Guide me in the right direction

[Science_bro89]

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Hi, guys. I just wanted some honest advice about my progress thus far and what I should be doing to make myself more competitive for medical school. I recently just graduated from a top tier southern research with masters in molecular biology and a final GPA of 4.04. There, I gained 3 semesters worth of research experience (is this enough?) in obesity induced metabolic diseases and pathways in brown adipose tissue. I also was blessed to travel abroad last summer to study biomedicine in Taiwan, which was really fun! Just wanted some advice as to what I should approve on next. Also, I'm a black american male if that helps any.

Stats:
Over 100 volunteering hours
About 50 hours and counting of internal medicine shadowing
Various honor society inductions and clubs
Lab experience as a lab analyst and research assistant
Teaching experience as a TA (Primary instructor) for introduction to biology lab for non-major.
Undergraduate GPA: cGPA 3.47 and sGPA: 3.5
Masters GPA: 4.04

 

[NonTradJp]

I think you have solid stats. SDN tends to be a big more picky. Are you doing MD or DO or med/PHD or something else? That makes a bit of a difference. For MD you're good with a 34+ MCAT and 32+ for DO. Just my thoughts. A lot will say higher. If you really want to improve stats, add a bit more hours in clinical volunteering and shadowing, maybe 50 in one and 20 in other. Then add color to your stats with artistic or leadership or anything else that talks about your interests. Those are thoughts of a random pre-med.

 

[DocWinter]

The above posters MCAT averages are inflated. With an MCAT of 26 or higher you will be a great DO applicant, and 30 or higher will make you a solid MD applicant.

You don't need more research. More clinical hours will be the best thing for you. At this point, your success will come from a early application and a solid MCAT score.

Best of luck

 

[bonedoc82]

I agree. 26+ you should be ok.


Antonio Webb, M.D.
Orthopedic Surgery Resident

 

[Darth Doc]

My MD school would love you if your MCAT scores are anywhere over 28. MD schools in any state that you personally wouldn't consider because there's not enough racial diversity (MN, WV, UT, etc..), do consider. My class has very few minorities because so few apply to my school. It's something they'd like to change, but haven't been able to.

My advice would be to take the MCAT and continue working on clinical shadowing and volunteerism. Everything else looks strong. Practice interviewing if it's a weakness.

 

[mchlucky1]

MD Schools MCAT requirement is overrated. MCAT score doesn't tell you if he/she is going to be an exceptional physician. I have more than 5 years clinical experience working solely with cardiologists and I tell you this: most of them think they are god and above everyone else and that they cant accept the fact that sometimes they are very wrong. Treating patients like they are their paychecks. Hey, they probably had high MCAT and great academic stats; but I wouldn't let them touch me with a 100ft pole. But I wouldn't mind seeing DOs. So to all MD schools, they need to re-check their selection process for admission.