Evaluating My Weaknesses

[ALPreMed]

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Hey guys! I'm looking for genuine critiques of my progress so far through undergrad. Please let me know of any ways that I can strengthen my application. I'm still a while out from applying, but I would like to make changes now while I still can if need be. Right now I'm looking to apply to:

UAB
South Alabama
Vandy (my reach)

Here are my stats:

Rising-Junior (starting the 3rd of 5 years in the fall)
Majors: Biology and Biochemistry
GPA: 4.0

My bio, gen chem, and math pre-req's are done.

Extracurriculars:

1. Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity (2009-present)
2. Young Democrats (2009-present)
3. University Masters (2010-present)

(#3 description-University ambassadors/extremely selective (12 students/3500)

4. Environmental club (starting in the fall)


Leadership:

1. Lambda Chi Alpha Risk Manager (2009-2010)
2. Lambda Chi Alpha Academic Chair (2010-present)
3. Secretary of Young Democrats (2009-present)
4. University Masters Coordinator (2011-2012 academic year)
5. Golden Key Honour Society Vice President (2011-2012 academic year).

*Also, I was president of my freshman class, but it was the only year I was involved in SGA. Should I include this? I did not do a very good job (it was the thing I cared about least my freshman year, and as such, I was not the best pres. Not terrible, but I don't have many positive experiences).

Medical Volunteering/Clinical Experience

1. Cardiac Short Stay Volunteer (Summer 2010; 36 hours)
2. Pediatric Emergency Dept. Volunteer (this summer; will be 44 hours total)

Non-medical volunteering:

1. North American Food Drive (2009-present)

Teaching:

1. Biology Teaching Assistant (2011-present)

Shadowing:

1. Family Medicine (25 hours)
2. General and Bariatric Surgery (40 hours)
3. E.R. doc (in progress)
4. Anesthesiologist (in progress)

Research hopefully starting in the spring of next year.

Various random awards and scholarships (roughly 7, including best in Chemistry, best pre-med, President's list, etc.)

Interesting quirks (maybe?)-

1. Avid bicyclist
2. Learning French


Basically, I just would like to know what areas of improvement you see. I'm sending out emails right now to try to get a nonmedical volunteering experience going for this summer. I may have something at the Botanical gardens. Would that be okay? I'm starting at my school's community and sustainability garden in the fall as a volunteer, so I thought this might provide some cohesiveness for my app. (I'm pretty environmental).

Thanks for any advice! Please be constructive.

 

[13132]

Nice thread title

 

[Catalystik]

Before you apply, try to have at least 150 hours of clinical experience.

I like the food drive activity as a nonmedical community service, since it benefits the poor. Is it an annual involvement for a week or so, or something more ongoing through the year (which I'd hope for)?

Otherwise, your achievements and plans for future involvement look good. Keep your GPA high.

 

[ALPreMed]

The food drive takes up about the whole month of October each year (about 4-8 hours a week). We do smaller events each spring to benefit NAFD, as well. I also managed to secure volunteering at a local soup kitchen for this summer. I'm hoping this will be a positive thing because it provides a common thread within my non-medical volunteering (hunger-related organizations benefiting the poor).

 

[Catalystik]

Sounds good.

 

[jesseg]

I don't mean to interject, but i've been looking for an experienced and intellectual member on here to help me out and read my post. Was hoping you'd take a look Catalystik 🙂 Thank you.