ADCOMS: Semi-Solicited Advice [Part II]

[LizzyM]

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Sorry Lizzy to bother you again,

I feel like I need to explain myself in my personal statement as to why my GPA really sucked freshmen year with a paragraph or two. I had a few family hardships my freshmen year and adjusting to the college atmosphere took a bit of time... should I explain this in my personal statement?

My dad had troubles with the law and spent time in jail, so I had to take care of a depressed mom and help out with my family a lot. Also had two family members pass away and a diabetic grandpa that I come home to every weekend to see/help, which has ultimately lead me to decide that medicine is what I want to do at the end of my freshmen year.

If you can do this without making it sound like then you may be in good shape. Also, if you have a pre-med advisor or other faculty/administrator who knows of the difficulties/family situation and would work this into the LOR it is helpful to the adcom as it comes from an outside source who can, in a sense, verify the story. Check that out with your advisor.

 

[viciouz]

If you can do this without making it sound like then you may be in good shape. Also, if you have a pre-med advisor or other faculty/administrator who knows of the difficulties/family situation and would work this into the LOR it is helpful to the adcom as it comes from an outside source who can, in a sense, verify the story. Check that out with your advisor.

Crap, I don't have a pre-med counselor nor does anyone know about my past family troubles. *SIGH* I guess I'll just leave it out, I don't want to sound like a cry baby.

 

[moto_za]

Hi, I wanted an adcomms opinion on this, as I seem to be paronoid. I was wondering if I take the MCAT on MAY 31ST will that hurt my chances by being late in the game . I will receive my results on july 3rd i believe. thanks a lot

 

[LizzyM]

Hi, I wanted an adcomms opinion on this, as I seem to be paronoid. I was wondering if I take the MCAT on MAY 31ST will that hurt my chances by being late in the game . I will receive my results on july 3rd i believe. thanks a lot

There is little to go on but it would seem that this will still be "early" in the cycle particularly if you have your AMCAS application completed and your transcripts validated by that date.

 

[Avenger9]

Lizzy--

Thoughts on having 2 separate LORs coming from husband/wife profs? Though they certainly could write independent letters, they're afraid adcoms will "lump" them together as one view.

With it being late in the game, so to speak, do you have any suggestions for adressing the issue of not having "enough" clinical exposure (between March and June is what I'll have)? To what extent, if any, will 5 years of research experience (with poster pres., conference, and likely first-author pub) compensate for a lack of an extended clinical resume? I understand quality over quantity......buuut still, a lot of these folks around here seem to have come out of the womb shadowing and volunteering. Thanks much for your time.

 

[LizzyM]

Lizzy--

Thoughts on having 2 separate LORs coming from husband/wife profs? Though they certainly could write independent letters, they're afraid adcoms will "lump" them together as one view.

With it being late in the game, so to speak, do you have any suggestions for adressing the issue of not having "enough" clinical exposure (between March and June is what I'll have)? To what extent, if any, will 5 years of research experience (with poster pres., conference, and likely first-author pub) compensate for a lack of an extended clinical resume? I understand quality over quantity......buuut still, a lot of these folks around here seem to have come out of the womb shadowing and volunteering. Thanks much for your time.

Do these profs have the same last name? That will be the only tip off that they are spouses -- unless you expect that they'll write about one another in their LORs. If each is recommending you they should write separate letters. Did they have different roles in your instruction/work? (not joint teaching the same course or something)

Just a few months is pretty short. can you continue past June? If so, write 3/07 -Present rather than 3/07-6/07. Then continue the clinical stuff through the interview year so that you have ~6 mos. by the time you interview. The research is going to look good to the top research schools.

 

[Avenger9]

Do these profs have the same last name? That will be the only tip off that they are spouses -- unless you expect that they'll write about one another in their LORs. If each is recommending you they should write separate letters. Did they have different roles in your instruction/work? (not joint teaching the same course or something)

Just a few months is pretty short. can you continue past June? If so, write 3/07 -Present rather than 3/07-6/07. Then continue the clinical stuff through the interview year so that you have ~6 mos. by the time you interview. The research is going to look good to the top research schools.

Yes, same last name. I had them for entirely separate courses, 2 upper levels from each, IIRC. So, I feel like they can write the strongest letters, especially since I'm 5 years removed from UG and it's unlikely any of the other profs will really remember me. Along these same lines, how essential, in my case, is a 3rd letter from a college prof? I was hoping to also have 1 or 2 from my research mentors -- do you feel those are a replacement for a 3rd prof or in addition to?

I definitely can and will continue past June, just figured I would be at somewhat of a disadvantage in making the first cut -- on paper -- with only ~4months under my belt ("x/xx to present" ....noted, thanks). Last question, how unique am I in that I have a solid research background, and now, somewhat suddenly, yearn to 'see the other side?'

Again, thank you very much for your input.

 

[LizzyM]

Yes, same last name. I had them for entirely separate courses, 2 upper levels from each, IIRC. So, I feel like they can write the strongest letters, especially since I'm 5 years removed from UG and it's unlikely any of the other profs will really remember me. Along these same lines, how essential, in my case, is a 3rd letter from a college prof? I was hoping to also have 1 or 2 from my research mentors -- do you feel those are a replacement for a 3rd prof or in addition to?

Letters from two profs who you had for different courses sounds perfectly reasonable, even if they do share a name (and 😍 ). Different schools ask for different combinations of letters but for a non-trad, a research mentor in place of the third college prof seems perfectly reasonable.

Last question, how unique am I in that I have a solid research background, and now, somewhat suddenly, yearn to 'see the other side?'

This is not uncommon. Be sure to emphasize that you are prepared to be a life-long learner in medicine (as you would be in the lab) and that you are interested in people (not just "fascinated by the human body") and willing to dedicate yourself to service of the sick.

 

[TinyHineyRikki]

LizzyM,
In your experience, how often does an applicant that was waitlisted one year and almost makes it in, gets accepted another year when they apply to the same school. This is of course after talking with someone in the admissions office about how to improve and why they were waitlisted. Assuming that the changes are made during the off year.
Thanks,
THR

 

[LizzyM]

LizzyM,
In your experience, how often does an applicant that was waitlisted one year and almost makes it in, gets accepted another year when they apply to the same school. This is of course after talking with someone in the admissions office about how to improve and why they were waitlisted. Assuming that the changes are made during the off year.
Thanks,
THR

I have no idea. The pool does get bigger and the "stuff" needed to impress the adcom seems to escalate from year to year. Also, luck of the draw plays a part as you may have different application readers and different interviewers the second time around and they may be just a little bit different than the folks who reviewed you the first time. I think that it would be hard to predict.

 

[Catatonic]

Dear Adcomms,

Thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedules to answer our questions. Here is my application experience:

I've applied to med school twice already, last year and the year before. The first time, I applied while studying abroad in the Philippines (no I'm not Filipino). I didn't even get an interview, but I thought maybe it was because I applied late. I applied again last year, but again I didn't get an interview. I'm planning to apply again this summer.

Previous MCAT: 10PS 10V 10BS R
General GPA: ~3.5 (low science GPA - maybe 3.0-3.2?)
Major: Anthropology
Double Minor: Chemistry, Public Service
Extra Curricular:
Internship for a quarter at a nonprofit org w/ medical clinic
Internship for a quarter at my undergrad university's cancer center (not in a lab setting)
Various volunteering through pre-med clubs, Boys&Girls Club, etc.
Played in lacrosse team for 2 years
Studied abroad for 1 year

I am taking the April MCAT and have been consistently getting 38-42 on the AAMC practice tests. This year I am taking classes through an extension program at a local university, volunteering, and maybe tutoring the MCAT through Kaplan.

The problem is I have not done too much over the last 2 years after I graduated. I actually applied to law school and was supposed to go to UC Hastings this year, but changed my mind. I worked in an internship at a local government agency for 3 months, took the LSAT, taught LSAT classes at Kaplan for half a year, got a real estate license, and now I am working part-time (~30 hours) at my dad's office while studying for the MCAT.

I have three questions:

1) Does it look bad to be doing so many unrelating activities after I graduated? Especially since none of them are medically related (except for working at my dad's office)?

2) I am planning to start volunteering after the MCAT, but should I try to get some research experience instead? I dislike research, so I haven't had any lab experience other than one biolab class.

3) Do the adcomms disfavor candidates who has a parent in the medical profession? I heard/read somewhere that most drop-outs of med schools are children of doctors, and so adcomms watch out for those applicants.

Thanks! 🙂

 

[LizzyM]

1) Does it look bad to be doing so many unrelating activities after I graduated? Especially since none of them are medically related (except for working at my dad's office)?

Yes. Do you want to be a physician or not. If you'd rather be a lawyer then do that. If you'd rather sell real estate, do that.

2) I am planning to start volunteering after the MCAT, but should I try to get some research experience instead? I dislike research, so I haven't had any lab experience other than one biolab class.

If you aren't interested in it, I have to presume that you aren't interested in a career in academic medicine but would prefer to treat patients. That's ok. Don't do research just to make the application look good.

3) Do the adcomms disfavor candidates who has a parent in the medical profession? I heard/read somewhere that most drop-outs of med schools are children of doctors, and so adcomms watch out for those applicants.

There are thousands of applicants who have a parent (or parents) in medicine. The concern is whether the applicant has made a mature decision to pursue medicine. Everyone who has been in this for any length of time knows someone who went into medicine, hated it, and decided not to practice. Seeing someone walk away from medicine at age 27 or 28 (after earning the MD but not pursuing a license) is enough to make me weep. Plenty of applicants with physician parents do get admitted but the adcom wants to be sure that you are not just following dear old dad out of a sense of family tradition or some such.

 

[Catatonic]

It seems that I have a lot of explaning to do in my personal statement.

Thanks for the honest advice LizzieM.

 

[caffeineaholic]

Would mentioning my experiences as a patient in my personal statement be a good or bad decision? I recently sustained an injury that will be limiting my mobility for the next few months. I realized that I took my previous good health for granted and am now even more appreciative of the work that physicians can do to help people be more capable of fully living their lives.

Though impactful, this experience has come along later in my journey to decide to pursue the long route to becoming a physician. Thus, I cannot say that's it's played a particularly influential role in my first making the decision to pursue an MD, though it's helped cement that decision.

also, for some general questions regarding personal statements, is it frowned upon to mention a variety of types of experiences? I was thinking about describing how my coursework & research have helped affirm my interest in the science aspect of medicine and how volunteer / extracurricular experiences have affirmed my interest in the clinical, treating patients aspect of medicine. Nothing too unique, but I never had one of those epiphany moments. instead of writing a small amount about a variety of experiences, should I limit the personal statement to writing more extensively about a few experiences?

 

[gujuDoc]

Would mentioning my experiences as a patient in my personal statement be a good or bad decision? I recently sustained an injury that will be limiting my mobility for the next few months. I realized that I took my previous good health for granted and am now even more appreciative of the work that physicians can do to help people be more capable of fully living their lives.

Though impactful, this experience has come along later in my journey to decide to pursue the long route to becoming a physician. Thus, I cannot say that's it's played a particularly influential role in my first making the decision to pursue an MD, though it's helped cement that decision.

also, for some general questions regarding personal statements, is it frowned upon to mention a variety of types of experiences? I was thinking about describing how my coursework & research have helped affirm my interest in the science aspect of medicine and how volunteer / extracurricular experiences have affirmed my interest in the clinical, treating patients aspect of medicine. Nothing too unique, but I never had one of those epiphany moments. instead of writing a small amount about a variety of experiences, should I limit the personal statement to writing more extensively about a few experiences?

As bolded above, you say it hasn't played an impactful role in your decision. Therefore, there is no need to include it.

And don't try to shove your entire resume down the throat of the readers in the short space of a personal statement. There are other more appropriate places for other experiences such as the 15 ECs list on AMCAS.

You only need to talk about the most important things in making your decision and you can tie it in with something else like a talent like sports, dance, or music that you wish to talk about but don't find anywhere else to talk about it.

Sorry Just realized this wasn't the PS thread. My bad. I apologize.

 

[LizzyM]

I never had one of those epiphany moments. instead of writing a small amount about a variety of experiences, should I limit the personal statement to writing more extensively about a few experiences?

One of the most memorable PSs I ever read focused on 3 experiences: paid work, lab research and a volunteer gig. The student pulled all three together by saying that all three were linked to a single noun. It was an interesting device and I still remember the three things that he did. It also focused on learning, teaching, serving, providing first aid (as an adjunct to the paid job). If you have a theme and a structure you can fit in quite a bit.

P.S.: leave out the recent injury if it isn't necessary to the story you want to tell.

 

[veprice1166]

Hi adcoms, I had a quick question-- do you guys look favorably on EMT training/work? I work 20 hrs/week as an EMT-I during the semester, and 45-hrs during breaks, etc. I'm assuming this would be looked at as clinical experience.

 

[LizzyM]

Hi adcoms, I had a quick question-- do you guys look favorably on EMT training/work? I work 20 hrs/week as an EMT-I during the semester, and 45-hrs during breaks, etc. I'm assuming this would be looked at as clinical experience.

Yes, it is clinical experience. It won't make up for a poor gpa or a less than excellent MCAT but it count.

It is becoming more and more common but actually working as an EMT is less common than just being certified and volunteering for a few months.

 

[Suaveness]

Decisions should be out in the next week or two so hold your fire - I mean your up-dates - until then.

Do all decisions come out within this time? Curious


Also, another question. If I am unable to get into the MD program, woudl it look bad if I did a PhD pgrm for a year, then tried to apply again to MD? What about a 2 year Masters prgrm?

 

[AeroNat13]

Hello,

I hear a lot about physician shadowing and how it is such a great thing to do. My question is...where can we list shadowing on the AMCAS application? Should we group it all together as one activity? How formal does physician shadowing have to be, are we expected to list names and phone numbers? Is shadowing something that should just be brought up in interviews or personal statements instead of actually listing it under activites?

Any insight on this would be fantastic! Thanks

 

[LizzyM]

Do all decisions come out within this time? Curious


Also, another question. If I am unable to get into the MD program, woudl it look bad if I did a PhD pgrm for a year, then tried to apply again to MD? What about a 2 year Masters prgrm?

Most schools issue their decisions by March 31, AFAIK.

It is terrible to do a PhD for one year & then reapply. PhD programs are usually "funded" meaning that they pay your tuition & a stipend. Programs expect you to stay and earn the degree. Many med schools will not admit you unless you will have finished the degree program in which you are enrolled by the time the med school starts classes. If you are going to do a two year master's degree, then you should apply for med school during the 2nd year of that program.

 

[LizzyM]

Hello,

I hear a lot about physician shadowing and how it is such a great thing to do. My question is...where can we list shadowing on the AMCAS application? Should we group it all together as one activity? How formal does physician shadowing have to be, are we expected to list names and phone numbers? Is shadowing something that should just be brought up in interviews or personal statements instead of actually listing it under activites?

Any insight on this would be fantastic! Thanks

Most students list it under Volunteer-Clinical although it doesn't seem like much of a volunteer service. You could group it together. You don't need to fill in the blanks with name, title, phone #, hours per week etc. You can describe in the description section the specialties of the physicians you shadowed and the approximate hours overall over what period of time.

 

[banana5]

nevermind, sorry

 

[digitlnoize]

Hope you can give me some advice...

I am a 29 y/o married, white male from Virginia. I have a 5 y/o daughter. I took some classes at a community college straight out of high school, but I stopped going a few times and didn't withdraw. I wanted to be a musician, and the classes didn't interest me. I also didn't know that my F's for withdrawing would stay with me forever.

I worked full-time as an assistant manager of a music store chain for 7 years, then got sick of that and went back to school to be a doctor.

I returned to Comm.College and finished my associates with straight A's. Transferred to VCU and have gotten straight A's since.

BCPM=3.9
GPA =~3.2 cum. (because of those grades from 1996-97)
MCAT = 28R (I'm going to retake it in May...aiming for a 32 at least)

I shadowed a radiologist (the specialty I am most interested in) for a weekend.

I just started a new job as an ER scribe, which is an AMAZING experience. We have to document pt. history, and chart it all, as well as assist the docs and Er staff with almost everything.

I am still a musician (because I love it...) and my band regularly does benefit concerts that raise money for charities.

I have taught guitar and drum lessons in public school and privately. I am also a TA for Organic Chemistry (1 year).

How do I look as a candidate?

Thanks,

Mike

 

[LizzyM]

Hope you can give me some advice...

I am a 29 y/o married, white male from Virginia<snip>.

BCPM=3.9
GPA =~3.2 cum. (because of those grades from 1996-97)
MCAT = 28R (I'm going to retake it in May...aiming for a 32 at least)

Aside from schools that screen by gpa alone, you should get a shot at any school that eyeballs your age & the discrepency between your bcpm and your total gpa. Anyone with an ounce of curiousity is going to know that there is a non-trad story here and that you might be worth a closer look.

Good luck with the MCAT-- that would help a lot.

Your PS can also tell your story and you will get another chance with some supplemental applications that ask for essays.

Some schools are more open to non-trads. The non-trad board may have some tips for you in that regard.

 

[Psycho Doctor]

Crap, I don't have a pre-med counselor nor does anyone know about my past family troubles. *SIGH* I guess I'll just leave it out, I don't want to sound like a cry baby.

It seems crazy to have something so significant that it both affected your grades and made you desire a career in medicine, not to mention it. Just make sure you put a positive twist onto it and say how you learned and grew from the experience and you should be fine. You don't have to have someone verify it, or it wouldn't hurt to talk to an advisor and explain it. After all if you are a freshman you're not ready to apply next week.

Good luck.

 

[Dr. Josh]

I have no idea. The pool does get bigger and the "stuff" needed to impress the adcom seems to escalate from year to year. Also, luck of the draw plays a part as you may have different application readers and different interviewers the second time around and they may be just a little bit different than the folks who reviewed you the first time. I think that it would be hard to predict.

It seems every year things get more and more competitive. Am I at a disadvantage to wait two twos (one more application cycle)? I am trying to do more medically related activities and find time to study for the MCAT. But I see how much more difficult college applications have gotten that I'm afraid the same is true for med school, and your comment seems to confirm that. Thanks.

 

[EastLACoolio777]

Hi adcoms,
Do you guys think it is wise for students that get rejected post-interview to apply to the same school the following year?

 

[Kraazy]

Hi Adcoms,

I'd like to know if LORs from PIs can count as "science prof LORs" as requested by schools? I'm expecting to get 2 LORs from PIs (1 PhD, 1 MD), one from a science prof from whom I took a class, and one from a humanities prof. Should i get another rec from a science prof who taught me?

Also, some of the schools require recs from "academic instructors". Would PIs count for this, or not? And does it make a difference if I got credit for the research?

Thanks!

 

[fyodor06]

HOWDY ADCOMS,

I'm gearing up to apply this coming season and was hoping you could give me advice. I graduated from princeton with a pretty dismal 2.95 GPA. I had a rough time my first year and a half of undergrad while dealing with coming out. This year I'm taking some graduate bio courses (many of which are actually first year med school courses) and will probably finish out the year with a 3.5 and I just started a job as a research assistant that I will continue next year while applying. My last MCAT score was a 36Q (12s across the board), i worked for 4 years as a nurse assistant and I've done research in multiple labs around the country since high school. i'm also mexican american and spanish was my first language, for whatever that's worth.

-I was just wondering what your thoughts were on where I fit in, what if, anything I should/could change before applying.


-I also wanted to know if you had any tips for trying to explain my lackluster start as an undergrad without sounding whiny or offending people. I'm the first to admit that I didn't work hard enough and that's why I ended up with such bad grades, but I also want to convey that I wasn't out boozing and goofing off 7 days a week.

Thanks so much! Look forward to hearing what you think!

 

[srs58s]

Hi ADCOMs,

i need some help. this is my last quarter before i graduate and I'm applying this june. I just saw that UCLA (my #1 choice) requires statistics.

I already have a busy load and I really do not want to add STATs, but I will if i have to.

Will it hurt my application if i dont have stats? Do you guys recommend i take it now, or just take it the summer before matriculation if i happen to be lucky enough to be accepted there?

 

[Just Joshin]

Hi Lizzy!! Thanks for doing this. I have a question regarding my grades. I'm in a post-bacc to make up for a bad GPA from college. I graduated from college several years ago so I have some distance between me and those old grades. However, as a post-bacc, I took a graduate level class and I got a B in it. I know that on my AMCAS, it'll be divided into a Grad School GPA. My question is, won't it look horrible for adcoms to see Grad School GPA 3.0? It was just that one class, so will they pay attention to that or will they just see the 3.0 for grad school and assume it was a whole degree or something? I'm really trying to make up for my undergrad years and I feel like this just set me back substantially even though my post-bacc GPA (28 credits so far of only science) is a 3.98. What do you think?

 

[LizzyM]

Hi Lizzy!! Thanks for doing this. I have a question regarding my grades. I'm in a post-bacc to make up for a bad GPA from college. I graduated from college several years ago so I have some distance between me and those old grades. However, as a post-bacc, I took a graduate level class and I got a B in it. I know that on my AMCAS, it'll be divided into a Grad School GPA. My question is, won't it look horrible for adcoms to see Grad School GPA 3.0? It was just that one class, so will they pay attention to that or will they just see the 3.0 for grad school and assume it was a whole degree or something? I'm really trying to make up for my undergrad years and I feel like this just set me back substantially even though my post-bacc GPA (28 credits so far of only science) is a 3.98. What do you think?

Your gpa and the number of credits that went into it are displayed on the AMCAS by year of study and splitting out undergrad & grad. So, this will show as 4 credits of grad school. With any luck it won't be held against you.

 

[LizzyM]

Hi ADCOMs,

i need some help. this is my last quarter before i graduate and I'm applying this june. I just saw that UCLA (my #1 choice) requires statistics.

I already have a busy load and I really do not want to add STATs, but I will if i have to.

Will it hurt my application if i dont have stats? Do you guys recommend i take it now, or just take it the summer before matriculation if i happen to be lucky enough to be accepted there?

Call and ask the school. Some will require that you take it before you matriculate which means you can wait until you know you're going there. If that's the case, you can pick it up next Spring at a community college or whatever.

 

[LizzyM]

HOWDY ADCOMS,

I'm gearing up to apply this coming season and was hoping you could give me advice. I graduated from princeton with a pretty dismal 2.95 GPA. I had a rough time my first year and a half of undergrad while dealing with coming out. This year I'm taking some graduate bio courses (many of which are actually first year med school courses) and will probably finish out the year with a 3.5 and I just started a job as a research assistant that I will continue next year while applying. My last MCAT score was a 36Q (12s across the board), i worked for 4 years as a nurse assistant and I've done research in multiple labs around the country since high school. i'm also mexican american and spanish was my first language, for whatever that's worth.

-I was just wondering what your thoughts were on where I fit in, what if, anything I should/could change before applying.


-I also wanted to know if you had any tips for trying to explain my lackluster start as an undergrad without sounding whiny or offending people. I'm the first to admit that I didn't work hard enough and that's why I ended up with such bad grades, but I also want to convey that I wasn't out boozing and goofing off 7 days a week.

Thanks so much! Look forward to hearing what you think!

You might have a shot. Be up-front about the fact that you didn't work hard as a young college student but that with maturity you've improved your study skills and motivation. Don't go into your personal life as this does tend to offend some older straight men and they tend to be the bulk of the adcom.
You might have a shot.

 

[LizzyM]

Hi adcoms,
Do you guys think it is wise for students that get rejected post-interview to apply to the same school the following year?

Call the school and ask what you can do to improve your application. If someone in admissions (Dean of Admissions or similar staffer) isn't willing to talk, it could be that something you said/did at the interview was so offensive that they are reluctant to talk about it but they just can't see fitting in there.

 

[LizzyM]

Hi Adcoms,

I'd like to know if LORs from PIs can count as "science prof LORs" as requested by schools? I'm expecting to get 2 LORs from PIs (1 PhD, 1 MD), one from a science prof from whom I took a class, and one from a humanities prof. Should i get another rec from a science prof who taught me?

Also, some of the schools require recs from "academic instructors". Would PIs count for this, or not? And does it make a difference if I got credit for the research?

Thanks!

Is the PI on the faculty of a college or university. If so, I'd count it as a science prof even though the context in which you got to know the person was in the lab, not in the classroom.

If you got credit, then the person giving the grade is an academic instructor.

 

[Ben1764]

Dear Adcom,
I was wondering if you could take a look at my profile and offer some advice. My GPA is not good but my MCAT score is. There is a gentle upward trend (nothing absolutely amazing) and my extracurriculars are excellent. I don't think that one more year would do anything dramatic to my GPA.

Academics- (Ivy League school)
Major- Chem
Concentration- Asian Studies
Overall 3.3
BCPM- 3.0
MCAT- P12, V11, B12, WQ

Extracurriculars-
5 years as an EMT-B (over 1200 hrs volunteer time)
2 years as a paramedic (with hospital rotations in ER, OR, ICU, Peds, CCU, Labor/Delivery)
2 summers surgical assistant in oral surgeons office
2 summers at navy ER

Research-
1 year (will be two if you include senior year) of working with parasites and immune response (not published)

Other-
Strong writer
I consider myself pretty sociable- not a CS major
Hispanic (Argentinean)
Will be spending 6 weeks in Argentina taking a Spanish language/literature class and doing medical volunteer work with the underprivileged.

I would wait to apply if I thought it would dramatically change my GPA, but it won't. Thanks in advance.

-Ben

 

[LizzyM]

Dear Adcom,
I was wondering if you could take a look at my profile and offer some advice. My GPA is not good but my MCAT score is.
<snip>
Extracurriculars-
5 years as an EMT-B (over 1200 hrs volunteer time)
<snip>
Research-
1 year (will be two if you include senior year) of working with parasites and immune response (not published)

Other-
Strong writer
<snip>

The MCAT proves that you have the knowledge and apptitude but the grades on your "daily work" and your extensive volunteer activity (which is 10 hrs per week just for EMT-B) makes you a bit of a high risk. Your research is good and you might get some schools to take a look at you. Apply broadly, apply early. Good luck!

 

[secretninja009]

Thanks for the help!

 

[BlackSails]

Dear Adcoms,

Im asking for advice really early.

I am a freshman at NYU, 3.78 (3.7 science), Majoring in biochem, minoring in physics and math. Im starting research in a theoretical chem lab next year.


What ECs should I do to make my future application stand out? Since I have plenty of time, it does not matter if it takes a while to set up. Should I try to volunteer at a local school? Get EMT certification? Write poetry lamenting the plight of the poor and helpless and get it published?

Thanks!

 

[LizzyM]

Hi Adcom,

I was just curious about whether I should try out for post bacs or apply directly (I kinda post this already at the "what are my chances" thread.)

I graduated from UCD this past June as a Bio major.

Mcat score: P8, V9, B9 (I do plan to retake it, aiming for a 32).
cumulative gpa: 3.70
BCPM: 3.61.
<snip> Any advice, suggestions?? Thanks! (sorry that was quite a long post) 🙂

You seem to have a good assessment of your strengths and weaknesses. Retaking the MCAT is essential. With a 32 you are going to get more than a quick glance by the adcom. You seem to have the extracurriculars, including a bit of research, but the light course load is something that might get noticed and bring a negative comment. Nothing you can do about that now.

A post-bac is really for people who didn't do pre-med as undergrads & come to a decision well into UG or after graduation. You are not in this boat. Some might suggest a SMP where you can prove that you have the academic chops to handle the med school load but your gpa is so good that an SMP might be a waste of time. I would suggest that you try to get a few upper level UG courses or a couple of grad courses as "enrichment" in addition to your work. You might even find your company will pay the tuition for a couple of night school classes (one at a time) that pertain to your day job.

 

[LizzyM]

I am a freshman at NYU, ...

What ECs should I do to make my future application stand out?

You have a multitude of opportunities in NY. Do what you love. Do it for the three years you have left of undergrad. Climb the ladder in whatever field you choose so that by senior year you are guiding newbies and gaining some teaching/leadership experience.

Besides what you love, you should have some face-to-face experience with the sick or the dying. This could be EMT service (if that type of emergency service is of interest to you) or it could be volunteer work for hospice patients or in an out-patient clinic or emergency department. Bellevue is a legendary public hospital and you might find a volunteer opportunity there; certainly there are other opportunities as well in your area.

Recently someone summed up what adcoms should be looking for as 1) dedication to lifelong learning and 2)compassion for patients. Anything that you do that shows the adcom that you have those attributes is going to strenghten your appie.

 

[veprice1166]

Hello, one last question!
I was curious under what circumstances adcoms might look at pre-reqs taken over the summer negatively. I have taken calc-based physics and an orgo chem lab over the summer (at my university, not a CC) due to scheduling conflicts-- my school does not offer enough sections, and they are either filled incredibly quickly or conflict with courses for my major (most of which are only offered once a year). I also decided on pre-med a bit late in the game (I'm heading into my junior year), so I'm trying to fit as much in as possible-- including taking 18+ credits a semester. Will summer pre-reqs be acceptable if it's due to scheduling conflicts? I have a strong GPA (3.83, with 3.73 in science) and a lot of research and clinical experience.

 

[LizzyM]

I was curious under what circumstances adcoms might look at pre-reqs taken over the summer negatively.

When someone who goes to a school known for a rigorous curriculum takes a medical school pre-req at a far less rigorous school. In particularly, if your school has a course that is very difficult and you save your gpa by taking it at an easier school over the summer, then you are no longer comparable with other students at your school who took the "hard course". If you are taking summer classes at your own institution you don't have this problem.

 

[riverwoman1040]

I'm sorry if this isn't the right place to post this, but I'm really frustrated, and didn't want to annoy people by starting a new thread.

I applied late and knew I was screwing myself over, but decided it was worth a chance. Then, when I got 4 interviews, I figured that my gamble was going to pay off. After 2 interviews, i have one rejection and one bottom half waitlist. One of my upcoming interviews is only for the waitlist, so I feel like I only have one shot left.

I'm not anti-social, have a wide variety of interests, and have no obvious holes in my application. Does the post-interview rejection mean that I said something in my interview that they didn't like? I've heard that the school only interviews 4% of OOS applicants, so there must not have been anything too bad on my application. I'm really starting to worry about my next interview, because I thought the first two went really well. Is it too early to call the schools and ask what I could have done to improve my application? Will they tell me if it was the interview?

Lastly, was it foolish for me to believe that four interviews should equal one acceptance?

Here ends the rant. I'd appreciate any advise any of you have.

 

[vbdoc77]

Hey Adcoms!

I'm a chemical engineering student looking to go to med school. I took a year of calculus-based physics, but there is no lab co-req. The head of cme department said that because we take a couple advanced labs for our major, med schools look past the lack of physics lab. However my premed advisor isnt so sure of this. Do you know if med schools really look past these labs because the ones I will take go beyond those? or is this something that I would need to ask each and every med school I'm looking at?

Sidenote: I would just take these and not chance it, but it would mean I would be taking 4 credits of labs each semester=11 hours or lab! This doesn't really work well with the rigorous schedule of a cme as it is.

Thanks for any advice!

 

[BlackSails]

Dear Adcoms,

I am arguing with my mom about this. Currently, I have a choice between being a bio major and graduating in 3 years, or being a biochem major and graduating in 4. My mom wants me to do bio and graduate a year early, but Id rather do biochem, since that gives me more chemistry and physics classes, which I like. I would not mind doing biology, but will graduating in 3 years affect my admission chances(either positively or negatively)?

Thanks!
​

 

[TexanGal]

Dear adcoms,

I'd really like to know how you all view AP credits for the prerequisites. I already have credits for general chemistry, all my mathematics, and a semester of biology (I'm a bio major). I'd just like to know if it is frowned upon at all or if it will negatively impact my application. If it means anything, my high school classes were ridiculously hard... but they helped me manage to score 4s and 5s on the tests.

Thanks so much for your help!

 

[BlackSails]

Dear adcoms,

I'd really like to know how you all view AP credits for the prerequisites. I already have credits for general chemistry, all my mathematics, and a semester of biology (I'm a bio major). I'd just like to know if it is frowned upon at all or if it will negatively impact my application. If it means anything, my high school classes were ridiculously hard... but they helped me manage to score 4s and 5s on the tests.

Thanks so much for your help!

While im certainly not an ADCOM, I think I can answer.

Using APs for premed requirements is a big, big no-no. Using them for placement is ok (ie, I placed out of Calc I and II through BC calc, so I took Calc III for my premed math req), but they really do not want you to use APs, regardless of what you got on the exam.