Any thing else I can do to help boost my app?

[DrPresident]

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This is a pretty broad question, but I figure I'd start early. I'm not terribly worried about my grades, but I was wondering about other little tid bits of info that I haven't been able to dig up myself. Here's my scenario in a nutshell.

I just finished my sophomore year of college. my cGPA is 3.25. My last semester of sophomore year was 3.84, with orgo and physics, so I expect with other science courses I'll be taking, it will be around a similar range (so my GPA will only increase, and I expect to do well with my higher level science courses, A's and A-'s, with the occasional B+)

I have 3 C's on my transcript. 1 is in pre calc, but I have an A in calculus (bad prof, you know). 1 is in Bio402 and the third in Chem 402. My 401 grades were B+'s.

I have a B- in Orgo I, A in orgo 2. B+ Physics 1, A physics 2. A-/A in anatomy 401/02. I have other recommended science courses which I have at least A-'s in. So that's my grade situation. Like I said, I expect a much much better junior/senior year compared to my Freshman year 2nd semester.

My EC's so far are EMT-B volunteering, will soon be an AEMT (woohoo IV's).
Pharmacy technician for 2 years.
Nurses Aide in an assisted living home, which I will continue to do for the remainder of my college career.
I will be going to Honduras soon to help with medical treatment in an underserved town! So exciting.
I will obviously have plenty of shadowing and am looking for more opportunities to volunteer with patient care.

I have NO LoR's yet. I am beginning research with a professor which I will do for over a year, so that will be one hopefully. (and that's my future research piece as well)

I haven't taken the MCAT. I am very confident in myself and expect a decent score (26+, hopefully at least 28; I think I can I think I can)

I know this is broad, but considering all, do I stand a chance at a mid-tier DO school? If not, perhaps at least a low-tier DO school? There are so many "to be's" in my profile so far, but I was hoping for some insight for those of you who had a bump in their freshman year prereq's and hurt your GPA a bit doing so.

A few other quesitons:

-When is the best time for me to take my MCAT?
-I don't know anything about the application process - should I begin soon? Really, how influential is an early application?
-How long does an application take?


I know this is lengthy, and there are many threads like it. But I wanted some insight for my own situation and perhaps some pointers on how to improve my profile. Anything is appreciated!

-AN.

 

[DoctorKrieger]

You're entering your junior year, develop good relationships with your professors for LORs this year (unless your school has a premed letter committee, in which case you probably won't need individual letters). Try taking the MCAT spring semester of junior year, just pick a time that allows you plenty of time to study for it (probably around 2 months, but varies for everyone). Keep your grades on the right track and you'll be fine, assuming you do alright on the MCAT.

People say that there aren't 'tiers' of DO schools, but if your stats at the time of application are on the low side, add more of the new DO schools. The old ones have the highest average stats and the public schools have state/regional preference. It's too early to tell you your chances at any school right now.

Don't worry about the application until June prior to senior year (next year). Anything before September is early, and yes, early application helps a lot so it's best to apply in June (regardless of the school's published deadline). Filling out the application is a pain, but nothing terrible. You might consider drafting your personal statement now and just adding/editing every now and then so you can just copy/paste into the application next year (write it in Notepad, Word has formatting that messes up when you paste it into AACOMAS). The rest of the app is biographical information, ECs, awards, etc. And filling out individually every college course you've ever taken (the annoying part). If you have your personal statement ready when you start the application, you shouldn't need more than a day to fill everything out. Oh, keep track of the hours for each EC activity/club/organization.

For now: find a DO to shadow, concentrate on getting good grades and research what schools you'd like to apply to. The MCAT has a bit of a format change in 2015 so keep an eye on the MCAT subforum for info on that and best study methods/materials.

 

[DrPresident]

Thank you very much Krieger, I really appreciate your input.

 

[LongTimeLurk]

I know this is broad, but considering all, do I stand a chance at a mid-tier DO school? If not, perhaps at least a low-tier DO school? There are so many "to be's" in my profile so far, but I was hoping for some insight for those of you who had a bump in their freshman year prereq's and hurt your GPA a bit doing so.

Yes, keep those grades up and gpa wise you will be fine.


-When is the best time for me to take my MCAT?

When you are ready.Go to AAMC website and spend some time learning about exam. Take a few months to study. I do not recommend you study for it while taking college courses.

-I don't know anything about the application process - should I begin soon? Really, how influential is an early application?

Learn about process now. Check out school requirements and recommendations. Search sdn.

Early app is very important.

-How long does an application take?
Years. Everything you do now -shadowing, research, volunteering, relationships with professors - will affect your app.

 

[Stagg737]

To start, get your GPA as high as possible, regardless of what anyone tells you the 2 most important factors in your application are your GPA and MCAT scores. Once you get to the interview that changes a little, but they are still of utmost importance. As a fellow (accepted) applicant who had a less than desirable GPA with strong extracurriculars, I can say that if my undergrad GPA had been higher (3.21) I wouldn't have had to apply 3 times to be accepted. You've said your GPA will improve, I'd just say to make sure you don't overload yourself, especially when you are so involved with extracurriculars.

My EC's so far are EMT-B volunteering, will soon be an AEMT (woohoo IV's).
Pharmacy technician for 2 years.
Nurses Aide in an assisted living home, which I will continue to do for the remainder of my college career.
I will be going to Honduras soon to help with medical treatment in an underserved town! So exciting.
I will obviously have plenty of shadowing and am looking for more opportunities to volunteer with patient care.

Those all sound solid, and if you can get your name published, the research will also be extremely helpful. Be aware that many med schools and admissions boards see international trips as being more beneficial to you than those you are treating. While you are obviously helping others, a huge goal should be introspective and to learn about yourself. There are a few threads about this on SDN and some administrators will actually frown on applicants who go on these trips but don't do significant volunteering in their local communities. It seems like this won't be a problem for you, but it is something to be aware of when submitting applications.

I haven't taken the MCAT. I am very confident in myself and expect a decent score (26+, hopefully at least 28; I think I can I think I can)

I know this is broad, but considering all, do I stand a chance at a mid-tier DO school? If not, perhaps at least a low-tier DO school? There are so many "to be's" in my profile so far, but I was hoping for some insight for those of you who had a bump in their freshman year prereq's and hurt your GPA a bit doing so.

If you can hit a 28 you'll definitely have a shot, especially if you can bring your GPA up. Aim for a 30 though, from what I understand that seems to be the magic number for many MD and DO schools. A 30 with a solid GPA will make you competitive at any DO school and will give you a shot at some MD schools (but not competitive at most).

-When is the best time for me to take my MCAT?
-I don't know anything about the application process - should I begin soon? Really, how influential is an early application?
-How long does an application take?

If you can take your MCAT by mid-April your Junior year, that is ideal timing. However, don't take it if you don't feel ready. A bad score is more damaging than a solid score at a later date. I agree with the 2 month mark as being a fair amount of time to study. Begin your primary at least 2 weeks before you can first submit, and start your personal statement before that. Of my three personal statements, the shortest one took me 3 full days (about 25 hours of work) to really be happy with it, and that was when I wasn't in school and could focus 100% of my energy into it.

An early application can determine your acceptance. Anyone that tells you otherwise is either a perfect candidate or has no shot at getting in. I know this as someone who had to apply 3 times. I knew people with far better apps than I fail to get an interview at schools I interviewed at (and was accepted to) because I finished my apps in July while they waited until later. During my first time applying I had multiple schools tell me that I would have basically been guaranteed an interview if I had applied before August. I also saw people far less qualified than I was get accepted on their first try because I applied late during that cycle. The sooner you finish your apps the better. 'Finish' meaning submitting the primary, your MCAT score, LORs, and your complete secondaries. I'd say anything after August many schools consider 'late'.

How long does the application take? Depends on which part and what school. Primary took me about a week to finish everything working for about 2-4 hours per day. It's not difficult, but is annoying and time-consuming with a lot of random questions/details (like how many hours you participated in every extracurricular you want to include, with start and finish dates and contacts). The secondary is a different story because it's basically essay questions. Some I finished in literally 3-4 hours, and a few took me 4-5 days depending on how many essays there were, how long they were, and their topic. For example, U Kansas has 17 short essay questions while most schools have 2-4 essays. Some have no essays (like DMU when I applied). If you want to get a head start, look up the application threads on here, many people post the essays for individual schools from previous years and this cycle once they receive a secondary.

Sorry for the dissertation, I just have a lot of free time today and have seen a lot of bad advice. No matter what anyone here says, when in doubt go above and beyond.

 

[LongTimeLurk]

Do you really think taking classes while studying for mcat is good advice?

 

[Stagg737]

Do you really think taking classes while studying for mcat is good advice?

It's not ideal, but if op wants to apply next cycle there's not really much of a choice unless he/she studies all summer then takes it in August/September. That's pretty early to take it though. Besides, chances are op will be taking several of the subjects that will be core material on the MCAT (like phsyio, genetics, etc.). No better time than when the material is still fresh in your head.

 

[LongTimeLurk]

It's not ideal, but if op wants to apply next cycle there's not really much of a choice unless he/she studies all summer then takes it in August/September. That's pretty early to take it though. Besides, chances are op will be taking several of the subjects that will be core material on the MCAT (like phsyio, genetics, etc.). No better time than when the material is still fresh in your head.

From what I've seen- people that attempt to study for mcat while taking coursework end up doing poorly on exam or in class, but usually both. I'm certain there are exceptions to the rule.

 

[Stagg737]

From what I've seen- people that attempt to study for mcat while taking coursework end up doing poorly on exam or in class, but usually both. I'm certain there are exceptions to the rule.

I have seen that too. However, if someone studies properly (1-2 hours 4-5 nights per week for 2-3 months instead of cramming) I think the pro of submitting your application early/on time outweighs the risk of doing poorly for a semester. Obviously OP should take a reasonable course load (as easy as possible for that term), but if a person can't make some time to study for the MCAT while taking a normal semester then that person is probably not ready to handle the amount of work required in med school.

 

[LongTimeLurk]

😕 too much contradiction here. I disagree with your intended point.

 

[TXhopeful]

From what I've seen- people that attempt to study for mcat while taking coursework end up doing poorly on exam or in class, but usually both. I'm certain there are exceptions to the rule.

I can absolutely agree with that. Decided biochemistry, working full time and the MCAT were a great mix...B in biochem and had to reschedule the MCAT.
I did want to chime in with some questions of my own though. I guess I'm a non-trad now since I graduated in 2012, took postbacc classes one at a time up until last semester and started a business this year. Does anyone have suggestions for extracurricular or other things I can be doing until applying that would be interesting, of value and helpful to my application? So far my ECs have been scribing in an ER for 3.5 year's, medical assisting for 8 months and a few volunteers at a small non-profit oncology conference. I want to be useful, but I also want to be interested in my volunteer work. Thank you for any input you may have!

 

[coolingglasses]

What helps is taking some of the tougher material closer to the MCAT (this is for people reading, obviously it's a little late for the OP to reset their classes). I took Physics 2 the semester before I took the exam and lightened my load to just over full-time, I think it helped.

And as for international missions: Wonderful opportunities. But take a good hard look at the organization you're going with and what they're doing. You don't want to take part if the program they're operating is contributing to a greater problem or engaged in some ethically dubious practices. Speaking of which, you should not take it upon yourself to do procedures you aren't qualified to do. I mean, if someone in the know supervises and teaches you something, that's one thing. But definitely don't start drawing blood or giving injections by yourself if you don't have the experience or supervision. Otherwise you're turning people in need into your guinea pigs and it is totally frowned upon.

Totally having a soapbox moment. I'm sure it'll be a great experience for you and the people you're serving, just keep that stuff in the back of your mind.