Hello SDN.
First of all, thank you for providing me with resources and more importantly, motivation to continue on and not give up on my love for medicine. After my freshman year, I had a 2.9~3.0. People on SDN told me that I shouldn't worry too much and just work hard from that point on. Now, I can confidently say that I can graduate with a 3.7 gpa, with a similar or higher sGPA. If upperdivision GPA matters, it's around 3.8. I have a strong upward trend, although I did receive about 2 B's during my 2nd year. I attend a UC, and this is my fourth year. I have finished all of my required classes for graduation.
Feedback and criticism on my current achievements welcome. Please feel free to be harsh :) That's how I can improve. Thank you
Here are things I have done so far:
Lab experience:
-2 year experience at a drug addiction neuroscience lab (mice)
-1 year experience at a neural circuitry lab (drosophila)
-1 summer for a lab studying Alzheimers disease (rats)
**plan on doing research over the summer as well**
TA'ed for:
1) general biology class
2) organic chemistry 1
3) developmental neurobiology (upperdivision)
**will TA for organic chemistry 1 once more, and organic chemistry 3 two more times during the coming summer.**
I have also been tutoring college students on the side, and I have tutored high school and middle school students.
Volunteering:
-Clinical care extender internship my 2nd year and 3rd year
-Homeless ministry
-Tutoring K-12 children online, and nearby elementary schools. [see below]
Leadership:
-Founder/President of a volunteering organization providing tutoring service to disadvantaged nearby elementary schools both on site and online (2years)
-Founder/President of an annual cultural event (2years)
-Executive secretary/volunteer coord/event coordinator for a social culture club. (3years)
-AMSA community service committee for 1 year.
After this year, I plan to be a 5th year(supersenior!) to take easy/fun courseloads ONLY during the fall, and perhaps TA during that time. During the winter of next year, I plan to study for the MCATs and take the test April. <I would like to apply earliest possible to increase my chances..>
This means I will be taking 2 years off before medical school (if someone as incompetent as I can get it ><). Am I correct?
Do you think this is a bad idea? Or is there a way to make my schedule for the medical school application process more efficient, etc. ? Do you suggest that I do a particular activity during the 2 years? Please let me know if you would do something else if you were in my position. I am also financially disadvantaged, so please take that into consideration (no car, behind on many rents but friends supporting me, sometimes have to starve..)
Thank you SDN.
First of all, thank you for providing me with resources and more importantly, motivation to continue on and not give up on my love for medicine. After my freshman year, I had a 2.9~3.0. People on SDN told me that I shouldn't worry too much and just work hard from that point on. Now, I can confidently say that I can graduate with a 3.7 gpa, with a similar or higher sGPA. If upperdivision GPA matters, it's around 3.8. I have a strong upward trend, although I did receive about 2 B's during my 2nd year. I attend a UC, and this is my fourth year. I have finished all of my required classes for graduation.
Feedback and criticism on my current achievements welcome. Please feel free to be harsh :) That's how I can improve. Thank you
Here are things I have done so far:
Lab experience:
-2 year experience at a drug addiction neuroscience lab (mice)
-1 year experience at a neural circuitry lab (drosophila)
-1 summer for a lab studying Alzheimers disease (rats)
**plan on doing research over the summer as well**
TA'ed for:
1) general biology class
2) organic chemistry 1
3) developmental neurobiology (upperdivision)
**will TA for organic chemistry 1 once more, and organic chemistry 3 two more times during the coming summer.**
I have also been tutoring college students on the side, and I have tutored high school and middle school students.
Volunteering:
-Clinical care extender internship my 2nd year and 3rd year
-Homeless ministry
-Tutoring K-12 children online, and nearby elementary schools. [see below]
Leadership:
-Founder/President of a volunteering organization providing tutoring service to disadvantaged nearby elementary schools both on site and online (2years)
-Founder/President of an annual cultural event (2years)
-Executive secretary/volunteer coord/event coordinator for a social culture club. (3years)
-AMSA community service committee for 1 year.
After this year, I plan to be a 5th year(supersenior!) to take easy/fun courseloads ONLY during the fall, and perhaps TA during that time. During the winter of next year, I plan to study for the MCATs and take the test April. <I would like to apply earliest possible to increase my chances..>
This means I will be taking 2 years off before medical school (if someone as incompetent as I can get it ><). Am I correct?
Do you think this is a bad idea? Or is there a way to make my schedule for the medical school application process more efficient, etc. ? Do you suggest that I do a particular activity during the 2 years? Please let me know if you would do something else if you were in my position. I am also financially disadvantaged, so please take that into consideration (no car, behind on many rents but friends supporting me, sometimes have to starve..)
Thank you SDN.