Tips for increasing competitiveness

[dudealoha]

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Hi! I am currently a junior in college. I made the "Haste Makes Waste" mistake by taking too many required pre-req classes for med school this semester (Carrying 20 credits...5 classes in an effort to be able to take the MCAT in the spring) and as a result... will probably have a disastrous semester: C in O-Chem, C in Physics. Previous science courses have been pretty good (A and B+). Any suggestions about fixing this mess-up? Should I repeat the courses (this would delay my graduation) or just take additional upperdivision science classes and maybe an MS in the life or biological sciences? Please give me your suggestions!

Thanks!

 

[Kovox]

Originally posted by dudealoha
Hi! I am currently a junior in college. I made the "Haste Makes Waste" mistake by taking too many required pre-req classes for med school this semester (Carrying 20 credits...5 classes in an effort to be able to take the MCAT in the spring) and as a result... will probably have a disastrous semester: C in O-Chem, C in Physics. Previous science courses have been pretty good (A and B+). Any suggestions about fixing this mess-up? Should I repeat the courses (this would delay my graduation) or just take additional upperdivision science classes and maybe an MS in the life or biological sciences? Please give me your suggestions!

Thanks!

2 C's isn't going to kill you. You have next semester, get A's in the upper science classes and you should be fine. Don't retake the classes.

 

[dudealoha]

Thanks for your reply. This semester's been stress to the max. I've always done relatively well, and now it's like everything's going down the drain. Live and learn I guess. I'm also working as an RA and in leadership positions for school clubs and activities (diversity coalition mentor). Lately my performance has been depressing though, and discouraging. But thanks for the encouragement!

 

[Kovox]

Originally posted by dudealoha
Thanks for your reply. This semester's been stress to the max. I've always done relatively well, and now it's like everything's going down the drain. Live and learn I guess. I'm also working as an RA and in leadership positions for school clubs and activities (diversity coalition mentor). Lately my performance has been depressing though, and discouraging. But thanks for the encouragement!

Hey no prob, just keep your chin up aight? It's tough as a pre-med but don't stress. As for your extra curic, I would recommend you focus on grades and MCATs...Don't spread yourself thin by doing so many activities that your grades pay for it...not a good idea!!! Why are you stressing? is it because you're so involved in several activities, it's difficult to focus on your classes?

When you fill out your AMCAS, there will only be 15 spots for you to list your awards, activities, job experience.....so being in like a gajillion clubs won't help you since you will only have 15 spots for 15 things.

Heck, my friend got into Stanford and she was only a part of 3 clubs for a year.

Good luck 😀

 

[desertscholar]

This is an area I often worry about, the ec's. I am mother of two teenagers, work part-time etc. So I have a limited amount of time for e.c's. I did start a literature club at school and will start volunteering at the hospital in Jan. And this summer will help a prof with his research. But when I look at some of the student diaries and their list of awards and this and that I can't see how to accumulate all that.
Let's on my app I'l put
volunteer-- drove my daughter to an issue orientated teen theater group that she is a member of.
Made 7 mermaids costumes for highschool play
both of my teens work so took them and picked them up from work.
Somehow it doesn't sound quite as impressive as what others might have in this area i.e.
debate team president.
or
solved the world hunger problem

So I wonder how important are they.
Do I need to have all 15 slots filled, to be competetive?
🙁

 

[desertscholar]

This is an area I often worry about, the ec's. I am mother of two teenagers, work part-time etc. So I have a limited amount of time for e.c's. I did start a literature club at school and will start volunteering at the hospital in Jan. And this summer will help a prof with his research. But when I look at some of the student diaries and their list of awards and this and that I can't see how to accumulate all that.
Let's see on my app I'l put
volunteer-- drove my daughter to an issue orientated teen theater group that she is a member of.
Made 7 mermaids costumes for highschool play
both of my teens work so took them and picked them up from work.
Somehow it doesn't sound quite as impressive as what others might have in this area i.e.
debate team president.
or
solved the world hunger problem

So I wonder how important are they.
Do I need to have all 15 slots filled, to be competetive?
🙁

 

[arsh]

hey desertscholar - you really don't need to have those 15 slots filled with incredible fets (like climbing Mt. Everest or discovering some incredible protein or whatever). I only really have about 2 or 3 big ECs that I am truly committed to. My premed advisor has always told me that substance/quality is much better than quantity. He even suggested that I leave out little minor things so that med schools can actually appreciate the 2 or 3 things to which I have devoted a lot of time and effort. In my opinion, adcoms want to see what type of person you are and what to see that you are passionate/interested about something(s). They really aren't impressed by a list of trivial accolades or memberships to pointless honors societies. (BTW, I have interviewed at JHU, Col, UPenn, Yale and some others).

Also, I get the impression that having a fancy title isn't as important as dong something meaningful. I don't think they are going to be impressed that you are the Debate Team Pres. unless you have actually done something meaningful for the Debate Team. In my opinion, being a nontrad mom who can manage being a parent and becoming a doc would probably make you a much more interesting person at interviews than a traditional 21 year old Bio major such as myself.

Obviously, I am applying just like you, so you shouldn't take my words as pure fact, they just reflect my opinion and experiences. I am sure there are others with differing opinions out there...

 

[Kovox]

Desert Scholar --> Read arsh's post he/she hits it right on the nail!

Originally posted by desertscholar
Somehow it doesn't sound quite as impressive as what others might have in this area i.e.
debate team president.
or
solved the world hunger problem🙁

Sweetie, you're a mother, going to school AND taking care of your kids!! You're right, it isn't AS impressive as being a debate team president...it is WAY MORE IMPRESSIVE!!