Aspiring MD

[ZeaL6]

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Hello Everyone! I have been reading multiple threads and obviously med school is a competitive process, but I'd like to know what else I can do and what my MCAT scores need to be given my current situation. I'm very humble and honestly any constructive criticism or input would be greatly appreciated! 🙂

With a STRONG upward trend, my overall GPA is 3.71, and my science GPA is 3.88 (which will most likely go up by taking genetics and orgo 2 next semester). My first two semesters combined were a 2.9 cumulatively. So you can see the progress.

As far as volunteer-work, shadowing, and work experience, I feel like I have a decent amount (with no research, which I hear doesn't negatively affect the application but certainly doesn't help). Here is a compiled list of the EC's (Probably missing some).

Shadowed a neurosurgeon for 50 hours
Shadowed an ENT
Currently Shadowing a few general and a cardiothoracic surgeon (In the O/R exclusively)
Shadowed a cancer clinic
35 hours with a physical therapist (originally thought about the PT route but decided medicine was my true passion once I found the confidence)

Volunteered at a Family Missions program for 20 hours
Volunteered training sports athletes at a training facility for 20 hours

400 hour cardiac rehabilitation internship (hands on in Phase 1 in the hospital as well as phases 2 and 3 in the rehab center
Was the secretary/historian for the physical therapist society for my university at one point
Leader of an intramural flag and arena football team

As far as work experience goes, I worked in the restaurant business for 5.5 years, but currently work in a farm market and am a peer tutor for many subjects and supplemental instruction leader for human physiology, showing leadership experience.

I know this post is long, but for those of you who are more well informed about this topic than I, what else should I do and what MCAT score would I need to obtain in order to be decently competitive at a decent amount of MD schools? I am an Ohio resident and research is out of the question to get in by the time I am applying with everything else going on in my life. I am also not a URM. Some of the schools I am interested in are Cincinnati, Indiana, Penn State, Ohio State, as well as some lower tiers like NEOMED, Toledo, Wright State, etc. I'll probably send out a few apps to dream schools too if my MCAT complies, such as UMich, U Chicago, and Virginia. Any help would be GREATLY appreciated.

 

[cheechootrain]

Hello Everyone! I have been reading multiple threads and obviously med school is a competitive process, but I'd like to know what else I can do and what my MCAT scores need to be given my current situation. I'm very humble and honestly any constructive criticism or input would be greatly appreciated! 🙂

With a STRONG upward trend, my overall GPA is 3.71, and my science GPA is 3.88 (which will most likely go up by taking genetics and orgo 2 next semester). My first two semesters combined were a 2.9 cumulatively. So you can see the progress.

As far as volunteer-work, shadowing, and work experience, I feel like I have a decent amount (with no research, which I hear doesn't negatively affect the application but certainly doesn't help). Here is a compiled list of the EC's (Probably missing some).

Shadowed a neurosurgeon for 50 hours
Shadowed an ENT
Currently Shadowing a few general and a cardiothoracic surgeon (In the O/R exclusively)
Shadowed a cancer clinic
35 hours with a physical therapist (originally thought about the PT route but decided medicine was my true passion once I found the confidence)

Volunteered at a Family Missions program for 20 hours
Volunteered training sports athletes at a training facility for 20 hours

400 hour cardiac rehabilitation internship (hands on in Phase 1 in the hospital as well as phases 2 and 3 in the rehab center
Was the secretary/historian for the physical therapist society for my university at one point
Leader of an intramural flag and arena football team

As far as work experience goes, I worked in the restaurant business for 5.5 years, but currently work in a farm market and am a peer tutor for many subjects and supplemental instruction leader for human physiology, showing leadership experience.

I know this post is long, but for those of you who are more well informed about this topic than I, what else should I do and what MCAT score would I need to obtain in order to be decently competitive at a decent amount of MD schools? I am an Ohio resident and research is out of the question to get in by the time I am applying with everything else going on in my life. I am also not a URM. Some of the schools I am interested in are Cincinnati, Indiana, Penn State, Ohio State, as well as some lower tiers like NEOMED, Toledo, Wright State, etc. I'll probably send out a few apps to dream schools too if my MCAT complies, such as UMich, U Chicago, and Virginia. Any help would be GREATLY appreciated.

Do your research about the application process. Apply early and I mean in June, not in July or August. Make your list of schools far and wide. I think your preliminary schools are great and to add more unless you can't afford it. Aim for an MCAT above a 30. Don't take the test if you're not consistently getting 30 and above on your practice exam.

I wouldn't worry about anything else until your MCAT and continue any other work experience or clinical. Good luck.

 

[ZeaL6]

Thanks Cheechootrain! I'm going to try to get some primary care physician observation in between the end of the semester and June 1st. I have done some research on it and I'm really going to try to have my application ready to go by then if my LOR's can comply. I'm studying for the MCAT right now (literally right now) and am taking it on April 27. I feel like if I can get 20-30 hours/week in of studying for it until that time, I should easily be able to pull a 30+ (hopefully). I am also taking a Princeton prep course starting end of January. Any other advice from anyone?

 

[aspiringdoc09]

What the other poster said but also throw in some primary care shadowing: family and internal if you can because most schools want to see you have at least "considered" that specialty.

 

[ZeaL6]

Thanks doc! I was going to kill two birds with one stone and shadow a DO primary care... Just in case. Not that I have any problem with going to a DO school if it comes down to it, but I really want to go to a somewhat recognizable MD school for residency purposes

 

[Joshturnerfan]

Thanks doc! I was going to kill two birds with one stone and shadow a DO primary care... Just in case. Not that I have any problem with going to a DO school if it comes down to it, but I really want to go to a somewhat recognizable MD school for residency purposes

please please please get a strong mcat. I wasted my year 2012 getting ready to take it, had to retake it, and really messed up my plan. Accepted though.

 

[ZeaL6]

please please please get a strong mcat. I wasted my year 2012 getting ready to take it, had to retake it, and really messed up my plan. Accepted though.

f you don't mind me asking, where did you get accepted at and what was the process?

 

[DoctorLacrosse]

I notice from your post that you have no research experience at all. I think most of those dream schools really want applicants to have some kind of research experience. I would look into that, as well as primary care shadowing as mentioned. Otherwise with a strong MCAT score, you'll be very competitive.