Dear SMP adcom, (i apologize in advance for the long post)
I graduated from UC last year with a general Bio major without really knowing what i wanted to do with it. I've always had an interest in the medical field but never seriously thought about it. So, with lack of planning ahead, i pretty much wasted my college life. I did have a reason but whatever the reason is, it can't be used to explain 5 years of my poor academic work. I don't wanna waste time regretting about my past. Instead, I want a second chance to pursue a medical career. BUT my grades are very poor, even for SMPs. I really don't know what to do at this point.
Ok..here's my stats - (i've got a lot of work to do)
- cum GPA 3.0 & science GPA 2.5
- no EC & no science related job experience
- Going to take MCAT in Sept.
(but given that i get 30+, what are my chances?)
Questions:
1) SMP pre-reqs:
Math reqs -I have AP credits for Calculus both AB/BC so i
only have 1 qt of college math. Is that ok?? Or do i need to
take it again??!
English - I took 1 semester of English at a community college and
1 qt of English at UC which fulfilled my GE. But the problem
is the class i took at my college was only offered pass/no pass.
(it isn't now, but it was back then). I should take another
semester of english?
2) Low GPA:
Should i take more upper-division science classes at a Cal State college
and improve my science GPA or Could a high MCAT score compensate for
my low science gpa?? or both???
3) I read one of your posts and you mentioned that getting good grades in
State college is not that impressive. So then, should i take more upper-
division courses at another UC???
4) I'm going to start volunteering at a hospital soon, but im also thinking
about working as a surgical tech. I have a huge interest in surgery and i
thought working as a tech would give me an opportunity to get hands-on
hospital experience. What do you think? Good or Bad idea?
ANY, any advice would be very helpful for me right now. Thank you very much for your time!!