Getting into med school with honors?

Question

I'm attending a community college, and I just got accepted into the honors program, and if I complete the curriculum, how do you think that would look on a med school application, or even more short term, when I transfer out of community college to complete my bachelors degree? Will there be more options available to me if i maintain at least my current standing GPA of 3.6?

I'm also planning on shadowing a doctor next year, as well as participating in research when I transfer to another school. I'm volunteering at a hospital right now, also.

Answer 1

The honors program will look good on your record. If you decide to take your science classes at a J.C. make sure that the med school you want to go is ok with it. Most med schools want you to take your core curriculum at a 4 year university. They also like it if you have a minor in some sort of arts program. I believe both of those will increase your chances of getting accepted to a good med school.

Shadowing a doctor is also a very smart idea. Most med schools require at least 3 references, one of them should be from someone in the field in which you want to practice.

With a competitive GPA and MCAT score, you should be able to get accepted into a top tier med school.

Good luck and keep the dream alive :)

sfm

Answer 2

You're on the right track, particularly with shadowing a doctor and volunteering at a hospital, however what medical schools are most interested in is your performance at a university. Particularly since you spent the first two years at a community college it is important for you to transfer to a fairly reputable university. This means getting the best GPA you can while you are at the community college, as well as once you get into whatever university you choose. And sorry to say but a 3.6 is really the minimum GPA you should be shooting for. From a community college in particuar you should have very good grades as you can expect your grading to be even more strenuous once you get into college. So, in conclusion, continue the volunteer work because it looks fantastic to medical schools, and make sure you get as close to straight A's as you can. Also, right now you need to focus in on getting into a good university, rather than a good medical school although it's ok to have that in the back of your mind. In addition, when you are applying don't forget about the osteopathic schools. They're easier to get into than the allopathic schools and when they're done and graduated they get our same residencies.

Answer 3

I think that being in the honors program at your local community college, will mostly help you when you transfer out of that school and into a 4 year institution to finish up your last 2 years. Med school will probably like the fact that you were in the honors program at the CC, but they will mostly be interested in your academic performance at whichever 4 year school you transferred for the last 2 years.

I'm sure the medical schools will like the fact that you're already volunteering at a hosptial.

Answer 4

Honors is a great opportunity because you will learn to think critically and will have read the "great works". Screw the worry about GPA & Med School - just do what you need to to get into a med school - once you are in - nobody cares where you went to school - when was the last time you asked you doctor where he/she went to Med school ? - but he still makes over 6 figures ..

Answer 5

The honors program will look good when you are going on to any other school. Med school will probably care more about finishing your bachelors degree than the associates degree.

Answer 6

All of those things are excellent. You seem like a very goal-oriented and focused student. Keep up with "higher-achiever" attitude, but try not to overload yourself and make sure to keep those grades up. Because in the end, medical schools simply have too many applicants that they base your acceptance mostly off of scores such as your GPA and MCAT.

Answer 7

sounds like you're on the right path!

Best of luck to you...