Applying this coming June

[zzzcor]

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By the time I apply,

I have 3.84 GPA (strong upward trend from 3.3 in freshman year. basically got straight A's since then)

MCAT: 35 R 14/7/14 R (retaking in March.. 7 was the lowest VR score I can ever get in practice so expecting at least 9 with hopefully good sciences as well).

Extracurricular
-4 years bible group leader, campus ministry fellowship
-praise team drummer (started learning in junior year)
-1 year at the campus meetings
-1.5 year at church
-2.5 year homeless feeding volunteer (~100 hrs)
-1.5 years volunteer at Alzheimer's center (~200 hours) - not clinical
-2 years general biology class UGSI
-was in part of raising money couple times (> $1000) for missions/other stuff
-currently working in DNA sequencing facility in campus (1 year ~15 hr/wk)

-planning on going to medical mission during spring break for a week. (clinical?)

Clinical
-1 year hospital volunteering (~250 hrs) - Kinda short on this one.. hope it's okay. (worth mention to volunteer in another hospital for 25 hours?)
-Shadowing (~60 hrs) (primary care/Obgyn/gastroenterology...)

Research
-2 years Organometallic Chemistry with professor pretty well known in the field and letter will be signed by him.
- one paper submitted to Science but not listed as authors. mentioned in acknowledgement

Letters
-2 letters from Science professors.. I already asked one for summer research job and he was pretty willing to but not sure how good it can be. For another professor, I think I have a great impression on her as I ask question like every class, I could get to talk about my research and got A+
-1 letter from my PI, which will be signed by a professor: expecting to be strong

 

[Catalystik]

By the time I apply,

I have 3.84 GPA (strong upward trend from 3.3 in freshman year. basically got straight A's since then)

MCAT: 35 R 14/7/14 R (retaking in March.. 7 was the lowest VR score I can ever get in practice so expecting at least 9 with hopefully good sciences as well).

Extracurricular
-4 years bible group leader, campus ministry fellowship
-praise team drummer (started learning in junior year)
-1 year at the campus meetings
-1.5 year at church
-2.5 year homeless feeding volunteer (~100 hrs)
-1.5 years volunteer at Alzheimer's center (~200 hours) - not clinical
-2 years general biology class UGSI
-was in part of raising money couple times (> $1000) for missions/other stuff
-currently working in DNA sequencing facility in campus (1 year ~15 hr/wk)

1) -planning on going to medical mission during spring break for a week. (clinical?)

2) Clinical
-1 year hospital volunteering (~250 hrs) - Kinda short on this one. hope it's okay.

3)(worth mention to volunteer in another hospital for 25 hours?)
-Shadowing (~60 hrs) (primary care/Obgyn/gastroenterology...)

Research
-2 years Organometallic Chemistry with professor pretty well known in the field and letter will be signed by him.
- one paper submitted to Science but not listed as authors. mentioned in acknowledgement

Letters
-2 letters from Science professors.. I already asked one for summer research job and he was pretty willing to but not sure how good it can be. For another professor, I think I have a great impression on her as I ask question like every class, I could get to talk about my research and got A+
-1 letter from my PI, which will be signed by a professor: expecting to be strong

To answer your questions:
1) Whether it's clinical depends on your role, which you may not know until you arrive.

2) The hours are good, but you're right that the longevity of the actrivity could be better if that's what will appear on the application.

3) No.


Good luck on the MCAT retake.

 

[zzzcor]

any shot at top 20?

 

[gmcguitar4]

any shot at top 20?

I would say yes if it was not for the 7 on your VR. That could be a killer for even mid-tier schools. Many have cutoffs for all 3 sections. It is a shame b/c you obviously have the intelligence and capability to do well. Let's see how you do on your retake.

 

[varsityblue]

Having a 7 on VR but a 35 overall is still competitive and places you in the top 5% of all test takers.

If I were you, I'd deemphasize the religious ECs on your application so that you don't have to field/defend your religious beliefs and ask your pastor/chaplain to write one of your LORs.

 

[UpQuark]

I wouldn't suggest you retake! Those sciences scores will pull you through trust me!

I got a 31Q (12/5/14), retook and got a 32Q (12/7/13), finished secondaries in OCTOBER, and was accepted to top 30 school (6 interviews total!).

 

[sliceofbread136]

That 7 is gonna hold you back. Retake and focus on your verbal strategy. Do you actually read the whole passage? I switched from reading the whole passage to a targeted skim and I jumped from an 8ish average to a 12ish average. If you think the details of my method would be helpful, PM me.

 

[UpQuark]

That 7 is gonna hold you back. Retake and focus on your verbal strategy. Do you actually read the whole passage? I switched from reading the whole passage to a targeted skim and I jumped from an 8ish average to a 12ish average. If you think the details of my method would be helpful, PM me.

No it isn't. Many schools would KILL to have him with those 14s and his GPA. I got away with a 5 and 7 into well respected schools. It's not always about your MCAT scores. It might hold him back for top 10, but he will not have a problem getting into respectable programs!

 

[sliceofbread136]

No it isn't. Many schools would KILL to have him with those 14s and his GPA. I got away with a 5 and 7 into well respected schools. It's not always about your MCAT scores. It might hold him back for top 10, but he will not have a problem getting into respectable programs!

Some schools prescreen for under 8. Even if not, the 7 will be a red flag. I agree that OP can get into a good school, but would definitely do better with a retake and a greater than 8 vr score. OP also stated interest in top 20, and the 7 kills his chances there.