what is the best thing for me to do? (reduce or increase class load? MCAT? applying?)

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After my freshman and sophomore year at a state university, my gpa stands at 3.0. 😳 🙁

my transcript consists of a mix of A's, B's, C's, and one D.
cumulative works out to 3.0, not sure about the BCPM gpa.

anyways, i've had a gradual gpa increase from a 2.16 (1 st semester) to a 3.4 (4th semester). I'm entering my third year in college. I'm hoping to continue this upward trend and graduate with a somewhat competitive gpa, willing to stay an extra year in undergrad if i have to, do post-bac, grad school or whatever it takes.....

I'm thinking of taking the maximum load and try to do well in majority of the classes, what do you guys think I should do?



Also, I know majority of pre-med students take the MCAT during the spring of their junior year but I'm wondering if I should do the same?

I still have yet to take the ochem sequence, or biochem, or microbio. anatomy, physiology, or any of the upper division science courses. Plus, my gpa will not be good enough by then.

when should I wait until to take the mcat?

should I take the mcat during the spring of my SENIOR year? and take a year off after I graduate by going to grad school/post-bac or whatever?
or take the mcat after i finish undergrad?

thanks.

 

[on_the_fence]

I would NOT take a maximum load unless you are confident you can pull off a 4.0 with it. It is better to take a few classes and do really well than to push yourself through a bunch of classes and do average or slightly above average.

The MCAT decision is up to you -- I am going to take mine after I graduate so that I have more time to commit to studying. I will also be better prepared, b/c I will have taken some more upper level science courses. I would wait until your SR yr and see how you feel -- if you feel like you can be well prepared, go ahead. If not, wait -- remember that entering medical school is just the beginning of a life long career. One year extra won't affect you greatly.

 

[Medikit]

I take about 12 units - three science classes with labs a semester and I do summer school and intercession whenever possible.

I really don't recommend doing much more, your classes are about to become increasingly difficult. Upper division is when real college starts.

Also I took the MCAT during April of my senior year because I determined I wasn't ready during my junior year.

 

[gizmoduck]

There's always the option of retaking a class here and there if need be.

 

[on_the_fence]

There's always the option of retaking a class here and there if need be.

True, but why waste the money?

 

[gizmoduck]

That's what academic scholarships are for. 😀

 

[Medikit]

There's always the option of retaking a class here and there if need be.

I would consider that a last resort. Both grades go on your transcript.

 

[gizmoduck]

Very true. Like the man with the knife in his head says, stick to 12 hours and don't goof off. The less you know the more it'll come back to haunt you in higher level classes.

 

[bigdan]

I'd say:
1) keep hours low and do great in those classes.
2) Take a considerable amount of time to study for the MCAT, and plan to do well in that. It is THE equalizer. You are a better candidate with 3.2/38 than a 4.0/21 (arguably).

Good luck.

dc

 

[Medikit]

You are a better candidate with 3.2/38 than a 4.0/21 (arguably).

Good luck.

dc

FAR better. A 3.0/35 is on par with a 4.0/25 imo.

After writing that up I realized that both add up to 65, how cool is that?

 

[Pinkertinkle]

Wont med schools frown upon taking the minimum courseload? Or are prereqs with labs justifiably hard?

 

[FutureERDoc]

Definitely do not take the maximum load, especially with advance science classes and OChem being difficult enough with a regular course load. You do not want to take any chances on lowering your GPA, and any grade lower than a B will decrease it. I would also wait on taking the MCAT-- study for it next summer and plan on taking it in August 05. This way you can give it your full attention, because you will need a really good score. If you finish the Spring semester with at least a 3.2+ Cum GPA and 3.2 BCPM and can score 29+ on your practice tests, then go ahead with the 2005-06 application cycle if you can afford it, because I believe you have a chance, but it will be risky (Make sure to have all your secondaries completed & returned by the time the August scores come out, which is October). You will need to apply to a greater number of schools (I'd say 15+) to increase your chances. If you cannot go into the summer pulling those numbers, wait till 2006 and work your butt of senior year to pull up your GPA and retake the April MCAT if necessary. Then use the year off to do something fun-- like a research fellowship or maybe a medically related internship, or maybe just get a job and save up for med school. That is just my $.02, and it ultimately comes down to what you feel is best for you. Good luck!

 

[Og kingofBashan]

Wont med schools frown upon taking the minimum courseload? Or are prereqs with labs justifiably hard?

I have that same question. There are those (like some advisors) who insist on tacking on humanities courses. Still, it's very risky.

 

[HollyJ]

Wont med schools frown upon taking the minimum courseload? Or are prereqs with labs justifiably hard?

They frown on bad grades a hell of a lot more. 😀

The first things that a med school will look at are your GPA and your MCAT. Only if you pass muster there are they going to care at all what kind of courses you took.

You need to work up, with a small number of classes, to over a 3.5. Then start adding classes. You can always take heavier loads later to show that you can handle it; it's a lot tougher to dig out of bad (or even mediocre) grades.

Good luck!

 

[45408]

I take about 12 units - three science classes with labs a semester and I do summer school and intercession whenever possible.

I really don't recommend doing much more, your classes are about to become increasingly difficult. Upper division is when real college starts.

Or, if you're a suicidal maniac like myself, take 21 credits, including organic, physics and biology. 😀

I did know I could get good grades though beforehand.

 

[Og kingofBashan]

take 21 credits, including organic, physics and biology

man that's crazy

 

[!dr_nick!]

Very true. Like the man with the knife in his head says, stick to 12 hours and don't goof off. The less you know the more it'll come back to haunt you in higher level classes.

Unless you sleep through those higher level classes, right gizmoduck?

Man that last semester of sleep and ps2 was great 😀

 

[gizmoduck]

And to think I wasted the chance to kill you all those mornings you were asleep *sigh*

 

[retrpostage]

Are med schools picky on academic trends?