Bauman1535's Official Chance Me Thread - 2012 Edition

*Updates at bottom of thread (8/23/12)*

Alright, here is my situation:

I am a junior at UW-Madison.

cGPA: 3.85
sGPA: 3.83

MCAT: 37P (14/11/12)

So my stats are alright. However, I wouldn't exactly call my ECs strong. My ECs:

* One year of hospital volunteering (complete waste of time/little to no clinical exposure)
* 1.5 years of research on prostate cancer (working on two of my own projects; nearing first-author pub within the next year)
* Recreational marathon running (big part of my life)
* Very involved with Campus Crusades for Christ (target area bible study leader...lot of responsibility)
* 10 hours of shadowing (though will probably be closer to 30 by June)

Those are my primary ECs. I also have various other non-clinical volunteering such as being a youth basketball coach, running our town's youth baseball program for a year, etc...

I currently have two LORs lined up, but only one is a professor that has taught me; the other is my PI. It will be a struggle to get another science and a non-science letter.

I primarily want to apply top-heavy, for various reasons. Though my stats are pretty good, I don't feel like my ECs are good enough to compete with other applicants. For the past month I've been debating taking a gap year and applying in 2013. Here is a list of pros and cons that I came up with.

Pros

* 95% chance I'll get a first-author pub by the time I apply next year
* LORs will be better
* Will have ~75 hours of shadowing by then
* Plan on volunteering at a free clinic during senior year
* GPA will be more like 3.9 (yea yea, I know the difference between 3.84 and 3.9 is negligible 😛)
* More time to visit cities during interview/not miss any class to interview
* More marathons under my belt by then
* I want to train for and complete an Iron Man in my gap year; this is probably the only opportunity I will have in my life
* Less stressful application season (no MCAT to take, plenty of time to write my PS, etc...)
* More life experience and chances to travel

Cons

* Taking a year off was never part of my plan
* I will have to find a job during my gap year
* ???? (I can't think of any more cons really)

At this point I would like to thank anyone who read all the way through this 😀. What is everyone's thoughts? Should I take a year off to strengthen my ECs?

tl;dr - I have a 3.84/37P and want to apply top heavy but have relatively weak ECs. Should I take a gap year?

I'm pretty sure you wont have to take a year off

Your stats are really good, amazing mcat and good gpa. If you're looking to get into top schools though you need amazing ECs. My friend had a 35 mcat 4.0 gpa and really good ECs and still had trouble getting interviews at top schools. I think if you made your ECs amazing you could get into top schools for sure since your stats are right around the average for top MD schools. Still I think it's worth applying to some and see if any like you because your chances definitely aren't bad from what ive seen...but I kind of think youll need over the top ECs to set you apart once you get to the elite schools..just my opinion though. Whatever you decide to do, don't feel too bad if you take a year off. Your gpa/mcat is great and youll def get into a good school.

Thanks for the responses! Anyone else have any advice?

If you're in a hurry, you might consider applying MD/PhD where sparse ECs are less of an issue, provided research is strong. Even so, you have NO clinical experience yet, and need to fix that before submitting an application anywhere this summer.

If you don't want to do this, for the best shot at a schools you'd really love to attend, wait a year, get in decent clinical experience, the planned above-average shadowing, some leadership and/or teaching, continue with research, do some regular nonmedical community service, and WIN.

Catalystik said:

If you're in a hurry, you might consider applying MD/PhD where sparse ECs are less of an issue, provided research is strong. Even so, you have NO clinical experience yet, and need to fix that before submitting an application anywhere this summer.

If you don't want to do this, for the best shot at a schools you'd really love to attend, wait a year, get in decent clinical experience, the planned above-average shadowing, some leadership and/or teaching, continue with research, do some regular nonmedical community service, and WIN.

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Completely agree with this.

Your lack of ECs will make some top-tier schools a longshot; however, you're a strong applicant for many schools and it's your decision how important going to a top-tier school ultimately is to you. Otherwise, go ahead and apply and you'll get into a great school!

Like Cat mentioned, could you see yourself applying to MD/Ph.D? Your stats are certainly competitive enough and you do have 1.5 years of research experience...

sooooo official

Charles Darwin said:

Like Cat mentioned, could you see yourself applying to MD/Ph.D? Your stats are certainly competitive enough and you do have 1.5 years of research experience...

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I actually spent a decent bit of time thinking about MD/PhD over the summer. In the end I decided that, while I do enjoy research, it's not something that I can envision myself doing as the primary part of my career.

Thanks again for the responses everyone. I think I found a free clinic on campus that I can hopefully start volunteering at soon.

Bauman1535 said:

I actually spent a decent bit of time thinking about MD/PhD over the summer. In the end I decided that, while I do enjoy research, it's not something that I can envision myself doing as the primary part of my career.

Thanks again for the responses everyone. I think I found a free clinic on campus that I can hopefully start volunteering at soon.

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You have to be really pushy with these things because your times tick tocking. Show up a lot in person....lol, worked for me. Your ECs are a bit sparse but if you can weave everything together to illuminate yourself I think you have a good shot at some top names if that's what you want. You should get in no probs tho. Work on that PS

Small update listed below

Hate to bump my own thread, but meh.

Here is what I have lined up for summer ECs:

* Volunteering in a free clinic
aaaaa- 4 hours a week for the next month / 13 hours a week for the entire summer
aaaaa- Learn how to draw blood, take vitals, get patient histories, etc...
aaaaa- Should be really good clinical experience

* Clinical research
aaaaa- 20 hours per week for the whole summer
aaaaa- Almost guaranteed to result in a publication by the end of the summer

* Shadowing
aaaaa- One day per week for 4-8 hours
aaaaa- Should get a variety of specialties

* Big Brothers/Big Sisters
aaaaa- Starting next fall

Anyone have any advice for anything further? Or do these look good? I'm really looking forward to these ECs, personally. They all seem like great opportunities.

Bauman1535 said:

Hate to bump my own thread, but meh.

Here is what I have lined up for summer ECs:

* Volunteering in a free clinic
aaaaa- 4 hours a week for the next month / 13 hours a week for the entire summer
aaaaa- Learn how to draw blood, take vitals, get patient histories, etc...
aaaaa- Should be really good clinical experience

* Clinical research
aaaaa- 20 hours per week for the whole summer
aaaaa- Almost guaranteed to result in a publication by the end of the summer

* Shadowing
aaaaa- One day per week for 4-8 hours
aaaaa- Should get a variety of specialties

* Big Brothers/Big Sisters
aaaaa- Starting next fall

Anyone have any advice for anything further? Or do these look good? I'm really looking forward to these ECs, personally. They all seem like great opportunities.

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1. Looks great overall

2. I don't think drawing blood or taking vitals will be legal or ethical unless you are a CNA, phlebotomist, etc.

3. The timing, with all this clinical stuff jammed into the summer you apply, may look fishy. Then again, that 37 is pretty fishy, too. 🙂 Don't get me wrong , what you'll be doing is outstanding. Research, shadowing, volunteering - all good stuff. If you can start shadowing SOON, like in a week, or so, I think that would help things out. I've put a lot from my shadowing into my PS. Nothing fancy, just little things that made an impression. E.g. an experienced doctor not being afraid to ask for a second opinion, a doctor double-checking EVERYTHING that his nurses did, and finding potentially fatal errors. 😱 Anyway that's my $00.02.

Joe the Plumber said:

1. Looks great overall

2. I don't think drawing blood or taking vitals will be legal or ethical unless you are a CNA, phlebotomist, etc.

3. The timing, with all this clinical stuff jammed into the summer you apply, may look fishy. Then again, that 37 is pretty fishy, too. 🙂 Don't get me wrong , what you'll be doing is outstanding. Research, shadowing, volunteering - all good stuff. If you can start shadowing SOON, like in a week, or so, I think that would help things out. I've put a lot from my shadowing into my PS. Nothing fancy, just little things that made an impression. E.g. an experienced doctor not being afraid to ask for a second opinion, a doctor double-checking EVERYTHING that his nurses did, and finding potentially fatal errors. 😱 Anyway that's my $00.02.

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Yeah I'd love to get more perspectives from some other people on the health clinic. I see what you're saying but it's also a great opportunity and is almost guaranteed to lead to some great stories for interview season.

Also, I won't have to worry about looking fishy...I decided I WILL be taking the app cycle off so I'll have a whole year to further improve my ECs.

Bauman1535 said:

Yeah I'd love to get more perspectives from some other people on the health clinic. I see what you're saying but it's also a great opportunity and is almost guaranteed to lead to some great stories for interview season.

Also, I won't have to worry about looking fishy...I decided I WILL be taking the app cycle off so I'll have a whole year to further improve my ECs.

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In that case...full steam ahead! Your app will be very strong.

But to reiterate, the health clinic will be a good experience, just only do things you're qualified to do. Every bp/temp/pulse I take, and every medical history I fill out, I have to sign "J.T.P., CNA." It's my licensing that's on the line (not that a few points off will kill somebody, but still). I just don't want you to get in an awkward situation at an interview, where you talk about how you draw blood at the clinic and they call you out.

Good luck!

Bauman1535 said:

Volunteering in a free clinic
aaaaa- 4 hours a week for the next month / 13 hours a week for the entire summer
aaaaa- Learn how to draw blood, take vitals, get patient histories, etc...
aaaaa- Should be really good clinical experience



Yeah I'd love to get more perspectives from some other people on the health clinic.

Click to expand...

States vary widely in what certifications or training might be required. No one is going to let you do things you haven't been trained for, whether it be by a formal program or with the help and supervision of a mentor in the clinic. It sounds to me like a great opportunity where you can learn a lot.

End of summer update:

* 200 hours in my health clinic. Medium amount of patient contact and lots of interaction with our docs

* Wrote one manuscript in my lab that will be submitted at the end of September. I will be second author. We might split my project into two papers so there's a potential for another pub.

* Will present at 1-2 national conferences this upcoming year.

* In the process of writing a basic science manuscript that I will be 1st author on.

* Ran one more half marathon and one more full marathon (PRs in both).

For this upcoming year:

* Starting Big Brothers/Big Sisters in late September

* 2 more full marathons

* Continuing research

* Paid peer tutor position for a 500-level biochem class

* Continue other stuff like Cru

Is there anything else I should be doing? I need (and want) to do more shadowing but I'll probably try to do a lot during Christmas break.

Bauman1535,

I saw your KB signature. Im trying to go see em on the unashamed tour. Best of luck fam, did you end up applying this cycle?

1cor1311 said:

Bauman1535,

I saw your KB signature. Im trying to go see em on the unashamed tour. Best of luck fam, did you end up applying this cycle?

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Nope, decided to take a year off. I think it'll definitely be worth it in the end, though.

Awesome, it's great to see another 116 fan on SDN! What show are you thinking of going to? I had an opportunity to go tomorrow night to Chicago with some friends but I have a discussion that I am unable to skip 🙄

Impressive stuff man you'll surely get in -- let us know!
And much respect for campus crusade, love that organization.

Bauman1535 said:

Nope, decided to take a year off. I think it'll definitely be worth it in the end, though.

Awesome, it's great to see another 116 fan on SDN! What show are you thinking of going to? I had an opportunity to go tomorrow night to Chicago with some friends but I have a discussion that I am unable to skip 🙄

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When they come through so cal,
the LampMode crew is coming through my city in mid october. Im bummed S.O. wont be there. Im counting down the days until his new album is released.

Moosepig said:

Impressive stuff man you'll surely get in -- let us know!
And much respect for campus crusade, love that organization.

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Thanks! I can definitely say that Cru changed the trajectory of my life at the beginning of sophomore year.

1cor1311 said:

When they come through so cal,
the LampMode crew is coming through my city in mid october. Im bummed S.O. wont be there. Im counting down the days until his new album is released.

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5 Solas and So It Begins were both great and he has absolutely killed the singles on the new album so far. I'm looking forward to it as well. It's too bad he won't be on the tour but the rest of Lampmode is so stacked at the moment that it would still be an epic concert.

Catalystik said:

States vary widely in what certifications or training might be required. No one is going to let you do things you haven't been trained for, whether it be by a formal program or with the help and supervision of a mentor in the clinic. It sounds to me like a great opportunity where you can learn a lot.

Click to expand...

It happens all the time. Nurses who teach CNA's how to do certain task that are typically simple and can save the nurse time. As a CNA, I will not do ANYTHING I should not be doing. Not worth the risk.