Chances??

[Premed611]

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I am an NC resident, and my #1 school by far is UNC. I am graduating a year early (Biology major/Chem minor), so I will just be 21 when I graduate. I know UNC says this will put me somewhat at a disadvantage, and they will question things like maturity and experience more than they would in a regular applicant, but I would strongly prefer not to take a gap year. So I would love to know what you think my chances would be and if there is anything else I should be doing right now.

Here are my stats:

-3.95 cGPA
-4.0 sGPA
-taking the MCAT in july after summer classes (I know this puts my application a little behind) and I am pretty sure I will be able to get a 33+ on it.

Now here are my ECs which is what scares me..

-I will have 1 year of volunteering in my local hospital's ER ~120 hours.
-I just joined a "big buddy/little buddy" program where they hook you up with kids from the community that could use a good role model.
-I have my CNA I, because I planned on going to nursing school, but I never got a job with it so I don't know if I should even put this on my application?
-Right now I only have 5 hours of shadowing an ER doctor, but plan on shadowing him a few more times, and finding 1-2 more.
-I will only have 1 semester of research experience in a virology lab, which I am doing right now.
-For a job for the past few years I have been nannying/babysitting (with a little bit of tutoring). Is this something I would put on my application? (I love working with kids and will hopefully go into pediatrics someday)
-Hobbies/sports wise, I have been on a competitive all-star cheerleading team for the past 5 years. It takes a lot of time and commitment but it is something I absolutely love doing.
-I also SCUBA dive, and have a few certifications (advanced open water and rescue diver)

So I am wondering how much having above average stats will overcompensate for my lack of ECs and the fact that I am graduating a year early?

Any help/suggestions would be great.

Thanks!

 

[hopefuldoc97239]

I think there are too many unknowns in your portfolio to really know your chances.

The MCAT alone is a HUGE, HUGE thing. Depending on how this goes can potentially break the best application, or give the worst application a fighting chance.

Your volunteer work is a definite asset. Your shadowing is weak and your research is nothing to write home about.

Most of the other EC's you listed are not worth mentioning in your application.

It's unclear who's going to write your letters of recommendation.

Right now I put your chances for this year at "low" unless you get a killer MCAT score. My advice is to take two-three months to study for the MCAT, take all next year to beef up your application overall, and apply in the 2013 cycle.

 

[Catalystik]

I think the SCUBA hobby and the dedication, teamwork, and time commitment to your sport (cheerleading) are definitely worth listing on the application. I'd include the nannying as well. An unused CNA certification isn't worth mentioning beyond the fact that it will show up on your transcripts. Tutoring is worth mentioning, but not if you have, like, 10 hours of it. Some peer leadership would be nice to see, but you've not mentioned your plan for this.

You've made a decent start on the clinical experience, but it will still be somewhat sub par at application time, as will the the newly begun Buddy program and research. It's OK to do last minute shadowing, but what's the point when the rest needs work.

All that said, you might still get an acceptance if your MCAT score is very good, but I doubt it will be UNC or a similar institution. For the best shot at a more-competitive program, develop the whole package. Carry through on the promise you've shown so far.

 

[Premed611]

Thanks for responding. I know my ECs are weak and I definitely plan on improving them throughout the summer and next year.

My plan was to still apply this year to UNC and ECU while continuing to improve my EC's all next year to possibly send in letters of intent, and be able to show my improvement if I need to reapply.

But I don't want to ruin my chances by being a reapplicant either. Do you know how much harder it would still be to get in as a reapplicant if you have improved your application quite a bit throughout that year?

 

[Catalystik]

There are some schools that discriminate against reapplicants, but they are in the minority. I'm unaware if those two schools are among them (but a phone call to the admissions office might answer the question reliably). Generally, if your application shows substantial improvements since the last application, you'd be OK.