3.6 GPA/ MCAT in May URM Early Decision - LSU NOLA

[Future_DrGlowpepper]

I’m a nontraditional career-switcher. I am currently a CPA working on a DIY post-bacc to distance myself from my undergrad gpa. I’m a URM (Black woman) with 3 kids, so moving very far away is not an option for my family. I’m interested in applying for early decision this upcoming application cycle at LSU New Orleans. This is the only school that I would want to attend due to the Rural Scholars program and my support system.

Here are my current and expected stats:

Shadowing:
• 40 hours with a rural family physician
• 10 hours with an oncologist

Clinical Volunteering:
• 150 hours with hospice care

(I also have experience caring for multiple family members through hospice and would like to know if this can be counted as clinical experience)

Non-Clinical Volunteering:
• Over 175 hours
Including serving as a dance coach for young black girls, helping with fashion shows to boost young girls’ confidence, and volunteering with the Red Cross

Work Experience:
• Over 4,000 hours as a CPA

Leadership:
• 40 ish hours as an executive member of the Pre-Med Society at McNeese State University
• over 1000 hours as a manager at the CPA firm I worked for

MCAT:
• I’m planning to take the MCAT in May 2025 and aim for a score of at least 510.

I know my hours are on the lower side, I am working full-time while trying to get all of my ducks in a row.

Any advice or changes I need to be making?

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[Faha]

You would benefit from 150 hours of non clinical volunteering such as food bank, homeless shelter, etc. . Also more clinical hours would be helpful.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Also have you talked with the LSUNO faculty who run their rural health program? YOU SHOULD DO THIS BEFORE SUBMITTING AN EARLY DECISION APPLICATION.

It wouldn't hurt you to get connected to current students to make sure you would be a in a good position with your experiences before applying. I agree you should try to take on some more service hours with food distribution, shelter volunteer, job/tax prep, transportation services, or housing rehabilitation, but I can understand how tough that would be with children.

Perhaps you can also find some help working with a rural non-profit? I don't know what's feasible given your life constraints.

 

[jvquarterback]

Mr smile gives the best advice; call them up and ask. Tell them your situation and listen to their advice. It may take longer to get ready to apply but I think they’ll give you a good look. Check in with their snma chapter for advice as well.

One more thing - give Tulane a good look. Sure you could put together your own rural medicine focus there if they don’t have one already.

 

[Future_DrGlowpepper]

Also have you talked with the LSUNO faculty who run their rural health program? YOU SHOULD DO THIS BEFORE SUBMITTING AN EARLY DECISION APPLICATION.

It wouldn't hurt you to get connected to current students to make sure you would be a in a good position with your experiences before applying. I agree you should try to take on some more service hours with food distribution, shelter volunteer, job/tax prep, transportation services, or housing rehabilitation, but I can understand how tough that would be with children.

Perhaps you can also find some help working with a rural non-profit? I don't know what's feasible given your life constraints.

I will definitely try to reach out to the program. Are the volunteer hours with Red Cross not sufficient?

 

[Mr.Smile12]

I will definitely try to reach out to the program. Are the volunteer hours with Red Cross not sufficient?

What did you do with ARC?

 

[Future_DrGlowpepper]

What did you do with ARC?

I am a duty officer (I basically help organize during disasters), I am also looking to teach emergency preparedness for kids in the area.