Hello! I'd like to thank anyone who responds in advance. I could really use some honest advice.
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I'm currently a junior. Here are my stats as they would be if I applied this upcoming cycle:
GPA: c3.58, s3.44
MCAT: taking the new one—hence the uncertainty on my part
Clinical experience: ~40 hours shadowing on the General Medicine unit, ~40 hours clinical volunteering in a retirement home
Research: 9 months as a research assistant on an ongoing clinical trial, hopefully prepping for a poster presentation this summer; a summer research project after freshman year
Other activities: 20 hours non-clinical volunteering; part of the University Honor Council (am a trial counsel); on our University Electoral Board; Resident Advisor; an average member of the pre-med organization
The dilemma: The missing piece is the MCAT score. Realistically, I think I can score the equivalent of 35+ on the new MCAT. It's not overconfidence; I recently took a diagnostic that I did very well on, plus I have a lighter course load this semester so I can study hard. But, even with that MCAT, I fear that my application cycle will still be a disappointment. I really hope to go MD, though of course I would also apply DO.
Would it be best to delay my application a year? Pros: boosting that sGPA, better chance of good MCAT, more clinical shadowing/volunteering, avoiding re-applicant bias if having to re-apply. Cons: having to wait a year, needing to find a bridge year opportunity. My dream school is the med school attached to my undergraduate institution, which MSAR notes has a median GPA of 3.9 (!) and an MCAT of 36...but the more I type, the more I feel this is completely out of reach.
Any thoughts would be very much appreciated!
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I'm currently a junior. Here are my stats as they would be if I applied this upcoming cycle:
GPA: c3.58, s3.44
MCAT: taking the new one—hence the uncertainty on my part
Clinical experience: ~40 hours shadowing on the General Medicine unit, ~40 hours clinical volunteering in a retirement home
Research: 9 months as a research assistant on an ongoing clinical trial, hopefully prepping for a poster presentation this summer; a summer research project after freshman year
Other activities: 20 hours non-clinical volunteering; part of the University Honor Council (am a trial counsel); on our University Electoral Board; Resident Advisor; an average member of the pre-med organization
The dilemma: The missing piece is the MCAT score. Realistically, I think I can score the equivalent of 35+ on the new MCAT. It's not overconfidence; I recently took a diagnostic that I did very well on, plus I have a lighter course load this semester so I can study hard. But, even with that MCAT, I fear that my application cycle will still be a disappointment. I really hope to go MD, though of course I would also apply DO.
Would it be best to delay my application a year? Pros: boosting that sGPA, better chance of good MCAT, more clinical shadowing/volunteering, avoiding re-applicant bias if having to re-apply. Cons: having to wait a year, needing to find a bridge year opportunity. My dream school is the med school attached to my undergraduate institution, which MSAR notes has a median GPA of 3.9 (!) and an MCAT of 36...but the more I type, the more I feel this is completely out of reach.
Any thoughts would be very much appreciated!
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