Canadian here 👋. So basically I finished undergrad in biochem. Got 3.9 in years 1 and 2 but dropped to like ~3.1 cGPA by year 4. Did diy postbacc with 5 courses per semester (15 credits every Sem) — I thought 21 credit hours were BCPM but one of my courses under the physics department actually wont be considered BCPM which got me angry because I needed 20h+ for one schools GPA replacement policy. Currently taking an online anatomy with lab and the schools counting it, but I won't have that course done by the time I intend to apply (may 27th - June 3rd). My BCPM GPA in this day postbacc year was 3.73 with all upper year Biomed and Biochem courses (immunology, epigenetics, bioinformatics, …). Some were retakes because I wanted to do good in those classes I had things that held me back from studying fully the years prior.
Basically I'm wondering if its worth doing more coursework after my anatomy one? I've redone most of the major/tough 3rd and 4th year courses, my main focus is more clinical hours. I have shadowing and my ECs are very solid. I redid my MCAT and increased from 503 to 510 (126/125/129/130) with 55 days of studying. Was thinking of maybe re-doing it end of summer as I can do it full time. I'm going to apply to 2 MD schools in MI as I live next to Detroit in Canada, and then a few DO’s. I feel that by next cycle I’ll be much more competitive but I just want to get some experience for this cycle, so that I'm better prepared for next in case I don't get in.
I'm also applying to a 2 year nursing program in the Detroit area, since I'm not trying to do anymore research in a masters. Nursing at least could provide me with clinical hours and more patient experience, as well as if I do get accepted in a later cycle, I’ll have a job that pays well in the meantime to afford tutition or fund other things for me. The research opportunities at my uni aren't that interesting, and I've been told since I did research for 4 years, it's not going to do much for my application. I also don't want to stay stagnant and take more science courses that don't do too much for me as I already redid the harder ones and did amazing on the prereq courses. Any advice?
Basically I'm wondering if its worth doing more coursework after my anatomy one? I've redone most of the major/tough 3rd and 4th year courses, my main focus is more clinical hours. I have shadowing and my ECs are very solid. I redid my MCAT and increased from 503 to 510 (126/125/129/130) with 55 days of studying. Was thinking of maybe re-doing it end of summer as I can do it full time. I'm going to apply to 2 MD schools in MI as I live next to Detroit in Canada, and then a few DO’s. I feel that by next cycle I’ll be much more competitive but I just want to get some experience for this cycle, so that I'm better prepared for next in case I don't get in.
I'm also applying to a 2 year nursing program in the Detroit area, since I'm not trying to do anymore research in a masters. Nursing at least could provide me with clinical hours and more patient experience, as well as if I do get accepted in a later cycle, I’ll have a job that pays well in the meantime to afford tutition or fund other things for me. The research opportunities at my uni aren't that interesting, and I've been told since I did research for 4 years, it's not going to do much for my application. I also don't want to stay stagnant and take more science courses that don't do too much for me as I already redid the harder ones and did amazing on the prereq courses. Any advice?
