Should I Keep Going???

[Positivity2565]

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Age: 24
School: Florida International University (1 year left until I complete my Bachelors)
Major/Minor: BS: Biology/Minor:Spanish
GPA: 3.3 BCPM 3.5
MCAT: Will be taking in August
EC's: Florida State EMT (Class leader)
~150hrs of Student experience as an EMT and Medic
~50 Hrs ER volunteer work
1 month medical internship in India (shadowing and working with ER Physicians)
Downfall: My first year at a community college was a very bad year and therefore I have a TON of W's on my transcript.
I am excellent out in the field, working on scene etc..But I am a horrible test taker, which won't be helpful when I take the MCAT.

I just transferred to FIU and am now realizing my competition, which is forcing me to second guess myself..Most students have above a 3.7GPA, their parents are Doctors, and they have been planning to go to Medical School since they came out of the womb.

Do I have a chance at a U.S. Medical School...Honest opinion please!

 

[Keepitclassy]

You should be fine, of course a huge factor now is what you score on the MCAT. If you're notorious for bad test-taking, try to work on it. i.e. Snag an AAMC FL exam and replicate the test settings, find out what it is that's hindering your ability to perform well and do your best to work out the kinks before D-Day.

Although your freshman year at CC obviously won't look good on your application, the fact that you were able to kick it into gear and finish relatively strong will get noticed.

Try your best to get a research position, and more shadowing/volunteering wouldn't hurt either. Your experience as an EMT is definitely a plus, but your EC's could use a little work as well. Strong LOR's & PS can go a long way in an application.

You have just ~3 months until you take the MCAT, which should be more than enough time to properly prep. Because of your sub-par GPA, anything below a 30 might further hinder your chances at landing an acceptance (unless you're applying DO as well, in which case a ~27 will suffice).

Best of luck.

 

[alexrgross]

That is really impressive, the Spanish minor. I would suggest you try to find some non-clinical experiences to build on this Spanish language skill...in addition to the above post. Of course keep going!

 

[Positivity2565]

Thank you both for the advice!

 

[TriagePreMed]

If you're willing to go Osteopathic, I can see you having no trouble getting into LECOM or NSUCOM in your home state.