Chances for next year

[Jaygoody]

Currently a biochemistry major at UIUC. Here are my stats.........


Overall GPA: 3.81 Science GPA: 3.81


MCAT: Did not take it yet, but starting kaplan course in a week. Got a 24 on the diagnostic....did really bad on the verbal

Research: Currently working in a protein folding lab (two years so far). Have my own project and could potentially get two publications, one that is first author. My plan is to do research over the summer with a group that studies Parkinsons at Rush University.

Teaching Experience: Taught an upper-level chemistry lab for freshmen and sophomores for one semester.

Other ECS:
1) Volunteered at local hospital for 150 hours as a student escort and an assist for the Oncology dept.
2) Plan to shadow one of the Parkinsons Doctors at Rush over the summer
3) Joined a Chemistry Professional fraternity that has local fundraising events and has tutors for first year chemistry students.
4) Also part of a club that periodically goes to shelters to feed the homeless.

I was thinking about applying to schools such as Rush and UIC, maybe Pritzker as a reach?????

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[alexrgross]

W/ a 30+ MCAT you would look very attractive. Your strength is research and weakness is leadership/non-clinical EC's. Keep doing good work!

 

[dd128]

I'm not sure how those kaplan tests are now-a-days, back when I took them they were always a good bit harder than the actual MCAT. I think I went up like 3 or 4 points from my highest practice test when I actually took the test. Your best bet is to keep churning out those practice tests and questions. You'll be in a great position if you can get above 30 with your gpa.

 

[Catalystik]

Currently a biochemistry major at UIUC. Here are my stats.........


Overall GPA: 3.81 Science GPA: 3.81


MCAT: Did not take it yet, but starting kaplan course in a week. Got a 24 on the diagnostic....did really bad on the verbal

Research: Currently working in a protein folding lab (two years so far). Have my own project and could potentially get two publications, one that is first author. My plan is to do research over the summer with a group that studies Parkinsons at Rush University.

Teaching Experience: Taught an upper-level chemistry lab for freshmen and sophomores for one semester.

Other ECS:
1) Volunteered at local hospital for 150 hours as a student escort and an assist for the Oncology dept.
2) Plan to shadow one of the Parkinsons Doctors at Rush over the summer
3) Joined a Chemistry Professional fraternity that has local fundraising events and has tutors for first year chemistry students.
4) Also part of a club that periodically goes to shelters to feed the homeless.

I was thinking about applying to schools such as Rush and UIC, maybe Pritzker as a reach?????

As an early application is wise, especially to have the best chance at UIC, I suggest you get some shadowing done before submission, perhaps during spring break. About 50 hours is the average applicants list, usually split among a few types of doc.

Consider adding Rosalind Franklin if you want to stay in-state. Add Loyola if you have a fair amount of hours with nonmedical community service to the poor. I'd wait to decide on Pritzker until you see an MCAT score. And work on gaining peer leadership to better appeal to such a school.