c3.63 s3.5 Not enough ECs?

[bepiozo]

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-I'm graduating this upcoming summer, and I think I can raise my GPA to a 3.7.

-Going to take the MCAT in April or so, aiming for a 30+

-ECs: Involved in 3 clubs, officer in one of them; worked part time for the past 2 years in an environmental lab as an asbestos analyst; volunteered for Habitat for Humanity twice (18hrs total); involved in Unite for Site: went to south India for 3 weeks as a volunteer helping provide free eye care for the poor, and I also got tons of shadowing experience from an ophthalmologist, general surgeon, and family doctor (but this was all in India so I'm now sure if the admissions would think it's a good shadowing experience). Not sure if it's worthy of mention, but I volunteered 200hrs at a hospital in high school, and did a 100hr internship in the ER of a different hospital.


I thought I was going to optometry school this whole time, but I like the idea of surgery and recently (a month ago..seriously) decided perhaps the medical school route was best for me in the long run so I can pursue ophthalmology. So I'm pretty late into the game, I suppose.

Oh and I'm only looking to apply to MD schools, as an ophthalmologist told me that most ophthalmologists are MDs, and he's only encountered one ODO in his career.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Catalystik]

Comments:

Your nonmedical community service is a bit thin, but perhaps you can give more time to H for H in the coming semester, or find something else you care about that you can give time to on a weekly basis.

Shadowing of international physicians can be mentioned but should be supplemented with US physician shadowing as well. The same would be true of international medical volunteerism, but you already have a good amount of US-based clinical experience. The HS hospital volunteering can be mentioned in your Personal Statement.

You have some leadership, which is good. Any plans for a research activity?

Keep in mind that ophthmology is an extremely competitive specialty to get into. Hopefully test taking is one of your strengths, for the sake of the MCAT as well as for the USMLE exams that help determine your chances of matching into ophthalmology.

It is not necessary or desirable to mention that you plan to go into a certain specialty on your Primary application. It's better to look open-minded.