Unsure future

[baxt1412]

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Hello all

I am currently in my 4th year at a small private undergrad in Kansas. I decided to switch to Biochem from Biology (in addition to my already completed Spanish major) last year so I have a busy senior year planned.

I'm going to try to cliff notes everything because I have a lot to say (sort of).

Academic
* Started as Biology/Spanish double major
* Studied abroad soph year
* Switched to Biochem junior year
* Decided I couldn't take an insane 8th semester and risk getting bad grades.. plus need to start studying for my MCAT so they would both suffer so instead....
* Take a lighter 8th semester and come back for a 9th semester and also finish Biology (So that means triple major)
* The 9th semester works out well anyway because I needed more gen eds since most of my available gen ed schedule space was taken up by spanish classes
*Cumulative GPA 3.736 right now (after 6 semesters) with positive trend
*Science GPA 3.62
*Did research with chem department for a year on novel antibiotic synthesis
*Wanted to continue the research this semester but just don't have the time for organic synthesis
*Did summer research at UNMC Hospital in Omaha, NE at the Eppley Cancer Institute, was paid, did a poster presentation there

EC
* Currently a 3rd year RA (3rd academic year, but I will only have 5 semesters on the job since I studied abroad)
* In my second year TA'ing organic chemistry lab
* Played football my first two years here (but then quit, dropped about 30 pounds, and picked up research and became more serious about my path towards medicine)... how do I play this? I don't want them to think I quit everything, but I just didn't have the passion for football anymore and knew I needed to get good grades if I wanted a chance in medicine
* Leadership role in Chemistry Club
* Involved in Biology Club
* Did volunteering at a hospital back home in the ER and Radiation Oncology
* Have done some shadowing but nothing too serious (I know... I know....)



My proposed timeline right now:
May 2014 - Walk with my class at graduation
Summer 2014 - Maybe take a gen ed so I can be even lighter back at school
Summer 2014 (or late spring semester?? but most don't suggest that) - MCAT
Summer 2014 - I basically have to apply to med school then, or wait a whole 'nother year, but i'm already behind a year from my original class
Fall 2014 - Finish my last semester/apply to schools
December 2014 - Graduate undergrad
Spring semester 2014 - CNA courses in my semester off? Or just work/shadow/volunteer?


My questions:
1) It seems most people advocate taking your MCAT outside of classes, but suggest applying on the first day, essentially, that applications are open. I don't really want to be a whole 'nother year behind which means I basically have to take the MCAT April-June 2014 and that means my applications may not be one of the firsts
2) The other thing I have been considering is not doing Biochem anymore. I could switch back to Biology and walk with my class in May with Spanish & Biology minor in Chem. I would still have to take some gen eds and transfer them which basically still means I would be on the same timeline as above.



I know this is a lot. I tried to condense as much as I could. The future is very unknown to me, and I just don't know where I'm going and how to get there lol.

 

[farnk20]

I can't speak to all of the above, as I'm still an applicant myself. But from the looks of things, I don't see any immediate red flags in anything you've just mentioned. Yes, you may take a bit longer to graduate, but it's only one semester, your GPA seems good, and changing your major seems like a valid excuse. As for the MCAT, many people on SDN warn against taking it and a full courseload, but I ended up getting a 34 prepping as a full time student. But I was pretty regimented and my non-academic life was basically nonexistent. Sparknotes: take the test when you're ready. Only you know how you're best able to study. I wouldn't worry terribly about anything else; you've got pretty good stats from what I can see otherwise. Then again, what do I know, I haven't been accepted yet!!

 

[baxt1412]

So if I was to hold off on taking it, finish undergrad December 2014, study January-March or April and take it, what else could/should I do during that time? Working will obviously have to be held to a minimum so I can do as much studying as possible, but I wanted to do my CNA during that time (as kind of a fall back plan and also patient contact, etc), but I wouldn't be able to do that and work (which i'd have to do. at least a little bit to support myself mostly).

I suppose you are right... Only I will know if I'm ready for the MCAT and from what I've seen here, is give the MCAT your all the first time because you want to be confident and you really only have 2... maybe 3 chances. Although, like everyone, I'd like to be done at 1.



I should also mention that I'm still on football scholarship (private funding.. donors are rich lol) and I help with the team on game days. My adviser said that this isn't necessarily a positive and should be careful in how I pitch this and put it in resumés, etc.

 

[Duff84]

I also am just an applicant this cycle but I think your plan of holding off is a good one. Applying is not something you want to rush. I've known a few people (myself included last cycle) who didn't get in on a given cycle because they rushed into it and wish they had just taken more time to get it right the first time. It's a big expense applying and really you only want to do it once. I say finish up your studies/gen ed's and graduate in December. Study MCAT even during that time if you can swing it, and then you have the winter/spring 2015 to dedicate to it, take the MCAT in like April/May and get those apps in on June 1'st. Sounds like a good plan to me. You could do some medical related work in that time or shadow/volunteer. Could also spend that time writing personal statement/getting letters together so you'll be all set come summer. Otherwise I think you should have a strong app and depending on the MCAT should have no problem getting an acceptance.

 

[baxt1412]

thanks for posting. good luck with your application and testing as well.. i think i'm going to talk to my adviser also and see what she thinks. we also have an MD/PhD whom i'm taking biochemistry with right now and another MD-oriented professor in the biology department that i'll get opinions from.


kinda sucks just being so uncertain lol.



what about how the MCAT is changing? Do i want to take the 2015 MCAT? THa'ts a big decision to make also...

 

[baxt1412]

bump