<p>Graduated 2011 (MCB Immunology)
Spent most of my college years teaching kids about nutrition, body systems, healthy living etc…volunteering at Oakland Children’s Hospital (nursery/inpatient-hold babies talk to asthma patients) a couple of research projects on small interfering RNAs and melonoma cancer proteins. I took the MCAT spring of senior year and have gone through most of the 2011-2012 application cycle working a 9-5 job. I’ve been fortunate to have interviewed at 10 schools (a couple of UCs and most OOS) with 2 acceptances so far, a slew of waitlists and still waiting to hear back in March. Right now I finally found some free time to answer any questions pertaining to the pre-med track, academics at Berkeley, MCAT, applying, interviewing, etc…</p>
Not how much, but the depth and amount you get out of it. The committee of admissions are interested in more about what you learned from the experience and how you relate this to becoming a doctor. IMO a strong MCAT+GPA will get you an interview, and beyond that they look closely at your ec’s, experience, and personal accomplishments.</p>
<p>Would it be better to have a double major in biology and psychology for applying to medical school, rather than just a single major in biology? Can it be done in 4 years? I’m thinking of doing neuroscience or neurobiology, but would a minor in psychology help for medical school?</p>
I would discourage double majoring because it leaves you with little time to do other things. Although the new MCAT (2015) requires a neuroscience/psychology background, it should not force anyone to go into this field just because of one exam.
On the other hand if you like the subject matter then either go all psychology or all MCB (emphasis Neuro)</p>
<p>Did you take any training classes for MCAT?
What is the training review MCAT that you recommended?
You took MCAT on what month in Spring? What is your application deadline?
Thanks</p>
No I did not take a training course. I self-studied using only Examkrackers and all the emcat practice exams. I would suggest to save at least 5 months ahead to plan (4 months for material review and about 1 month for practice exams) I took it during March </p>
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I enjoy working with kids and have a strong interest in infectious disease. I couldn’t be a researcher all day, so being a doctor would allow me to do both.</p>
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I started right after high school actually (about 4 years maybe)</p>
<p>I was originally premed, then I decided just to do major in the sciences, THEN i ruined my gpa, what do i do? hehe. This is the story of my life. I have another plans now, but the C’s stay on my transcript even if I go into a whole nother field.</p>
<p>You say you need a good GPA/MCAT, but do you know the range for getting into the top 10 med schools of where your GPA and MCAT should be?</p>
<p>And basically extracurriculars, research, volunteer, study abroad, etc… Just add fluff to the application but your scores are what makes or breaks you?</p>
Very common question, but yes a 2.6 is not where any premed would like to begin. My advice is to take less than 15 units each semester and map out your weaknesses from first semester.</p>
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If you are strongly interested in becoming a doctor there are two options:
salvage your GPA with fewer units/semester and do exceptionally well on the MCAT
To be considered for the top 10 you need around 3.8+/ 35MCAT. </p>
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On the contrary the top research giant schools really like applicants who publish, had crazy life experiences, or got a lot out of their volunteer/community outreach programs. Yes you need strong numbers to get an interview , but your life story-what you’ve done and how you got here (hardships, accomplishments, etc) will get you in.</p>