should I pick up the extra class?

[Andrea368]

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I have a dilemma. I am a senior in college, I know I should have applied last year but instead went on a study abroad program. So this is the semester. My first three semesters of college were dismal to say the least; you know the story, lack of motivation etc. I had a 2.99 overall and a science of about 2.0. In the last two years I have taken 10 upper level biology courses with my lowest grade being an A-, including grad classes in limnology and molecular genetics. I got a C+ in orgo I beginning of sophomore year, a B+ orgo II and an A in biochemistry. I've been a RA for the last three years, and have helped found a community service fraternity which requires no less then 30 hours a semester. This semester I am finishing up my physics sequence, taking another English (I only had one class at college), anthropology, ecology and mammalian anatomy. I am planning on finishing my 30 hours shadowing and studying for the DATS this semester which I plan to take late July. My current GPA stands at only 3.53 overall and about a 3.4 for bcp.

My question is, should I attempt to add another biology class (grad level physiology, I come from a smallish school where the selection is not great) to boost my bcp/sci grade and leave the community service for a semester. Or will this be too much of a risk to add on top of an already hectic schedule and I may only hurt myself by getting lower grades. I feel like I can pull it off, like I can pull the A's if I work hard enough (AKA almost kill myself), but I'm worried about studying for DATs. But I feel like after I dropped physics last spring I need to prove I can handle the course load (I took during the summer and got an A). Haha, this is the argument going back and forth in my head. I want to show I can challenge myself and succeed.

In short I don't know if it's worth the risk to take on the extra course load. Whether it will ultimately hurt or hinder me. What would you do?

 

[Frederico Albin]

Well, in my opinion you should focus on taking the DAT. You already proved that you are a competitive candidate by raising your GPA to a 3.5 and you already have more than enough upper level science classes. Most schools only want like 3 of those... so don't kill yourself by taking 20 of them. Depending on how long you have been doing community service/shadowing, keep on doing it... the more hours you have on your resume the better. Like I said... your GPA is average... just make sure you ace the DAT.
Good luck

😛