Sorry if the thread title seems a bit frantic. I'm currently a junior Biology major and after 2.5 years of less than stellar academic performance, I'm really starting to panic and doubt whether I will even be good enough to apply to medical schools. Here are my "stats":
Overall GPA: 3.373 and my science GPA is closer to 3.0
Science course grades:
Gen. Chem. II/lab: B/B+
Organic Chem. I: B
Organic Chem. II: B-
Organic Chem lab: A
Analytical Chem/lab: C/C
Gen. Phys I: B
Genetics: B+
Anatomy: B
Multivariable calc: A
Extracurriculars:
Hospital volunteering (approx. 100 hours)
Physician shadowing (30 hours with an oncologist, will be shadowing other specialties)
Working with the American Red Cross
Working with SE Asian refugees
Planning on playing in the orchestra next year
Clearly my grades are nowhere near where they should be. I really can't blame it on anything else than my apathy and laziness. I also just bit off more than I could chew in terms of coursework every semester and had little time to devote to each class. My non-science classes aren't really a problem for me as I've received A's in all of them. If I make straight A's (give or take a B or two) in my final three semester, I can raise my GPA to approximately 3.6, but I know that that's right on the verge of being acceptable.
Another factor in my worry is that while I have some extracurricular activities, I feel like I'm not doing very much with my time. In addition, I have no research experience to speak of. I have emailed pretty much every member of the biology faculty and related fields, but I'm almost always told that there are no research positions. And when I do get interviews, I end up getting rejected in favor or someone with more experience.
I haven't taken the MCAT yet, but I plan on taking a prep course and then taking the exam in January 2014. I plan on taking a gap year (or two) after I graduate to work and gain more clinical/research experience.
I know this post turned into more of an essay, but I'd really appreciate it if anyone took the time to read through and lend me some advice. I know what I've done so far doesn't show it, but I really am passionate about going into medicine and am committed to doing whatever it takes to improve. Any suggestions on how I can salvage my GPA and what kinds of extracurricular activities would be good to participate in?
Thank you!
Overall GPA: 3.373 and my science GPA is closer to 3.0
Science course grades:
Gen. Chem. II/lab: B/B+
Organic Chem. I: B
Organic Chem. II: B-
Organic Chem lab: A
Analytical Chem/lab: C/C
Gen. Phys I: B
Genetics: B+
Anatomy: B
Multivariable calc: A
Extracurriculars:
Hospital volunteering (approx. 100 hours)
Physician shadowing (30 hours with an oncologist, will be shadowing other specialties)
Working with the American Red Cross
Working with SE Asian refugees
Planning on playing in the orchestra next year
Clearly my grades are nowhere near where they should be. I really can't blame it on anything else than my apathy and laziness. I also just bit off more than I could chew in terms of coursework every semester and had little time to devote to each class. My non-science classes aren't really a problem for me as I've received A's in all of them. If I make straight A's (give or take a B or two) in my final three semester, I can raise my GPA to approximately 3.6, but I know that that's right on the verge of being acceptable.
Another factor in my worry is that while I have some extracurricular activities, I feel like I'm not doing very much with my time. In addition, I have no research experience to speak of. I have emailed pretty much every member of the biology faculty and related fields, but I'm almost always told that there are no research positions. And when I do get interviews, I end up getting rejected in favor or someone with more experience.
I haven't taken the MCAT yet, but I plan on taking a prep course and then taking the exam in January 2014. I plan on taking a gap year (or two) after I graduate to work and gain more clinical/research experience.
I know this post turned into more of an essay, but I'd really appreciate it if anyone took the time to read through and lend me some advice. I know what I've done so far doesn't show it, but I really am passionate about going into medicine and am committed to doing whatever it takes to improve. Any suggestions on how I can salvage my GPA and what kinds of extracurricular activities would be good to participate in?
Thank you!