Weighing my current level of Competitiveness for M.D/D.O. programs

[hopelessdreamer95]

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Hi everyone. I'm currently a third-year undergraduate student pursuing a dual degree in Cell & Molecular Biology and Health Sciences at the University of South Florida. I'm also a new member to the SDN forums. I wanted to ask for your opinion on my current level of competitiveness for medical and osteopathic schools, specifically in Florida, as I prepare to graduate within a year. You can be as brutally honest as you think is necessary, as I want to weigh my options for the upcoming year. I personally think I'm not as cut out for medical school or osteopathy school as compared to most potential candidates in my classes but becoming a doctor has always been my dream so I want to try. With that being said, I need to also be realistic, so, enough of me rambling, here it is (according to the AMCAS calculator I used):

Overall GPA(as of Fall 2015): 3.43
Running BCPM GPA as of the start of my junior year: 2.97~ 3.00
Running Overall GPA according to AMCAS: 3.41 ~ 3.42

*Note- Pre-reqs I have yet to take include- Physics I and II w/labs, Biochemistry, etc.

Any type of criticism is greatly appreciated, even the most gut-wrenching truth about my imminent future. Thank you everyone!

 

[123456123456]

Your GPA could be better but is not bad for osteopathic schools given you have good ECs and a good MCAT. Have you taken the MCAT and what are your ECs?

 

[hopelessdreamer95]

No, I was planning on studying for the mcat after I graduate next year. But as for extra curriculars, to be perfectly honest, I don't volunteer much since I mostly focus on trying to pass my classes. I know that's terrible to say since I know I don't have much experience shadowing either.

 

[123456123456]

Well then to be honest I think you may need to take a gap year or something if you cannot fit ECs into your schedule now because even 4.0 students need ECs to stand out. If I was you I would try to ace the rest of your classes to bring up the GPA as much as possible and then once you graduate, really try to do well on the MCAT. I would also get some shadowing in (maybe like 50 hours with your GPA), and clinical experience (like volunteering at a hospital for a few hundred hours, you could probably start now and only sign on to do a few hours per week until your schedule frees up more) & I would also strongly consider a clinical job like scribing or CNA or heart monitor tech (I forgot their official name) because you are going to want good ECs/a good MCAT to help yourself stand out with a very average GPA because even a lot of osteopathic applicants have higher GPAs. But this is just my opinion

 

[Ismet]

Closing cross-posted thread. Discussion can be continued here http://forums.studentdoctor.net/thr...competitiveness-for-m-d-d-o-programs.1171005/