Another EC thread

[Amrazzz]

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So I'm approaching my Junior year of college and just want to make sure I'm on the right track (hardly did any ECs in freshman year).

- ~70 hours Cardiopulmonary rehabilitation at local hospital
- Finishing 200 hours volunteering in emergency by the end of next year (done 46 so far)
- Research 2 years before I apply - Lab about to submit paper in 2 months, hopefully it will be published. 10 hrs /week
- two poster presentations
- SURF Program at Med School - 1 summer - 40hrs/week
- Deans discretionary scholarship recipient, and some other random ones

I plan on

- Becoming an UG TA in cell bio lab during winter quarter - this is already set up
- continuing research and volunteering
- Try volunteer at Ronald McDonald house (I hope volunteering every 2 weeks is fine?)
- Set up shadowing in August after SURF is over
- writing honors thesis on my research project and submit to College of Arts and Science.

For the most part I plan to plug in some crucial holes in the app especially shadowing and nonmedical volunteering/activities. I would do leadership but I feel that is too demanding. I already have a tight schedule with 18 cred hours with all these activities, and MCAT coming up so I have no idea how I will be able to cope.

4.0 sGPA; 3.98 cGPA

I know that I will be competitive for mid tier schools as I am right now, assuming I rock the MCAT, but the sky's the limit, right? I want to push myself and get into top 20.

 

[Ioriscrub]

You seem to be doing great so far in terms of GPA and ECs. For a Top 20 school, a 34+ would make you competitive, but even a 30 would net you about an 85% chance of admission somewhere. (Check AAMC statistics on this) If you're worried, you can check MCAT discussions on studying strategies.

Don't worry about shadowing too much. 60-80 hours is enough for the majority of schools, and it looks as though you'll have good volunteering hours as well by the time you apply. Just get them in spurts.

The only real weakness I see is nonmedical service. I don't know if every other week is often enough to show dedication but I could be wrong. What exactly would the volunteer work consist of? As far as leadership, it is a bonus if you can get it, but I wouldn't worry too much.

Also, do you have any unique or interesting hobbies that might be worth mentioning? ADCOMs like to know what your interests are.

 

[Catalystik]

Volunteering at Ronald McDonald House every two weeks is fine.