Hello,
I’m currently a Junior double-majoring in neuroscience and English** at a state school, and I’ve recently started thinking about going to med school. It wasn’t on my radar until recently, and I’m not sure if it’s even a feasible option. My gpa right now is hovering between a 3.8-3.5 depending on the semester, and my science gpa is around a 3.7. In terms of extracurriculars, I think I’m pretty lacking. I have about a year of research in a psych laboratory, I’m the vice-president of the neuroscience club, and I’m doing a thesis project. I also have a job throughout the school year, but that’s about it. I’m going to graduate at least 1 semester late, so I have about a year and a half after this year (I’m studying abroad next semester) to get myself together in terms of extracurriculars. At the moment I’m feeling rather overwhelmed by all of the perfect applicants and pristine gpas floating around, and I’m wondering if med school is even a realistic goal for me.
My university is right down the road from a hospital, so I think volunteering and shadowing are pretty realistic goals, but I probably wouldn’t be able to start until next summer because of going abroad.
From the posts I’ve read on this site the community seems to have pretty valuable insights, and I was wondering what you all would suggest I emphasize/ work toward for med school applications, or whether you think med school seems like a possibility. Thanks in advance!
** I know there are a lot of opinions on double majoring but I’m doing both because I love both, not because it “looks good” or whatever.
I would think it’s realistic overall, but probably not with your best odds immediately after you graduate. Many applicants take a year (or more) off before applying. They use that time getting in the extras needed (shadowing & volunteering, etc, often while working jobs). If I recall correctly, the average age of incoming med students is 23 or 24, so you wouldn’t be out of place at all. Somewhere AAMC might have stats on age.
Thanks for your responses!
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I need physics (both semesters), biochem and orgo 2 still.
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I’m waiting on my final grades from this past semester, but as of now I have a 3.83 overall GPA. My science GPA (again, not including this semester) is a 3.74.
3)I’m going to England, so there’s definitely some possibility there, however my university is kind of far away from a major hospital (about an hour) so I’m not sure how regularly I’ll be going into town. I thought about setting up some shadowing, but I’m not sure about volunteering. I don’t want my study abroad to be taken over by commitments, I really want to take advantage of my time in Europe to travel around and have fun. Even if I don’t go to med school I’m going to go into further schooling and I’m not sure how much travel time I’ll get after this semester.
Do you think volunteering is the thing I need to emphasize the most? What kind of internships and summer opportunities do you recommend I look into?
@blueskyVT Since you plan to apply only during 2020-21 cycle, you have ample time to plan and execute.
- Complete pre-req in academic year 2019-20 and get A in all to increase your sGPA.
- Prepare well and take MCAT by summer 2020 (after completing pre-req) and score well. At least 515+
- Do at least 50+ hours of shadowing in at least 5+ variety of Docs
- You need to do volunteer service from today. It could be any thing, volunteering / helping, tutoring at free clinic, senior homes, hospice, under-served population, disabled children, hospital. Try to find a place during this semester break, summer break of 19 & 20. Also during college 2019-20, every weekend or weekdays, find a place where you can volunteer for at least 5 hours / week. Enjoy your study abroad and travel but rest of the time, this is your top item so that you accumulate at least 250+ hours on a continuous basis