Hello everyone, I have looked on several threads and seen different answers, but I'm making my own because my story differs. I am currently in my first year at NJIT, after doing 2 years at my CC doing my Bio medical Engineering coursework. Because my CC doesn't offer engineering courses, I'm spending my first year at NJIT catching up on 1st and 2nd year classes.
Now some background, when I was out of high school I had no idea what I wanted to do. I went to Rutgers, took classes of every subject (Chemistry, computer programming, English, history, psychology, infectious disease, economics) trying to know where I was going. Being young, I spent more time partying than studying, and got fired job-after-job. After my first year, my parents had enough and told me they weren't going to pay for my college anymore, my mother has health-issues, and my father works a low-end job so we don't make much. I guess that was cold water in my face. I started supporting myself. Got 2 part-time jobs over the summer, and enrolled in my local CC (that was all I could afford) all the while working full-time, doing 15 credits the 1st semester, 18 the 2nd semester, nothing below a B+ the 1st semester, and only a 2 of Bs the second one. Took 21 credits my fall semester of sophomore year and 12 credits the spring Semester. Got a B+ in orgo II and calc III, but otherwise all As. I only took 12 credits the spring because I studying for the MCATS during the fall and I was done with all bio-medical engineering requirements my CC had. I took time off from the job, and studied hard. Got a 29 my first time (before summer) and then a 31 (after summer) it's spring right now at NJIT I've taken Biochem in the fall, and now I'm taking Genetics and microbiology, classes that will hopefully help in my MCAT score. I. So is there any way for me to let adcoms know that yes I did premed at CC, however I was on my own, and also I didn't start with the intention of pre-med, I started with the intention of bio-medical engineering. Also was inspired by a physician who hired me while I was in CC, he was a father-figure who taught me a lot and really helped me when I was down. He's a tough-love sort of guy. Won't help me with undergrad, but offered to pay for grad school or medical school if I get in.
Volunteer/Special qualities
-I shadow a pediatrician OR an internist 8 hours/week (same office) (1000 hours)
-Cardiologist 8 hours/week (different office) (800 hours)
-I started a tutoring center for children whose parents are immigrants and can't help their children because of the language barrier, and who can't afford to pay tutors. I tutor for 2 hours day after the kids get back from school at the local church. It was just me 2 years ago, but now the local high school sends me students who want volunteer hours, and now I rotate certain days so I can work or study. Since I've started coming to NJIT which is a bit far, I don't tutor as much.
-I do virus removal for free for seniors and immigrants who can't afford Best buy or Staples, as well as teach immigrant parents how to use a computer, and programs such as Microsoft office, e-mail, and other computer skills that will help them in their jobs.
-I tutor high school students (by appointment, sometimes in person, sometimes via Skype if I'm at school) who need help with science/math subjects. I give them reference sheets, tips, and homework. This is also free, and I only do it for those who can't afford to pay or whose parents can't help
-I guess working full-time throughout college and still maintaining a good GPA is a plus. Since I started NJIT I work around 25 hours/week, but I did work full-time throughout CC and I still kept good grades.
Now looking at my past, do you think that I have a shot at getting into medical school? Looking for other perspectives as well as suggestions.
Oh and idk if anyone was wondering but my parent's are proud I've set a good example for my siblings. Not the whole "screw-up in school" part, but the "Has a job, tutors, and gets As and doesn't complain" kinda thing
Now some background, when I was out of high school I had no idea what I wanted to do. I went to Rutgers, took classes of every subject (Chemistry, computer programming, English, history, psychology, infectious disease, economics) trying to know where I was going. Being young, I spent more time partying than studying, and got fired job-after-job. After my first year, my parents had enough and told me they weren't going to pay for my college anymore, my mother has health-issues, and my father works a low-end job so we don't make much. I guess that was cold water in my face. I started supporting myself. Got 2 part-time jobs over the summer, and enrolled in my local CC (that was all I could afford) all the while working full-time, doing 15 credits the 1st semester, 18 the 2nd semester, nothing below a B+ the 1st semester, and only a 2 of Bs the second one. Took 21 credits my fall semester of sophomore year and 12 credits the spring Semester. Got a B+ in orgo II and calc III, but otherwise all As. I only took 12 credits the spring because I studying for the MCATS during the fall and I was done with all bio-medical engineering requirements my CC had. I took time off from the job, and studied hard. Got a 29 my first time (before summer) and then a 31 (after summer) it's spring right now at NJIT I've taken Biochem in the fall, and now I'm taking Genetics and microbiology, classes that will hopefully help in my MCAT score. I. So is there any way for me to let adcoms know that yes I did premed at CC, however I was on my own, and also I didn't start with the intention of pre-med, I started with the intention of bio-medical engineering. Also was inspired by a physician who hired me while I was in CC, he was a father-figure who taught me a lot and really helped me when I was down. He's a tough-love sort of guy. Won't help me with undergrad, but offered to pay for grad school or medical school if I get in.
Volunteer/Special qualities
-I shadow a pediatrician OR an internist 8 hours/week (same office) (1000 hours)
-Cardiologist 8 hours/week (different office) (800 hours)
-I started a tutoring center for children whose parents are immigrants and can't help their children because of the language barrier, and who can't afford to pay tutors. I tutor for 2 hours day after the kids get back from school at the local church. It was just me 2 years ago, but now the local high school sends me students who want volunteer hours, and now I rotate certain days so I can work or study. Since I've started coming to NJIT which is a bit far, I don't tutor as much.
-I do virus removal for free for seniors and immigrants who can't afford Best buy or Staples, as well as teach immigrant parents how to use a computer, and programs such as Microsoft office, e-mail, and other computer skills that will help them in their jobs.
-I tutor high school students (by appointment, sometimes in person, sometimes via Skype if I'm at school) who need help with science/math subjects. I give them reference sheets, tips, and homework. This is also free, and I only do it for those who can't afford to pay or whose parents can't help
-I guess working full-time throughout college and still maintaining a good GPA is a plus. Since I started NJIT I work around 25 hours/week, but I did work full-time throughout CC and I still kept good grades.
Now looking at my past, do you think that I have a shot at getting into medical school? Looking for other perspectives as well as suggestions.
Oh and idk if anyone was wondering but my parent's are proud I've set a good example for my siblings. Not the whole "screw-up in school" part, but the "Has a job, tutors, and gets As and doesn't complain" kinda thing