Transcript and future advice...what to do now?

[viomedski]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

Total nube, first time posting, so bear with me. (Feel free to criticize my post and redirect me to another post if necessary).

I have finally decided to pursue medicine as a career. Here is a short backstory. I originally went to school for graphic and fashion design (to the dismay of my parents who thought I was going to school for biology). Then after the first year of undergrad, I realized I liked art as a hobby not a career. I loved genetics in high school so I changed my major to cell and molecular bio.

During my undergrad, I was a member of a sorority and held a few leadership positions, such as Relay for Life chair and Judicial Board member.

After 5 wonderful years, I graduated in May 2012 with a degree (cum laude) in cellular and molecular biology, and pre-medicine (it was a second major at my school). I am two classes shy of a chemistry minor, and completed a senior honors thesis in genetics. My work is currently in the process of being published. Oh also, during my victory lap, I studied abroad in England for a semester taking upper level genetics courses.

I am currently employed at a top children's hospital as a molecular genetic specialist in one of the largest cancer reference labs, where I will eventually receive my MB(ASCP).

I now need advice on what to do next. I am studying for my MCAT and will be taking it September 7th, and plan on applying in June of 2014 to MD and DO (like most people, would prefer MD). Through work, I am able to take two classes a semester at THE state university for free, and I would like advice on what classes to take/retake to boost my GPA before I apply. My cGPA is 3.42, but I don't know how to calculate my sGPA. I took O Chem again, and at my school, my new grade replaced the old one. I also retook a few other classes to receive better grades, but those didn't replace old grades. I have attached a basic transcript that I typed up via excel if anyone wants to peruse that gem.

I am also looking into shadowing physicians and volunteer opportunities to receive more patient contact and to receive LOR from a physician. I have no problem receiving LOR from work and past science professors. I have kept in good contact with them.

Thank you in advanced for replies. I sincerely appreciate it. And, sorry for such a long post. I wanted to be thorough and provide all the info I could (what can I say, it is the scientist in me). If there is anything missing, I will gladly provide it. Thank you again.

 

[ChE04]

Sounds like you are on track.

In my opinion, if you are taking classes to boost your GPA, your best option for MD schools is to take upper level science classes which you have not taken before. Your GPA is borderline for MD schools right now, so a solid MCAT and a string of As in your post-bacc classes can go a long way. The MCAT especially is going to be critical.

Remember that AMCAS (for MD schools) calculates its own GPAs and counts every class you have taken, even if your university drops or replaces grades. Retaking old classes is really only an advantage for the DO application, since they will completely replace your old (presumably lower) grade with the new one. Science GPA is calculated from courses you have taken which were offered by the Math, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics departments at your school.

Shadowing and volunteering are going to be necessities, so it's good to know that you are looking into them. Good luck.

 

[viomedski]

Thank you for your reply. I figured I had to nail my MCAT to be competitive at MD schools, so I will be studying all summer. Goodbye social life! But, thank you for the insight into classes and GPA. I was praying that someone would say take upper level science classes, retaking classes stinks. Would you say, for me, a competitive score would be above 30 on the MCAT? Or, do I need to shoot higher. Of course, the higher the score the better, but, for my GPA, what should I be striving for, realistically? Thanks again!

 

[ChE04]

As you've said, obviously the higher the better. This is especially true in your case with being on the lower end of the GPA scale. I would want at least a 33, which should put you at or close to the 90th percentile of test takers. A 30 is about average for matriculating MD students.