Am I overkilling my ECs or should I calm down and do something else?

[JohnFe]

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I like many things and I try to pursue it when I can. I like science, art, music, computers etc. Anyway should I do something else? Focus on smaller things? I already graduated college :/ Adcoms are looking for commitment but I don't know what to do. Any advice is appreciated!

GAHHHHHHHHHH

Here is my schedule right now:
-Working full time as a microbiologist in medical/pharmaceutical industry
-HIV/STD counselor certified ~2-3 hours each week
-Hospice care volunteer 2~3 hours per week
-MCAT review ~18 hours per week (schedule to take in June 20th)
-For Fall 2013, I might take music/credential classes to be a certified piano instructor.


Here is some brief history of my ECs and other things:
Education:
Pharmacy Technology Certificate - 2009
BS in Microbiology - 2012 (GPA: 3.40)

Research:
Microbiology/Molecular Genetics Research. No publications. Very hands on experience. I performed a lot of cell molecular techniques. I maintained my lab notebook. I prepare and write monthly progress report for my PI. (1.5 years, 400 hours+)

Work Experience:
Pharmacy Tech in Inpatient pharmacy(600 hours)
Private Tutor. Elementary math and science. Stastics, biology and chemistry. (150+ hours)
TA. Microbiology Lab (60+ hours)
Youtube Partner (Video game reviewer 200,000 subscribers+) - hiatus
Industrial Microbiologist in medical/pharmaceutical company (Current)

Volunteering:
Hospital Volunteer in Inpatient pharmacy and ER(330 hours)
HIV/AIDS Clinic (60 hours)
Sporadic Club/Org volunteer events (100+ hours)
Hospice Care (60+ hours) - current
HIV/STD Testing Counselor (10+ hours) - current

Organizations:
Pre-Pharmacy Club (1 year) - just a member
Associated Students (6 months) - volunteer/fund raising coordinator
Honors Program (2 years) - volunteer/fund raising coordinator
Phi Theta Kappa (2 years) - volunteer/fund raising coordinator

Shadowing:
ER Doctor - ~30 hours
Orthopedic Doctor - ~15 hours
Internists - ~15 hours
Primary Care Physician - ~10 hours

Artistic Endeavors:
Music theory - since 6 years old.
Piano - 4 years (might be certified to teach)
Singing
Origami/Paper Sculpting

Computer:
Flash animations - I made a flash animation for the circulatory system. Special project for honors biology.
Video Editing program - For Youtube.

Awards:
Honors Graduate
President's List and Dean's List (freshman/soph and half of junior year)
Academic Scholarship
Student of the Month
Poster Session Winner 1st Place

 

[aspiring20]

I like many things and I try to pursue it when I can. I like science, art, music, computers etc. Anyway should I do something else? Focus on smaller things? I already graduated college :/ Adcoms are looking for commitment but I don't know what to do. Any advice is appreciated!

GAHHHHHHHHHH

Here is my schedule right now:
-Working full time as a microbiologist in medical/pharmaceutical industry
-HIV/STD counselor certified ~2-3 hours each week
-Hospice care volunteer 2~3 hours per week
-MCAT review ~18 hours per week (schedule to take in June 20th)
-For Fall 2013, I might take music/credential classes to be a certified piano instructor.


Here is some brief history of my ECs and other things:
Education:
Pharmacy Technology Certificate - 2009
BS in Microbiology - 2012 (GPA: 3.40)

Research:
Microbiology/Molecular Genetics Research. No publications. Very hands on experience. I performed a lot of cell molecular techniques. I maintained my lab notebook. I prepare and write monthly progress report for my PI. (1.5 years, 400 hours+)

Work Experience:
Pharmacy Tech in Inpatient pharmacy(600 hours)
Private Tutor. Elementary math and science. Stastics, biology and chemistry. (150+ hours)
TA. Microbiology Lab (60+ hours)
Youtube Partner (Video game reviewer 200,000 subscribers+) - hiatus
Industrial Microbiologist in medical/pharmaceutical company (Current)

Volunteering:
Hospital Volunteer in Inpatient pharmacy and ER(330 hours)
HIV/AIDS Clinic (60 hours)
Sporadic Club/Org volunteer events (100+ hours)
Hospice Care (60+ hours) - current
HIV/STD Testing Counselor (10+ hours) - current

Organizations:
Pre-Pharmacy Club (1 year) - just a member
Associated Students (6 months) - volunteer/fund raising coordinator
Honors Program (2 years) - volunteer/fund raising coordinator
Phi Theta Kappa (2 years) - volunteer/fund raising coordinator

Shadowing:
ER Doctor - ~30 hours
Orthopedic Doctor - ~15 hours
Internists - ~15 hours
Primary Care Physician - ~10 hours

Artistic Endeavors:
Music theory - since 6 years old.
Piano - 4 years (might be certified to teach)
Singing
Origami/Paper Sculpting

Computer:
Flash animations - I made a flash animation for the circulatory system. Special project for honors biology.
Video Editing program - For Youtube.

this is really awesome, imo. if you dont mind, could you tell me which youtube gaming review channel you are? are you darksdyephil by any chance? you can PM me if you want, and I will not tell it to anyone else.

of course, you dont have to tell me if you dont want to

and your ECs look stellar. how are your numbers?

 

[JohnFe]

this is really awesome, imo. if you dont mind, could you tell me which youtube gaming review channel you are? are you darksdyephil by any chance? you can PM me if you want, and I will not tell it to anyone else.

of course, you dont have to tell me if you dont want to

and your ECs look stellar. how are your numbers?

Woops. I want to be anonymous. If I do give it out, you will know me. Haha.

My numbers are not that good. 3.40 cGPA/3.55 sGPA. No MCAT yet. I'm scoring 30~32 on my AAMC practice exams. I see myself as a good exam taker. I scored 4s and 5s in 9 AP exams.

I did a lot of things and it damaged my GPA. (There is a pressure to graduate early.) I took ~18 units per semester science classes + 13 units summer + research + tutor + TAing + other endeavors. I'm pretty hyper. I just like accomplishing a lot of things but I guess I took way too much.

 

[CaliGirl14]

Yupe. You need to back-off. I warned a close friend of mine about the exact same situation you're in. He devoted most of his time to ECs (which were great honestly, but no research), received a 3.5/31. He's received rejections from all med schools except for a low-tier OOS, and was wait-listed.

Honestly there's no point in having stellar ECs when you have a low MCAT score/GPA. It can't help you *that* much.

 

[JohnFe]

Yupe. You need to back-off. I warned a close friend of mine about the exact same situation you're in. He devoted most of his time to ECs (which were great honestly, but no research), received a 3.5/31. He's received rejections from all med schools except for a low-tier OOS, and was wait-listed.

Honestly there's no point in having stellar ECs when you have a low MCAT score/GPA. It can't help you *that* much.

I'll just focus more on my MCAT and get a good score. Thanks!

 

[Mt Kilimanjaro]

If "calm down and something else" is ever an option in life, do that.

 

[mblai003]

You have great EC, but you might want to change from Pre-pharm orgs to pre-med orgs that way you can show that you are interested in med and not pharm. Also try and do more community service activities.

 

[chillaxbro]

Here is my schedule right now:
-Working full time as a microbiologist in medical/pharmaceutical industry Good
-HIV/STD counselor certified ~2-3 hours each week so what it's 2 hours a week
-Hospice care volunteer 2~3 hours per week so what it's 2 hours a week
-MCAT review ~18 hours per week (schedule to take in June 20th) not an extra curricular
-For Fall 2013, I might take music/credential classes to be a certified piano instructor not even doing it yet

Definitely not too much
If anything, you should be doing more health related activities

 

[JohnFe]

You have great EC, but you might want to change from Pre-pharm orgs to pre-med orgs that way you can show that you are interested in med and not pharm. Also try and do more community service activities.

I was initially a pre-pharm and switched. While working as a pharm tech, I just can't see myself being a pharmacist. I know they are significant for their drug expertise but they work behind the scenes. I already graduated college and it will be tough to get into those "pre-med" clubs. As for community service, that is what I'm currently doing.

Definitely not too much
If anything, you should be doing more health related activities

I will do more hours once I am done with MCAT. It is a schedule I'm not saying MCAT review is an EC. I just gave my current schedule and allocated hours as of now which is work + MCAT review + some volunteering. I need to rock the MCAT to outweigh my below average GPA. When MCAT is out of the picture, of course I can pursue other things or add in more hours to my current volunteer/EC commitments.

 

[Didierdrogba]

your EC is awesome, but you might wanna do something about your 3.40 GPA, it's not great.

 

[JohnFe]

your EC is awesome, but you might wanna do something about your 3.40 GPA, it's not great.

I might do a Post-Bac Biotechnology/Stemcell Certificate...but still debating if I could afford it. I need a GPA repair as suggested.

 

[climbouthole]

Definitely not too much
If anything, you should be doing more health related activities

2-3 hours a week isn't "so what?" for clinical volunteering and HIV/STD counseling, and he definitely doesn't need to be doing more. That's a great time commitment if it's maintained for a good period of time. A couple of years at that rate and he's well over 200 hours which is way more than enough to "cover those bases".

 

[aspiring20]

I might do a Post-Bac Biotechnology/Stemcell Certificate...but still debating if I could afford it. I need a GPA repair as suggested.

i dont think you need it. blow the MCAT out of the water, and you'll have a GREAT shot.

now everytime i watch video game reviews on youtube, i'll be thinking...

 

[JohnFe]

i dont think you need it. blow the MCAT out of the water, and you'll have a GREAT shot.

now everytime i watch video game reviews on youtube, i'll be thinking...

I'm getting mixed advices here but its 50:50.

1. Get the post bac to repair downward trend/GPA
2. Study for the MCAT do well and score 34~36 (while working, and more $$$ for apps and interviews)
3. Since I'm a URM, I might not need it. I don't know how will this help. Focus more on ECs and community service.

Anywayyy, the last review I did was Sim City CBT.

 

[occams_razor]

1) your ECs are awesome. you've clearly done a lot and sound like a very productive person
2) you said you have a 3.40 cGPA/3.55 sGPA and are URM, so I don't think you need a post-bac. your science GPA is fine, it would be better if your cGPA was at least 3.5 but I think you will be okay with the 3.4 since you are URM, as long as you do well on the MCAT

 

[Aerus]

I'm getting mixed advices here but its 50:50.

1. Get the post bac to repair downward trend/GPA
2. Study for the MCAT do well and score 34~36 (while working, and more $$$ for apps and interviews)
3. Since I'm a URM, I might not need it. I don't know how will this help. Focus more on ECs and community service.

Anywayyy, the last review I did was Sim City CBT.

You don't need the post bac. Number 2 is the thing you should be focusing on. Since you're a URM already, number 3 is irrelevant. It doesn't hurt to overprepare.

I would say limit yourself to focusing on the MCAT and taking on EC's you can handle, but don't ever overload yourself. You want to do well on the MCAT.

 

[Dingo Mango]

For Fall 2013, I might take music/credential classes to be a certified piano instructor.

What does that even mean. I was a music major/active performer/occasional teacher and have never heard of anything like that except getting a full on B.Mus.Ed. to teach at grade school level. 😕

 

[bollywoodlover]

Ya calm down. Focus on 2 or three activities during your gap year and commit to them. Adcoms prefer quality over quantity. It's what you gained from these experiences and how you can express them in interviews and essays that will really matter.

So many activities makes you look a little unfocused and the pharmacy stuff doesn't look good when you are applying to medical school. Quit the activities where you are just a member of a club. Unless you have a leadership position it's a waste of time.

 

[JohnFe]

1) your ECs are awesome. you've clearly done a lot and sound like a very productive person
2) you said you have a 3.40 cGPA/3.55 sGPA and are URM, so I don't think you need a post-bac. your science GPA is fine, it would be better if your cGPA was at least 3.5 but I think you will be okay with the 3.4 since you are URM, as long as you do well on the MCAT

Thanks! I'm planning to take some music and social sciences classes to raise my GPA. ALL my GE classes are waived by AP so I don't think it would hurt. I didn't have buffer classes for my GPA. All of my 126 credits are sciences classes :/

You don't need the post bac. Number 2 is the thing you should be focusing on. Since you're a URM already, number 3 is irrelevant. It doesn't hurt to overprepare.

I would say limit yourself to focusing on the MCAT and taking on EC's you can handle, but don't ever overload yourself. You want to do well on the MCAT.

Thanks! I'm focusing on my MCAT and doing really well (scoring 33-34 now in the past 2 practice AAMC exam 8 and 9). Why will it help me to be a URM? Will the adcoms even see this? IF URM is such an advantage and can help outweigh my GPA, I will continue working as a microbiologist and working on my ECs. 🙂

What does that even mean. I was a music major/active performer/occasional teacher and have never heard of anything like that except getting a full on B.Mus.Ed. to teach at grade school level. 😕

The thing is I am not a music major. I was privately thought for music theory and piano. Apparently you need a teaching credential to teach elementary or intermediate piano which can be obtained at a CC.

Ya calm down. Focus on 2 or three activities during your gap year and commit to them. Adcoms prefer quality over quantity. It's what you gained from these experiences and how you can express them in interviews and essays that will really matter.

So many activities makes you look a little unfocused and the pharmacy stuff doesn't look good when you are applying to medical school. Quit the activities where you are just a member of a club. Unless you have a leadership position it's a waste of time.

Yes, I heard it many times that quality > quantity. The reason I had so many ECs is to explore. It is not a bad thing but I'm committing myself at the STD/HIV clinic and the hospice care nursing home.

I was initially a pre-pharmacy but I don't think it can fulfill my void. Pharmacists are important but they work behind the scenes. I want to be in the front lines. I don't see it as a negative experience. It gave me first hand experience on how a hospital work. I interacted with pharmacists, nurses and physicians. Doctors have to know their drugs right?

I already graduated college so I am no longer part of these organizations. I was mostly a PR person or volunteer coordinator. I organize our trips, volunteer opportunities and advertise the club.

 

[Xenops]

Yes, I heard it many times that quality > quantity. The reason I had so many ECs is to explore. It is not a bad thing but I'm committing myself at the STD/HIV clinic and the hospice care nursing home.

Something you might want to consider is; do you want to do medical training where outside-exploring is very limited? Like all you'll have time for is studying and sleeping? Something to consider.

 

[JohnFe]

Something you might want to consider is; do you want to do medical training where outside-exploring is very limited? Like all you'll have time for is studying and sleeping? Something to consider.

What I meant by explore is to expose in various things and interests (music, arts, etc) while I can.

Medical training is time consuming but its my aspiration. I can see myself being fulfilled everyday doing what I want and like.

But thanks!

 

[Aerus]

Thanks! I'm focusing on my MCAT and doing really well (scoring 33-34 now in the past 2 practice AAMC exam 8 and 9). Why will it help me to be a URM? Will the adcoms even see this? IF URM is such an advantage and can help outweigh my GPA, I will continue working as a microbiologist and working on my ECs. :

Being URM is an advantage, but don't rely on it too much. There are still plenty other reasons medical schools can use to reject you. You want to minimize them. Rather than use URM as a crutch, why not just treat it as a bonus? Become the best applicant you can be and everything will fall into place.

 

[JohnFe]

Being URM is an advantage, but don't rely on it too much. There are still plenty other reasons medical schools can use to reject you. You want to minimize them. Rather than use URM as a crutch, why not just treat it as a bonus? Become the best applicant you can be and everything will fall into place.

Okay, this is good information. However,how can I get pass the pre-screening(if there is any)? Sadly, I am a CA resident...