- Joined
- Jul 2, 2013
- Messages
- 903
- Reaction score
- 684
Graduated in December (a semester early) and took a break from medicine because I wanted to make sure it was really for me. After having some great life experiences and seeing what it would be like in other careers (i.e. got offered a job at a large financial brokerage firm along the lines of Morgan Stanley, JP Morgan, Goldman Sachs) I decided it wasn't for me and I really enjoy medicine. This was about 2 1/2 weeks ago. I haven't taken the MCAT yet, and have been studying like crazy since then and am half way through the material already. The following are my stats and I would just like to ask if I should apply in August or wait until next year.
GPA: Overall 3.56 Science: 3.51
MCAT: It's irrelevant but my target score is a 33 and from my initial scores I don't see why I can't achieve this, but its very premature to say the least. Anyways, assume I DO get a 33.
Physician Shadowing: 65-70hrs of shadowing with a doctor and his nurse practitioner over the course of 2 weeks, who in turn gave me a letter of recommendation.
Volunteer: I did a medical mission in Costa Rica and Nicaragua and got 60 hours certified. It was an amazing experience and we got to work hands on diagnosis. I gave vaccines, pap smears, wound care, differential diagnosis, patient triage, pharmacy care etc.
I really only have those two experience, although the quality of those experiences were great (IMHO).
Research: I worked in a well known lab for 2 years, during the summers I worked full time and during the school year it was part time for credit and volunteer depending on the semester overall have about 1200 hrs of time there. I didn't just clean beakers I was highly involved in my PI's research and conducted experiments for him. I presented a poster about our research at a national convention but I am not published as it was the policy of the lab not to include undergrads on papers.
EC: I am an IFR rated private pilot with about 125 hours of flight time
I was a pre-med peer mentor, and a biology peer advisor both for were during my Junior and Senior year.
I am a member of AMSA since freshman year for whatever that is worth (likely nothing)
I have 5 letters of rec.: Subjects of the recs were Calculus I&II (same teacher), Physiology, English Lit, my research PI, and the physician I shadowed. Although obviously I havent read them, my pre-med office was able to tell me that they were all very strong and well written and shouldn't have a problem in that area.
Currently I am studying all day 6 days a week. I am looking to get involved doing more volunteer at a local hospital and I have a few really great opportunities lined up but none of them begin until september it seems (although one of them might begin earlier with some luck). My MCAT date is Aug. 15th and I am wondering when I should submit. Should I wait until I have started volunteer so I can list it as present or should I get it out the door as soon as possible. Or am I a weak candidate and its late and I should wait until June 1, and to apply.
I plan on applying to a wide variety of schools 20+
Sorry if there are any grammatical errors I didn't re-read what I wrote.
Thanks in advance
GPA: Overall 3.56 Science: 3.51
MCAT: It's irrelevant but my target score is a 33 and from my initial scores I don't see why I can't achieve this, but its very premature to say the least. Anyways, assume I DO get a 33.
Physician Shadowing: 65-70hrs of shadowing with a doctor and his nurse practitioner over the course of 2 weeks, who in turn gave me a letter of recommendation.
Volunteer: I did a medical mission in Costa Rica and Nicaragua and got 60 hours certified. It was an amazing experience and we got to work hands on diagnosis. I gave vaccines, pap smears, wound care, differential diagnosis, patient triage, pharmacy care etc.
I really only have those two experience, although the quality of those experiences were great (IMHO).
Research: I worked in a well known lab for 2 years, during the summers I worked full time and during the school year it was part time for credit and volunteer depending on the semester overall have about 1200 hrs of time there. I didn't just clean beakers I was highly involved in my PI's research and conducted experiments for him. I presented a poster about our research at a national convention but I am not published as it was the policy of the lab not to include undergrads on papers.
EC: I am an IFR rated private pilot with about 125 hours of flight time
I was a pre-med peer mentor, and a biology peer advisor both for were during my Junior and Senior year.
I am a member of AMSA since freshman year for whatever that is worth (likely nothing)
I have 5 letters of rec.: Subjects of the recs were Calculus I&II (same teacher), Physiology, English Lit, my research PI, and the physician I shadowed. Although obviously I havent read them, my pre-med office was able to tell me that they were all very strong and well written and shouldn't have a problem in that area.
Currently I am studying all day 6 days a week. I am looking to get involved doing more volunteer at a local hospital and I have a few really great opportunities lined up but none of them begin until september it seems (although one of them might begin earlier with some luck). My MCAT date is Aug. 15th and I am wondering when I should submit. Should I wait until I have started volunteer so I can list it as present or should I get it out the door as soon as possible. Or am I a weak candidate and its late and I should wait until June 1, and to apply.
I plan on applying to a wide variety of schools 20+
Sorry if there are any grammatical errors I didn't re-read what I wrote.
Thanks in advance
