Any experience with what strengthens an application?

[snappleBaller]

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Wondering if anyone has any tips about my current options. I just graduated in May with my bachelors in Biology, it wasn't until my senior year that I fully decided to commit myself to becoming a MD/DO. With that being said I am short a couple of prereq courses and will be completing those at a community college this fall. I have already started studying for the MCAT and plan to take it in January about a month after I finish the semester (to allow a little more time to study the new stuff).

That would mean I would have to wait until the following cycle to apply, so here is my question... what exactly should I do during that February --> June time period to really strengthen my application?

I had worked as a cna in a hospital for many different units for two years during my undergrad, played four years of college basketball, and I have various volunteer hours through my church and local hospital, and a 3.5 gpa.
So it is crucial I do well on the mcat considering my average gpa and application. My options I am considering is some type of research opportunity since I have no research experience... only issue with that is I'm having a hard time coming across any positions. My other option I'm considering (not really even sure if it is an option) but seeing if I could take some post bac classes at a local University near me to help bring up my gpa. The school near has many different master and doctorate programs, curious if I could just take some upper level or 500 level biochem or bio course (really loved biochem and molecular bio during undergrad). Or just spend the time shadowing and doing volunteer type work.

I am not sure which would be best for my current application, and would like to use that time efficiently. For example i'd hate to spend thousands of $$$$ on more classes at a university for it to make virtually no difference in my application (or not enough of a difference to get me accepted).

My last option I've been considering more seriously is St george's since I could start sooner, and the island looks prettttty cool 😀

 

[Lifeblood_20]

Study and get a good score on the MCAT first and foremost, if you need to retake after January, ideally before June next year. I would just work on getting LORs, pre-writing, and working whatever job that makes the most money, plus volunteering/shadowing on the side as much as you can fit in.

I don't think your GPA is bad enough to need a post bac (a few classes over two semesters wouldn't make too much of a difference anyway). If you are going after top schools, sure, take some classes to improve GPA and do some research since they like that. But if that's not your goal I think you'll be fine without doing more classes or research.

Whatever you do just don't go to St. George's.