Hi guys,
I'm a pre med student currently doing my post baccalaureate, My undergraduate GPA was really low due to some personal issues and I graduated with a GPA of 2.9 (I know, extremely extremely low). However, having overcome those issues I am not succeeding in my post baccalaureate program for the past three semesters with a GPA of 3.8 in upper division science classes like physiology, biochemistry, etc.
I have experience working in a lab doing research, I volunteered at a hospital for two years during my undergraduate career, I am currently volunteering in a hospital in a underserved area, volunteering for a free medical clinic, shadowing a doctor, and applying to become a emergency medical scribe. I am also currently teaching science in an after school program.
I taking my MCAT in a week, and so far according to my practice tests I will get either a 29 or 30. I am planning to apply to school's this June for admission in Fall 2014. I am hoping to go to a D.O. school, Touro University in California is my first choice. However, I am applying to M.D. schools as well. I have recommendations from the doctor I am shadowing, a non science teacher whose classes I exceeded in and assisted with research, my biochemistry professor, and my microbiology professor.
I have several questions. First of all, realistically what are my chances of getting in for Fall 2014? I am continuing my post baccalaureate program through next June, will those grades help me in this admissions cycle? I know I have a low undergraduate GPA, to what extent will my post baccalaureate GPA help me?
Do you recommend doing anything else in terms of volunteer work?
What is the latest date that I can take my MCAT if I am applying during this cycle? Also, if, for any reason I don't do as well as expected when I take the MCAT this time around, when should I take it again, in June or August? Is it smarter to void the score on the actual test date then take it and get a lower than anticipated score?
In terms of personal statements, what information should I include/exclude? What makes a strong personal statement? I am unsure if I should highlight the reason for my low GPA and focus on my improvement or focus more on why I want to go into medicine.
Let's say that my chances of getting into a school here are close to zero, what are the realistic chances of me getting into a school in the Caribbean?
I apologize for all the questions. As I'm sure you all know this is a terribly never wracking process and any help at all that you can provide would be very much appreciated. I also apologize if i posted this in the wrong forum, I'm new to this website. Thank you so much for your time, I really appreciate your help!
I'm a pre med student currently doing my post baccalaureate, My undergraduate GPA was really low due to some personal issues and I graduated with a GPA of 2.9 (I know, extremely extremely low). However, having overcome those issues I am not succeeding in my post baccalaureate program for the past three semesters with a GPA of 3.8 in upper division science classes like physiology, biochemistry, etc.
I have experience working in a lab doing research, I volunteered at a hospital for two years during my undergraduate career, I am currently volunteering in a hospital in a underserved area, volunteering for a free medical clinic, shadowing a doctor, and applying to become a emergency medical scribe. I am also currently teaching science in an after school program.
I taking my MCAT in a week, and so far according to my practice tests I will get either a 29 or 30. I am planning to apply to school's this June for admission in Fall 2014. I am hoping to go to a D.O. school, Touro University in California is my first choice. However, I am applying to M.D. schools as well. I have recommendations from the doctor I am shadowing, a non science teacher whose classes I exceeded in and assisted with research, my biochemistry professor, and my microbiology professor.
I have several questions. First of all, realistically what are my chances of getting in for Fall 2014? I am continuing my post baccalaureate program through next June, will those grades help me in this admissions cycle? I know I have a low undergraduate GPA, to what extent will my post baccalaureate GPA help me?
Do you recommend doing anything else in terms of volunteer work?
What is the latest date that I can take my MCAT if I am applying during this cycle? Also, if, for any reason I don't do as well as expected when I take the MCAT this time around, when should I take it again, in June or August? Is it smarter to void the score on the actual test date then take it and get a lower than anticipated score?
In terms of personal statements, what information should I include/exclude? What makes a strong personal statement? I am unsure if I should highlight the reason for my low GPA and focus on my improvement or focus more on why I want to go into medicine.
Let's say that my chances of getting into a school here are close to zero, what are the realistic chances of me getting into a school in the Caribbean?
I apologize for all the questions. As I'm sure you all know this is a terribly never wracking process and any help at all that you can provide would be very much appreciated. I also apologize if i posted this in the wrong forum, I'm new to this website. Thank you so much for your time, I really appreciate your help!
