- Joined
- Aug 17, 2012
- Messages
- 15
- Reaction score
- 0
Hey folks,
So I'm in a bit of an interesting situation, as I originally started school with plans to go the MD/PhD route, but long story short, I realized that the split wasn't something I was comfortable with, as I didn't think I could be both a good clinician and scientist under those conditions. I am a rising Junior now, so I have time to sort out any deficits still.
Basically, I wanted some advice on whether my ECs are going to be sufficient for the standard MD entrance route, as most of what I have is very focused on research. I am hoping to aim for top 25 schools when applying, so I'm trying to avoid having a significant weak point in my application. I am academically strong with gpa > 3.9 as a biochemistry major. I am studying with the Sn2ed method this summer for an August MCAT.
Research: I have about a year and a half experience in a biochemistry lab working on proteins, including a summer working full time. I have received two undergraduate level grants for this research. I will be a full time intern this summer at a national lab associated with a top ten research university working on a similar project this summer. My PI has invested a lot in me, and I don't want to cut back on this if at all possible.
Clinical Volunteering: I volunteer on the ER night shift at my local hospital four hours per week during the weekend and have been doing so for about a year.
Non-Clinical Volunteering: I spend a fair bit of time working with a youth organization teaching science classes to elementary-aged students. I am in the process of joining the Red Cross, hopefully as a preparedness instructor.
Shadowing: Since I live in a college town with only one hospital, as such this has taken a while. I currently have arrangements to shadow an ER physician and I am making plans to shadow a Nephrologist in between my internship and classes starting up again.
Work: I work as a TA teaching Gen. Chem. labs at my university during the school year and present for an outreach program that brings NASA mission presentations to schools in rural parts of the state to encourage children to consider STEM as a potential career path.
So I'm in a bit of an interesting situation, as I originally started school with plans to go the MD/PhD route, but long story short, I realized that the split wasn't something I was comfortable with, as I didn't think I could be both a good clinician and scientist under those conditions. I am a rising Junior now, so I have time to sort out any deficits still.
Basically, I wanted some advice on whether my ECs are going to be sufficient for the standard MD entrance route, as most of what I have is very focused on research. I am hoping to aim for top 25 schools when applying, so I'm trying to avoid having a significant weak point in my application. I am academically strong with gpa > 3.9 as a biochemistry major. I am studying with the Sn2ed method this summer for an August MCAT.
Research: I have about a year and a half experience in a biochemistry lab working on proteins, including a summer working full time. I have received two undergraduate level grants for this research. I will be a full time intern this summer at a national lab associated with a top ten research university working on a similar project this summer. My PI has invested a lot in me, and I don't want to cut back on this if at all possible.
Clinical Volunteering: I volunteer on the ER night shift at my local hospital four hours per week during the weekend and have been doing so for about a year.
Non-Clinical Volunteering: I spend a fair bit of time working with a youth organization teaching science classes to elementary-aged students. I am in the process of joining the Red Cross, hopefully as a preparedness instructor.
Shadowing: Since I live in a college town with only one hospital, as such this has taken a while. I currently have arrangements to shadow an ER physician and I am making plans to shadow a Nephrologist in between my internship and classes starting up again.
Work: I work as a TA teaching Gen. Chem. labs at my university during the school year and present for an outreach program that brings NASA mission presentations to schools in rural parts of the state to encourage children to consider STEM as a potential career path.
