Should I take more classes?

[QueenJames]

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Hi 🙂)

I am about to finish up 32 units of post-bacc work at a CC. Have 3 more weeks before finals and my registration date is here. I am applying to DO programs this June.

Question is: Should I sign up for and take more classes for next Fall?

Stats are: 3.45 sGPA (with current semester courses included) and 3.37 cGPA. 27 MCAT (from October 2014) --> 8PS, 9V, and 10 BS

Potential classes I'm thinking of is the second semester of combined A&P, at the CC along with an econ course that I'll probably use to retake a C+ I got when I took it at the 4-year I got my degree from and maybe add another science course. Classes are really cheap at the CC... like $60 per unit.

Or I could do open university at the 4 year but it is $300 per unit. Maybe take some specific upper div courses like neurobio? or virology and parasitology? I'm looking at spending over $3000 if I go this route. These courses will not be retakes either and will not affect my GPA that much.

If I DON'T take any classes, what do you guys recommend? Just worry about applications and continue my volunteering and shadowing?

Thanks guys/gals!

 

[arc5005]

Omg $60.00 per unit. what state is this?! It costs me ~160.00 per unit at my CC.

Can you provide more information, please?

1. Are you applying broadly? How many schools are you applying to this round? Which schools?
2. What area are you from? Some schools are state or regionally biased.

Based on what I've been told your sGPA and cGPA should get you into a few schools! I plan on having a similar sGPA and cGPA when I apply next year.

It depends what your other options are. Do you have good ECs? Do you want to make money? Perhaps do both, classes + work so that you can still make money and improve your GPA just in case you don't get in anywhere this round (which is probably doubtful?)

Perhaps keep working on your weaknesses in your app just in-case. So whether that is GPA, ECs, shadowing, experience, etc...

 

[QueenJames]

Omg $60.00 per unit. what state is this?! It costs me ~160.00 per unit at my CC.

Can you provide more information, please?

1. Are you applying broadly? How many schools are you applying to this round? Which schools?
2. What area are you from? Some schools are state or regionally biased.

Based on what I've been told your sGPA and cGPA should get you into a few schools! I plan on having a similar sGPA and cGPA when I apply next year.

It depends what your other options are. Do you have good ECs? Do you want to make money? Perhaps do both, classes + work so that you can still make money and improve your GPA just in case you don't get in anywhere this round (which is probably doubtful?)

Perhaps keep working on your weaknesses in your app just in-case. So whether that is GPA, ECs, shadowing, experience, etc...

Lets's just say somewhere on the opposite side of the US. 🙂

I'm applying everywhere my parents can afford to. Luckily I have their financial support throughout this process. I do not have a list currently.

I have solid ECs I believe. I have about 300-400 hours split between a couple free health clinics, and 200 hours split between many DO and MD physicians. Also have non-clinical stuff like private tutoring and part-time job at my family's business (Which I am still debating to include on my EC list because I simply don't see how it will look).


I appreciate you chiming in 🙂

I was planning on ramping up my hours and involvement in the free clinics that I have been apart of so far and not signing up for any more courses but still debating on it. That's why I'm asking my SDN peeps here 🙂

 

[allantois]

It is largely irrelevant what you do after you submit your application, as long as you keep doing what you already started. Taking lower division courses at cc, or in general is unlikely to be of any help in terms of preparing for med school.

 

[QueenJames]

It is largely irrelevant what you do after you submit your application, as long as you keep doing what you already started. Taking lower division courses at cc, or in general is unlikely to be of any help in terms of preparing for med school.

I appreciate the reply. Should I sign up for any courses then?

 

[MightBeACylon439]

I'd say take A&P but that's only because I find A&P fascinating. Overall I'd say your GPA is good and your MCAT is almost exactly the average matriculant MCAT for DO schools. Apply broadly and early and you should get in.

You may want to make a post in the What Are My Chances (WAMC) forum and ask for a school list.

Good luck OP!

 

[QueenJames]

I'd say take A&P but that's only because I find A&P fascinating. Overall I'd say your GPA is good and your MCAT is almost exactly the average matriculant MCAT for DO schools. Apply broadly and early and you should get in.

You may want to make a post in the What Are My Chances (WAMC) forum and ask for a school list.

Good luck OP!

Thank you for your reply! Do you believe that I should look for a job or just continue to stick to my volunteering in the meanwhile? I was interested in looking for nearby scribe positions if possible or get involved with ANOTHER free health clinic organization in my area. I know many folks are leaving their positions this summer to leave to med programs and there are some programs hiring. Just kind of worried as to if that will throw off my applications at all. I understand it is time management on my part but what about leaving to (if I am blessed enough to get some) interviews? I take it that it will look bad? Just kind of flustered here 🙁

The GPA boost if I decide to take more classes will be minimal if any and the added stress isn't worth it but I am open to suggestions!!! 🙂

 

[MightBeACylon439]

I would get a job because money is unfortunately necessary to pay for things like rent, food and the like. Keep volunteering to keep that up and because you enjoy it.

I already answered the question about the courses, and that has also been addressed by others. With the amount of feedback you have on this thread, you have more than enough info to make a decision. At this point if you ask for more feedback you're really just asking for someone to make the decision for you, we can't do that, so its time to start making up your mind.

 

[QueenJames]

I appreciate it. Any ideas on what kind of jobs to look for besides scribing? It's kind of tough to do something with only a bachelor's degree in bio these days.

 

[MightBeACylon439]

Get a resume together and get with a head-hunter.