Can I get accepted into top tier? If not, how should I improve.

[purefighter]

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I'm going to go ahead and copy a thread I just saw because I think it can seriously help me rethink on how I'm doing in the premed process. I still have 1 year before I apply to med school, but this is what it looks like what now.

Gpa: 3.95
BCPM gpa: 4.0
This is at a top tier undergrad. A downside to this gpa is that I won't be taking any upper level science classes. Only science classes I'm taking is the premed reqs. All my classes are mainly social science classes.

MCAT: I'm projecting around a 34-35.

EC (all after college):
300 hours of hospital volunteer.
160 hours of job shadow.
Around 10 hours a week of research since 2nd semester of freshman year. Expected to publish around 4 papers (1 of which is first author).
Nothing else really other than some intramural sports or attending couple conferences.

What do you think? If I'm not quite at top tier, what can I improve on? Is there anything I can do to drastically improve my app?

EDIT: I apologize in advance if my ranking with tier offend anybody. I know a "supposely" rank 13 school is still seen a tier 1, but I arbituary made something up to make it more clear cut as to how tier is defined.

 

[drizzt3117]

That's not how the tiers work, and there's no way you can tell how you will do until after you have a MCAT score. Predicting that you'll score in the 95th percentile might be fun but get a score first, then compare your competitiveness.

 

[sarahl86]

Here's my first impression upon reading your post: all you did in undergrad was study and do research. That's it. I think that will be a gut reaction of adcoms too...without knowing what you did outside of those two things your application seems pretty lackluster, not to debase your research accomplishments. Add that to run-of-the-mill volunteering and shadowing and no definitive MCAT score you need to look far beyond top tier schools.

Not trying to offend, just saying there's not much to go off of without an MCAT and no apparent flair that top schools seek from their applicants.

 

[Catalystik]

The highly-selective, research-strong schools also like to see evidence of leadership. In the next year, perhaps you could work on that. Do you have any hobbies you are dedicated to? Any interest in the arts? You want your application to reflect a well-rounded person.

 

[purefighter]

Thanks for all the comments.

I know I still need to work on MCAT, but I feel like there's other parts of my app that's lacking.

I'm considering starting a club that aims at helping the community. I'm thinking about starting it next semester.

I really don't study a lot. I just spend a lot of time at the gym or just playing around. But i do agree that is how my app appears.

 

[purefighter]

I mean, the main thing I want to get out of this thread is, how can I boost my application so that I can become a contender in tier 1 schools?

What extracurricular should i focus on? should i focus on taking more upper level bio, or is that part not significant?

 

[sarahl86]

I mean, the main thing I want to get out of this thread is, how can I boost my application so that I can become a contender in tier 1 schools?

What extracurricular should i focus on? should i focus on taking more upper level bio, or is that part not significant?

If there was ever a formula to get into a top-tier school, let me know when you find it out. I think the main part needs to be that you can show you want to be a doctor, period. Rank shouldn't matter if this is really what you want to do. Everyone wants to be the best they can, and a logical extension of that is to go to a top-ranked medical school, but I think you're missing the point and you limiting yourself now is going to prevent you from getting in anywhere.

I think areas you could improve upon are distinct clinical AND cultural experiences, which you appear to be lacking in. I don't know what you currently have but do something beyond shadowing different specialists and volunteering in an ER/OR/nursing home...do community-based work. Demonstrate leadership by proving you care about your community in any way that relates to your personal interests. There isn't one or a few particular things you can do to make you set for a top-tier school. There just isn't. They seek out people with publications, people with volunteerism awards, people with leadership awards from wherever, people who demonstrate excellence in music, athletic or musical talent, scientific and humanistic knowledge, who demonstrate a real passion for things beyond medicine.

Take as many diverse volunteer opportunities as you can: Big Brother/Big Sister, Needle Exchanges, International experiences, Peace Corps (which is probably the biggest thing you could do, ha!), whatever you can think of and throw everything into it. Do that and that is the best advice anyone will give you. Stop thinking there is a formula because there isn't even one to get into the low ranked schools. This whole process is a crapshoot and top ranked schools are the least predictable aside from demanding the highest GPA and MCAT.

 

[purefighter]

Thanks for the answer. I do think I probably need to get more involved.

I mean, my ultimate goal is to get into med school and I've been low on activities mainly because an advisor told me I basically don't need it for med school (i've been rather balancing my schedule with just relaxing rather than do a whole bunch of EC that'll end up stressing me out).

I'm thinking about doing a community project and probably tutor kids. Perhaps look into international volunteering.

Is interview mainly about EC?

thanks.

 

[nogolfinsnow]

Thanks for the answer. I do think I probably need to get more involved.

I mean, my ultimate goal is to get into med school and I've been low on activities mainly because an advisor told me I basically don't need it for med school (i've been rather balancing my schedule with just relaxing rather than do a whole bunch of EC that'll end up stressing me out).

I'm thinking about doing a community project and probably tutor kids. Perhaps look into international volunteering.

Is interview mainly about EC?

thanks.

Here's a recurring problem at many undergraduate institutions: Pre-med advisers are idiots. Numbers are very important but what they really do is get someone to take a closer look at your application. At that point your activities become extremely important. So find something you like that you can relate to medicine and put some good effort into it. Your numbers really are pretty good and should get your app looked at if you apply smartly.

 

[purefighter]

Alright thanks.

Other than school activities or other diverse volunteer, is my current clinical activity sufficient? Should I continue to job shadow more or hospital volunteer more or is that enough and I should focus more time on more diverse things?

 

[LateBl00meR]

I really don't study a lot. I just spend a lot of time at the gym or just playing around.

Put that in your list of EC's, I'm certain you'll stand out then.

 

[sflo]

as others have stated dont worry about things that pad your app to get u into a top tier. Do what makes u happy and what u have a passion for. As cliche as that sounds things that u genuinely enjoy and are interested in will lead to the greates gains and lead to a better person; a better you. you only live once, capitalize on those things even if u cant put it all on ur application man.

 

[drizzt3117]

If there was ever a formula to get into a top-tier school, let me know when you find it out. I think the main part needs to be that you can show you want to be a doctor, period. Rank shouldn't matter if this is really what you want to do. Everyone wants to be the best they can, and a logical extension of that is to go to a top-ranked medical school, but I think you're missing the point and you limiting yourself now is going to prevent you from getting in anywhere.

Honestly I don't think the "formula" for getting into a top tier school is that complicated... have a high GPA, good MCAT, and solid all around ECs, and you'll get a lot of love from the top tier.

 

[Mobius1985]

Should I continue to job shadow more or hospital volunteer more or is that enough and I should focus more time on more diverse things?

Your shadowing is fine if it includes at least 2-3 types of docs. The hospital clinical experience looks fine; consider changing to a different department if it's all in one location. The research is fine. Your idea of starting a club that does community service is a great way to display leadership and do good works. Since this application element is lacking so far, concentrate your efforts here.

 

[purefighter]

Alright thanks for all the replies.

I've always wanted to start a club anyways. I've just been so lazy with it, so it's nice to have an additional reason to motivate me.

 

[purefighter]

When people looked at my original post, was the fact that I didn't take any upper level science classes cause you to think that I might not get accepted into top-tier or was it mainly my EC that was lacking.

 

[Textuality]

Lack of upper level classes really won't matter much. I got an interview to one top 20 school without even technically meeting their science pre-reqs, so I'm thinking your classes really aren't that big a deal. The MCAT is there to make sure you have the basic science knowledge you need, anything extra is just extra (they'll be teaching it in med school anyways). I think they just want to see that you can handle classes in general. I have classmates who majored in Econ and History, with only basic science, so no, I don't think it's an issue at all.

As far as the interview goes, yes, it's mostly about your EC's. Especially ones that you write about in your personal statement. And top tier schools really do want to see leadership or "star" potential, lol, however you want to convey that. Also, half my classmates are "non traditional" which I think also says something about how much top tiers weigh life experience into the equation instead of looking purely at numbers.

 

[purefighter]

Lack of upper level classes really won't matter much. I got an interview to one top 20 school without even technically meeting their science pre-reqs, so I'm thinking your classes really aren't that big a deal. The MCAT is there to make sure you have the basic science knowledge you need, anything extra is just extra (they'll be teaching it in med school anyways). I think they just want to see that you can handle classes in general. I have classmates who majored in Econ and History, with only basic science, so no, I don't think it's an issue at all.

As far as the interview goes, yes, it's mostly about your EC's. Especially ones that you write about in your personal statement. And top tier schools really do want to see leadership or "star" potential, lol, however you want to convey that. Also, half my classmates are "non traditional" which I think also says something about how much top tiers weigh life experience into the equation instead of looking purely at numbers.

Thanks for the reply. I can see from ur mdapplicant that you were a biology major. Weren't you required to take biochem, cell bio and genetics still? Which prereq did you leave out?

 

[elresidante]

I'm going to go ahead and copy a thread I just saw because I think it can seriously help me rethink on how I'm doing in the premed process. I still have 1 year before I apply to med school, but this is what it looks like what now.

Gpa: 3.95
BCPM gpa: 4.0
This is at a top tier undergrad. A downside to this gpa is that I won't be taking any upper level science classes. Only science classes I'm taking is the premed reqs. All my classes are mainly social science classes.

MCAT: I'm projecting around a 34-35.

EC (all after college):
300 hours of hospital volunteer.
160 hours of job shadow.
Around 10 hours a week of research since 2nd semester of freshman year. Expected to publish around 4 papers (1 of which is first author).
Nothing else really other than some intramural sports or attending couple conferences.

What do you think? If I'm not quite at top tier, what can I improve on? Is there anything I can do to drastically improve my app?

EDIT: I apologize in advance if my ranking with tier offend anybody. I know a "supposely" rank 13 school is still seen a tier 1, but I arbituary made something up to make it more clear cut as to how tier is defined.

It doesn't really matter if you get into a top tier med school. What matters is how good of doctor you are when you get done, and your med school has little to do with that. More important is your residency, and guess what...top tier doesn't matter for that either.

 

[purefighter]

It doesn't really matter if you get into a top tier med school. What matters is how good of doctor you are when you get done, and your med school has little to do with that. More important is your residency, and guess what...top tier doesn't matter for that either.

True, but I'm also looking to practice overseas in another country and it feels as if med school prestige can help me get going.

 

[elresidante]

True, but I'm also looking to practice overseas in another country and it feels as if med school prestige can help me get going.

Again, doesn't matter. If you're interested in overseas, get an MPH MAYBE. Just being a US trained MD will go faaaaaarrrrrrr. You won't have a problem in that respect. I'd say that what experiences you have in med school will kind of determine what residency you do and where you'll go from there. And every med school has overseas opportunities.

In the end (meaning, when you apply for a job / fellowship / whatever), people are looking for compatability more than prestige. They want to be able to work with you. But don't get me wrong, prestige can help. But if I'm on call and the Hopkins (for example) ER doc wants to admit something bogus, what do you think I think about them / their training? This has happened to me.

And speaking of prestige...there is someone I know going to a very competitive place for a very competitive residency and he is the least liked kid I have ever met. And does a terrible job on the wards. Probably going to piss everyone off there too. Like breeds like, right?

How good of doctor you are is much much more than where you went to med school or did your residency. How your patients and colleagues view you is the most important. Go somewhere where you'll get the best training / be the most happy and don't worry about prestige. And for heavens sake, don't pick a specialty based on money.

 

[purefighter]

True, I'm definitely not picking on money, but based on what I like and what I'm best at.

I mean, I see what you mean is true, but as a premed, I feel like I have to do well so I can be open to much more options.