Chance me! Please?

[somedayoneday]

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Hi there! I'm a undergraduate junior, looking to apply this summer. I'm taking the MCAT this May. (I'm a bio major, btw).

cGPA: 3.91
sGPA: 3.90

I've taken Gen Chem 1&2, Orgo 1&2, Gen Bio 1&2, Physics 1 (currently in 2), Biochem, Genetics, Calc 1, and four other major science courses. (amongst a bunch of other courses) No retakes, drops, transfers, etc.

Employment:
-library student assistant (only for a year and a half)
-advance tutor (since beginning of soph year to now)
(other at home jobs)

Research:
-began research in gene expression lab beginning of this year, will be presenting my research (as primary author) at three separate research conferences this semester
-hoping to get something published/in review by the time my application is in

Service:
-spring break service/missions trip to Nicaragua
-volunteer at local hospital this semester, working directly with elderly patients
-intern at local nonprofit organization for at-risk youth (spring of last year to now)
-secretary for largest student-run organization on campus (took position beginning junior year)
-single-handedly organized pancreatic cancer awareness movement on campus my freshman year

Awards:
-several scholarships, etc.
-Phi Kappa Phi honor society
-nominated for another honor society (something about leadership and success...?)


How do I look? I think my biggest weakness is my lack of clinical hours, I should have done more. What kind of MCAT score do you think I need to be competitive? (other than as high as possible, of course!)

Thank you!

 

[gyngyn]

What kind of MCAT score do you think I need to be competitive?

The MCAT will vary depending on your state of residence. Those "mission trips" tend to irk some of my committee members but not enough to tank you.

 

[Saxappeal1]

I know on SDN this might seem like ....but, it is hard to say without MCAT scores. Do the best you can and go from there. Honestly, I have done so much more harm than good when I try to set myself in the mindset of "If I get A's on the rest of these tests...". Just do the best you can, go from there. Everything else looks really good except for the lack of clinical hours I guess. You plan on doing that sometime soon?

 

[somedayoneday]

The missions trip was more of a service trip. We worked on a school the whole week, rebuilding and cleaning up. I called it a missions trip because we stayed in a missionary's house (if that makes any sense). Also, I'm from PA, if that means anything.

I've been having trouble getting clinical hours, in a way. My doctor was thrilled to let me shadow, but the network she's part of put a shut down on any shadowing. Same with the hospital back home. I'm currently doing the volunteer work, but that's as close as I've been able to get. Most of the hospitals and offices in my area just aren't willing to take on students, in my experience. Any suggestions?

 

[Saxappeal1]

Well I know at my university there is a class that allows you to segue into shadowing a doctor in the community, I guess look out for those types of opportunities.

 

[gyngyn]

You are so lucky to be in PA. 30% of IS applicants matriculate into IS schools. Compare that to CA where it's 16% on a good year. The fact that 4 of your IS schools have a median MCAT for accepted applicants less than the national mean (32) means that you just need to improve your EC's and get a 32 on the MCAT to be quite competitive!

 

[somedayoneday]

You are so lucky to be in PA. 30% of IS applicants matriculate into IS schools. Compare that to CA where it's 16% on a good year. The fact that 4 of your IS schools have a median MCAT for accepted applicants less than the national mean (32) means that you just need to improve your EC's and get a 32 on the MCAT to be quite competitive!

Thank you so much for your advice! Forgive me for my ignorance, but how do I improve my EC's? Just.. more? Would a publication help? Also, you mentioned that sometimes a missions trip reflects a little poorly; may I ask why? Poorly enough not to put it on my application?

(I don't really have a mentor through all of this - actually a first generation college student, for that matter)

 

[gyngyn]

Thank you so much for your advice! Forgive me for my ignorance, but how do I improve my EC's? Just.. more? Would a publication help? Also, you mentioned that sometimes a missions trip reflects a little poorly; may I ask why? Poorly enough not to put it on my application?

(I don't really have a mentor through all of this - actually a first generation college student, for that matter)

The way you present what you learned from your trips can show thoughtfulness and altruism. Merely having done them, however, doesn't.

Participation in hypothesis-driven research is part of the application in 90% of our matriculates. If there is opportunity for you to do this it can only help.

It is most important, however, that you know what you are getting into and still have what it takes to be of service. Many of the people who will be willing to let you care for them as you train have serious problems. They may be demented, impaired, high or homeless. You have to show that you can give them care even if they are belligerent or have poor hygiene. You need to show us that you have what it takes to care for those who may not smell good and are not as loveable as most .

 

[somedayoneday]

The way you present what you learned from your trips can show thoughtfulness and altruism. Merely having done them, however, doesn't.

Participation in hypothesis-driven research is part of the application in 90% of our matriculates. If there is opportunity for you to do this it can only help.

It is most important, however, that you know what you are getting into and still have what it takes to be of service. Many of the people who will be willing to let you care for them as you train have serious problems. They may be demented, impaired, high or homeless. You have to show that you can give them care even if they are belligerent or have poor hygiene. You need to show us that you have what it takes to care for those who may not smell good and are not as loveable as most .

Gosh, I could pick your brain for hours. Thank you so very much. If I may be so bold to ask, is there any other advise/wisdom you could impart?

 

[gyngyn]

Gosh, I could pick your brain for hours. Thank you so very much. If I may be so bold to ask, is there any other advise/wisdom you could impart?

TNTC (too numerous to count!).