Worthwhile EC's?

[witt105]

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I'm a Pre-med student in my junior year with a 3.38 at a large university. I know that my GPA is a little low for med-school admissions, but am currently working feverishly to fix that problem. (Upward trend, currently working on a 4.0+ semester, etc.) I also have started studying a little every day for the April MCAT (too early?).

Enough bground info and to my real question. I personally think that I am a very well-rounded person with many different areas of interest, but when I look at myself on paper, I don't look like the stellar standout Pre-med that I hope to be. I began doing reasearch this semester with a professor in a neurobiology lab, but my reasearch isn't exactly medically related. I volunteer in the Pediatric Inpatient unit at our University Hospital, and teach swim lessons to kids... (gotta love tha kids!)

What can I do to show adcoms what a well rounded person I am? I love sports, kids, and working with people, but am very confused about what EC's I could and should be doing to show my interests! I talked to my pre-med advisor and hoped to ask her this question, but she basically told me that I'm not going to get into medschool anyway, so why try... (man she is harsh, good thing I'm not going to listen to her. 😉 ) Anywhoot, I was hoping some of you other geniuses on this site can help a future-collegue (hopefully) achieve his dreams!!!
Thanks!

 

[hadokenny]

I have about the same GPA as you and I am a jr as well. I am not really stressing my GPA because I know I will be able to pull it up by the time I graduate. Yea dont listen to your premed advisor. My cousins premed advisor told him hes not gonna get in anywhere with a 3.4 GPA and 30 MCAT. Hes now finishing up his residency.

As for ECs, just continue doing what you are doing. Show them that you have dedication. You really dont need a whole lot of different ECs. Just stick with what you like to do most. I think med school would like a student that volunteered at a hospital and taught kids swimming for 2+ yrs straight rather then one that did a little bit of everything.