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- Jul 24, 2014
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Okay, so I'm at a crossroads. I'm graduating in two years and plan on applying to D.O. School. I know you have to get everything in the summer before your last year, so that leaves me with about a year left. The thing is, I've only recently decided to pursue the D.O. track, and I'm stuffing a lot into a small amount of time, especially with the exam changing after January.
My schedule this semester looks like this:
Cancer Biology
Physics
Organic Chemistry
Physics Lab
Medical Terminology (a fairly simple class)
My GPA isn't as high as I need it to be yet (it's not extremely low or anything but it should be within 3.4ish when I'm done), so these next few semesters are very important, especially this one and the next since they will be almost all science classes. My last and 5th year would just be taking classes in a hospital setting as part of my major, in order to graduate.
I'm also T.A.ing for Anatomy, which isn't too hectic but it's more time out of my schedule. Anyway, my problem is this. I really only have a detailed background in Biology/Physiology and a basic college background in Chemistry. I've never touched college physics or organic chemistry before. I've started studying for the MCAT( bought the EK Bio, and all the other subjects from Berkeley Review) in August and am trying to take it in January. However, I know most people take the MCAT after they've taken the courses involved with the material and after they have a few good months of studying 5+ hours a day leading up to the test. Since you guys have been through it all... Do you think I am biting more than I can chew? I know this is all dependent on me, but I want to know if you guys think I'm trying to pull off something unrealistic here, even for someone willing to put in the time, work, and money.
The exam is also changing after January, with added Biochem, Sociology and Psychology, which I have even LESS experience in, and I'm really just at a loss for what to do. Continue and forge forward anyway, or rethink my approach? I could give myself another year after graduating next year to get more experience under my belt and study for the new test...
Not to mention I still need some solid doctor shadowing experience + leadership roles. I've only 300+ clincal volunteer hours in the hospital + Bio TA'ing experience. I planned to do this in the wintertime and the Spring semester.
Any advice, or insight? Any and all will be appreciated. Thank you.
Also, I wasn't sure where this should go, so I just put it in DO - What are my chances? Sorry if I missed a better category for this thread. Thanks again.
My schedule this semester looks like this:
Cancer Biology
Physics
Organic Chemistry
Physics Lab
Medical Terminology (a fairly simple class)
My GPA isn't as high as I need it to be yet (it's not extremely low or anything but it should be within 3.4ish when I'm done), so these next few semesters are very important, especially this one and the next since they will be almost all science classes. My last and 5th year would just be taking classes in a hospital setting as part of my major, in order to graduate.
I'm also T.A.ing for Anatomy, which isn't too hectic but it's more time out of my schedule. Anyway, my problem is this. I really only have a detailed background in Biology/Physiology and a basic college background in Chemistry. I've never touched college physics or organic chemistry before. I've started studying for the MCAT( bought the EK Bio, and all the other subjects from Berkeley Review) in August and am trying to take it in January. However, I know most people take the MCAT after they've taken the courses involved with the material and after they have a few good months of studying 5+ hours a day leading up to the test. Since you guys have been through it all... Do you think I am biting more than I can chew? I know this is all dependent on me, but I want to know if you guys think I'm trying to pull off something unrealistic here, even for someone willing to put in the time, work, and money.
The exam is also changing after January, with added Biochem, Sociology and Psychology, which I have even LESS experience in, and I'm really just at a loss for what to do. Continue and forge forward anyway, or rethink my approach? I could give myself another year after graduating next year to get more experience under my belt and study for the new test...
Not to mention I still need some solid doctor shadowing experience + leadership roles. I've only 300+ clincal volunteer hours in the hospital + Bio TA'ing experience. I planned to do this in the wintertime and the Spring semester.
Any advice, or insight? Any and all will be appreciated. Thank you.
Also, I wasn't sure where this should go, so I just put it in DO - What are my chances? Sorry if I missed a better category for this thread. Thanks again.
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