ECs good enough for top 50?

[UpQuark]

GPA is solid, just need to focus on MCAT and continue ECs. Was wondering if I need to strengthen in certain areas before applying and getting preferably into top 50 schools.

1) Research - my strongest EC. 2 years, possibly 2 publications by the time of the next cycle (2nd and 3rd author). In charge of large project.
1 summer SURF program.

2) Medical Volunteering - Emergency and Cardiopulmonary at two hospitals- both heavy on clinical aspects rather than the normal paperwork. Approximately 200 by the time of application.

3) Nonmedical - complete 30 hrs community service for scholarship. Tutor math to children at academically declining elementary schools.

4) UG for Cell Bio

5) Shadowing set up for endocrinologist and ER physician.

6) Club involvement

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[TriagePreMed]

I don't see leadership or hobbies. It also reads like you're just trying to check off items from a list. None of it comes as if you have a passion for something in particular. For example, someone interested in social welfare may have extensive volunteering at food drives for shelters including organizing events. Someone interested in teaching would have tutored for a long time. Your 30 hours is something you could easily do within spring break, so not very impressive.

 

[getright]

If you score well on the mcat (30+), then you should definitely apply to some of the better schools, but make sure that you have some safety's. I'm pretty sure that you can include tutoring as leadership experience, but you should try to attain more by the time you apply.

 

[Catalystik]

I'm pretty sure that you can include tutoring as leadership experience, but you should try to attain more by the time you apply.

Tutoring would be listed under Teaching. Leadership is intended to mean peer leadership. This is something that top schools like to see.

OP, I agree also that your nonmedical community service is on the weak side. Work on that. Get in 3-4 hours per week of service to those in need in your community. When the tutoring is required to qualify for a scholarship, it is hardly altruistic, but it is still teaching for application purposes. Why not check out local soup kitchens, homeless shelter, Boys and Girls Cllub, Big Brother/Big Sister, Meals on Wheels, Habitat for Humanity, food pantry, etc, and give them your time, ideally starting now and continuing through the application season for the sake of update letters and interview conversations.

Clubs don't help you much if they don't provide leadership or community service opportunities.

Aim for 60-80 hours of shadowing and try to include a primary care doc as well.

The clinical experience and research will be terrific.

 

[UpQuark]

I don't see leadership or hobbies. It also reads like you're just trying to check off items from a list. None of it comes as if you have a passion for something in particular. For example, someone interested in social welfare may have extensive volunteering at food drives for shelters including organizing events. Someone interested in teaching would have tutored for a long time. Your 30 hours is something you could easily do within spring break, so not very impressive.

Right, I meant 30 hours per quarter and is annual so this is my 3rd year fulfilling the requirement.

And I wanted to be brief in my ECs, I could go into detail but I didn't want to provide much info. And believe me, with all these activities, I have gained plenty out of it.