Current Junior App Review

[ajr0576]

Hi everyone, I'm a ORM junior at a T10 state school planning to apply in the 2025-2026 cycle. I know I have a strong profile in some areas, but I'm looking for advice on how to improve and round out my application. I'm particularly concerned about:

1. paid clinical experience: MA (~450 hours) only during the summer after my freshman year. Should I try to get another MA job next semester to show continuity?
2. Research: I have ~300 hours in basic science research but no publications or posters yet. I'm aiming for a poster presentation before I apply. Do you think this is enough?
3. Shadowing: I have 65 hours so far in Orthopedic surgery and GI. I'm planning to add Family Med. Are there other specialties I should consider?
4. MCAT: I took it in August but I think I bombed it. Any advice on balancing a potential retake with my other commitments?

clinical volunteering:

• blood pressure screening: 136

nonclinical volunteering:

• college access org; ~300
• Co-founder of NPO : 130
• Art org: ~100 hours so far

I'm grateful for the opportunities I've had and want to make the most of them. Any feedback on blind spots or ways to make my application more compelling would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

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[Mr.Smile12]

FIrst, no bets until we see your MCAT score.

Second, who is writing your letters of recommendation?

Third, what is your service orientation activity unrelated to healthcare? What are you doing as an "art volunteer"... is it in a classroom or museum setting? Being a co-founder of an organization can go under leadership, but 130 hours isn't a lot to show impact. Being part of an org that helps others through the college application process... describe the students: are they low-income/SES, disabled, formerly incarcerated?

Ideally you should have 150+ hours down before applying, and examples include food distribution, shelter volunteer, job/tax preparation, transportation services, or housing rehabilitation. Desirable applicants will have at least 250+, and an "average" of 700+ hours among matriculants was reported by AAMC recently (though I don't think "average" is the right statistical tool).

Fourth, give us more primary care hours.

Fifth, network with your state schools and other schools on your wishlist, including the upcoming AAMC virtual fair (registration link posted elsewhere). Have solid questions.

Also read

Training for the Marathon: SDN Resources to Submit Your Best Application - SDN

The Student Doctor Network provides free tools, resources, and advising services to help students become health professionals.

www.studentdoctor.net

Finding Your Purpose as a Health Professional - SDN

The Student Doctor Network provides free tools, resources, and advising services to help students become health professionals.

www.studentdoctor.net

Beyond MSAR: Additional Resources for Building Your School List - SDN

The Student Doctor Network provides free tools, resources, and advising services to help students become health professionals.

www.studentdoctor.net

Finding Your Greatest Common Factors with Successful Students - SDN

The Student Doctor Network provides free tools, resources, and advising services to help students become health professionals.

www.studentdoctor.net

 

[ajr0576]

FIrst, no bets until we see your MCAT score.

Second, who is writing your letters of recommendation?

Third, what is your service orientation activity unrelated to healthcare? What are you doing as an "art volunteer"... is it in a classroom or museum setting? Being a co-founder of an organization can go under leadership, but 130 hours isn't a lot to show impact. Being part of an org that helps others through the college application process... describe the students: are they low-income/SES, disabled, formerly incarcerated?

Ideally you should have 150+ hours down before applying, and examples include food distribution, shelter volunteer, job/tax preparation, transportation services, or housing rehabilitation. Desirable applicants will have at least 250+, and an "average" of 700+ hours among matriculants was reported by AAMC recently (though I don't think "average" is the right statistical tool).

Fourth, give us more primary care hours.

Fifth, network with your state schools and other schools on your wishlist, including the upcoming AAMC virtual fair (registration link posted elsewhere). Have solid questions.

Also read

Training for the Marathon: SDN Resources to Submit Your Best Application - SDN

The Student Doctor Network provides free tools, resources, and advising services to help students become health professionals.

www.studentdoctor.net

Finding Your Purpose as a Health Professional - SDN

The Student Doctor Network provides free tools, resources, and advising services to help students become health professionals.

www.studentdoctor.net

Beyond MSAR: Additional Resources for Building Your School List - SDN

The Student Doctor Network provides free tools, resources, and advising services to help students become health professionals.

www.studentdoctor.net

Finding Your Greatest Common Factors with Successful Students - SDN

The Student Doctor Network provides free tools, resources, and advising services to help students become health professionals.

www.studentdoctor.net

1. I'm considering asking for LORs from my PI, my supervisor from the college access organization I'm involved with, a professor, and maybe the doctor I worked for as an MA in his clinic

2. Regarding the art organization: We conduct art workshops with medical populations.

3. My service activity unrelated to healthcare is the NPO college access chapter at my college.
The org helps low-income, high-achieving students (predominantly first-generation) with the college application process. We offer peer mentoring weekly from their junior to senior year.

4. When you mention "Desirable applicants will have at least 250+," do you mean having 250+ hours in each extracurricular activity?

5. Yes, I'm definitely planning to shadow a primary care doctor later this semester.

6. Regarding networking, could you elaborate on what you mean beyond attending the AAMC virtual fair? Sorry, I don't really know how to go about networking with state schools.

7. I was wondering how you would consider if an NPO is impactful, like what factors would you be looking for?

8. I was wondering if you think I should try to get a clinical job before I apply so I can have more clinical hours since it's been some time since I last worked.

Thank you so much for the advice!
And thank you for the articles - will definitely look at all of them!

Sorry for the long reply

 

[Mr.Smile12]

1. I'm considering asking for LORs from my PI, my supervisor from the college access organization I'm involved with, a professor, and maybe the doctor I worked for as an MA in his clinic

2. Regarding the art organization: We conduct art workshops (such as watercolor, pottery, collaging, and various crafts. - with a focus on how these specific art activities can help with mental health and overall well-being) with medical populations, such as individuals with Parkinson's disease, neurodivergent individuals, residents of senior centers, and patients at St. Jude's etc.

3. My service activity unrelated to healthcare is the NPO college access chapter at my college.
The org helps low-income, high-achieving students (predominantly first-generation) with the college application process. We offer peer mentoring weekly from their junior to senior year.
My specific responsibilities include managing the fellowship, organizing and conducting general meetings, handling recruitment, and planning org-related events.

4. When you mention "Desirable applicants will have at least 250+," do you mean having 250+ hours in each extracurricular activity?

5. Yes, I'm definitely planning to shadow a primary care doctor later this semester.

6. Regarding networking, could you elaborate on what you mean beyond attending the AAMC virtual fair? Sorry, I don't really know how to go about networking with state schools.

7. I was wondering how you would consider if an NPO is impactful, like what factors would you be looking for?
My npo created a website of all the local low-cost/free clinics that serve the under/uninsured individuals and we've created resource cards that we distribute at food banks. Currently, we're trying to raise money to distribute free bus passes. Our goal is to make healthcare resources more accessible and attempt to bridge the knowledge gap in healthcare many patients face.

8. I was wondering if you think I should try to get a clinical job before I apply so I can have more clinical hours since it's been some time since I last worked.

Thank you so much for the advice!
And thank you for the articles - will definitely look at all of them!

Sorry for the long reply

Do you have a prehealth advisor or office that offers guidance about the application process?

 

[ajr0576]

Do you have a prehealth advisor or office that offers guidance about the application process?

Yeah my college does offer a prehealth advisor but they aren't that useful so no one really goes to them for advice.