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492618
Warning: This is a long post. However, I am hoping that some of you will take the time to read through it and answer the questions scattered across the post.
Hello,
I created this thread because I want a critical/honest evaluation of where I am as an applicant for a MD or DO program. I am not making this thread to seek pity or to be comforted. I hate feeling regret and kicking myself over the past - I just want some advice that make me look forward to a pathway that I can focus all my efforts toward.
About myself:
I am a senior at the UM AA. I am majoring in Neuroscience.
ACADEMICS:
* Current University of Michigan cumulative GPA: 3.572 (from 86 credits)
- 1 retake (Orgo I)
- 1 W (Inorganic Chem)
* "Projected" final cumulative GPA: 3.64
* Freshman GPA:3.52
* Sophomore GPA: 3.62
* Junior GPA: 3.68
* "Projected' senior/super-senior GPA: 3.75
* Current calculated "MD" science GPA: 3.4 (from 46 credits)
* "Projected" final "MD" science GPA: 3.63
* Current calculated "DO" science GPA: 3.49 (from 38 credits)
* "Projected" final "DO" science GPA: 3.7
* Total Overall Credits: 99
- 13 from AP examinations (Voided AP Bio credit because I elected to take Intro Bio)
* Total Credits taken: 86
- Freshman Year: 38
- Sophomore Year: 25 (29 if counting Orgo I retake)
- Junior Year: 23 (originally 27 before Inorganic Chem withdraw)
- Senior Year: 34 necessary
~ 27 will be from science courses
I know I 'slowed down' my pace. I am well aware that I could have taken additional classes some semesters and still have done well, but I can't worry about that now.
QUESTION: How is my GPA when considering the amount of credits taken? Is it okay for 'low-tier' MD programs? Is it okay for DO schools?
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EC
* Lab Assistant (1 year): Worked 10 hours/week during my freshman year. Was listed as a co-author for one paper.
* Lab Assistant (1.5 years ongoing): Worked nearly full-time last summer, part-time this summer, and about 10-12 hours/week during the school year. First author on a poster sent to a hearing research conference. Expected to be co-author on one paper before I leave.
* Volunteering (2 years ongoing): Around 200 hours thus far volunteering with a Red Cross medical team
* Writer/Editor for journal (3 years ongoing): Have been a writer, then an editor, and now am currently the managing editor of a student-run publication on campus
* Current President of a newly created racquetball club
* Shadowing: 0 hours. Yup, I have NOT completed any substantial amount of shadowing thus far. I have the fullest intention of doing so in the future, but have not made any plans currently.
QUESTION: How are my ECs? Are they okay for 'low tier' MD programs? Are they okay for DO schools?
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LORs
* I have 0 LORs at the moment.
* I will receive 1 LOR from my lab PI before I leave.
* I am hoping to receive LORs from the professors of the two science courses I am currently taking.
* I want to receive a LOR from a physician, but I have not shadowed anyone thus far.
QUESTION: Would LORs from a PI (PhD & Director of research), 2 science professors, and a physician be sufficient?
=================================================
Biggest Concern: TIMING
My primary worry is timing. My freshman year summer I didn't do anything (just played a lot of tennis with friends, went on vacation with family, etc.). My sophomore year summer I worked practically full-time at a research lab, but once I got home I didn't do anything (just spent time with family and friends). My junior year summer I continued working at my research lab and I tried studying for MCAT, but I miserably failed at the latter, and I ended up wasting a bucket-load of time.
Currently, I have a fairly tough course-load where I have to do well. I want to continue my upward trend in grades, and I know I won't be able to accomplish that, while juggling ECs, if I have to dedicate a large amount of time for MCAT preparation. With the particular classes I have remaining, I know I will need an additional full semester before I can graduate. That complicates the matter.
It was always my original intention to take a gap year before medical school. However, at the position I am at currently, I really don't believe I would be able to apply next year.
I was thinking that once winter term ends next year, I would quit working at my lab and spend all of May-early August preparing for MCAT. I know some people argue that 3 months are enough for MCAT preparation, while others say 6-12 is what's necessary. Knowing the type of person I am, I think I will need more, rather than less, time.
What's annoying is that even if I wish to apply in 2015 rather than 2014, I have to take the MCAT by January 2015 because that's the final date for current exam.
TL;dr : Won't study for MCAT during school year. Will hold off until May-August to prepare. Want to take MCAT before new MCAT is implemented (either Aug 2014, Sept 2014, or Jan 2015).
Question: If my MCAT preparation isn't ready after studying from May-August, should I consider taking that Fall 2014 semester (which would have been my final semester at Michigan) off to study for the Jan 2015 MCAT? And then complete my studies in 2015 winter before I apply for the 2015 cycle? Is taking an additional semester off (while maybe shadowing) to study a big 'no no' or something worth considering if I ensure a 30+ score?
QUESTION: What MCAT score would make a person in my situation competitive for 'low tier' MD programs? DO schools?
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gap Year Options:
This goes hand-in-hand with timing. If somehow I am ready to take the MCAT by August or September 2014, I can finish my final semester in the fall. That would leave me the first half of 2015 for gap year possibilities such as full-time research, shadowing, volunteering in a free clinic, etc.
If let's say next summer isn't enough for MCAT studying, and I spend that additional fall studying (while also doing some shadowing), I would have to stay in AA for the first half of 2015 before I apply. Of course, I can still do shadowing, volunteering in a free clinic, etc during that time, but I can't leave AA.
QUESTION: For someone who needs shadowing experience, would becoming a Scribe be something that would be looked favorably upon by adcoms?
========================
Conclusive remarks: I hope that by reading through that long post, you got the sense that I am someone who wants to get into a medical school (MD or DO) and am willing to take the right steps to matriculate, even if it'll mean I will be behind some of my classmates.
You might ask...well you wasted time and made mistakes....what makes you say that those won't repeat? Well...I obviously can't predict the future, but to quote a scene from Dark Knight Rises: "Fear is why you fail." Only when he rediscovers fear does Bruce Wayne escape from the Pit. Now I'm not trying compare myself to the Caped Crusader, but I don't think I have ever experienced this much fear in my life. It seems that this fear is what will, and already is, driving me to be more focused.
To those of you who will read this post and answer the questions, I thank you for taking the time and effort to respond. I hope to be in a position in the future where I too can similarly offer some guidance to others seeking counsel.
Hello,
I created this thread because I want a critical/honest evaluation of where I am as an applicant for a MD or DO program. I am not making this thread to seek pity or to be comforted. I hate feeling regret and kicking myself over the past - I just want some advice that make me look forward to a pathway that I can focus all my efforts toward.
About myself:
I am a senior at the UM AA. I am majoring in Neuroscience.
ACADEMICS:
* Current University of Michigan cumulative GPA: 3.572 (from 86 credits)
- 1 retake (Orgo I)
- 1 W (Inorganic Chem)
* "Projected" final cumulative GPA: 3.64
* Freshman GPA:3.52
* Sophomore GPA: 3.62
* Junior GPA: 3.68
* "Projected' senior/super-senior GPA: 3.75
* Current calculated "MD" science GPA: 3.4 (from 46 credits)
* "Projected" final "MD" science GPA: 3.63
* Current calculated "DO" science GPA: 3.49 (from 38 credits)
* "Projected" final "DO" science GPA: 3.7
* Total Overall Credits: 99
- 13 from AP examinations (Voided AP Bio credit because I elected to take Intro Bio)
* Total Credits taken: 86
- Freshman Year: 38
- Sophomore Year: 25 (29 if counting Orgo I retake)
- Junior Year: 23 (originally 27 before Inorganic Chem withdraw)
- Senior Year: 34 necessary
~ 27 will be from science courses
I know I 'slowed down' my pace. I am well aware that I could have taken additional classes some semesters and still have done well, but I can't worry about that now.
QUESTION: How is my GPA when considering the amount of credits taken? Is it okay for 'low-tier' MD programs? Is it okay for DO schools?
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EC
* Lab Assistant (1 year): Worked 10 hours/week during my freshman year. Was listed as a co-author for one paper.
* Lab Assistant (1.5 years ongoing): Worked nearly full-time last summer, part-time this summer, and about 10-12 hours/week during the school year. First author on a poster sent to a hearing research conference. Expected to be co-author on one paper before I leave.
* Volunteering (2 years ongoing): Around 200 hours thus far volunteering with a Red Cross medical team
* Writer/Editor for journal (3 years ongoing): Have been a writer, then an editor, and now am currently the managing editor of a student-run publication on campus
* Current President of a newly created racquetball club
* Shadowing: 0 hours. Yup, I have NOT completed any substantial amount of shadowing thus far. I have the fullest intention of doing so in the future, but have not made any plans currently.
QUESTION: How are my ECs? Are they okay for 'low tier' MD programs? Are they okay for DO schools?
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LORs
* I have 0 LORs at the moment.
* I will receive 1 LOR from my lab PI before I leave.
* I am hoping to receive LORs from the professors of the two science courses I am currently taking.
* I want to receive a LOR from a physician, but I have not shadowed anyone thus far.
QUESTION: Would LORs from a PI (PhD & Director of research), 2 science professors, and a physician be sufficient?
=================================================
Biggest Concern: TIMING
My primary worry is timing. My freshman year summer I didn't do anything (just played a lot of tennis with friends, went on vacation with family, etc.). My sophomore year summer I worked practically full-time at a research lab, but once I got home I didn't do anything (just spent time with family and friends). My junior year summer I continued working at my research lab and I tried studying for MCAT, but I miserably failed at the latter, and I ended up wasting a bucket-load of time.
Currently, I have a fairly tough course-load where I have to do well. I want to continue my upward trend in grades, and I know I won't be able to accomplish that, while juggling ECs, if I have to dedicate a large amount of time for MCAT preparation. With the particular classes I have remaining, I know I will need an additional full semester before I can graduate. That complicates the matter.
It was always my original intention to take a gap year before medical school. However, at the position I am at currently, I really don't believe I would be able to apply next year.
I was thinking that once winter term ends next year, I would quit working at my lab and spend all of May-early August preparing for MCAT. I know some people argue that 3 months are enough for MCAT preparation, while others say 6-12 is what's necessary. Knowing the type of person I am, I think I will need more, rather than less, time.
What's annoying is that even if I wish to apply in 2015 rather than 2014, I have to take the MCAT by January 2015 because that's the final date for current exam.
TL;dr : Won't study for MCAT during school year. Will hold off until May-August to prepare. Want to take MCAT before new MCAT is implemented (either Aug 2014, Sept 2014, or Jan 2015).
Question: If my MCAT preparation isn't ready after studying from May-August, should I consider taking that Fall 2014 semester (which would have been my final semester at Michigan) off to study for the Jan 2015 MCAT? And then complete my studies in 2015 winter before I apply for the 2015 cycle? Is taking an additional semester off (while maybe shadowing) to study a big 'no no' or something worth considering if I ensure a 30+ score?
QUESTION: What MCAT score would make a person in my situation competitive for 'low tier' MD programs? DO schools?
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gap Year Options:
This goes hand-in-hand with timing. If somehow I am ready to take the MCAT by August or September 2014, I can finish my final semester in the fall. That would leave me the first half of 2015 for gap year possibilities such as full-time research, shadowing, volunteering in a free clinic, etc.
If let's say next summer isn't enough for MCAT studying, and I spend that additional fall studying (while also doing some shadowing), I would have to stay in AA for the first half of 2015 before I apply. Of course, I can still do shadowing, volunteering in a free clinic, etc during that time, but I can't leave AA.
QUESTION: For someone who needs shadowing experience, would becoming a Scribe be something that would be looked favorably upon by adcoms?
========================
Conclusive remarks: I hope that by reading through that long post, you got the sense that I am someone who wants to get into a medical school (MD or DO) and am willing to take the right steps to matriculate, even if it'll mean I will be behind some of my classmates.
You might ask...well you wasted time and made mistakes....what makes you say that those won't repeat? Well...I obviously can't predict the future, but to quote a scene from Dark Knight Rises: "Fear is why you fail." Only when he rediscovers fear does Bruce Wayne escape from the Pit. Now I'm not trying compare myself to the Caped Crusader, but I don't think I have ever experienced this much fear in my life. It seems that this fear is what will, and already is, driving me to be more focused.
To those of you who will read this post and answer the questions, I thank you for taking the time and effort to respond. I hope to be in a position in the future where I too can similarly offer some guidance to others seeking counsel.
