Dont want to know my chances, just some advice on where to go from here

[Mac50Kenzie]

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I am going to apologize in advance a long post but I really appreciate anyone willing to help.

I am a psychology major with a 3.8 GPA. I originally thought about medical school but decided to try out psychology. As I am nearing my graduation, I am seriously debating going back down the medical track. Each time I picture myself with a career, I can't help but dream to be a medical doctor. I can't even think of why I switched anymore. I am applying to clinical psychology Ph.D programs but I also want to try to get accepted into medical school.

I have a few psychology experiences including internships, research, and teaching assistant positions. Unfortunately, I do not have to much experience in the actual medical field. I am going to volunteer at a hospital and see if I can shadow a doctor or two over the summer. I will then take the MCAT and apply. Is there anything specific I should be doing to help boost my chances as an overall applicant?

Thanks!!

 

[flodhi1]

I am going to apologize in advance a long post but I really appreciate anyone willing to help.

I am a psychology major with a 3.8 GPA. I originally thought about medical school but decided to try out psychology. As I am nearing my graduation, I am seriously debating going back down the medical track. Each time I picture myself with a career, I can't help but dream to be a medical doctor. I can't even think of why I switched anymore. I am applying to clinical psychology Ph.D programs but I also want to try to get accepted into medical school.

I have a few psychology experiences including internships, research, and teaching assistant positions. Unfortunately, I do not have to much experience in the actual medical field. I am going to volunteer at a hospital and see if I can shadow a doctor or two over the summer. I will then take the MCAT and apply. Is there anything specific I should be doing to help boost my chances as an overall applicant?

Thanks!!

Have you completed the medical school prerequisites?

 

[Catalystik]

And if so, what is your BCPM GPA (all science and math, physicis, chemistry)?

Do you have any clinical counseling experience? With what type of patient? Any nonmedical community service?

The teaching and research will also benefit your med school application.

Average applicants have about 150 hours of clinical experience over 1.5 years. Average shadowing is 50 hours split among a few types of doc (which could include a psychiatrist interacting with a client).

 

[Mac50Kenzie]

I have completed everything with a 3.5 GPA in science. I do not have clinical counseling experience, I will be a teaching assistant for a counseling practicum this summer. I have tons of nonmedical community service. I went to catholic high school and I am in the honors college as an UG. Both of these required 60+ hours of service a year.

How do I obtain clinical experience? I am volunteering in my towns hospital but its not at the clinical end. I work in the gift shop, hold babies and help out with odd jobs. I am not worried about the shadow hours. I am going to shadow as much as possible this summer and fall. Any advice?
Thanks!

 

[Catalystik]

I have completed everything with a 3.5 GPA in science. I do not have clinical counseling experience, I will be a teaching assistant for a counseling practicum this summer. I have tons of nonmedical community service. I went to catholic high school and I am in the honors college as an UG. Both of these required 60+ hours of service a year.

How do I obtain clinical experience? I am volunteering in my towns hospital but its not at the clinical end. I work in the gift shop, hold babies and help out with odd jobs. I am not worried about the shadow hours. I am going to shadow as much as possible this summer and fall. Any advice?
Thanks!

"Clinical experience" means interacting with sick and injured people in any of many ways. You can acquire this experience in a hospital, skilled nursing home, hospice, rehab center, or any medical clinic (free-, low-income, VA, family planning, or private). Working in a gift shop and doing odd jobs will not help you. Which of these are close to where you live? Go on-line and see if they have volunteer information available, or call and ask. Soon.

Do your science grades go up over time, or is a 3.5 representative throughout? Did you take any upper-level Bio and Biochem or just the prerequisites?

 

[Mac50Kenzie]

My grades went up. I got a 4.0 every year after my freshman year. I only took the prerequisites because I concentrated on psych and criminal justice. I know my chances are low, that's why I am willing to vamp up my experiences.

 

[Catalystik]

Are you willing to wait a year to beef up the experiences (so that they won't be sadly weak) and take a few more science classes (like Biochem, which is now widely recommeneded, and maybe Genetics, Physiology, or Cell Bio) to give yourself the best possible chance?

Applying at the end of the summer further puts your application at a disadvantage, though spending the summer to study and taking the test in September is a good idea).

 

[Mac50Kenzie]

I am willing to do anything. I am already planning on doing so. Are those your class recommendations though? Any other tips? Thanks for all your help. You have been amazing.

 

[Catalystik]

Are those your class recommendations though?

I'm assuming you already took Statistics (to be specified as MATH even if taken through the Psych Dept), which I'd include with the others as being highest yield.