MD & DO Early, but I'd like some input on where I stand

[orthomyxo]

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Hello WAMC.

A few years back, I was planning on going to med school but decided to scrap that idea in favor of a PhD. Based on the research funding situation and advice from my mentors, medical school looks like my best option again.

As stated in the title, this is early. I just want a general idea of what I should improve on and what MCAT score would make me competitive. I'm not sure if I'm considered not-traditional. I'm 23 and I graduated with a BS in Biology (state school) in May 2013; my AMCAS cGPA will probably be around 3.50, and my sGPA will likely be somewhat higher (~3.6). I am not a URM, and I'm hoping to take the MCAT before the format changes next year.

My ECs are probably my biggest hurdle. I have done about 8 - 9 months of clinical volunteering, which probably comes to about 140 hours. I have no shadowing and I won't have any when I apply. My biggest strength is that I currently do research at a big name hospital. I do not get paid, but I work 35 hours a week and will likely have well over a year of experience when I submit my primary. I will also have at least one publication and possibly a first author. Where do I stand?

 

[AlbinoHawk DO]

Yes, the environment is PhD science is not excellent at the moment, but unless you're sure you want to be a doctor, you're making a mistake by becoming a doctor. It is far better to push yourself through something that you may enjoy vs something you're doing just because some other job market is struggling. Everyone in every profession right now thinks the sky is falling.

 

[Lamel]

I think if you get a 32+ on the MCAT, you will be fine. Try to get some shadowing in before you apply, shouldn't be hard if you're working at a hospital. You can also do more clinical volunteering there.

But I do echo the sentiments above, make sure this is a commitment you really want to make. What made you decide against pre-med initially?

 

[Goro]

Concur. Get an MS and be a lab mgr/research scientist. You still do research, have all of the bennys and don't have the "publish or perish" or grant rat race downsides.

Yes, the environment is PhD science is not excellent at the moment, but unless you're sure you want to be a doctor, you're making a mistake by becoming a doctor. It is far better to push yourself through something that you may enjoy vs something you're doing just because some other job market is struggling. Everyone in every profession right now thinks the sky is falling.

 

[orthomyxo]

I think if you get a 32+ on the MCAT, you will be fine. Try to get some shadowing in before you apply, shouldn't be hard if you're working at a hospital. You can also do more clinical volunteering there.

But I do echo the sentiments above, make sure this is a commitment you really want to make. What made you decide against pre-med initially?

I came to like the idea of being a scientist more than being a practicing physician. However, I didn't realize the extent to which MDs are involved in research. I think a PhD is a really bad idea at this point in time, and an MD allows you to do the same things with more job security.