Need some good advice, UC Berkeley student, Goergetown, Drexel...

[AHappyCalBear]

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Hey everyone I hope life isn't too hectic and you're keeping your sanity somehow someway. Sorry if I am painstakingly descriptive with my situation but I figure if I outline my situation well I'm more likely to get better responses.

I was hoping I would get some good advice on what I should do in the year between my 4th year at UC Berkeley and medical school (I will begin to apply this June for Med Schools). I have an overall GPA of 3.4 but a lower science GPA of 3.0. I got a low science GPA because I got a C in Math (1st semester of college) and another C in Bio (sophomore year), ever since I've been getting As and Bs, in my science classes. I got a 30R on the MCAT, 9 Physical 10 Verbal 11 Biology and a R on the writing.

So now I'm thinking I am probably a borderline appplicant and am competitive for schools like Drexel, Temple, NY Med and so on... I also have a year off and I was wondering if I am best served by attending a one year masters such as Georgetown's SMP or Boston Medical Science program. Only problem with that is that my grades do not start to come until January which is deep into the medical school application process, a masters might not even help at all. What to do? Are my stats competitive? I've done research and numerous other activities but I'm pretty sure it comes down to stats in the end.

Thanks Guys

 

[Jeffy]

Hey everyone I hope life isn't too hectic and you're keeping your sanity somehow someway. Sorry if I am painstakingly descriptive with my situation but I figure if I outline my situation well I'm more likely to get better responses.

I was hoping I would get some good advice on what I should do in the year between my 4th year at UC Berkeley and medical school (I will begin to apply this June for Med Schools). I have an overall GPA of 3.4 but a lower science GPA of 3.0. I got a low science GPA because I got a C in Math (1st semester of college) and another C in Bio (sophomore year), ever since I've been getting As and Bs, in my science classes. I got a 30R on the MCAT, 9 Physical 10 Verbal 11 Biology and a R on the writing.

So now I'm thinking I am probably a borderline appplicant and am competitive for schools like Drexel, Temple, NY Med and so on... I also have a year off and I was wondering if I am best served by attending a one year masters such as Georgetown's SMP or Boston Medical Science program. Only problem with that is that my grades do not start to come until January which is deep into the medical school application process, a masters might not even help at all. What to do? Are my stats competitive? I've done research and numerous other activities but I'm pretty sure it comes down to stats in the end.

Thanks Guys

It's kinda scary but my stats are almost identical to yours. Yeah I was borderline, and didn't get a lot of interviews as a result, but having diverse and unique qualities outside of these numbers helped a lot once my foot was in the door. Consequently, I'm a big proponent of trying to seem different from everyone else in the admissions process. And one of the best ways to stand out from cookie cutter biochem research pre-meds is to do some work abroad. I don't care if it's research or volunteer stuff, interviewers and adcoms will take notice and see it as a big thing. Whatever, that's my vote.

 

[davidus]

two ideas that jump to mind are volunteering at cfhi.org (expensive, but from what I hear an absolutely fantastic experience) and taking MS courses at SF State. The latter which many of my friends are doing is great for GPA boosting as well as getting involved in some different types of organizations/activities (not to mention cheap).

 

[AHappyCalBear]

Are there programs you go with? How do find out about 1-2 month foreign assistance programs?

 

[davidus]

Are there programs you go with? How do find out about 1-2 month foreign assistance programs?

Are you referring to cfhi? Check out http://cfhi.org

They give you a list of possibilities once you select a few options...