Will getting involved sophomore year hurt me?

[lolpremed22]

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I didn't do much freshman year other than the occasional volunteering. But I did maintain a pretty good GPA (3.95+). Meanwhile all of my rising sophomore peers already have research, leadership positions and have established themselves in clubs. Will this hurt me during the app process if they only see 2 years of involvement vs. 3?


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[CyrilFiggis]

No. And why only 2 years? you don't need to apply to get in right after undergrad. In fact, I would say take a year off, there are multiple benefits to a gap year.

 

[bbbcccppp]

The easiest and I think first thing they look at is gpa and mcat. Just start doing your ecs now. I think you did this in a smart way. No need to invoke a gap year with a 395 unless you think you want an extra year after ug for your own reasons. I think a 3.5 with no ecs might have been more of an issue.


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[Gilakend]

I was in a similar position as you but GPA wasn't quite as good! Rising Junior now. I was able to get involved and became VP of a club, joined about 4 others that I liked. I did some research and I'll be getting my own project next year. Definitely not too late! It's pretty crazy what you can get done in a year if you pursue it, most people in clubs, research, volunteering, etc will gladly help motivated students.

Good luck!

 

[Frogger27]

I had absolutely nothing on my AMCAS app from freshman year... I pretty much just studied, drank beer and played video games. It seems like you are well acclimated to college, so definitely start looking into some things that interest you. Quality >>>> Quantity. Pick 2-3 things that you enjoy (clinical volunteering, nonclinical volunteering or research) and try to maintain them until the time of your app.

 

[CoffeeintheMorning]

3.95+ is not a "pretty good" GPA, that is an excellent GPA!!!!

 

[Catalystik]

I didn't do much freshman year other than the occasional volunteering. But I did maintain a pretty good GPA (3.95+). Meanwhile all of my rising sophomore peers already have research, leadership positions and have established themselves in clubs. Will this hurt me during the app process if they only see 2 years of involvement vs. 3?

A lot of premeds spend their first year in college adapting to the new environment and consolidating their study strategies as they adjust to a faster learning pace, rather than diluting their attention and efforts with a lot of ECs. You put your priorities in the right place. Carry on.

 

[CyrilFiggis]

The easiest and I think first thing they look at is gpa and mcat. Just start doing your ecs now. I think you did this in a smart way. No need to invoke a gap year with a 395 unless you think you want an extra year after ug for your own reasons. I think a 3.5 with no ecs might have been more of an issue.

Just to clarify my point, I believe that all students, regardless of their GPA, should take a year off between undergrad at starting medical school. Multiple studies have shown an increased burnout rate among medical students despite no statistically different rate of depression compared to the general population. While strictly anecdotal, although many are able to push through undergrad, med school and residency - a gauntlet of no less than 11 years - having a year to decompress, travel or pursue any other hobbies can surely help. One of the main factors surveyed in a study of medical students found that one of their biggest contributing factors was feeling that they felt they had little to no control over their life due to the requirements of school. The seeds of resentment and depression can be sown early and manifest later as residents and attendings. If you're to believe the concept of stress-diathesis, having that year to return to baseline or increase your threshold can be much more beneficial in the long run than that one extra year of an attending's salary.

I only ramble on this like because OP just finished his freshman year, has a 3.95 GPA and is already stressed about his chances.