what could I do to improve

[chan]

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24 Year old college grad from a State University. B.S. psychology, Minor: Child and Adolescent development.

Overall GPA: 2.7
Science GPA (as of right now): 3.8.

MCAT: not taken yet.

Work full time (50+hrs a week M-F), Married, One Child, Take Classes at night at local JC, Volunteer at a hospital on the weekend.

Other relevant experience:
Research experience with mono and dizygotic twins, Research on Nonverbal behavior.

Cinical Research on Schizophrenia and Bipolar disorder at UC Irvine.-1yr (I would interview patients dx as Schizophrenic and BP)

School Volunteer Counselor-1 yr-in low income areas.

Hospital Volunteer-1yr.

Volunteer, Surfrider Foundation (bech cleanups).

Soon to do Shadowing wth a Plastic Surgeon.

Since I can only take one class a semester, I plan on applyint June 2008.


Thanks in advance for the advice

 

[Cheerfulgrrl]

24 Year old college grad from a State University. B.S. psychology, Minor: Child and Adolescent development.

Overall GPA: 2.7
Science GPA (as of right now): 3.8.

MCAT: not taken yet.

Work full time (50+hrs a week M-F), Married, One Child, Take Classes at night at local JC, Volunteer at a hospital on the weekend.

Other relevant experience:
Research experience with mono and dizygotic twins, Research on Nonverbal behavior.

Cinical Research on Schizophrenia and Bipolar disorder at UC Irvine.-1yr (I would interview patients dx as Schizophrenic and BP)

School Volunteer Counselor-1 yr-in low income areas.

Hospital Volunteer-1yr.

Volunteer, Surfrider Foundation (bech cleanups).

Soon to do Shadowing wth a Plastic Surgeon.

Since I can only take one class a semester, I plan on applyint June 2008.


Thanks in advance for the advice

I think you are doing several things "right" but could make a few changes. First of all, good for you for asking for help and planning so far in advance.

Here are some of the things I noticed in your description:

-your overall gpa is a bit low, but you do have mitigating circumstances (work,etc). Or is your overall from your undergrad years and now you are an awesome postbacc getting the 3.8? Anyway, it would help if your overall could increase by the time you apply.
-you science gpa is good, but are all of your classes at the jc? That may not be acceptable to med schools for pre-med requirements. I would strongly suggest you try to take some classes at a local university - there may even be financial aid. Also, is your science gpa based on the AMCAS Bio-Physics-Chem-Math science gpa, or have you included other classes that might not actually be included by AMCAS (so your final science gpa might be lower)?
-your volunteer services look good except that it would be nice if you could continue them until you apply - schools really like applicants to have long term connections to issues/agencies.
-your research looks good, any chance for publication, or for presenting or a poster session at a conference?
-As for many nontrads, your MCAT is going to be very important. So start thinking about it now - obviously, you are very busy, but if you could take a practice test and buy a prep book at a used book store, then just do a little bit each week, you can really see a difference. Especially if your verbal score is low, that is the hardest to improve and more time can really make a difference.

You have already created a strong base in many ways for your future application, just take things one step at a time, and you will make it!

best wishes!

 

[chan]

I think you are doing several things "right" but could make a few changes. First of all, good for you for asking for help and planning so far in advance.

Here are some of the things I noticed in your description:

-your overall gpa is a bit low, but you do have mitigating circumstances (work,etc). Or is your overall from your undergrad years and now you are an awesome postbacc getting the 3.8? Anyway, it would help if your overall could increase by the time you apply.
-you science gpa is good, but are all of your classes at the jc? That may not be acceptable to med schools for pre-med requirements. I would strongly suggest you try to take some classes at a local university - there may even be financial aid. Also, is your science gpa based on the AMCAS Bio-Physics-Chem-Math science gpa, or have you included other classes that might not actually be included by AMCAS (so your final science gpa might be lower)?
-your volunteer services look good except that it would be nice if you could continue them until you apply - schools really like applicants to have long term connections to issues/agencies.
-your research looks good, any chance for publication, or for presenting or a poster session at a conference?
-As for many nontrads, your MCAT is going to be very important. So start thinking about it now - obviously, you are very busy, but if you could take a practice test and buy a prep book at a used book store, then just do a little bit each week, you can really see a difference. Especially if your verbal score is low, that is the hardest to improve and more time can really make a difference.

You have already created a strong base in many ways for your future application, just take things one step at a time, and you will make it!

best wishes!

Thanks for the great advice! I would love to take my prereqs at the local university. However, working full time during the week doesnt allow me to do this. Plus, I have new baby on the way, so my obligation is to her. It would be hard to take off work duing the day and have to give up Health insurance or pay, etc... right now.

I have heard mixed things from people saying that taking CC courses are okay. Others say they are not. I guess right now its the only real option I have to finish my coursework.

Do you have any other options I could take?

 

[Celiac Plexus]

i suggest making an appointment with a member of the adcom at your state medical school. present your case to them, and ask for help in preparing for application in 2008. they will be in the best position to answer the questions like cc vs. univ. courses, etc... also, if you develop a good relationship with this person, he/she can eventually act as your advocate when you are applying.

 

[pinkyrx]

i suggest making an appointment with a member of the adcom at your state medical school. present your case to them, and ask for help in preparing for application in 2008. they will be in the best position to answer the questions like cc vs. univ. courses, etc... also, if you develop a good relationship with this person, he/she can eventually act as your advocate when you are applying.

I think this is a very good idea! I did the same thing when trying to get into pharmacy school. I actually spoke with the dean of the college and he was VERY helpful and told me exactly what I needed to do in order to make myself a more competitive candidate. It took me a couple of years, but it worked.

 

[Law2Doc]

Plus, I have new baby on the way, so my obligation is to her. It would be hard to take off work during the day and have to give up Health insurance or pay, etc... right now.

I agree with everything the other posters have said. One thing you may need to consider, in light of your above comment, is that you probably will be unable to maintain any sort of employment once in med school, and school health insurance coverage may not extend to your family. You may be able to finance everything with debt, but it's something you need to keep in mind. Good luck.

 

[NontradICUdoc]

I agree with everything the other posters have said. One thing you may need to consider, in light of your above comment, is that you probably will be unable to maintain any sort of employment once in med school, and school health insurance coverage may not extend to your family. You may be able to finance everything with debt, but it's something you need to keep in mind. Good luck.

School health insurance is generally free for the student but you need to pay for the family. At least at UMDNJ-SOM

 

[Truth_seeker]

Chan,
wow, we're almost identical. I have a degree in psychology but am headed into medicine. Working full time in IT. However, I've got a killer shift. I work 3x12's from Friday night to Monday AM. So it leaves the week open for classes. Anyway, I'm taking pre-reqs at a CC. The university around here only offers like 4-5 sections of classes but can hold massive amounts of people. All the sections are during the day and conflict w/ my work schedule. All my classess will have a lab along w/ lecture so they fulfill that requirement. However, I've heard from other posters that CC/JC's are acceptable granted you do very well in them and then validate them by posting a strong score on the MCATs. I have a 1yr. old and a little girl on the way so I make time for them too. I have seen at one school where they say CC classes aren't acceptable b/c they quality of the class is too tough to determine. I'd still apply there but only under the circumstances that I aced all my classes and aced the MCAT. It's so good to see and hear other people in this same boat!