cGPA/sGPA: 3.4, MCAT in april

[hn_23]

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Hi guys,

I just graduated undergrad and finished with a cGPA and sGPA of 3.4. I'm a Michigan resident and my top school is MSUCOM. I'm currently studying for the MCAT and in a Kaplan online course until Feb and then study on my own until April. I have pretty average extracurriculars:

• Volunteering hours mostly coming from hospital ED (I did that from my junior yr of HS to junior yr of college), a brain rehabilitation center (2 yrs) and a homeless shelter (1yr). I'm not sure how many service hours I should shoot for w volunteering since MSUCOM is big on service hours and I feel as though I'm lacking but not sure if I have time to gain anymore bc it wouldn't be long term dedicated hours to one organization.
• Worked 2 research jobs (one in horticulture department, which I know isn't super impressive but it was how I started, and then a twin lab where I did data input) where the last one I was promoted to lab manager. (I'm not super interested in research so didn't do a lot)
• I went on a global brigade trip to Honduras for a week (would that count as direct patient care hours or volunteering?)
• I was in two clubs on campus (pre-SOMA member and then club for my major where I was on executive board for 2 years).
• I've shadowed a dermatologist (DO), OB/GYN (MD), and family practice (DO), but spent the most time with derm bc worked with her for 3 years on and off (she is writing me a LOR). My derm shadowing turned into an externship with her.

Another thing I would include on my app is that I did a course through MSUCOM (I went to MSU) and worked in an ER as a research associate for an ER doc from MSUCOM. I know my GPA is a little lower than the average but I've had an upward trend since I started with a 2.4 cGPA my first semester (I'm a bio major). I've done well in upper level science courses like orgo 1+2, biochem, genetics, histo, etc. and made Dean's list each semester after my freshman year. What do you think I should aim for on my MCAT for MSUCOM? Also, any tips for MCAT studying or to things I could do to make my application more competitive before I apply this summer?

 

[paradoxic_toxic]

I'm not sure how many service hours I should shoot for w volunteering since MSUCOM is big on service hours and I feel as though I'm lacking but not sure if I have time to gain anymore bc it wouldn't be long term dedicated hours to one organization.

> 300 hours is common.

I went on a global brigade trip to Honduras for a week (would that count as direct patient care hours or volunteering?)

It's definitely volunteering. It's only direct patient care if you were directly responsible for some part of a patient's healthcare, which usually means you had some sort of license (RN, CNA, EMT, etc.). If you were around patients and helped a medical team in some capacity then it is clinical.

LizzyM's Clinical Rule: If you are close enough to smell patients, then it is clinical experience

What do you think I should aim for on my MCAT for MSUCOM? Also, any tips for MCAT studying or to things I could do to make my application more competitive before I apply this summer?

The average MCAT for MSUCOM is 506, so aim above that. Perhaps do a DIY post-bac and boost your GPAs to 3.5 if time permits. If you can't, then a 3.4 GPA still makes you a good applicant for MSU and other DO schools.