Application Questions

[aspiringphysician190]

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Hello SDN,

GPA: 3.97
large public university
major: human biology
minor: sociology
clinical volunteer hours: ~300 hours
non-clinical volunteer hours: ~300 hours
research experience: ~750 hours
1 publication
job at my local hospital for 3 years: ~1400 hours
shadowing: 63 hours (50 of those hours are from Greek doctors)
MCAT: taking in late April 2018
a couple leadership positions and in 5 student organizations

I have a few questions:
-I did not plan on taking a gap year, will this affect my app? I know that a lot of schools are now looking for more experienced applicants. I am a junior right now and plan on applying next summer to matriculate in Fall 2019
-Does volunteer work for class credit count as volunteer work still? I had an internship over the summer where I volunteered in refugee camps through a study abroad trip at my university (~150 hours worth), but it counted toward credits so I didn't know if I could count it as non-clinical volunteer hours.
-Is it okay that most of my shadowing hours are from Greek doctors during my study abroad trip?

I would ideally like to attend a top 25 medical school. I know that a lot will be determined by my MCAT, but I wanted to know how the rest of my app was looking, anything I can improve upon?

Thank-you in advance!!

 

[Pagan FutureDoc]

When you say Greek doctors, Do you mean ethnically Greek doctors working in the US or dontou mean doctors in Greece?

 

[aspiringphysician190]

When you say Greek doctors, Do you mean ethnically Greek doctors working in the US or dontou mean doctors in Greece?

doctors in Greece

 

[ChymeofPassion]

Impossible to say without MCAT score.

 

[Catalystik]

GPA: 3.97
large public university
major: human biology
minor: sociology
clinical volunteer hours: ~300 hours
non-clinical volunteer hours: ~300 hours
research experience: ~600 hours
1 publication
job at my local hospital for 3 years: ~1400 hours
shadowing: 63 hours (50 of those hours are from Greek doctors)
MCAT: taking in late April 2018
a couple leadership positions and in 5 student organizations

I have a few questions:
1) -I did not plan on taking a gap year, will this affect my app? I know that a lot of schools are now looking for more experienced applicants. I am a junior right now and plan on applying next summer to matriculate in Fall 2019
2) -Does volunteer work for class credit count as volunteer work still? I had an internship over the summer where I volunteered in refugee camps through a study abroad trip at my university (~150 hours worth), but it counted toward credits so I didn't know if I could count it as non-clinical volunteer hours.
3) -Is it okay that most of my shadowing hours are from Greek doctors during my study abroad trip?

I would ideally like to attend a top 25 medical school. I know that a lot will be determined by my MCAT, but I wanted to know how the rest of my app was looking, anything I can improve upon?

1) Your application could only grow stronger with a gap year.

2) Yes, you can include it.

3) No, it's not OK. Include it, but get in some more US physician shadowing before you apply, and include primary care docs.

 

[Goro]

Hello SDN,

-Is it okay that most of my shadowing hours are from Greek doctors during my study abroad trip?

QUOTE]
Only if you plan on going to medical school in Greece.

 

[aspiringphysician190]

Makes sense. Is there a certain number of shadowing hours I should be shooting for?

 

[aspiringphysician190]

1) Your application could only grow stronger with a gap year.

2) Yes, you can include it.

3) No, it's not OK. Include it, but get in some more US physician shadowing before you apply, and include primary care docs.

Thank-you! How many shadowing hours should I be looking to accumulate?

 

[Goro]

Makes sense. Is there a certain number of shadowing hours I should be shooting for?

About 40-50

 

[Catalystik]

Thank-you! How many shadowing hours should I be looking to accumulate?

The US total should at least match those you choose to list from Greece. I'd consider 40 a minimum. Fifty is about average.

 

[aspiringphysician190]

About 40-50

Thank-you!

 

[aspiringphysician190]

The US total should at least match those you choose to list from Greece. I'd consider 40 a minimum. Fifty is about average.

Thank-you!