Next step?

[kmb383]

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I graduated NYU in 2008 with an overall gpa of 2.9 and sciGPA of 2.7. Recently, I have been doing post-bacc classes with straight A's (cell bio, microbio, biochem, etc.). I want to apply next year and will be looking at around 3.3 sciGPA when I do. I am taking the MCAT in Jan. 2014 and I'm confident I can score 30+. I want to get into one of the NYC schools or Albany med. I've also been full-time post-bacc while working full-time as a NYC paramedic. As a NYC employee I'm paid a salary but with both school and work I have no time for volunteering. Will not having any volunteer experience hurt my chances or will my paramedic experience make up for it? Next year I can either continue my post-bacc undergrad classes or do a master's program. Since I'm applying next year, I would be able to finish the master's before starting medical school. What would be the best option - continue post-bacc classes or enroll in a biology master's program?

 

[Goro]

I think you will need to shadow a doctor to see what their day is like. I'm torn as to whether your paramed experience will suffice for both clinical and non-clinical ECs. Stick with the post-bac and contiue to excel...there's no need for an MS.

I graduated NYU in 2008 with an overall gpa of 2.9 and sciGPA of 2.7. Recently, I have been doing post-bacc classes with straight A's (cell bio, microbio, biochem, etc.). I want to apply next year and will be looking at around 3.3 sciGPA when I do. I am taking the MCAT in Jan. 2014 and I'm confident I can score 30+. I want to get into one of the NYC schools or Albany med. I've also been full-time post-bacc while working full-time as a NYC paramedic. As a NYC employee I'm paid a salary but with both school and work I have no time for volunteering. Will not having any volunteer experience hurt my chances or will my paramedic experience make up for it? Next year I can either continue my post-bacc undergrad classes or do a master's program. Since I'm applying next year, I would be able to finish the master's before starting medical school. What would be the best option - continue post-bacc classes or enroll in a biology master's program?

 

[kmb383]

What are my chances?

At NYU:
Bio I: D+
Bio II: C-
Gen Chem I: C-
Gen Chem I lab: C
Repeat Gen Chem I: A
Physics I: C-
Physics II: C
Orgo I: C-
Repeat Orgo I: B+
Orgo I lab: B
Orgo II: C+
Orgo II lab: B-

Post-bacc: All A's - full-time student working full-time paramedic
Bio I +2
Biochemisty
Genetics
Cell Bio
Microbio
Statistics
A&P I&II
Bioethics
Phys Chem
Virology
Nutrition
Bioinformatics
Immunology
Several other math and sciences course

Should I retake any of the pre-reqs (I've already retaken bio I+II post-bacc, and retaken gen chem I and orgo I undergrad)? Again, should I continue post-bacc or pursue graduate?

Do you think shadowing would make a big difference? I already work closely with my medical director (paramedicine) and with doctors in the ER. Would shadowing make up for no volunteer experience? How much time would be required to make a difference? Also, if I started volunteering now would that look like I was just trying to fluff?