Rough start..Help Figuring out ECs and next steps

[meddymaxi]

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In short, I did not do so well my freshman year in college due to typical transitioning and commuting issues, going into my sophomore year I lost my dad and I tried to continue school so I did bad sophomore year also and even took a quarter and the summer off. I am in the last quarter of my Junior year in which I have been picking up my overall GPA and retook the science courses I got Ds previously in my sophomore year.

I am aware of the academic making up I have to do, but as of right now I am struggling with figuring out some ECs to involve myself in. I have been doing little community volunteering such as tutoring homeless children and leading an art and crafts program at a senior center, but I know I need to and want to do more. I have not gotten involved in school clubs etc. due to the fact that I commute a 45min drive 3 days a week and my schedule always conflicts, but I hope to move out there this year and hopefully get involved on campus more. I cant help but feel like I am "too late" to join such clubs since I will be going into my senior year and will not have much experience in the clubs.
I have also been wanting to volunteer abroad as an experience but was wondering if anyone has had any experience with programs that they liked? Also would it be better to go with a group into the program rather than by yourself? I wanted to try this program to Peru but was nervous that traveling alone would be difficult.

I am thinking of contacting local pediatricians to shadow since this is a field I am interested in.

I am looking for any ideas or thoughts/advice on my situation because I feel like I have lost a lot of time these past few summers and want to experience a lot more.

 

[confidentandgood]

First of all, good on you for taking the responsibility of retaking those courses after such a difficult time in your life. I hope all is going well with that.

I can't help but feel like I am "too late" to join such clubs since I will be going into my senior year and will not have much experience in the clubs.

It's never too late to strengthen your application, though committees may be wary of your minimum commitment during your first three years. I completely understand that it is difficult to participate when you're a commuter -- this is actually a big issue at my school -- but you need to drop the "can't do" attitude. The sooner you do that, the sooner you can take steps to get involved. Are there any club fairs at your school? A page on the school's website that lists all of the clubs and programs available? What interests you? What is something that you can commit to for a while? Can you contact the club's leaders to ask about commuter involvement? You need to get out there.

I have also been wanting to volunteer abroad as an experience but was wondering if anyone has had any experience with programs that they liked? Also would it be better to go with a group into the program rather than by yourself?

This isn't necessarily "abroad," but I did travel to West Virginia for a volunteer experience during my freshman year. I went with a group as part of a university program, and being with friends and mentors made the trip that much more enjoyable. Most volunteer programs will require that you travel with a group, anyhow.

I am thinking of contacting local pediatricians to shadow since this is a field I am interested in.

Shadowing is an essential part of your application. I would suggest having 100+ hours with different doctors to be a competitive applicant. Schools like to see experience with various fields.

Only you can decide what else needs to be done based on your progress halfway or at the end of your senior year. Good luck.