- Joined
- Oct 8, 2015
- Messages
- 1
- Reaction score
- 0
Hi everyone! First time here, sorry if I am doing something wrong.
I'm a non-traditional student, been out of school for 3.5 years now. I'm a little concerned about a few aspects of my application, particularly the lack of research and "leadership" and generally a weak set of ECs.
I'm going to be applying next cycle, so I'm here because I'm trying to start early and formulate a school list, and to get some advice about what I can do in the next few months to boost my chances before applying. I've had a pretty unimpressive resume since graduating from college, but 2 years ago I started trying to work some EC's in around my full-time work and post bac coursework schedule.
I think my stats are pretty good (decent GPA coming from HYPSM), but nothing really outstanding.
I'd like to know what a target school list would look like for me. I'm aware that I won't be making it into HMS, but I'd love to know what my chances are elsewhere and what I can do in the next few months before applying to boost them. Thank you everyone in advance!
STATS:
Cumulative GPA: 3.77 (engineering major)
Science GPA: 3.79
MCAT Scores: 517 (133/131/132/131)
RESEARCH: this is the weakest point of my application by far.
-Some research in undergrad through coursework
-master's thesis
-part time work in lab at major Boston hospital (couple of presentations) a couple years ago
-I have been working for the past year as a research assistant at another hospital research center- couple of presentations, no pubs.
VOLUNTEERING:
-clinical: 500 hours and ongoing, 400 at a free clinic for the past 2 years, 100 more in hospital ED
-nonclinical: 100 hours and ongoing, half at a local animal shelter, half with a children's literacy program
ECs:
-NCAA DIII sports, 3 years in college, academic all-conference honors
-compete in adult leagues regionally and nationally in the same sport since college, 4 years and ongoing
-outdoorsy stuff - peak bagger is my one quantifiable aspect of this (and husky owner - I do this with her, this takes up time)
-crossfit (feels lame to put this, but still), 2 years
-tutored math/science as a side gig about 8 hrs/week, 2 years
SHADOWING:
-70 hours total:
-15 hours with an oncologist
-20 hrs primary care doc
-15 hours orthopedic surgeon
-20 hours ophthalmologist
EMPLOYMENT:
-internships throughout college, including one abroad
-1.5 years consulting
-1.5 years software
-1 year research assistant (ongoing)
LIST:
This is in no particular order; I know there are a few reaches here:
Pitt
Columbia
Mt Sinai
Brown
Tufts
Dartmouth
BU
Penn
UVM
UMass (resident)
Baylor (native)
Michigan
UCLA
USC
Vanderbilt
University of Colorado
...? I'd like to apply to around 20 schools total, but not sure what else to add. Help please! What are my target schools? Do I have a shot at a top 20? How do I improve my application?
I'm a non-traditional student, been out of school for 3.5 years now. I'm a little concerned about a few aspects of my application, particularly the lack of research and "leadership" and generally a weak set of ECs.
I'm going to be applying next cycle, so I'm here because I'm trying to start early and formulate a school list, and to get some advice about what I can do in the next few months to boost my chances before applying. I've had a pretty unimpressive resume since graduating from college, but 2 years ago I started trying to work some EC's in around my full-time work and post bac coursework schedule.
I think my stats are pretty good (decent GPA coming from HYPSM), but nothing really outstanding.
I'd like to know what a target school list would look like for me. I'm aware that I won't be making it into HMS, but I'd love to know what my chances are elsewhere and what I can do in the next few months before applying to boost them. Thank you everyone in advance!
STATS:
Cumulative GPA: 3.77 (engineering major)
Science GPA: 3.79
MCAT Scores: 517 (133/131/132/131)
RESEARCH: this is the weakest point of my application by far.
-Some research in undergrad through coursework
-master's thesis
-part time work in lab at major Boston hospital (couple of presentations) a couple years ago
-I have been working for the past year as a research assistant at another hospital research center- couple of presentations, no pubs.
VOLUNTEERING:
-clinical: 500 hours and ongoing, 400 at a free clinic for the past 2 years, 100 more in hospital ED
-nonclinical: 100 hours and ongoing, half at a local animal shelter, half with a children's literacy program
ECs:
-NCAA DIII sports, 3 years in college, academic all-conference honors
-compete in adult leagues regionally and nationally in the same sport since college, 4 years and ongoing
-outdoorsy stuff - peak bagger is my one quantifiable aspect of this (and husky owner - I do this with her, this takes up time)
-crossfit (feels lame to put this, but still), 2 years
-tutored math/science as a side gig about 8 hrs/week, 2 years
SHADOWING:
-70 hours total:
-15 hours with an oncologist
-20 hrs primary care doc
-15 hours orthopedic surgeon
-20 hours ophthalmologist
EMPLOYMENT:
-internships throughout college, including one abroad
-1.5 years consulting
-1.5 years software
-1 year research assistant (ongoing)
LIST:
This is in no particular order; I know there are a few reaches here:
Pitt
Columbia
Mt Sinai
Brown
Tufts
Dartmouth
BU
Penn
UVM
UMass (resident)
Baylor (native)
Michigan
UCLA
USC
Vanderbilt
University of Colorado
...? I'd like to apply to around 20 schools total, but not sure what else to add. Help please! What are my target schools? Do I have a shot at a top 20? How do I improve my application?
