Am I on the right track?

[PopeKnope23]

Hi everyone! I'm new to SDN after seeing how beneficial this site seems to be!
I'm entering my sophomore year of college, but technically am a junior (senior?) with 91 credits. A biology-healthcare-science major with minors in spanish and chemistry.
So far: 3.99 GPA
I have held a job for 2 years working as a business office assistant at a Retina Specialists' office doing administrative work, but also have communicated with elderly patients over the phone.
I have been working as a Pharmacy Tech since October, and am planning on quitting to focus on my MCAT studies (which I am planning to take May-June of 2018)
I recently have been hired as a student assistant in the Dean's Office at my university's College of Letters and Sciences.
My freshman year of college, I tutored Calc I and II, Gen Chem I, and Spanish. In the fall I will continue with those classes and add Gen Chem II to my tutor list.
I've only shadowed about 15 hours, including a pediatric cardiologist, pediatric gastroenterologist, pediatric pulmonologist, a radiologist, and one of the retina specialists I work for.
I have about 25 hours of volunteering in a hospital emergency room, and have recently began volunteering at a homeless shelter, where I will be also volunteering in the Free Clinic.
My schedule this fall includes Organic Chem I, Genetics, Physics I, and Eco/Evo.
I believe my strongest points include how I've had a lot of experience communicating with patients in many different venues, whether it be over the phone, at the pharmacy, or in the ER. I also feel that I've seen medicine play out from many angles/perspectives (billing, pharmacy, and of course the actual doctor part)
So, am I on the right track? What should I continue, stop, add? And do you think I'd have a chance of getting into an MD program if I were to apply next summer, 2018? I will be 20 years old at that time.
Thank you so much in advance!

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[Dox4lyfe]

You're planning on taking the mcat as soon as you finish your soph year?

 

[PopeKnope23]

You're planning on taking the mcat as soon as you finish your soph year?

Yes. I will have completed Gen Chem I and II, Cell&Molec Bio, Genetics, Animal Physiology, Physics I and II, O. Chem I and II, Stats, Psych, and Soc. Is that doable?

 

[Dox4lyfe]

Yes. I will have completed Gen Chem I and II, Cell&Molec Bio, Genetics, Animal Physiology, Physics I and II, O. Chem I and II, Stats, Psych, and Soc. Is that doable?

Biochemistry is HUGE on the mcat and I would highly recommend taking it before attempting the exam.

 

[Frogger27]

Yes. I will have completed Gen Chem I and II, Cell&Molec Bio, Genetics, Animal Physiology, Physics I and II, O. Chem I and II, Stats, Psych, and Soc. Is that doable?

agree.. take biochem and maybe give yourself a lighter load of classes spring semester of junior year and take it then. If your app is ready and your score is good apply, if not reassess.

 

[drmantistobbogan]

You're behind on volunteering and you'll want some research experience

 

[PopeKnope23]

Thank you guys!! Also, I will be doing my honors thesis research project with a professor during my last year. Will that count as research, and can I still apply without the project being completed?

 

[PopeKnope23]

agree.. take biochem and maybe give yourself a lighter load of classes spring semester of junior year and take it then. If your app is ready and your score is good apply, if not reassess.

I just checked the prereqs.. what should I do if I need O. Chem II as a prereq for biochem? I won't be able to take biochem until fall 2018 in that case. And my pre-med advisor said I'll get enough biochem in animal physiology? Is that true?

 

[drmantistobbogan]

I just checked the prereqs.. what should I do if I need O. Chem II as a prereq for biochem? I won't be able to take biochem until fall 2018 in that case. And my pre-med advisor said I'll get enough biochem in animal physiology? Is that true?

You're not going to cover everything necessary for biochem in a physiology class. Many schools allow you to take biochem concurrently with ochem II. At the very least I'd suggest getting an override

 

[nightrider]

Biochemistry is HUGE on the mcat and I would highly recommend taking it before attempting the exam.

That's really good to know, as I'm kind of in the same situation...thanks.

 

[Dox4lyfe]

Thank you guys!! Also, I will be doing my honors thesis research project with a professor during my last year. Will that count as research, and can I still apply without the project being completed?

If you plan on applying at the end of your junior year, a senior honors thesis will not show up on your application. If you start it earlier in your junior year then you will be able to list it as research.

 

[Dox4lyfe]

I just checked the prereqs.. what should I do if I need O. Chem II as a prereq for biochem? I won't be able to take biochem until fall 2018 in that case. And my pre-med advisor said I'll get enough biochem in animal physiology? Is that true?

You have a great application in the making right now and I would not risk a low mcat score. Either try to take ochem2 and biochem concurrently or delay the mcat until January of junior year when you've taken biochem. Do not rely on animal physiology. Not a risk work taking.

 

[PopeKnope23]

If you plan on applying at the end of your junior year, a senior honors thesis will not show up on your application. If you start it earlier in your junior year then you will be able to list it as research.

That makes sense. Out of curiosity, are we allowed to update our applications after submitting them? Or once they are submitted, that's it?

 

[Dox4lyfe]

That makes sense. Out of curiosity, are we allowed to update our applications after submitting them? Or once they are submitted, that's it?

Some schools allow updates and others do not.