Some advise please.

[Jlmann2]

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I will first start by giving everyone a little background on my situation. In the fall of 2009 I will be graduating with a degree in Health and human services. The reason being is that I originally was going to school for nursing when I went through a life changing experience last year. My best friend throughout my life and also my roommate in college got attacked and was left a quadriplegic. Due to the nature of the accident he was left with little movement and has had to go through a lot in order to return to normal as possible! Which I have been apart of and will continue to be apart for the rest of his life. I made my final decision to go to medical school this semester and have been trying to graduate asap. I just declined my entry into the nursing program and will be moving full steam ahead to reach my goal. I have talked to a few physicians and they have given me very promising help and will continue to help for the next couple of years.

After I graduate I will be taking basically all of my pre reqs except the one that I did finish (Chem 101). I will be doing this at a local college seeing that I am attending college away from home. By doing this I will be able to help my friend out at home and be able to also work and go to school. I have not had much shaddowing or volunteer work so I will also be squeezing that into the next couple of years. Durring my undergrad I have worked in a Biology lab for 3 years that deals with plant research. Which, I know is not ideal but I feel that anyresearch is better then no research. I will be graduating with a 3.55 cGPA which does not include the sciences. I hope to do extremly well in my pre req courses and take the MCAT within the next couple of years.

My overall GPA if everything goes well with pre reqs:

cGPA 3.64 Science GPA 3.63

If there is any advise someone can give in order to make myself a better canadate I would be extremly appreciative! 🙂

 

[Stratego]

Your research experience is above average and is quite acceptable. Your projected GPA is right at the average for those accepted to med school, so you'll be competitive. Eventually you'll want to arrange clinical activites in a hospital, clinic, hospice, or nursing home, in addition to the care you provide to your friend. You''ll also want to shadow some physicans: perhaps those you mentioned above. Other good activities that make you a better candidate are hobbies, sports, leadership, and teaching. Good Luck.

 

[Mobius1985]

I am sorry to hear of your friend's situation.

Your plan is very workable. Don't be distracted from keeping your GPA very high by work and needed extracurriculars. Hopefully the school near your home is a four-year school and not a community college. Since you have two years to build a good application, you''l be fine with a regular 3-4 hours per week of clinical volunteering. Evidence of extended dedication to patient care is important so adcomms know you've tested the vocation adequately. Shadowing experiences can be done in blocks of time. If you'd planned on nursing school, don't you have any other pertinent healthcare experince you could also use on a med school application?