Do I have enough to apply (excepting for MCAT score)?

[MyOdyssey]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hello All

Like many here, my application preparation process went into stasis in mid March when everyone started to take social distancing very seriously in response to COVID-19. My MCAT test date is pushed back until probably June or later (currently scheduled for early July). Clinical volunteering, nonclinical volunteering and shadowing all ceased as well in mid March of this year.

I'm trying to decide whether it makes sense to apply late this cycle (as soon as I receive an MCAT score) in light of what I've accomplished so far or whether it makes sense to try to gain more experience before I submit an application given that I'll be forced to submit no earlier than August, given my current rescheduled MCAT test date of early July.

cGPA: 3.89 (T20 undergrad); sGPA: 3.85
Leadership positions: 3 in undergrad
Clinical volunteering: ~450 hours at two different hospitals, lots of direct patient contact
Nonclinical volunteering: ~450 hours - mostly with 2 specific underserved populations over the course of 1.5-2 years
Teaching and Writing: Biology lecturer, Writing TA and public health related writing
Research: About 2000 hours in translational research at two different institutions
Publications: 1 article submitted for publication based on undergrad research
Shadowing: ~60 hours (urology, radiology, family medicine, pediatrics)

I've completed 1 gap year during which I volunteered with two different social service agencies and at a hospital. In my upcoming second gap year, I had received an offer for a one year position with Americorp, which I hope will not be withdrawn in light of the pandemic.

Do I have enough shadowing hours? I understand 50 is the bare minimum.

Anything else that needs bolstering?

Thanks for your help.

 

[sasukeuchiha33]

What kind of schools are you look at? Your application is pretty strong regardless, but knowing what kind schools you are aiming for will definitely help. and ofc MCAT always makes a big difference. I'd say you're in pretty good shape for most schools, but maybe T20 schools will be a reach. Again, if you end up getting a 528 on your MCAT that's a different story then haha.

Sorry to hear about COVID-19, that's really a bummer, and rest assured that it's impacting thousands upon thousands of applicants. I have no idea how things are going to proceed with this cycle, but the best we can do is to just take it as it comes.

Also, this is definitely not your fault by any means, but I hate it when people use terms like "bare minimum." There are very few "bare minimums" throughout this entire process. I know premeds with < 50 shadowing hours who could speak about the career of a physician much better than a kid with 200 hours for a number of reasons. The important thing is the quality of the experience and your ability to articulate said quality on applications and in person during interviews. Don't get too bogged down in the minutiae of the exact numbers. Good luck!

 

[MyOdyssey]

What kind of schools are you look at? Your application is pretty strong regardless, but knowing what kind schools you are aiming for will definitely help. and ofc MCAT always makes a big difference. I'd say you're in pretty good shape for most schools, but maybe T20 schools will be a reach. Again, if you end up getting a 528 on your MCAT that's a different story then haha.

Sorry to hear about COVID-19, that's really a bummer, and rest assured that it's impacting thousands upon thousands of applicants. I have no idea how things are going to proceed with this cycle, but the best we can do is to just take it as it comes.

Also, this is definitely not your fault by any means, but I hate it when people use terms like "bare minimum." There are very few "bare minimums" throughout this entire process. I know premeds with < 50 shadowing hours who could speak about the career of a physician much better than a kid with 200 hours for a number of reasons. The important thing is the quality of the experience and your ability to articulate said quality on applications and in person during interviews. Don't get too bogged down in the minutiae of the exact numbers. Good luck!

I’m going to apply to a subset of schools in the T25 range (assuming my MCAT score is in the right range) and all my state schools.

 

[Goro]

Hello All

Like many here, my application preparation process went into stasis in mid March when everyone started to take social distancing very seriously in response to COVID-19. My MCAT test date is pushed back until probably June or later (currently scheduled for early July). Clinical volunteering, nonclinical volunteering and shadowing all ceased as well in mid March of this year.

I'm trying to decide whether it makes sense to apply late this cycle (as soon as I receive an MCAT score) in light of what I've accomplished so far or whether it makes sense to try to gain more experience before I submit an application given that I'll be forced to submit no earlier than August, given my current rescheduled MCAT test date of early July.

cGPA: 3.89 (T20 undergrad); sGPA: 3.85
Leadership positions: 3 in undergrad
Clinical volunteering: ~450 hours at two different hospitals, lots of direct patient contact
Nonclinical volunteering: ~450 hours - mostly with 2 specific underserved populations over the course of 1.5-2 years
Teaching and Writing: Biology lecturer, Writing TA and public health related writing
Research: About 2000 hours in translational research at two different institutions
Publications: 1 article submitted for publication based on undergrad research
Shadowing: ~60 hours (urology, radiology, family medicine, pediatrics)

I've completed 1 gap year during which I volunteered with two different social service agencies and at a hospital. In my upcoming second gap year, I had received an offer for a one year position with Americorp, which I hope will not be withdrawn in light of the pandemic.

Do I have enough shadowing hours? I understand 50 is the bare minimum.

Anything else that needs bolstering?

Thanks for your help.

You're good to go!!!

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Keep gaining experience, especially if you are trying for upper-tier schools.
Keep networking with students at the schools you highly desire to attend through AMSA or connections through SDN forums.

 

[MyOdyssey]

Keep gaining experience, especially if you are trying for upper-tier schools.
Keep networking with students at the schools you highly desire to attend through AMSA or connections through SDN forums.

Thanks for the feedback.
Networking with fellow students is to help get the inside scoop on schools I assume?

 

[LeaveNoTrace]

518+, preferably above 520, and you will be competitive for top 20s. You could potentially get volunteering on some kind of crisis text line or hotline - suicide crisis, LGBT hotline, maybe something coronavirus-related. That won't hurt, although your hours are already solid.