes, but especially my biology classes (gpas for each semester: 3.53, 3.97 ,3.6, 3.67, 3.88). I have been working my a** off to continue to offset my first semester GPA and I have received no grade lower than an A- in my biology courses.

Now as a senior, I am stuck deciding what to do after I graduate, especially whether or not I should focus on post-bac/ SMP programs. In addition, I was just offered a research associate job from my internship with Genzyme Corp. (Biotechnology giant). Do I apply to full-time academic enhancers post-bacc programs/SMPS and give up the money that I would be making, or should I focus on taking more classes through Harvard Extension School (I am in the Boston Area) and take up the full-time job. Money is an issue, but I would be willingly to take on debt if it potentially meant securing my future.

One more question, should I focus on taking the GREs or MCATs. Since I have not taken physics, the earliest I can take the MCATs are April/May... is this too late for most programs?

THANK YOU!!!

Hmm, I think all this board's heavy-hitters are at the beach or something, but I'll take a crack at it. I think your cGPA/sGPA are fine, and your first semester won't cause you too much trouble (because of the upward trend, and because it wasn't science-heavy). You'll be in even better shape after your senior year, if you keep up with your good performance both semesters.

You're looking at a gap-year regardless, but I don't think you need another year of post-bac grades to help you out, assuming the rest of your ECs are decent. I would take the MCAT in April (or even in March: just get a review book for optics or electromagnetism or whatever's left in that last month of your physics class), and apply to schools that summer. Then take your research associate job, which will make you some money and look good to adcoms in case that application cycle doesn't pan out.

Basically, I don't think you need to shell out the money for a post-bac or SMP. Even if you decide otherwise, many of those programs would still still take your application in early May, so I'd focus on MCAT rather than GRE.