What to do (mainly EC-wise) going into sophomore year

[screamingoutlet]

Hi all,

I started my sophomore year and wanted input on how I should continue making myself a better applicant. Here are my stats:

GPA: 3.63 overall/ 3.48 sciences (overloaded myself freshman year, hoping this year will be better since I have a light course load, while still being at 17 credits)

MCAT: Yet to take (Aiming for August 2015, would appreciate any study tips you guys have)

ECs:

• In freshman year, 6 mos. research in a well known med school - I left because I was basically running SDS-PAGE and Western blots for 10 hours a week and there was hope of an independent project that my PI insisted I was going to get week after week
• Religious Student Association - was prayer coordinator for a semester of freshman year, now VP this year, hoping to do some big things like service projects
• Summer Research in a lab at my school (~35 hours a week(!)), will continue into this semester for credit (~12 hours a week)
• Since May, Volunteer in ER and Children's care center (100 hours to date)
• Volunteered for 4-5 months last year at a blood center welcoming donors and registering them at drives (40 hours)
• Shadowed mainly pediatric specialties (35 hours)
• Was treasurer for an engineering club last year (I am a ChemE major), but I am thinking about dropping this EC since it's mainly MechE oriented

What I am thinking about doing:

• Volunteering at a hospital (different from where I am currently, but I'll stay there as well) as a sort of religious comfort volunteer
• Joining the university organization that organizes events for prospective students
• Joining a program where you volunteer at the county hospital once a week and followup (by phone or in person at the hospital) with patients that have been discharged and make sure they're following doctor's orders, etc.

I would greatly appreciate any input, especially about what I should do EC-wise. I am thinking about dropping my membership from the engineering club since it requires a bit of time commitment to design stuff (mechanical stuff, outside of my ChemE field), but I was advised to stick with it for longevity reasons. I am just concerned that I would have too little ECs and fall short, too many and overload myself, or too many and look like an obvious box-checker. I am hoping to get some words of insight from you guys.

Thanks in advance!

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[Aerus]

You're doing fine. Having interests outside of medicine (like serious hobbies) would be nice not only for your med school app but for yourself.

But I hope you remember to focus on your GPA as your priority.

 

[screamingoutlet]

You're doing fine. Having interests outside of medicine (like serious hobbies) would be nice not only for your med school app but for yourself.

But I hope you remember to focus on your GPA as your priority.

Thanks for the reassurance. I'll definitely keep GPA as my priority. It is nice to have some hobbies I can enjoy too.