what would you do?

[stressedout]

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Hi Everyone,

I am in somewhat of dilemma and need some suggestions...

I am currently taking some independent post bac courses (6 are upper division undergraduate science classes at UCLA, 1 is a UCLA graduate school science class, and 1 is a UCLA Extension class) I am projecting that I will be getting all A's and 1 B+

With those additonal courses, I will raise my BCPM gpa from a 3.37 to a 3.48.

I was wondering:
If you were me would you either do a one year masters program or a post bac program
OR
do a community service project thru Americorps.

At this point I am leaning toward the Americorps option (they have some great community service opportunities!) But, I am worried that my grades still aren't good enough....

please help 🙂

fyi MCAT is 8V,11P,12B

thanks so so much

 

[stressedout]

please please help!

 

[Lab-Rat21]

Then those scores are very good, if English is your first language, the scores are OK.

The science GPA is a bit low, what is your cum GPA? I would try to find volunteering at a local hospital/shadowing a doctor instead of Americorps. Yes, they are more well-known, but you need to raise that sci GPA in a Masters (I like it more than post-bac), and maybe take a few "outside" courses like English or Psychology, or Art. These willl give you unique experiences away from the cell bio and biochem and give you something to talk about during interviews. I think the community service is not the problem, your GPA is a bit low. Good luck whatever you do and don't stress out anymore.😛

 

[tBw]

It depends what you want to do long term and what kind of schools you want to go to. To be blunt I doubt those grades are good enough for most California schools but the easiest way to tell is to look at their averages for accepted students (as a non-californian I just am not familiar with the UCI, UCD averages but I know UCLA and UCSF ones are very high). For out of state med schools your numbers are decent. *If* you would be interested only in in-state schools I would therefore say concentrate on grades *if* you can actually significantly pull the GPA up. Thats a double "if" though meaning I think you should consider out of state schools and work on other parts of your application - like doing the americorps. It would certainly be a little 'different', which is probably what you need at this point. It could also strongly help you at such programs as the UCLA-Drew underseved program if you were to be interested in that. Take this with a grain of salt as I just happen to think Americorps sounds more interesting than more courses anyway!

Ok, I hope that was somewhat coherent - it's just I just got into one of my 'dream' schools and my coworkers say I'm no longer making any sense and should go home, so if not, sorry...I just responded as you didn't seem to be getting any help from elsewhere!

 

[PMED99]

I would do which ever you feel will make you the happiest for that time period.

If better grades give you a better piece of mind

OR

If working with the Americorps makes you feel better

I would pick the one that makes you feel better. You will most likely be able to get an interview, so think about which you would feel better about if you discussed it in the interview.

Hope this helps.

 

[tgan]

Americorps b/c

have GPA
Have MCAT

lotsa people have this and still get denied from every single school. Need balance and a show of dedication to improving humanity.

Trust me...I'm an RPCV (peace corps)/Doctors Without Borders volunteer. Lower scores than you have but very very very happy with the med schools that have accepted me.

Good luck.