[4.0/52x] Looking For Basic EC Pointers

[oscillatorz]

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Hey! I'm currently a senior undergraduate that's set to graduate this Spring semester. To make things straightforward, my stats are good, but my extracurriculars aren't - hours-wise, at the very least (although I still understand that "quality > quantity" and the ultimate determinant of value for these activities is the experiences you draw from them).

The main purpose of this post is to ask what exactly (clinical, non-clinical, etc.) to put my hours in as well as what "thresholds" to aim for, because my stats aren't the problem. By the end of this semester, I plan to hit around 400 hours in clinical volunteering and 200 hours in non-clinical volunteering, and I'm which direction I should take afterward (if these figures are insufficient for the upcoming cycle).

Speaking of, the second question is whether or not applying to this upcoming cycle or the 2027-2028 (i.e. taking a gap year) is a better idea. I haven't seen many people apply at the end of senior year so I've no idea what hours are expected of such an applicant. Most applications I see are either from juniors or those who have already taken (a) gap year(s). If taking a gap year, I'm planning to take up a scribing or phlebotomist position until the 2027-2028 cycle which should supply me with more clinical hours (as well as physical shadowing hours in the case of the former). It's possible I can pick up research on the way but it's lower on the priority list due to a lack of interest in the activity overall, and I understand that that limits me from some schools.

• cGPA/sGPA: 4.0
• MCAT: 52x (no re-attempts)
• Ethnicity: ORM
• Clinical hours: 250 (volunteer)
• Shadowing hours: 40, but virtual
• Non-clinical hours: 50 (food bank)
• Research: n/a

 

[Faha]

You should accumulate another 100+ hours at the food bank since many schools screen at 150 hours for non clinical volunteering. For top 20 schools you should have 250+ hours. You also need 50 hours of in person physician shadowing (including primary care). Virtual shadowing has minimal value. These hours should be added before you submit your application.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Welcome to the forums.

It's not just your hours. The activities should help you discern medicine as your future. You haven't told us your state of residence, but you should entertain options relative to costs of education in light of the new laws and rules from OB3.

I don't see any involvement with community in the above description. You have avoided including campus leadership positions, so with no research, I'm presuming you have little to no campus involvement. Consequently you come off as just a "book worm" who can pass exams, but you may not have enough experience working with others, especially when they aren't working well with you. Stretching outside your comfort zone is very important for future physicians; you must be comfortable with uncomfortable people who are suffering, and nothing you can do or say can help. Do you really understand what you will face in medical education and training? I don't quite see it.

Show me you can dedicate yourself to serve others without the crutch of "homework" or classes. Take the gap year to prove your commitment to becoming a servant healer and community advocate. Not every patient can be a problem that can be easily solved.