<p>I am currently attending UCSD about to enter my second year. I was not really sure about medicine but I finally came to a decision my last quarter of my first year to pursue it. It is definitely a passion, but unfortunately my grades are far from stellar and I am unsure at this point if it is a realistic goal to pursue. I have an overall GPA of 3.2 (same with science), I am already volunteering at a hospital, I have training next summer for EMT and I plan to do research this fall as well. Given the fact that I don't really mind where I go or how prestigious the med school is, should I still pursue medicine? Realistically, I can raise my GPA to around the 3.5 area.</p>
<p>Yes of course - definitely pursue medicine if it is your passion. Certainly try to bring up your GPA, but a 3.5 should be fine as long as you do well on the MCAT. Obviously, med school averages are on the rise, but they are just that - averages. Also, a lot of med schools are increasing their class size due to the upcoming shortage of physicians as the baby boomers retire. I know mine is planning on increasing enrollment by 30% in the next 2 years.</p>
<p>One thing I would say is - don't get your EMT cert if you aren't going to use it. Collecting certifications and joining a lot of clubs isn't going to help you gain admission to med school - you need to do activities which you can get committed to and passionate about.</p>
<p>the higher gpa the better, of course. i say dont waste your time with emt. instead, try to get an additional research opportunity at a local or major hospital in san diego county. if your looking for money, see if any research doctors need any paid research assistants.</p>
<p>would research definitely be a better experience than emt? i plan to go through the test to get an EMT-1 license. how would that be wasteful?</p>
<p>When do u plan to work as a EMT?</p>