Brainmatter Posted March 19, 2018 Report Share Posted March 19, 2018 Hi there, I am just looking for some advice for my situation. In September I wrote a post asking if I would simply even have the chance of getting into medical school given my non-traditional background, and since then I have been accepted into two Canadian Clinical Neuropsychology programs. During my undergraduate degree, I have been a hot mess. In short, due to unforeseen difficulties just associated with life, I took two years off in the middle of my undergraduate degree and I worked really hard to change my cumulative and senior GPA. At present, my cumulative GPA is a 3.81 and my senior (last 2 years) GPA is a 3.93. Within the next year, I anticipate having four (maybe 5) publications and a variety of extra co-curricular activities, In short, I am writing this post today because I am getting cold feet with pursuing Clinical Neuropsychology. I was wondering if anyone had any opinions about choosing a field in medicine relating to behavioral neurology in contrast to clinical neuropsychology? Below I have copied some information regarding my initial post relating to some of the details of my application. Do you think it would be worth a shot to write the MCAT this summer, and change occupational trajectories? Thank you, Brainmatter ------------ ORIGINAL POST: Hot Mess as an Undergrad Year 1: Started in Jan 2013 - Took three courses - B+ / 3.3 Summer after year 1: Took 1 class - A / 3.8 Year 2: Took 7 classes - 3.63 Summer after year 2: Took 1 class - A / 3.8 Took a break when I should have completed my third year. Summer before year 3: Two classes - A / 3.8 Year 3: 7 classes - 3.86 Year 4: 9 classes - 3.96 Year 5: 5 classes complete (3.94 first semester); last semester. Current Cumulative GPA: 3.81 Last Two Years: 3.93 Extra Co-Curricular Activites In terms of extra co-curricular activities - I generally did them without the intention of applying to medical school. I just generally thought it was healthy to see people so I did a lot of I wouldn't be alone or isolated during my first two years of my undergrad. I currently volunteer in a suicide hotline (it's been for about 2 years now) I volunteered/worked part-time at 8 neuroscience labs Presented at 1 conference 4 manuscripts in prep. Scholarship for 1 competitive summer research program. Attended ~ 8+ conferences 8 month internship on fund-raising 8 month internship on operational/administrative duties in a club Volunteered at a food bank for a school project and raised 5000 lbs worth of food. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Butterfly_ Posted March 19, 2018 Report Share Posted March 19, 2018 Your GPA is competitive and your research is strong. I think you’ll have a chance for sure. I’d totally take the MCATs and take a shot a med school this coming cycle! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brainmatter Posted March 23, 2018 Author Report Share Posted March 23, 2018 Thanks Butterfly_ for your help. I'm just really confused, and I am very appreciative of your help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MSWschnoodle Posted April 1, 2018 Report Share Posted April 1, 2018 I wouldn't say your academics are a hot mess... you have a break that you can explain and your first year was maybe a bit suboptimal but that's not that uncommon when people transition to university. The rest of your academics are solid and you've got some extracurricular things you did because you care about them, including some good research. If the U of C is one of the schools you are considering the only challenge you might have is whether or not you have enough full time years (4 classes or more per semester). Year 4 is golden. Year 5 is also great as long as you have a full course load in your last semester. If you aren't taking a full course load in your final semester then it would come down to whether you can use 1 semester from year 5 and 1 semester from year 3 to make a full time 'year'. I honestly don't know the answer to that (I would ask admissions). I would agree with butterfly... you'll have to do a bit of legwork to double check your availability for some schools, but there's no harm in writing the MCAT and taking a shot at admission if that's what you want to do. In terms of your other question: clinical neuropsychology vs behavioural neurology is not my area of expertise. I would spend some time really thinking about where your 'cold feet' have come from and why you are wondering if medical school might be the better option for you. That's a question only you can answer. Another thing worth exploring is having a look at what kind of job you want at the end and which degree will get you there most effectively. The final question to think about is whether or not you are willing to give up your guaranteed offers to go to clinical neuropsychology to pursue a medical school admission that is not guaranteed. Again, there isn't a 'right' answer to that question - it's a personal decision that only you can make. All the best going forward! :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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