Advice

[tcmiddle1394]

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I am a junior who plans on applying summer 2014. I need advice on how to improve my application.
I have a 3.8 GPA, 3.73s GPA. I anticipate taking the MCAT in May and will be studying all of next semester in order to do well.

My trouble is not academic, rather in my extracurriculars. I have a ton of on campus leadership and have an on campus job where I am a supervisor. I need this job for the money.

I have only shadowed two physicians each for about 25 hours.

I have no hospital volunteering. All of my overall volunteering/ free time goes to the on campus leadership.

I am doing epidemiology research and will be writing a thesis next semester. I am also taking part in a summer research program in 2014.

My current problem is that I am applying for a shadowing internship where I will get 4-5 hrs every week (80hrs/semester) and applied to volunteer at the hospital. I fear that with my schedule next semester, it would be too much to take on both. Which would benefit me more? Thanks for your opinion ahead of time.

 

[Remy LeBeau]

It sounds like you already have the shadowing you need. I would concentrate on getting volunteer experience.

 

[justAstudent]

I think volunteering over an extended period of time would be better. To my understanding, shadowing can be done in bursts or even over the course of a week.

 

[Doctor Strange]

It sounds like you already have the shadowing you need. I would concentrate on getting volunteer experience.

I agree with the Cajun.

 

[kyamh]

Shadowing is primarily important for you to get a feel for what physicians actually do day-to-day. After you understand that, especially if you also get a similar sense from volunteering, shadowing isn't particularly helpful as far as your application goes. I have completed less than 24 hours shadowing (one full day and two half days) with a successful cycle so far..clearly a small number of shadowing hours isn't crippling.

 

[nemo123]

Doesn't this belong in WAMC? @Ismet