nydnarb
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- Apr 22, 2021
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Hi. (long introduction + story) My name is Brandyn (he/him). I am a Pre-Med student, and here is my story. I recently graduated high school May 2021, but throughout high school I took lots of Dual Enrollment classes, and now I have 69 college credits and my Associate in Arts Degree. My intended major was Computer Science and I have around 20 Computer Science college credits. However, I have switched gears from being a Computer Science major into a biomedical science major. The only important college classes that I have on my belt are: English 1, English 2, Biology 1+lab, Chemistry 1+lab, Pre Calculus + Trigonometry, Humanities. I start college at an in-state four-year public university this August. I plan on graduating with my BS in Biomedical Science in May 2023 (since I have enough credits to do so).
Regarding the MCAT, I have two options. I could either: Option A. Take the MCAT summer of 2022 (I would have taken Biology 1, Biology 2, Biology 3, Chemistry 1, Chemistry 2, O Chem 1, Calc 1 + Calc 2, Physics 1.... I would not have taken O Chem 2, Physics 2, Biochemistry, Psychology, nor Sociology yet. I have heard from nontraditional students that have self-studied Biochemistry, Psychology + Sociology and did decent on the MCAT (510+) If I take the MCAT summer of 2022, It would fit my timeline pretty well and I hope that I could get into medical school and start in Fall 2023 (right after I finish my bachelors). Or I could do Option B, take the MCAT summer of 2023 (right after I finish my Bachelors) I would have all my required classes done and ready, however, that would mean that I would have to take a gap year from May 2023 all the way to fall 2024. (I'd prefer not to take a gap year if possible) Please give me input on that and regarding other things: I need to receive Clinical Experience, Volunteer hours, Shadowing, Research, and Clubs. I am not entirely sure how to do all these things.
During this 2021 summer, I am volunteering at a local hospital doing patient transportation - I plan on doing 200 hours of volunteer work. I have also applied to work for Scribe America and start working as a Scribe to gain Clinical Experience.
I would really appreciate if someone could kindly give me advice on what I should possibly do? (BTW regarding Option A, me not taking a gap year, I was thinking about applying to medical schools right after I receive my MCAT score. I was thinking of taking an April 2022 MCAT and apply to medical school in May 2022 - in hopes of matriculating in fall 2023)
I've heard from a friend of mine, regarding research, it is good to have around 2000 / 4000 hours of clinical research. He said that he worked full-time a lot doing research in a lab. How could I get these research positions? Do I ask my professor? I would have time in my schedule over the summer and winter breaks to work in a lab and do research and etc. I would also need around 100+ hours of Shadowing, a few clubs, and the Clinical Experience job (work as a Scribe)
Also: regarding residencies: I am leaning towards (they are in order): 1. Dermatology, 2. Anesthesia, 3. Plastics, 4. Ophthalmology, 5. Orthopedics, 6. Radiology... Most of my desired residencies are hard to fill if I go into a DO school, therefore I think that I should apply to MD schools in order to get into these residencies that I wish.
Regarding the MCAT, I have two options. I could either: Option A. Take the MCAT summer of 2022 (I would have taken Biology 1, Biology 2, Biology 3, Chemistry 1, Chemistry 2, O Chem 1, Calc 1 + Calc 2, Physics 1.... I would not have taken O Chem 2, Physics 2, Biochemistry, Psychology, nor Sociology yet. I have heard from nontraditional students that have self-studied Biochemistry, Psychology + Sociology and did decent on the MCAT (510+) If I take the MCAT summer of 2022, It would fit my timeline pretty well and I hope that I could get into medical school and start in Fall 2023 (right after I finish my bachelors). Or I could do Option B, take the MCAT summer of 2023 (right after I finish my Bachelors) I would have all my required classes done and ready, however, that would mean that I would have to take a gap year from May 2023 all the way to fall 2024. (I'd prefer not to take a gap year if possible) Please give me input on that and regarding other things: I need to receive Clinical Experience, Volunteer hours, Shadowing, Research, and Clubs. I am not entirely sure how to do all these things.
During this 2021 summer, I am volunteering at a local hospital doing patient transportation - I plan on doing 200 hours of volunteer work. I have also applied to work for Scribe America and start working as a Scribe to gain Clinical Experience.
I would really appreciate if someone could kindly give me advice on what I should possibly do? (BTW regarding Option A, me not taking a gap year, I was thinking about applying to medical schools right after I receive my MCAT score. I was thinking of taking an April 2022 MCAT and apply to medical school in May 2022 - in hopes of matriculating in fall 2023)
I've heard from a friend of mine, regarding research, it is good to have around 2000 / 4000 hours of clinical research. He said that he worked full-time a lot doing research in a lab. How could I get these research positions? Do I ask my professor? I would have time in my schedule over the summer and winter breaks to work in a lab and do research and etc. I would also need around 100+ hours of Shadowing, a few clubs, and the Clinical Experience job (work as a Scribe)
Also: regarding residencies: I am leaning towards (they are in order): 1. Dermatology, 2. Anesthesia, 3. Plastics, 4. Ophthalmology, 5. Orthopedics, 6. Radiology... Most of my desired residencies are hard to fill if I go into a DO school, therefore I think that I should apply to MD schools in order to get into these residencies that I wish.