Rising Undergrad Senior

[RCLynx]

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I have a few questions about my senior year. I'm all set to undergo Honors research in the Psychology department at my school. My cumulative GPA is 3.57 and my Major GPA (Psychology) is 3.87. I have all of the general pre-med requirements (1 year each of Inorganic Chem, Organic Chem, Biology, Physics, and English/writing. I've also taken several Psychology and Sociology classes for my major). I realize my GPA is kind of low but people tell me that because of my college (a private college in the south) I should be okay?

1. I took Biochemistry first semester Jr. Year and this is the only upper level Bio course I have taken. Does it look particularly bad if I don't take any upper level Bio or Chem courses my Sr. Year?

2. Do med schools care about research if it isn't in Biology or Chemistry or a subfield of one of these? i.e. will my 2 years of Psych research and 1 year of Honors research in psych be impressive at all?

3. I plan on taking a gap year - should I still take the MCAT my Sr. year as a "practice"?

4. I've done volunteering at 2 hospitals and plan to join a third this semester (not all simultaneously). The first hospital was kind of hands on - I worked in the nurses station and a wound clinic at the hospital. However, the second hospital I got NO hands on experience. It was a children's hospital and I basically served my Jr. Year operating a play room (board and video games, TVs, etc.) for sick children. Where I plan to join this semester is much more hands on than the previous two and I plan to stay for a full school year. Is this sufficient volunteer experience?

Best,
RCLynx

 

[Catalystik]

I have a few questions about my senior year. I'm all set to undergo Honors research in the Psychology department at my school. My cumulative GPA is 3.57 and my Major GPA (Psychology) is 3.87. I have all of the general pre-med requirements (1 year each of Inorganic Chem, Organic Chem, Biology, Physics, and English/writing. I've also taken several Psychology and Sociology classes for my major). I realize my GPA is kind of low but people tell me that because of my college (a private college in the south) I should be okay?

1. I took Biochemistry first semester Jr. Year and this is the only upper level Bio course I have taken. Does it look particularly bad if I don't take any upper level Bio or Chem courses my Sr. Year?

2. Do med schools care about research if it isn't in Biology or Chemistry or a subfield of one of these? i.e. will my 2 years of Psych research and 1 year of Honors research in psych be impressive at all?

3. I plan on taking a gap year - should I still take the MCAT my Sr. year as a "practice"?

4. I've done volunteering at 2 hospitals and plan to join a third this semester (not all simultaneously). The first hospital was kind of hands on - I worked in the nurses station and a wound clinic at the hospital. However, the second hospital I got NO hands on experience. It was a children's hospital and I basically served my Jr. Year operating a play room (board and video games, TVs, etc.) for sick children. Where I plan to join this semester is much more hands on than the previous two and I plan to stay for a full school year. Is this sufficient volunteer experience?

1) It will if your BCPM GPA is on the low side and you aren't doing anything to raise it.

2) Psych research is fine. Three years of research is well above average. Any posters or publications?

3) No. Don't take the MCAT until you've scored in your target range repeatedly on practice tests. Many med schools average multiple scores, so take it seriously and apply with one good score.

4) Yes. Don't forget to get in some dedicated physician shadowing, too. Nonmedical community service that helps those in need would also be looked on favorably.

 

[RCLynx]

1) It will if your BCPM GPA is on the low side and you aren't doing anything to raise it.

2) Psych research is fine. Three years of research is well above average. Any posters or publications?

3) No. Don't take the MCAT until you've scored in your target range repeatedly on practice tests. Many med schools average multiple scores, so take it seriously and apply with one good score.

4) Yes. Don't forget to get in some dedicated physician shadowing, too. Nonmedical community service that helps those in need would also be looked on favorably.

Thanks!

1. My BCPM GPA is about a 3.4 unfortunately. Is that considered the "low side"? It's lower than both my cumulative and major GPAs.

2. I present posters yearly at a symposium at my school and I have presented one poster at a national conference (APS) in New York. My main subject is memory and cognition but have done some research in transgender mental health studies. I intend to have at least one publication before graduation.

Thanks again.

 

[Big&Juicy]

Just remember if you're only planning on taking 1 gap year, you would have to take the MCAT sometime senior year and apply after graduation.

 

[Catalystik]

1. My BCPM GPA is about a 3.4 unfortunately. Is that considered the "low side"? It's lower than both my cumulative and major GPAs.

2. I present posters yearly at a symposium at my school and I have presented one poster at a national conference (APS) in New York. My main subject is memory and cognition but have done some research in transgender mental health studies. I intend to have at least one publication before graduation.

1) The BCPM GPA is a major criteria for consideration by med schools; the average for MD acceptees is about 3.63. Ideally, you will work to get your BCPM GPA as close to that as possible if you prefer to attend an allopathic med school. The cGPA is the second GPA calculation that will be evaluated (acceptee average being about 3.69). Your major GPA is unlikely to be regarded.

2) Well done.

 

[Catalystik]

Addendum: Your current stats are in line with those of successful applicants to DO (osteopathic) med schools, BTW.

 

[RCLynx]

Addendum: Your current stats are in line with those of successful applicants to DO (osteopathic) med schools, BTW.

This is what I feared. However I'd like your opinion on two factors that I think may "alleviate" my poor s and cGPAs

1. All of my "bad" grades (B in intro biology I and B- in intro bio II, plus a B- in orgo II) happened during my sophomore year where I was going through a bad break up (end of ~5 year relationship). I plan to discuss this in my application letter. The rest of my science grades are As and A-s
2. Though I tanked on the aforementioned intro courses, I aced my upper level biochem class.

If i were to take at least one other upper level bio or Chem class and do well in it, in addition to the aforementioned factors, would I be able to present myself as a more favorable MD applicant?

Thanks again.

 

[Catalystik]

This is what I feared. However I'd like your opinion on two factors that I think may "alleviate" my poor s and cGPAs

1. All of my "bad" grades (B in intro biology I and B- in intro bio II, plus a B- in orgo II) happened during my sophomore year where I was going through a bad break up (end of ~5 year relationship). I plan to discuss this in my application letter. The rest of my science grades are As and A-s
2. Though I tanked on the aforementioned intro courses, I aced my upper level biochem class.

If i were to take at least one other upper level bio or Chem class and do well in it, in addition to the aforementioned factors, would I be able to present myself as a more favorable MD applicant?

Thanks again.

How many science and math A range grades did you earn after the sophomore year dip. Was it just the one in Biochem?

If so, and if you got one more A in upper-level Bio, of course you'd be viewed more favorably, but personally, I'd expect to see additional reassurance that you had what it takes to do well in med school. IMO, one more class isn't sufficient remediation, tho YMMV.

Are you from a state with less-selective state schools? Do you represent a rare demographic that med schools would want to attract? These might be other factors that would moderate having below average stats.

 

[glasseagle]

How many science and math A range grades did you earn after the sophomore year dip. Was it just the one in Biochem?

If so, and if you got one more A in upper-level Bio, of course you'd be viewed more favorably, but personally, I'd expect to see additional reassurance that you had what it takes to do well in med school. IMO, one more class isn't sufficient remediation, tho YMMV.

Are you from a state with less-selective state schools? Do you represent a rare demographic that med schools would want to attract? These might be other factors that would moderate having below average stats.

Not to hijack this thread but I have a relevant concern. How many courses would you recommend an A in? I had a downward trend in college but attempted to redeem myself in a post bacc with 27 credits (9 courses) over the course of 2 academic semesters so my course load was very heavy each term. Is that "sufficient remediation"?

Though my overall GPAs aren't as high as OP's.

 

[Catalystik]

Not to hijack this thread but I have a relevant concern. How many courses would you recommend an A in? I had a downward trend in college but attempted to redeem myself in a post bacc with 27 credits (9 courses) over the course of 2 academic semesters so my course load was very heavy each term. Is that "sufficient remediation"?

Though my overall GPAs aren't as high as OP's.

Considering you haven't given sufficient detail to give a reliable response, and to avoid hijacking this thread, pleas tag me from your WAMC thread.