What are my chances?

[Missamoora]

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Hello everyone!!!

I am currently a freshmen at a community college. My gpa is a 3.36.

My first semester was this:
Biology : B
Psychology: B
Statistics: B
History: B
Communications: A
Study skills: A

Gpa: 3.23


Second semester:
Calculus: A
Biology 2: B
English 111: A
Chemistry: A
History: B

Gpa: 3.5

Overall gpa: 3.36

I know my grades are not that great, but I am just wondering if getting these grades at a community college would decrease my chances? I believe it would look better if my grades continued improving and gpa increased?


E.C`s:

75+ hours of volunteering at a hospital
No shadowing experience
No research
Cross country member
Honor Society
*Leadership experience-Giving a 30 min speech and attending a conference about how other countries can improve their healthcare, education, etc. (This is an experience i am most passionate about)

Work experience:
Working as an overnight stocker for about a year in retail.

I know my work experience is not very impressive. But its overnight..and its not easy working overnight and going to school full-time.. I am staying up constantly.

What other extracurricular activities can I do?
I have tried to apply to other jobs at hospitals..but unfortunately I haven`t gotten any offers. I have no experience with patients other than my volunteer experience.

However, I am majoring in Medical Technology. I am thinking that if I am able to get a job as a Medical Technologist, that would give me a lot of experience in a hospital. I would also be able to get a one-year internship.

Do you think if my MCAT was like a 30 + that I would have a good chance?

Thanks in advance!

 

[ppfizenm]

Keep working on your grades. For a 4 year undergrad they are almost fine for DO (not MD) but for community college I believe they would be considered low (CC is generally considered easier than a 4 year institution). Are you planning on transferring to a 4 year at some point?


Get the shadowing and clinical experience. Med tech is one good way to get that.

Keep looking for another job that will allow you to get some sleep.

 

[Missamoora]

Yes I am planning to transfer to a 4 year university. I am taking summer classes (full-time) just so I can transfer as soon as possible.

Do you think shadowing is really that important? I feel like everyone is shadowing doctors. It`s going to be hard to stand out...and I don`t have any impressive EC`s..So I need to work on that..Yeah I am trying to find some type of experience in a health-care related job!


Also,I forgot to mention that I transferred from another college in another country...I took a year off..and came back..I had a good experience overall and learned a lot..I am not sure if this experience is worth mentioning?

Also,I have just gotten a tutoring job....if that helps..but I plan on continuing for at least a couple years.

 

[TheWeeIceMan]

Yes I am planning to transfer to a 4 year university. I am taking summer classes (full-time) just so I can transfer as soon as possible.

Do you think shadowing is really that important? I feel like everyone is shadowing doctors. It`s going to be hard to stand out...and I don`t have any impressive EC`s..So I need to work on that..Yeah I am trying to find some type of experience in a health-care related job!


Also,I forgot to mention that I transferred from another college in another country...I took a year off..and came back..I had a good experience overall and learned a lot..I am not sure if this experience is worth mentioning?

Also,I have just gotten a tutoring job....if that helps..but I plan on continuing for at least a couple years.

You won't stand out by shadowing doctors, but you will definitely stand out (negatively) if you don't shadow at all.

 

[Missamoora]

Oh okay. You are probably right. How do I shadow a doctor though? Is it difficult to do? Do I need to formally ask any doctor if I can shadow them? Just wondering..because I have never shadowed a doctor before.

You won't stand out by shadowing doctors, but you will definitely stand out (negatively) if you don't shadow at all.

 

[Santorum Surge]

Oh okay. You are probably right. How do I shadow a doctor though? Is it difficult to do? Do I need to formally ask any doctor if I can shadow them? Just wondering..because I have never shadowed a doctor before.

There are basically nine different types of shadowing. The firs...

I'm kidding. Get to know a doctor first (through family, friends, volunteering, etc.) and then ask her if shadowing would be okay, or just ask out of the blue (look up some doctors in the phonebook). One of these is preferable...

 

[Missamoora]

Lol...Unfortunately I do not know any doctors..other than my own...Do you think its okay to ask my own doctor if I can shadow her? I mean there`s nothing wrong with that right?
Because the volunteering was done in high school...I did not really meet many doctors on a personal level.
I wish I knew a doctor 🙁

There are basically nine different types of shadowing. The firs...

I'm kidding. Get to know a doctor first (through family, friends, volunteering, etc.) and then ask her if shadowing would be okay, or just ask out of the blue (look up some doctors in the phonebook). One of these is preferable...

 

[Santorum Surge]

Lol...Unfortunately I do not know any doctors..other than my own...Do you think its okay to ask my own doctor if I can shadow her? I mean there`s nothing wrong with that right?
Because the volunteering was done in high school...I did not really meet many doctors on a personal level.
I wish I knew a doctor 🙁

Dear, you have plenty of time. I would recommend laying the groundwork now. Start volunteering at a local clinic or hospital. Be humble (which you should be with a 3.36 from a CC). Be nice to the nurses. Suck up to the doctors. Then ask one about shadowing. Another option is waiting until you transfer to a four-year school...this will make you a bit more respectable, and your school might offer a class or program where they set you up with shadowing.

Yes, shadowing your own doctor is fine. But you'll want to get 40-50 hours of shadowing with maybe three different doctors, so keep that mind. Catalystik knows more about this.

 

[Missamoora]

Thanks for the reply! I just wanted to bring my GPA up..and wait until I transfer like you said. I just don`t want to overwhelm myself with extracurriculars and then end up bringing my GPA down even worse...Yeah I know..its pathetic..I lot of those B`s should have been A`s..I feel like I could have done better. Hopefully they will next time, thanks

 

[alexrgross]

I agree with the "take your time" approach. 2 hours a week volunteering should be more than enough over the next three years. If you are sure that this Med Tech position is going forward, that is not even necessary.
Shadowing for 3-4 months about 4 hours a week should be sufficient.
And think of another community based activity you could get involved with...again, 1 or 2 hours a week is all that is required.

Concentrate on becoming so focused on your studies that you have no time to worry about grades, and even less to regret B's. And for sure, at least 30 on the MCAT!! Bravo for the good work so far, 3.36 is not bad.

 

[Santorum Surge]

Thanks for the reply! I just wanted to bring my GPA up..and wait until I transfer like you said. I just don`t want to overwhelm myself with extracurriculars and then end up bringing my GPA down even worse...Yeah I know..its pathetic..I lot of those B`s should have been A`s..I feel like I could have done better. Hopefully they will next time, thanks

You're right. GPA (and later, the MCAT) are most important. Try to get involved early, even if it's in a minor way, so you have good longevity in your activities.