chances

[Np1111]

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I am about to start my third year of college at UMASS Amherst. I have a cGPA and sGPA of 4.0.
EC:
-30hrs ER volunteer (natick hospital)
-30 hours volunteer local nursing home
-150 hours volunteer at a concord hospital (ER. infusion room)
-40 Hrs volunteer at Hallmark(assisted living)
-Research Participation for two semesters
-Peer tutor at library (10hrs/week) plan to continue in the fall.
-Previuos employment as a lab maintainer during my first year (wash/autocloave glassware, make solutions, etc).

I have a couple of questions
1. Would it be ok to take the MCAT next summer in early August and finish applications by September or is this too late.
2. I do intramural sports at school, but am not seriously part of any clubs at school. Is this a big problem? Are the ECs good enough considering I get a 30+ on the MCAT to get in a mid tier MD school.
3. I am thinking of studying abroad second semester. Is this a good idea considering I have to get my application (LORS, PS, etc) ready to send out.
4. Also, my dad owns a convenient store and I basically work there 40+ hours during the school breaks. Should I include this on my application when I apply.

Thanks for all your help. I really appreciate it

 

[camaras2480]

1. Would it be ok to take the MCAT next summer in early August and finish applications by September or is this too late.

If you end up with a low MCAT score, you are sort of screwing yourself. On the flip, a 35+ would still very much keep you in the ball game.

2. I do intramural sports at school, but am not seriously part of any clubs at school. Is this a big problem? Are the ECs good enough considering I get a 30+ on the MCAT to get in a mid tier MD school.

Your ECs are decent, but nothing special. It would be nice to see those hours go up. Also, you should look into clinical shadowing. And lastly, if you are still involved at the lab, you may want to do something more substantial. Being a glassware/autoclave guy/girl is generally scored one point above the "no research" category. Note that research is by no means required to get into med school, but seeing as how you have been involved, it may be easy to do a little more work.

Sports is good. Are you a captain of a team or anything? No, you don't have to be seriously part of any clubs, that stuff is less important than clinical shadowing, clinical volunteering, and even research.

3. I am thinking of studying abroad second semester. Is this a good idea considering I have to get my application (LORS, PS, etc) ready to send out.

Do as you wish. I don't think it is necessarily a bad idea. Just make sure you have someone at Amherst that can run around with your forms to your Professors for LORs and what not. Everything else can be done via internet. Where you goin? Ibiza? 🙂

4. Also, my dad owns a convenient store and I basically work there 40+ hours during the school breaks. Should I include this on my application when I apply.

Sure, if you have space. Present it well, like you gained valuable experience, blah blah.