Good Stats. Dismal ECs.

[Knight67]

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GPA: 4.0
MCAT: 32 (11/10 /11)
Biology Major
Psychology and Chemistry Minor

ECs:
-60 hours volunteering in hospital. (30 hours with direct patient contact)
-Cashier at a Grocery Store for 5 years
-Math/Science Tutor for 1.5 years

Schools considering applying to:
University of Kentucky
Louisville
Marshall
West Virginia
Indiana
Pikeville


I'm aware I have some glaring weaknesses(no shadowing, few volunteering hours, etc.).
I'm also going to be applying really late, like in the next few weeks late. With that said I would like to know what you all think my chances are of getting in this cycle. Or should I hold off, work on my weaknesses and apply early next year? All input is appreciated.

 

[darkjedi]

Definitely apply next year. Use this year to build up your EC's and apply next year. It is already somewhat late if you are a strong candidate, but without shadowing experience, schools will not take you very seriously.

 

[coolingglasses]

^ concur, especially at this point. The good news is you can sit on your good stats and just dive into your ECs.

 

[m2k]

I disagree.

Though it is slightly late your stats are really good. Definitely go for it. I think you'll get a spot... especially DO. Are you an in-state resident of KY? If so, then your chances of getting into Louisville, UK and Pikeville are even better. UK's avg MCAT is 31 and Louisville's is 29. You're above avg at both. UK generally likes to admit their incoming class by Christmas but Louisville is interviewing and admitting even in March.

If you haven't started you application at all, I recommend getting that done ASAP. Like stay up all night to get it done. If you can, expand your list of schools going off your GPA and MCAT score. Once your AMCAS app is done, it'll take a bit to get it verified and you'll have time to shadow between now and your interviews. Almost all schools encourage updates to applications while they're considering them, so you can easily get in 30-60 hrs by the time they get back to you. I hope you don't have to wait a year. I'm sure you'll get a spot this year. Good luck!

 

[PingPongPro]

I think you can still apply this year. People get accepted really late into the cycle every year. Its probably going to work against you, but I'm gonna that most late applicants don't have a 4.0 with a decent MCAT.

Is that really all you've done the past several years? Maybe you have more stuff you can mention that you haven't considered. I would also advise getting started on APP and some ECs ASAP.

 

[Poetic Silence]

When it come to applying to med school, how important are EC's?

 

[darkjedi]

When it come to applying to med school, how important are EC's?

very

 

[Poetic Silence]

Why?

 

[darkjedi]

Why?

Something like only 40ish % of pre-med students who apply to medical school actually get in. You are going to be competing against thousands of people with similar stats to you, or better. The only way you can set yourself apart is to have interesting EC's. Just having good stats isn't good enough anymore.

 

[Poetic Silence]

Sucks.

 

[Lucky Louie]

When it come to applying to med school, how important are EC's?

That information is in the MSAR. Under each med school, you can see what % of accepted applicants had relevant experience in Community service/volunteer, Medically-related work, and Research.

 

[Poetic Silence]

Do you have a link to a mobile friendly page to view such information?

 

[MedPR]

Do you have a link to a mobile friendly page to view such information?

https://services.aamc.org/30/msar/home

 

[user3]

You probably wouldn't have many issues with DO, but you just need to do a little bit more to have a good shot at MD.