3.71 cgpa, 3.52 bcpm, need real input.

[Clam Chowdher]

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I just started my junior year of college and am planning on taking the MCAT + applying at the end of this year. I am taking all science classes this semester in an attempt to try and boost my bcpm.

I am a GA resident, and my ethnicity is south asian (Bangladesh) if that matters at all.

I have volunteered at free clinics in Bangladesh the summer before college, maybe 50+ hours?

My EC's are what concern me, my first two years of college, I have shadowed one physician (family friend) and have around 200+ hours. That is virtually all I have so far.

My plan is to begin volunteering at my local hospital for the whole year, around the end of the year i should have around 100-150+ volunteer hours.

Also, I plan to do research the second semester, so I should have a semester of research before applying.

I do a little music on the side, but nothing big at all. I also plan on studying for the MCAT all throughout the year so that I am ready to take it at the end of the year.

My question is, will those ECs be adequate to get in the cycle that I am trying for. I'm not shooting for anything amazing or even in the top 20.

Here is my list ranked in order by priority:

1. Medical College of Georgia
2. NYU (It's not technically a top 20)
3. Mercer/basically any other mid tier school.

NYU is probably a far shot I know, but Medical College of Georgia is where I have my heart set, I just think I'd be neat to go to NYU.

Assuming I get around a 30-32 on the MCAT, what are my chances at said schools?

 

[Catalystik]

1) I am taking all science classes this semester in an attempt to try and boost my bcpm.

I have volunteered at free clinics in Bangladesh the summer before college, maybe 50+ hours?

2) I have shadowed one physician (family friend) and have around 200+ hours. That is virtually all I have so far.

3) My plan is to begin volunteering at my local hospital for the whole year, around the end of the year i should have around 100-150+ volunteer hours.

4) Also, I plan to do research the second semester, so I should have a semester of research before applying.

5) I do a little music on the side

6) My question is, will those ECs be adequate to get in the cycle that I am trying for. I'm not shooting for anything amazing or even in the top 20.

Here is my list ranked in order by priority:

1. Medical College of Georgia
2. NYU (It's not technically a top 20)
3. Mercer/basically any other mid tier school.

7) Assuming I get around a 30-32 on the MCAT, what are my chances at said schools?

1) Good strategy, if you get a 3.7+ GPA.

2) That is excellent, if the shadowing was done in the US and the doc is in primary care.

3) Good. Start soon.

4) Maybe not enough for NYU, for fine for less-selective med schools.

5) Be sure to list it, along with hobbies, sports, and other Arts involvement.

6) Maybe, but probably not at NYU which will expect a greater intensity of involvement in some EC areas. What I see you missing is nonmedical community service. Even an hour a week for a cause you care about will help you. And leadership and teaching. If you were to tutor ESL adults or middle school kids in a poor district, you'd have a two-for-one activity.

7) With a 3.71/30 and a higher BCPM, you'd have about a 67% chance and with a 32, a 76% chance. Of course you need to apply to at least 10 other schools to have a good chance. NYU is a reach with your proposed stats (but dream schools are OK to include). MCG is a tiny reach. And Mercer should be a safety. Once you know your application stats, you can widen your search for appropriate schools.