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Assuming a decent MCAT score, based on your ECs and current GPAs, I think you'll measure up well compared to a typical end-of-junior-year applicant when it comes to getting an acceptance somewhere.What are my chances for medical schools? My dream school is Mayo or UPitt, but anywhere goes. Also, Since I am graduating in 3 years and applying after 2, does that lower my chances of admission?
Assuming a decent MCAT score, based on your ECs and current GPAs, I think you'll measure up well compared to a typical end-of-junior-year applicant when it comes to getting an acceptance somewhere.
Logically, you'll be at some relative disadvantage, as your application would be stronger if your research became more substantive, you got a publication accepted, you achieved more good through your leadership roles, etc. You don't have to stay in school to continue building your ECs, though.
I don't think you're more likely to get a great scholarship if you wait (they are far and few between these days), but the most-highly-selective schools would probably like your ECs better. Is it worth waiting? You have to judge whether a somewhat higher chance of achieving your ambition of Mayo or Pitt are worth another year of application building which may not pan out. We can't answer that question for you.
1) 35+ is a good goal for top schools or California schools.1. What would you say a decent MCAT score is? What about a score that would give me a good shot at the top schools?
2. Supposing I delay a year, where could I improve my application? Are there any weaknesses (besides, as you pointed out, research)? What activities could I do to improve that would substantially improve my chances?
3. What would you say my chances are at top programs (like mayo and pitt) right now? I think I have a decent amount of everything, but what could I do this year for improving my chances?
4. You said I would measure up well against a end of junior year applicant in terms of getting an admission somewhere. Isn't this my main competition at the top schools?
1) 35+ is a good goal for top schools or California schools.
2) Use your leadership to create an organization that spreads beyond campus, attracts many members, and will last after you leave. Helping the poor is perceived as a particularly good outcome.
3) I think you're a decent candidate for those schools now, baring MCAT scor being unknown. But both schools particularly treasure strong research, so the more you accomplish in that area the better, including taking on your own project that you write grant requests for, design, and implement, then write up on your own (with the backing of well-known faculty, of course).
4) The "average" junior year applicant doen't stand a chance of a top-school acceptance.
2) I think your leadership is pretty good already.
3) Yes, especially if you are competing with others to get the funding.
4) Hands-on service to the poor is highly regarded. Are you doing any of that? I am not referring to fund raising here. I mean something like a soup kitchen.
5) Another "con" of early graduation often pointed out by other SDNers than myself is losing the opportunities available on a campus: taking classes for fun, greater social opportunities, enjoying the last carefree year of your life.
I'm a big fan of saving a year's worth of tuition. But recall what I said above. You can graduate and still take that extra year of time to build your application.
It's a tough decision to weigh expediency (getting on with one's life) against ambition. You might decide to proceed with an application this summer and still get an acceptance to a school that will satisfy your interest in attending a perceived-to-be-better med school. You might decide to wait and still not achieve your dream, but be able to say, "at least i gave it my best."
Personally, I'd just apply, but that's me. Whatever you decide, let it be your decison, unprompted by the input of family members.
If you want to aim for research-strong schools, your entry should be more specific about the hypothesis you wanted to test and activities you personally performed (PCR, gels, etc). If your poster was not presented on your own campus, it deserves it's own entry which would be highly specific and have the name of the project, so don't duplicate info too much. It's OK for one entry to refer to the other on the application. If you did present on your own campus, I'd suggest trying very hard to do sufficently substative work that you can present at a regional or national meeting, which gets you more points.
Catalystik said:There are many, many agencies that help the poor. It would be best if you find one that is personally meaningful for you, perhaps an extension of another activity. About 2-4 hours weekly or twice monthly until you submit, is good, but for the sake of update letters and interview conversations, I advise you to continue the activity through the application year, too, just as I presume you will with the research.
1) Your Research narrative is moving in the right direction. I'm sure it will evolve and become better yet as you edit, and run it by your PI and prehealth advisor. In the Presentation where you cite the title of your poster, you can give the results of the research, why we care about activating the gene, and maybe even its implications for human medicine, if any (ie a conclusion).1) So would this be a better entry:
Role of Snake Venom on B934 gene
12 hours a week
Worked in a toxicology lab testing whether X snake venom activated and regulated B934 Gene. This was done using a variety of different experimental techniques; I used western blotting, gel electrophoresis, and real time pcr in order to test for gene regulation. I helped design the experiments and analyze their results. I presented my results at the columbia undergraduate research synopsium (national) - CITED PRESENTATION.
Would that be a good, solid entry which would make me look highly "researchy" and help me at the top medical schools? Or should I write it a different way/include different things?
2) Also, for the case report I have - should I make that its own section or should I just tie it into my hospital duties?
1) Your Research narrative is moving in the right direction. I'm sure it will evolve and become better yet as you edit, and run it by your PI and prehealth advisor. In the Presentation where you cite the title of your poster, you can give the results of the research, why we care about activating the gene, and maybe even its implications for human medicine, if any (ie a conclusion).
2) While a case report doesn't carry the weight of an original research publication, it is still an accomplishment to be listed on its own under Publications.
I don't think you're more likely to get a great scholarship if you wait (they are far and few between these days), but the most-highly-selective schools would probably like your ECs better. Is it worth waiting? You have to judge whether a somewhat higher chance of achieving your ambition of Mayo or Pitt are worth another year of application building which may not pan out. We can't answer that question for you.