Well, let me start off by saying, my chances are weighing a bit heavy on my MCATs and here's a little of a background.
Due to medical reasons, I have no HS backing, and received a GED 2 years ago. After that, I attended a community college for an AS, which I just received this month. I am transferring this fall to UNC Chapel Hill, which of course is a great school that will show my intelligence, but my graduation GPA from my AS was 3.4. NOW, because of me having to go to a CC first, I am behind on the recommended course load for my MCAT (Organic chem and physics).
To bring us up to date, I am going to continue my degree with a BS in Biology at UNC, but I have already been told I would not be able to take my MCAT at the end of junior year due to lack of fundamental knowledge, and was instructed I'd have to take a year off after I graduate due to not being able to take the test until my senior year.
My question is, knowing I have not taken the classes, would you (If you have taken the MCAT or are in a similar position) take the test regardless at the end of junior year, and retake it senior year if the score is low?
On the other hand, if I must take a year off, is there any med school student that has done the same and what did YOU do during this time off? I understand research and travel is a common thing to do regardless of a situation similar to mine, so feel free to chime in!
Lastly, to get off topic, does anyone have suggestions for someone in my position to boost my chance of med school? I understand HS weighs very lightly on med school applications? I do currently have about 60 hours of Emergency Medicine shadowing, 300 hours of volunteering in a Level 1 ER, and 10 hours of neurosurgery shadowing.
Thank you everyone in advance for any answers provided!
Due to medical reasons, I have no HS backing, and received a GED 2 years ago. After that, I attended a community college for an AS, which I just received this month. I am transferring this fall to UNC Chapel Hill, which of course is a great school that will show my intelligence, but my graduation GPA from my AS was 3.4. NOW, because of me having to go to a CC first, I am behind on the recommended course load for my MCAT (Organic chem and physics).
To bring us up to date, I am going to continue my degree with a BS in Biology at UNC, but I have already been told I would not be able to take my MCAT at the end of junior year due to lack of fundamental knowledge, and was instructed I'd have to take a year off after I graduate due to not being able to take the test until my senior year.
My question is, knowing I have not taken the classes, would you (If you have taken the MCAT or are in a similar position) take the test regardless at the end of junior year, and retake it senior year if the score is low?
On the other hand, if I must take a year off, is there any med school student that has done the same and what did YOU do during this time off? I understand research and travel is a common thing to do regardless of a situation similar to mine, so feel free to chime in!
Lastly, to get off topic, does anyone have suggestions for someone in my position to boost my chance of med school? I understand HS weighs very lightly on med school applications? I do currently have about 60 hours of Emergency Medicine shadowing, 300 hours of volunteering in a Level 1 ER, and 10 hours of neurosurgery shadowing.
Thank you everyone in advance for any answers provided!
