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[WashUPreMed]

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[RogueUnicorn]

you can't be serious

 

[apoptosis123]

you can't be serious

That's what I was hoping.

OP is bragging/desperately in need of attention.

 

[TheMightySmiter]

*sigh* Could we at least get a break from these for Christmas?? Lol. 😉

 

[chman]

What you don't have a 4.0? There is no hope for you OP. Is there a Burger King in you area?

In all seriousness, I think that you know the answer to you own question. But if you really need someone to tell you that you are doing good, I will. You are doing good.

EDIT: I think the most obvious way to boost your EC's would be to volunteer at the hospital. Take the MCAT after all you pre-reqs are done in you Junior year, that is, if you want to start med-school right after college. Of course you could always take a year off to save the world or something.

 

[RogueUnicorn]

you don't come off arrogant to me. just ridiculously neurotic.


welcome to sdn. you belong..

 

[EyEnStein 07]

You seem ok for most medical schools just not North Western. If you check there admissions profile, they do NOT like chemistry majors, that includes Biochemistry.

What you should do is decide switching out right now, your only 3 semesters in. They love those who major in the nonscience, see if you can do that.

I would advise you though to not add those biochem research and stuff on your resume. The presentation is ok (dont be specific as to what it is), but to show that you did research with a well known biochemist, is like asking to get rejected.


On another note: Take your MCAT when you feel prepared and have taken all the pre-reqs. Give yourself enough time to prepare, so that you can use like the summer of your junior year to get ready in preparation to apply to the schools you wish. There is a chance thread where you can post and be advised as to what types of schools you should apply to. If you search well enough you will find a decent spread sheet which gives you some idea of schools you would be an average candidate for.

 

[chman]

I'm incredibly sorry if I came off as arrogant, as that was not my intention! =(
I really am not too familiar with the Med School Admissions process and am sincerely asking for help. However, I still don't know when's a good time to take the MCAT if I finish the pre-requisites by sophomore year, and I honestly feel as if my ECs aren't too amazing.

Once again, I'm very sorry if I came off as an arrogant a**hole, I promise I'm not. I just want honest opinions, thanks!

Don't worry. We are just giving you a hard time, and you are not alone. As bleargh said, you fit in just fine. Welcome.

 

[Bernoull]

Hey Guys!

So I am a WashU Sophomore, and here's a summary of me:

After 3 semesters:
GPA: 3.87
BPCM GPA: 3.87
Major: Chemistry conc. in Biochemistry

Extracurriculars:
1. ExecBoard of a WashU Public Health Group working in Africa

2. General Chemistry Peer Mentor - work with Gen Chem kids in small groups, hired by chemistry department

3. Biochemistry Research with very well-known biochemist at WashU (joint appointment with WUSM and WashU undergrad, continuing into the summer)
-2nd author on Poster Presentation, have worked since Spring 2009

President of a religious group on campus

Tutor at a local middle school

-I feel my ECs are lacking, what is glaringly missing?
-I'm about to finish my MCAT 'pre-requisites,' when's the best time to take the MCAT?
- I'm fine GPA-wise, right?

I really really want to go to Northwestern's Medical School -- is it possible as of now?

I think I should be able to do well on the MCAT, I perform well on standardized tests.

Am I on the right track?? Thanks =)

Yes, yes, yes

where are ur clinicals?? Take the MCAT when u're ready. If u're convinced ur ECs are lacking, do more ECs..

 

[TheMightySmiter]

Okay, since you're new and you seem really nice:

1) Your GPA is great, I don't think you really need anyone to tell you that. (That's why people automatically assumed you were fishing for compliments/amazement). 2) Where is your clinical experience? You will need a lot more of that. And it should be in the US, since it looks like you may have been to Africa on some sort of medical mission? 3) Most people take the MCAT spring of their junior year. That's what I'd recommend unless you were planning on going abroad the whole year, in which case you'd take it the summer after sophomore year. It's helpful to take a couple of upper-division classes like biochem, genetics, etc. before you take the MCAT. 4) Stop worrying so much about getting into a particular med school, especially before you've even started applying!

Other than those things, you seem to be in good shape. 🙂

 

[TheMightySmiter]

I guess the reason for my neurotic behavior is that I just received my first B+ of my college career in Organic Chemistry =(.

LOL you really are neurotic, a B+ in O-chem is good! I know of plenty of people who have gotten a C in O-chem and have still been accepted to med school. I think the #1 thing you need to do is relax!

 

[Moonglow]

I guess the reason for my neurotic behavior is that I just received my first B+ of my college career in Organic Chemistry =(.

That makes you a completely normal premed. 😀

 

[tennisball80]

Are you a

 

[ReptarBar]

what the hell. you have ZERO clinical experience. the africa thing is bs.

in engineering, you get engineering internships. in law, you work for law offices. in business, you get get business internships. in medicine, you volunteer at a hospital/clinic extensively.

 

[chman]

what the hell. you have ZERO clinical experience. the africa thing is bs.

in engineering, you get engineering internships. in law, you work for law offices. in business, you get get business internships. in medicine, you volunteer at a hospital/clinic extensively.

I wouldn't call a public health expedition to Africa bs. After all, it is health related, and even if it wasn't it would still be good. Yes, the OP needs clinic volunteering, but I think it is a false notion that all of one's volunteering has to be medically related. After all, a good deed is a good deed.

 

[chman]

that's not entirely true -- in high school I shadowed at a hospital for 80h. Then over summer break last year, I shadowed at another teaching hospital for 5h a day for a week. Other than shadowing, what other clinical experience opportunities are there?

You can generally find a hospital that will let you do grunt work that is called volunteering. For example, I volunteer at a hospital in the physical rehab department. The things I do very, but it is generally things like talking to the patients, getting them water if it is ok with the doc, cleaning equipment etc. It is not too bad, and even fulfilling sometimes, but nothing to write home about.