Critique my Plan....

[Adaggiote]

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I will be starting college soon at a place called known as the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor as a psychology pre-med. As my freshmen year progresses, I will start taking the appropriate pre-reqs that are needed for med school and and looking for opportunities for research and publication. During that time (including the summers), I plan on drafting a quick PS and seek out ECsa that are unique. During sophmore year, I plan to start shadowing and rounding up my pre-reqs so I may begin studying for the MCATs. I also want to note that I will soon become a memeber of the NNational Guard and that will eat up a chunk of my time. I plan to take the MCATs in the summer preceding my junior year if it is possible. By the time, I receive my scores, I should have a personal statement written cold and a large amount of volunterring and 'application builders'. From those that I shadow, I will ask for a letter of recommendation, including some others from the dean (if I get lucky) of my school and a couple of professors (esp. those who I aided in research). I will then apply broadly according to my MCAT and wait for interviews...... My ultimate plan is to secure admission before my senior year.

How does this sound to you? Is is too methodical? Please help me critique and fix the 'bugs' you detect in my plan.​

 

[ukrainian]

I think it is way too detailed... what happens if one little thing goes wrong? It seems like you're dedicating those four years solely to getting into med school and nothing else.

 

[ammarsfound]

I will be starting college soon at a place called known as the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor as a psychology pre-med. As my freshmen year progresses, I will start taking the appropriate pre-reqs that are needed for med school and and looking for opportunities for research and publication. During that time (including the summers), I plan on drafting a quick PS and seek out ECsa that are unique. During sophmore year, I plan to start shadowing and rounding up my pre-reqs so I may begin studying for the MCATs. I also want to note that I will soon become a memeber of the NNational Guard and that will eat up a chunk of my time. I plan to take the MCATs in the summer preceding my junior year if it is possible. By the time, I receive my scores, I should have a personal statement written cold and a large amount of volunterring and 'application builders'. From those that I shadow, I will ask for a letter of recommendation, including some others from the dean (if I get lucky) of my school and a couple of professors (esp. those who I aided in research). I will then apply broadly according to my MCAT and wait for interviews...... My ultimate plan is to secure admission before my senior year.

How does this sound to you? Is is too methodical? Please help me critique and fix the 'bugs' you detect in my plan.​

Not that you will listen or that it will matter, but you're kind of missing out on the point of college. You should use your undergrad years to explore what you care about, to have some fun and to learn zany things like art history that you'll never learn again. I'd take the prereqs, get some shadowing in , and keep an eye out for good research opportunities. Outside of that, takes things one step at a time as the deadlines come along.

 

[Potatoman1800]

I will be starting college soon at a place called known as the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor as a psychology pre-med.
Sounds fine.

As my freshmen year progresses, I will start taking the appropriate pre-reqs that are needed for med school and and looking for opportunities for research and publication.
Be sure to stay on top of your classes.

Getting a publication from research will take a great deal of time on your part. Unless you get really lucky with a lab and they happen to tack you on a project that will go through review quickly, or they just happen to chrun out pubs, be prepared for long-term participation. Be sure you pick a research field that you enjoy and a position where you will do more than enter data.

During that time (including the summers), I plan on drafting a quick PS and seek out ECsa that are unique.

Your PS will need to be very well thought out. It's really difficult to write something meaningful after just a year and a summer into undergrad - unless you are a non-trad. A PS can't be a quick thing that you just write and set aside for 3 years before applying. If anything, start brainstorming at this point, and build upon your ideas from your many experiences, then finalize it sometime before you apply.

During sophmore year, I plan to start shadowing and rounding up my pre-reqs so I may begin studying for the MCATs. I also want to note that I will soon become a memeber of the NNational Guard and that will eat up a chunk of my time. I plan to take the MCATs in the summer preceding my junior year if it is possible. By the time, I receive my scores, I should have a personal statement written cold and a large amount of volunterring and 'application builders'.

Be sure that you can actually finish some of your pre reqs that would be helpful for the test (Ochem, some physics...). And that you have enough time to study for it. If you feel ready during that summer after your second year, by all means.

Again, keep developing your PS at this point.

From those that I shadow, I will ask for a letter of recommendation, including some others from the dean (if I get lucky) of my school and a couple of professors (esp. those who I aided in research).

If you're planning all of this, just be sure to establish connections early on, and that these docs/profs/dean/etc know you as a person, not some LOR-grubbing pre-med.

I will then apply broadly according to my MCAT and wait for interviews...... My ultimate plan is to secure admission before my senior year.

Don't really understand you at this point. The med school app process in more than a year long. Ideally you'd apply in June of the year before you want to start (ex: apply in June 2012 to start school in August 2013). If you want to enter right after you graduate from college, you will need to apply at the end of your junior year, and wait for responses during that summer and throughout your senior year, which may even extend until right before you graduate.So consider that timing.

How does this sound to you? Is is too methodical? Please help me critique and fix the 'bugs' you detect in my plan.​

It's good you have an idea of what you want to do, but be sure you're not just checking off these items as you go. You'll def need to expand some of these activities as well. The National Guard job is interesting, but if it'll take up a lot of time, then be sure you can balance everything out. Pretty sure other people here will give you additional ideas.

Oh, and be sure to have some fun. After all, college is the best time of your life

Just read the bolded...

 

[werd]

the plan sounds nice, but it's frankly a little overboard. med schools want good grades, some type of health care exposure, and some interests outside the classroom. there's no need to plan your college experience around your med school app. All you need to do during your first two years of college is get good grades and don't get into disciplinary problems with your school. mcats, personal statements, letters of rec, and research experiences are typically parts of your junior year. it's tough to get a meaningful research project at the beginning of college, and very tough to get a publication out in time for med school apps (which is okay because it's not a huge bonus anyway).

my advice is i wouldn't work on your personal statement until you're a junior and have some more experiences under your belt. you really can't secure an acceptance before your senior year, because the application cycle starts with application submission in june/july and interviews typically begin in september (schools accept for the coming year, not 2 years in advance).

it sounds like you're eager... i'd channel your energy into good grades for now, rather than perfecting strategy.

 

[gettheleadout]

I will be starting college soon at a place called known as the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor as a psychology pre-med. As my freshmen year progresses, I will start taking the appropriate pre-reqs that are needed for med school and and looking for opportunities for research and publication. During that time (including the summers), I plan on drafting a quick PS and seek out ECsa that are unique. During sophmore year, I plan to start shadowing and rounding up my pre-reqs so I may begin studying for the MCATs. I also want to note that I will soon become a memeber of the NNational Guard and that will eat up a chunk of my time. I plan to take the MCATs in the summer preceding my junior year if it is possible. By the time, I receive my scores, I should have a personal statement written cold and a large amount of volunterring and 'application builders'. From those that I shadow, I will ask for a letter of recommendation, including some others from the dean (if I get lucky) of my school and a couple of professors (esp. those who I aided in research). I will then apply broadly according to my MCAT and wait for interviews...... My ultimate plan is to secure admission before my senior year.

How does this sound to you? Is is too methodical? Please help me critique and fix the 'bugs' you detect in my plan.​

Not a good way to look at/choose activities...

 

[iniquus]

Your plan is sound for the most part--seems like the typical premed track.

I would caution you in trying to plan your college life, you might miss out on some other cool opportunities and experiences. You'd be surprised how you'll naturally gravitate and cover all the bases if it's what you're naturally interested in. 🙂

 

[Adaggiote]

Everyone says I will miss out on the 'opportunities' that the typical liberal arts institution has to offer. However, I do not want to screw myself over when it comes to this (i.e. distractions, laziness, etc.) path that I am taking. I chose psychology as an undergrad because I feel very confident that I will perform well. I am currently in my senior year of HS and always contemplating the decisions I take everyday. (i.e. regarding my premed route). The bottom line is I do not want to get stuck in the typical life of a college student who parties like there is no tomorrow.......

 

[MilkmanAl]

You can party and still get good grades, you know...

 

[ukrainian]

Everyone says I will miss out on the 'opportunities' that the typical liberal arts institution has to offer. However, I do not want to screw myself over when it comes to this (i.e. distractions, laziness, etc.) path that I am taking. I chose psychology as an undergrad because I feel very confident that I will perform well. I am currently in my senior year of HS and always contemplating the decisions I take everyday. (i.e. regarding my premed route). The bottom line is I do not want to get stuck in the typical life of a college student who parties like there is no tomorrow.......

you're never going to go out at all? i have great grades this semester and my life isn't about medicine 24/7/365. i still hang out with friends. what happens if you start your first year and realize medicine isn't what you want?
it's good to know what kind of volunteering you want to do and what you hope to achieve from it, but i can say with a great deal of certainty that you are probably going to burn out if you focus your whole life around school/EC's/LOR's

 

[Ursa]

Everyone says I will miss out on the 'opportunities' that the typical liberal arts institution has to offer. However, I do not want to screw myself over when it comes to this (i.e. distractions, laziness, etc.) path that I am taking. I chose psychology as an undergrad because I feel very confident that I will perform well. I am currently in my senior year of HS and always contemplating the decisions I take everyday. (i.e. regarding my premed route). The bottom line is I do not want to get stuck in the typical life of a college student who parties like there is no tomorrow.......

I partied like there was no tomorrow.

PS I went to Baylor, just down the road from UMHB.

 

[Barcu]

Everyone says I will miss out on the 'opportunities' that the typical liberal arts institution has to offer. However, I do not want to screw myself over when it comes to this (i.e. distractions, laziness, etc.) path that I am taking. I chose psychology as an undergrad because I feel very confident that I will perform well. I am currently in my senior year of HS and always contemplating the decisions I take everyday. (i.e. regarding my premed route). The bottom line is I do not want to get stuck in the typical life of a college student who parties like there is no tomorrow.......

There is such thing as a middle ground you know. I guarantee that you will be a much happier and successful student if you find it.

Plus, college is your one chance to pursue different paths that you will never get a chance to do again. Sure, you want to do medicine, but aren't you a little interested in other things. And I can guarantee everyone on here who has been to interviews has been asked about their pursuits unrelated to medicine. Sometimes, the interview is even dominated by these unrelated activities. EVERYONE has clinical experience and most have some research. While these are great (and in the case of clinical experience, necessary), having another interesting activity that is not related to medicine will not hurt you. On the contrary, it will benefit you and increase your chances of getting in.

 

[Pons Asinorum]

Sweet mama, these "tell me what to do to be a better applicant than you" threads are tedious and boring. Why am I reading this?

Also, I've heard it from too many wise men to ignore...
"No plan survives first contact with the enemy."

Take that one to the bank.

 

[Adaggiote]

🙄

Sweet mama, these "tell me what to do to be a better applicant than you" threads are tedious and boring. Why am I reading this?

Also, I've heard it from too many wise men to ignore...
"No plan survives first contact with the enemy."

Take that one to the bank.

Gee. Thanks Doc for the diagnosis. 🙄

 

[rHinO1]

I will be starting college soon at a place called known as the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor as a psychology pre-med. As my freshmen year progresses, I will start taking the appropriate pre-reqs that are needed for med school and and looking for opportunities for research and publication. During that time (including the summers), I plan on drafting a quick PS and seek out ECsa that are unique. During sophmore year, I plan to start shadowing and rounding up my pre-reqs so I may begin studying for the MCATs. I also want to note that I will soon become a memeber of the NNational Guard and that will eat up a chunk of my time. I plan to take the MCATs in the summer preceding my junior year if it is possible. By the time, I receive my scores, I should have a personal statement written cold and a large amount of volunterring and 'application builders'. From those that I shadow, I will ask for a letter of recommendation, including some others from the dean (if I get lucky) of my school and a couple of professors (esp. those who I aided in research). I will then apply broadly according to my MCAT and wait for interviews...... My ultimate plan is to secure admission before my senior year.​

How does this sound to you? Is is too methodical? Please help me critique and fix the 'bugs' you detect in my plan.​

Big flaw here, how do you plan to write a PS without any ECs? Your PS should mostly be drawn from your medical, volunteer, and research experiences. Until you get those, do not bother attempting to write a PS.

 

[Adaggiote]

Big flaw here, how do you plan to write a PS without any ECs? Your PS should mostly be drawn from your medical, volunteer, and research experiences. Until you get those, do not bother attempting to write a PS.

Incorrect Dr. Plato. I can instantly draft a PS if I base it on my previous experiences in Nigeria, involving my work in a clinic.

 

[rHinO1]

Incorrect Dr. Plato. I can instantly draft a PS if I base it on my previous experiences in Nigeria, involving my work in a clinic.

Did it happen in high school?

Btw, that is cliche, b/c who hasn't saved orphans in Africa lately?

 

[Adaggiote]

Did it happen in high school?

Btw, that is cliche, b/c who hasn't saved orphans in Africa lately?

Yes, in high school. Also, I have not met very many people who traced their experiences back to africa.....

 

[rHinO1]

Yes, in high school. Also, I have not met very many people who traced their experiences back to africa.....

That is b/c you are in high school.

The admissions game is of the attitude, "what have you done for me lately?"

If you write about your HS Africa experience, the first question is "If this experience was so important, then what have you done related to it since then?"

Sure, if it was important to you, then include it. However, you will need to write about much more than this in your PS.

Also, my young high school friend, you would be wise to listen to other people that have made it through the process you are about to embark. Please do not continue with your arrogant, condescending attitude on the forum. Take the cotton out of your ears, and put it in your mouth.

 

[Adaggiote]

That is b/c you are in high school.

The admissions game is of the attitude, "what have you done for me lately?"

If you write about your HS Africa experience, the first question is "If this experience was so important, then what have you done related to it since then?"

Sure, if it was important to you, then include it. However, you will need to write about much more than this in your PS.

Also, my young high school friend, you would be wise to listen to other people that have made it through the process you are about to embark. Please do not continue with your arrogant, condescending attitude on the forum. Take the cotton out of your ears, and put it in your mouth.

Why does evryone here take everything to the extreme?? Anyways, I understand what you are tryng to tell me.