Does this look like a good plan?/Introduction :)

[InfectiousDocc]

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Hello everyone! I'm not exactly *new* to SDN but I haven't posted all that much. In fact, I'm pretty sure that I posted an intro. a long time ago but anyway...

My name is Shannon and I'm pretty sure I'm a non-trad. I'm only 24, so I'm young but I still have about 3 years of undergrad to go, which I feel officially makes me a non-trad. However, I feel fortunate that I have such a long time in which to get all my pre-reqs finished and get a lot of good volunteering, shadowing and clinical experience in as well.

I am finishing up this spring at my community college (I took a lot of time off to work and because I felt like I needed a break from school) and my GPA is around 3.0. If I get A's in all the classes this upcoming spring semester, I will graduate with my associates with a 3.2 gpa, which is definitely not good.

Fortunately, I am planning on majoring in Biology at my 4-yr college and Im really good in science, so the overabundance of science courses should actually benefit me greatly.

So my plan for the next 3 years or so is to:

• Get all A's and B+s and aim to graduate with a 3.6+ gpa
• Continue volunteering at the hospital ( I already have about 100 hours) and aim for around 300 hours total
• Start shadowing physicians and surgeons ( I have 3 surgeons of different specialties and 1 PCP in mind) and shadow each of them for a minimum of 50 hours
• Get a job as a physician's scribe ( I have to check and see if any hospitals around here have those) or become a CNA, for the clinical experience

• Get some research experience in (I think its required for Bio majors at my undergrad anyway)
• Study my ass off for the MCAT at least 3 months before I take it

As long as everything goes according to plan, or at least close to it, I should be applying in June 2012. I am already planning to apply to around 30 Allo schools and maybe 10 or so DO schools.

Does it look like I have a well-thought out plan? Any critiques or suggestions would be greatly appreciated 🙂

 

[20minutes]

That looks like a really solid plan, now for the execution... I only have a couple other points to consider: I assume your 3.2 was mainly in non-science classes (as you stated science is a strength). I'd consider taking a few courses sprinkled here and there in areas you may have had trouble with and do really well in them (like if you have C's in all your English classes, maybe consider an upper level course to show you can handle the material and your previous grades were indicative of a time in your life rather than your ability. Unless you really can't do well in those courses, then scrap that idea and cut your losses).

And unless you have an abundance of money and essay-writing stamina, I'd cull that list of schools by more than half. The common advice is to apply broadly, but I've found that a well thought out list of schools can work just as well, as it allows you to focus on each essay and make them great as opposed to the same impersonal bullet essays (but that's just my opinion, and contrary to a lot of other advice). Either way, that's far down the road, focus on the MCAT as that'll be a main determinant. Best of luck.

 

[Catalystik]

Median cGPA for tose accepted is 3.65, so your goal is reasonable.

You have more than enough clinical experience planned. If you aim to get a clinical job, you need not do so much hospital volunteering and could do some nonmedical community service instead. From my observation the average applicant has about 150 hours of patient-interaction time over 1.5 years.

If you become a scribe, a shadowing experience is embedded in this. For the shadowing, 60-80 hours is enough to satisfy most school's expectations, but if you love it and continue to gain from the experience, by all means get more. It is good that you plan to shadow a number of types of doc, including a PCP.

The research will help. About a year is average, but only 60% list it.

Teaching, leadership, and hobbies are other areas to list.

If you achieve your goals, then 15 MD and 5 DO would be sufficient, IMO.

 

[InfectiousDocc]

Ok, I will definitely cut down on how many schools I apply to, as I am NOT rich. I just really want to get in the first time, you know?

Oh, I forgot to add; I am pretty sufficient in Spanish (as a second language), but not fluent. However, I am teaching myself more advanced Spanish and will eventually take a course on medical Spanish. I'm also learning German and am interested in learning Italian. I know its a long time before I apply, but are these good things to add on my application and if so, where would I put them? Are they extracurricular activities since I am actively learning or just extra information?

Thanks again 🙂

 

[voitokas]

Ok, I will definitely cut down on how many schools I apply to, as I am NOT rich. I just really want to get in the first time, you know?
Oh, I forgot to add; I am pretty sufficient in Spanish (as a second language), but not fluent. However, I am teaching myself more advanced Spanish and will eventually take a course on medical Spanish. I'm also learning German and am interested in learning Italian. I know its a long time before I apply, but are these good things to add on my application and if so, where would I put them? Are they extracurricular activities since I am actively learning or just extra information?

I think there's a place on the general application to put other languages, and you could always work it into your essays if you want.

I would give opposite advice about how many schools to apply to and say apply broadly. It's less expensive to apply broadly the first year than have to apply again the next year! I applied to schools that I wanted to attend (I did not think the list unrealistic, but you just can't know, especially as a non-trad). I didn't get in ANYWHERE, so I had to re-apply (broadly!) the next year in order to get in - so my expense pretty much doubled... You have time to save some money, so go ahead and realize that you'll need $4000 to $5000 to apply and start saving now.

My experience anyway...

 

[Catalystik]

I am pretty sufficient in Spanish (as a second language), but not fluent. However, I am teaching myself more advanced Spanish and will eventually take a course on medical Spanish.

I would consider volunteering for a position where you use the language as a translator (when you're ready). Of course, if you mention this in a primary, you leave yourself open to an interviewer testing your facility with the language.