I I figured I should post this thread now, whilst I am entering my 4th year at my University (Montclair State University) and explain my current situation with you all, to get some valuable feedback.
Every time I tell someone I want to go to Medical School, they look at me puzzled, probably because of this;
I have two majors and one minor; Psychology and Justice Studies (Criminal Justice) are my majors, and Biology is my minor. Before I go on even more, my justice studies academic career mainly focused on theoretical issues in justice studies, and criminology (basically trying to get into the minds of criminals. My focus in Biology is fundamental biology for my school, which focuses on Physiology, Immunology, etc., things to help me in medical school. But of course it covers the basic Micro bio, etc. Schools I would most likely apply to are within my state (not a lot in NJ though unfortunately).
This past year I recently decided to take up Biology, and a pre-med track at my school, which forced me to decide to stay in school for another year (a 5th year) to complete these 3 degrees I hope to get.
Overall GPA: 3.1 :\ (this I am hoping will rise by the end of my 5th year, I have to retake 2 classes which I unfortunately got a D+ in both, because of personal life issues at the time, and at my school it will replace my GPA).
Science GPA: 3.85
I doubt my Justice Studies GPA would count, but it also is a 3.8. Also, I have yet to take the MCATs, I am waiting on taking my Organic Chemistry classes so I don't bomb the MCATs and lower my chances even more, especially with my not so good overall GPA.
In terms of extra curricular activities, I have worked part-time for basically all of college, Modell's Sporting Goods and now Barnes & Noble (tends to get a lot of praise lol). I am also certified in CPR as well as AED. Not sure how much weight it holds in my application.
Also during the beginning of my Junior year (3/5th year for me) I did research with a close theoretical professor of mine, however it was in the subject of Justice Studies, so I don't think that will help me too much. I am hoping to find possible research with another professor of Biology, but as of now I have nothing to report (any advice would be much appreciated by the way about this). In terms of shadowing, I am in the middle of searching for someone to shadow, hopefully in a few specialties of my interest. Do you think I should email specialists in my area?
One last thing is, I am an active member of a National Society of Leadership and Success, Alpha Sigma Pi. I would hope this helps me look a tad bit more impressive on my application.
All in all, I thank you for reading this far. I would appreciate all constructive criticism, really. I thought I should add as a final note, I am a very passionate person, especially when it comes to things/subjects I love. I love the brain, I really do. Psychiatry is obviously an option for me because of my academic history, but Neurology is a top choice as well, and I know I have time to choose a specialty. I do very well when it comes to interviews and I can surely impress people with what I have to say, especially if I can rehearse. I am a great public speaker, and I even wow'd my first Physiology professor when I wrote my paper and did my presentation on the Anatomy and basic functions of the Brain and a disease called anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis. This class was actually the breakthrough point that made me decide I want to go for it.
Thanks! :) If I left anything out that you would like to know, please feel free to ask.
Every time I tell someone I want to go to Medical School, they look at me puzzled, probably because of this;
I have two majors and one minor; Psychology and Justice Studies (Criminal Justice) are my majors, and Biology is my minor. Before I go on even more, my justice studies academic career mainly focused on theoretical issues in justice studies, and criminology (basically trying to get into the minds of criminals. My focus in Biology is fundamental biology for my school, which focuses on Physiology, Immunology, etc., things to help me in medical school. But of course it covers the basic Micro bio, etc. Schools I would most likely apply to are within my state (not a lot in NJ though unfortunately).
This past year I recently decided to take up Biology, and a pre-med track at my school, which forced me to decide to stay in school for another year (a 5th year) to complete these 3 degrees I hope to get.
Overall GPA: 3.1 :\ (this I am hoping will rise by the end of my 5th year, I have to retake 2 classes which I unfortunately got a D+ in both, because of personal life issues at the time, and at my school it will replace my GPA).
Science GPA: 3.85
I doubt my Justice Studies GPA would count, but it also is a 3.8. Also, I have yet to take the MCATs, I am waiting on taking my Organic Chemistry classes so I don't bomb the MCATs and lower my chances even more, especially with my not so good overall GPA.
In terms of extra curricular activities, I have worked part-time for basically all of college, Modell's Sporting Goods and now Barnes & Noble (tends to get a lot of praise lol). I am also certified in CPR as well as AED. Not sure how much weight it holds in my application.
Also during the beginning of my Junior year (3/5th year for me) I did research with a close theoretical professor of mine, however it was in the subject of Justice Studies, so I don't think that will help me too much. I am hoping to find possible research with another professor of Biology, but as of now I have nothing to report (any advice would be much appreciated by the way about this). In terms of shadowing, I am in the middle of searching for someone to shadow, hopefully in a few specialties of my interest. Do you think I should email specialists in my area?
One last thing is, I am an active member of a National Society of Leadership and Success, Alpha Sigma Pi. I would hope this helps me look a tad bit more impressive on my application.
All in all, I thank you for reading this far. I would appreciate all constructive criticism, really. I thought I should add as a final note, I am a very passionate person, especially when it comes to things/subjects I love. I love the brain, I really do. Psychiatry is obviously an option for me because of my academic history, but Neurology is a top choice as well, and I know I have time to choose a specialty. I do very well when it comes to interviews and I can surely impress people with what I have to say, especially if I can rehearse. I am a great public speaker, and I even wow'd my first Physiology professor when I wrote my paper and did my presentation on the Anatomy and basic functions of the Brain and a disease called anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis. This class was actually the breakthrough point that made me decide I want to go for it.
Thanks! :) If I left anything out that you would like to know, please feel free to ask.