Question about GPA repair and ECs

[hiyaman]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hello everyone,

So I've had some major GPA issues during the first year and a half of my undergrad. I've managed to repair my gpa back to a 3.5 by getting straight A grades in my upperdivision science and lower div bio courses. I'm planning to again work super super hard to get a straight A year again hopefully raising my GPA to a 3.6. My question is, I was wondering if even a 3.6 cGPA is still too low? My EC's aren't super great *i've seen some stellar EC's here on SDN and has made me feel quite inadequate*

My EC's are really just work *if that counts*, research, planning to start volunteering during my senior year but it'll only be one year * this looks kinda fishy doesn't it?* I haven't had time to work in volunteering into my schedule as my day consists of school then research then its pretty much dinner time + HW.

Is the year of volunteering going to look suspicious? I thought I was going to have two years of volunteer but I realized that when I plan to apply which is next years cycle by the time I apply i'd only have been volunteering for about a year.

I genuinely enjoy volunteering but last year I decided on to focus only on my schoolwork to repair my gpa and didn't start volunteering but I was researching. I'm also not part of a club yet, but I'm going to try to get involved. I feel like I don't have an abundance of free time, only on the weekends I suppose. But I usually use saturday as a day to relax and unwind and sun to finish up lab reports/school work due the next week. Then its back to the usual routine for me. Am I the only person that feels like there's not enough time? Or maybe i'm just bad at managing several diff things at once during the week, like volunteer+work+research+club?

Or does every pre-med feel they have inadequate ECs GPA and MCAT?

 

[NickNaylor]

Hello everyone,

So I've had some major GPA issues during the first year and a half of my undergrad. I've managed to repair my gpa back to a 3.5 by getting straight A grades in my upperdivision science and lower div bio courses. I'm planning to again work super super hard to get a straight A year again hopefully raising my GPA to a 3.6. My question is, I was wondering if even a 3.6 cGPA is still too low? My EC's aren't super great *i've seen some stellar EC's here on SDN and has made me feel quite inadequate*

My EC's are really just work *if that counts*, research, planning to start volunteering during my senior year but it'll only be one year * this looks kinda fishy doesn't it?* I haven't had time to work in volunteering into my schedule as my day consists of school then research then its pretty much dinner time + HW.

Is the year of volunteering going to look suspicious? I thought I was going to have two years of volunteer but I realized that when I plan to apply which is next years cycle by the time I apply i'd only have been volunteering for about a year.

I genuinely enjoy volunteering but last year I decided on to focus only on my schoolwork to repair my gpa and didn't start volunteering but I was researching. I'm also not part of a club yet, but I'm going to try to get involved. I feel like I don't have an abundance of free time, only on the weekends I suppose. But I usually use saturday as a day to relax and unwind and sun to finish up lab reports/school work due the next week. Then its back to the usual routine for me. Am I the only person that feels like there's not enough time? Or maybe i'm just bad at managing several diff things at once during the week, like volunteer+work+research+club?

Or does every pre-med feel they have inadequate ECs GPA and MCAT?

This. Especially if you use SDN as a benchmark.

 

[Doctor246853]

This. Especially if you use SDN as a benchmark.

Actually I think its more time management😉. I work 40hr/week, volunteer, research (both only 1 hr a week) and school full time (tue. and thur. only) If you plan out EVERYTHING from time you wake up til time you sleep it can all fit, rather than cramming it all at the end of your school year. My 1hr/week volunteer and research will look good over a 3-4 yr period rather than 8hr week for 10 months or so. But you seem to be good with a good upward trend. Anyway somethings gota give, you had time to relax a little while I have no social life😛 but I dont mind one bit. Good luck👍

 

[Frazier]

Or does every pre-med feel they have inadequate ECs GPA and MCAT?

This. Especially if you use SDN as a benchmark.

...says the fellow with the 4.00 gpa and 41 mcat.

 

[NickNaylor]

Well I know my numbers are above the curve, but with respect to ECs, etc. I still feel inadequate even though I bust my balls.

 

[Frazier]

Well I know my numbers are above the curve, but with respect to ECs, etc. I still feel inadequate even though I bust my balls.

"Healthy amount of research, publications, several non-medical ECs, volunteering, some clinical experience."

HA! Looks like you have all the bases covered, dawwg.

I see where you're applying to -- but which is your top pick school (out of the three listed)?

 

[NickNaylor]

I'm still uneasy about it. It's hard because there's no easy way to compare applicants and get an idea of where you are. I could be at the top, or I could be at the bottom. I tend to think I'm at the bottom.

If I had to pick tonight, I would pick Vandy because my significant other is currently an undergrad there and has a guaranteed (and binding) acceptance to Vandy med. Really, though, I think I'll be happy with any of the places I applied to. I'm looking forward to going on interviews and getting a real feel for the different places. I'll be able to judge much better after seeing the schools first-hand.

 

[Frazier]

I'm still uneasy about it. It's hard because there's no easy way to compare applicants and get an idea of where you are. I could be at the top, or I could be at the bottom. I tend to think I'm at the bottom.

If I had to pick tonight, I would pick Vandy because my significant other is currently an undergrad there and has a guaranteed (and binding) acceptance to Vandy med. Really, though, I think I'll be happy with any of the places I applied to. I'm looking forward to going on interviews and getting a real feel for the different places. I'll be able to judge much better after seeing the schools first-hand.

Well, hell, you've already been invited to interview there, eh?
G'Luck

 

[morning]

It doesn't really matter if a 3.6 is too low, because there's nothing you can do about it at this point. If you're running out of time and thus that's your ceiling...it is what it is. Strive to reach it and don't worry about what you can't change.

Same with the volunteering. Personally I think senior year is too late, but if you ABSOLUTELY CAN'T get any in before then, you can't. Still, if there's any way at all to get some in beforehand without sacrificing your grades, do it.

 

[theWUbear]

...says the fellow with the 4.00 gpa and 41 mcat.

I think cole is a pretty cool guy. Eh a 4.0 and still has time to keep up with b. and doesn't afraid of anything

 

[iceman55]

Actually I think its more time management😉. I work 40hr/week, volunteer, research (both only 1 hr a week) and school full time (tue. and thur. only) If you plan out EVERYTHING from time you wake up til time you sleep it can all fit, rather than cramming it all at the end of your school year. My 1hr/week volunteer and research will look good over a 3-4 yr period rather than 8hr week for 10 months or so. But you seem to be good with a good upward trend. Anyway somethings gota give, you had time to relax a little while I have no social life😛 but I dont mind one bit. Good luck👍

How much can you possibly get done with only 1 hour in the lab a week?

 

[hiyaman]

It doesn't really matter if a 3.6 is too low, because there's nothing you can do about it at this point. If you're running out of time and thus that's your ceiling...it is what it is. Strive to reach it and don't worry about what you can't change.

Same with the volunteering. Personally I think senior year is too late, but if you ABSOLUTELY CAN'T get any in before then, you can't. Still, if there's any way at all to get some in beforehand without sacrificing your grades, do it.

I know this is an old thread but, do you guys think taking 2 years off is wise to beef up volunteering/nonmed volunteering and other EC's?

I was planning to take one year off apply in june after i graduate. But i'm feeling that 1 year of hospital volunteer + nonmed volunteer in the form of tutoring and 2 years research is going to be hindering me from a successful cycle. Am I being crazy? I'm aiming for mid to low tier schools with my dream school being UCLA (which I know I won't be given a chance of consideration for)
Also I received my mcat 33Q (VR: 8 PS: 11 BS: 14) I'm happy with my science scores but VR is 2 pts below my aamc average of 10. I literally got either a 10 or 11 on the AAMC tests i took,although I only took 5 or so instead of the full 7.

Also is it looking grave for CA schools? I'm a CA resident at a UC.

im planning to apply to almost all of the CA schools, i'm leaving out UCSF cos me getting in there is about 0.001%.

 

[Catalystik]

You are not being crazy. I think that taking an extra year off to develop solid ECs would give you a better shot at getting into one of your state schools. You are prioritizing correctly when you you put your primary efforts into keeping your GPA high and recovering from a bad freshman year. There is no rush to apply at a traditional time.

You don't need to join a club. You can find other avenues to leadership. I'd suggest taking on a role with whatever nonmedical community service you are involved in and then taking the position and really accomplishing some good with it. Also, look for a "hook," namely, a unique activity that helps you stand out.

You might also look at the missions of various in-state schools and specifically developing rural or inner-city experiences, or work with underserved populations so as to appeal to them. And also polish up your medical Spanish-speaking skills.

 

[hiyaman]

You are not being crazy. I think that taking an extra year off to develop solid ECs would give you a better shot at getting into one of your state schools. You are prioritizing correctly when you you put your primary efforts into keeping your GPA high and recovering from a bad freshman year. There is no rush to apply at a traditional time.

You don't need to join a club. You can find other avenues to leadership. I'd suggest taking on a role with whatever nonmedical community service you are involved in and then taking the position and really accomplishing some good with it. Also, look for a "hook," namely, a unique activity that helps you stand out.

You might also look at the missions of various in-state schools and specifically developing rural or inner-city experiences, or work with underserved populations so as to appeal to them. And also polish up your medical Spanish-speaking skills.

Would a advisable schedule be:

2010-2011 graduate, ~8 months hospital volunteering, ~8 months nonmed volunteer,~ 2 full years (summers included) of research, ~3 years part time job
then 2011-2012 ~find a job (looking for positions as a research tech, could probably join my lab but i'm not sure if our research tech is leaving this year or not), ~ continue hospital volunteering+nonmed volunteering, pick up some experiences in other areas that interest me. Then apply summer 2012
2012-2013~ continue job, EC's, apps for school
fall of 2013 matriculate (hopefully)

I have no qualms about this, but I know that whatever job I find to do during that year probably won't pay too well. I know my parents want me to apply with just 1 year off in a schedule that looks like this, although they have expressed support for me if I do take 2 years off after graduation.

2010-2011 ~ graduate, do EC's
2011-2012 ~ find job, continue EC's, apply summer 2011+interviews
matriculate 2012 (hopefully)

The first plan I get an extra years worth of time to continue volunteering activities, and I could probably find other activities as well that would be interesting and a good experience to do, since without classes I would have free time.

Or maybe I could do an SMP (haven't looked into it yet, but I've heard it's a good way for a person with a less than stellar gpa to remedy it?)

All the doctor's I've talked to, said that a gpa of 3.5 was nothing to worry about, but they matriculated back in the 90's, so I'm pretty sure a 3.5 is still not okay. Well I haven't graduated yet, so we'll see what my gpa comes out to in the end. Trying my very best to get all A's and no A-'s.

I don't know any spanish as of yet, however I have a background in french (took 4 years in highschool), spanish would probably not be too difficult, although medical spanish is a whole different thing I suppose.


The first schedule seems to be the smart thing to do, and it's still in time before my mcat is too old for med schools. The second schedule is what I want to do, it seems as though I don't like the void of uncertainty that might linger over me not being in school for 2 years then going into school.

Opinions? Thanks!

Also I know people say with a lower gpa you should get a higher mcat score, but I didn't get a score much higher than what is the median. Would this help show that I am capable of handling the academic side of med school? Even though I have a low verbal?

 

[Catalystik]

You don't need an SMP, especially if you can get your cGPA to 3.6 by the time you apply.

Applying with only 8 months of clinical experience probably wouldn't end well, so the first schedule is the best bet.

Some California schools expire an MCAT in 2 years and others in 3 years. You'd have to keep an eye on each school's policy.

If you don't already have some Spanish background, then ignore my comment.

 

[hiyaman]

If I took my mcat september 2010, and then I plan to apply on june 1st (as early as possible) 2012 then my mcat will be fine for schools right?

Looking back, I wish I had made up my mind about medicine prior to entering undergrad and stayed focused throughout instead of ending up shooting myself in the foot twice (1st by not getting competitive grades early on and 2nd by not starting extra curriculars early on), one on each foot. But that's how we learn right? from our mistakes. And I'm sure I am a better person for it.

Also during my years off, would it be okay to take a small amount of classes IE. upper div biology classes. This is what my advisor told me that I could do. But I wouldn't want to take a lot of classes maybe 1 or 2 per quarter for a year? Or is it the case that if I take classes I have to take a full load?