Weak Extracurriculars, low GPA, Need some advice

[DrSavant]

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I want to get into a US Med School, and preferably in NY. I basically have a low sGPA and weak EC's, and yeah my cGPA isn't too hot either. I'm already a Junior with a graduation date of June 2012, I need some advice as to what I should do to become more competitive?

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Here's what I have so far:

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3.571 cGPA​

3.333 sGPA possible to raise it to a 3.6 with my remaining pre-med courses which will make my cGPA ~3.67

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For my Extracurriculars:

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1. Research - 1 semester of video coding for a study on Autism. I applied to a few neuroscience research positions but have yet to hear back for the fall

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2. Will be tutoring English 1 starting this fall until I graduate (spring 2012), will have around 200+ hours by the time I apply and close to 450 by the time I graduate

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3. 100+ hours of shadowing a gen surgeon, but just for this summer

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4. So far volunteered 100 hours @ a hospital (direct patient contact) again only for this summer, but it was a competitive summer program

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As you can see I haven't done any serious volunteering before this summer, as I just focused on classes and trying not to fail every premed class 🙁

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So is there a possibility for me to get into an med school in NY? Assuming I do research for every semester till June 2012 and my MCAT is mid 30s? Or should I take a year off to beef up my EC's and retake some classes? Any and all advice is GREATLY appreciated. Thanks. 🙂
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[dontforgetxx]

I don't think you should be THAT discouraged. I've seen worse.

Join some clubs, even though it's a little bit late to get any board positions. But most of all, focus on studying for your MCAT's. They matter more than EC's. Schmooze with your professor's for good LOR's. And as you said, do research.

You might be asked about rocky grades during interviews, so you might as well think of a good excuse for that too.

You're definitely not on your last limb. If you do well on MCAT's, good LOR's, research, and a few more EC's can push you past the sort-of low GPA.

Good luck!!

 

[Catalystik]

You're not in a bad position considering you've finished two years of college, but it's time to show you can produce excellent academic work consistently so your GPA trend doesn't look like a roller coaster ride. If you do finish college with a cGPA of 3.67 and BCPM of 3.6, you'll be very close to the means of those who are accepted. Mean MCAT is 30.8, so if you get in the mid 30s, then numbers-wise you'll have a good chance of getting into a school in your state.

As far as ECs go, having any research is great. About a year's worth is average. So if you get in an additional year, you'd be above average in that respect.

Teaching is valued on the Primary. If the tutoring is a volunteer position, you'd get double points. If it's not, then you need to find a nonmedical, noncampus community service organization that you care about.

Shadowing one physician for 100 hours is more than enough. It would be nice if you had some additional breadth of experience with maybe two other specialsts, of which one is primary care, perhaps for a day each.

With two years to go before you apply, you should have enough clinical experience if you can find a medical environment where you can volunteer weekly (3-4 hours) during the school year, which could be in a hospital, clinic, rehab setting, nursing home, or hospice, among others.

You haven't mentioned leadership, another good EC to develop. And don't forget hobbies, sports, and artistic endeavors.

Don't let the pursuit of ECs compromise your GPA repair, which is your first priority. Take on only those experiences that let you keep a balance. It isn't essential to apply right after you graduate if you aren't ready yet. Take it slow, but sure. This is a marathon, not a sprint.

 

[DrSavant]

I don't think you should be THAT discouraged. I've seen worse.

Join some clubs, even though it's a little bit late to get any board positions. But most of all, focus on studying for your MCAT's. They matter more than EC's. Schmooze with your professor's for good LOR's. And as you said, do research.

You might be asked about rocky grades during interviews, so you might as well think of a good excuse for that too.

You're definitely not on your last limb. If you do well on MCAT's, good LOR's, research, and a few more EC's can push you past the sort-of low GPA.

Good luck!!

You're not in a bad position considering you've finished two years of college, but it's time to show you can produce excellent academic work consistently so yor GPA trend doesn't look like a roller ocaster ride. If you do finish college with a cGPA of 3.67 and BCPM of 3.6, you'll be very close to the means of those who are accepted. Mean MCAT is 30.8, so if you get in the mid 30s, then umbers-wise yo'll have a good chance of getting into a school in your state.

As far as ECs go, having any research is great. About a yea's worth is average. So if you get in an additional year, you'd be above average in that respect.

Teaching is valued on the Primary. If the tutoring is a volunteer position, you'd get double points. If it's not, then you need to find a nonmedical, noncampus community service organization that you care about.

Shadowing one physician for 100 hours is more than enough. It would be nice if you had some additional breadth of experience with maybe two other specialsts, of which one is primary care, perhaps for a day each.

With two years to go before you apply, you should have enough clinical experience if you can find a medical environment where you can volunteer weekly (3-4 hours) during the school year, which could be in a hospital, clinic, rehab setting, nursing home, or hospice, among others.

You haven't mentioned leadership, another good EC to develop. And don't forget hobbies, sports, and artistic endeavors.

Don't let the pursuit of ECs compromise your GPA repair, which is your first priority. Take on only those experiences that let you keep a balance. It isn't essential to apply right after you graduate if you aren't ready yet. Take it slow, but sure. This is a marathon, not a sprint.

Thanks for the advice guys, I was really starting to freak out! But I feel like I have hope and I can really fix my situation with some time and hard work.

I think I'm pretty good in terms of LORs: one from the General Surgeon - who's basically top dog at his hospital, an EXCELLENT one from an infectious disease doc that I've known since I was a kid, one from my anatomy professor and I'm just looking for 1-2 more I guess.

In terms of research, I'm trying my best to find something but time will only tell. But for the MCAT - I take it next May, because I'll have all of my pre-reqs completed besides Biochem 1& 2 and Genetics.

The tutoring is paid but I think they'll let me do it for free as well so it can count as volunteering - I don't mind not being paid

But in terms of applying I was initially aiming for sending out my application next June because I'll be done with classes Fall 2011, but the grad ceremony will be in June 2012. But from what you guys are telling me I guess I should put that off until I graduate because I don't want to end up with zero acceptances. Thanks for all your help guys I really appreciate it! 😀

 

[sphun65]

Don't be silly and not accept being paid. Unless you are already filthy rich, that's an awful idea.

 

[Catalystik]

I agree with sphun65. Keep your tutoring job. Find somewhere interesting in the community that you can give 2-3 hours per week or every other week.

I don't understand what you're going to "put off" until you graduate. Do you mean sending in your application to AMCAS in June of 2012 instead of a year from now? If so, it's a good idea so that your ECs and cGPA are all they can be.

 

[DrSavant]

I don't understand what you're going to "put off" until you graduate. Do you mean sending in your application to AMCAS in June of 2012 instead of a year from now? If so, it's a good idea so that your ECs and cGPA are all they can be.

Oops, I meant waiting to send my application to AMCAS in 2012 instead of 2011. Thanks for all your help 🙂

 

[Catalystik]

We're happy to help.