Gabriella Glia
New Member
- Joined
- Feb 3, 2021
- Messages
- 4
- Reaction score
- 3
I am trying to construct a medical school list for this upcoming application cycle. I really just want to go to UNC Chapel Hill, but given I will likely still be OOS it is near impossible. I will update my MCAT once I take it in April, but my stats include:
MCAT: April 2021, shooting for 518-520
School: UNC (transferred from UF after first year)
Status: Florida resident, though I am busting my butt to try to establish NC residency before June- hence all the jobs I am paying everything myself
Overall GPA: 3.88
Science GPA: 3.79
Major/Minors: Neurscience major, Biology and Chemistry double minors (RIGOROUS course load with 17-18 hours per semester, this is the first semester I've dropped down to 15 to study for the MCAT)
Major Extracurriculars
Volunteer: roughly 450 hours total
- Rock Steady Boxing for Parkinson's disease: 4 years with them when I am in FL, 300 of my hours
- Various events with the American Cancer Society
Non clinical paid work (however healthcare business administration): 4000 hours
- FYZICAL Therapy and Balance, I began in one little office in 2017 and have since worked my way up to corporate HQ, I have extensive knowledge of healthcare business admin (billing and coding, clinic staffing and equipment, legal components). I will have a rec letter from the president of operations and the CFO.
- Waitress job to pay the OOS bills- I am learning Spanish in the process as well
Clinical paid work: 500 hours
- UNC Neurosurgery, I started here in August 2020 and I have had some great opportunities with the neurosurgeons, I should have some good rec letters here too.
Physician shadowing: 220 hours (170 virtual due to COVID)
- Lenox Hill BrainTERNS 170 hours
- Surgical observation 50 hours
Research: 100 (or 150) hours
- I was in a glioblastoma lab for 3 months before it got shut down
- A concussion rehabilitation continuing education course I helped build
- A cadaver lab I am running on Monday nights for the neurosurgeons- if that counts as research as it is practice of endoscopic neurosurgical techniques? This would add roughly 50 hours
Other clubs/leadership: roughly 100 hours
Weaknesses:
Research and volunteer experience
Strengths:
Strong/heavy course load
Atypical applicant imo
Really good connections at UNC
Really good rec letters
Notes:
I know I am not a super strong applicant, and I am terrified. But I also think I have two things going for me: unique work experience/knowledge as well as a strong focus on neuro and neurosurgery. I just don't know if standing out in this sense will be enough to compensate? In addition, I am starting on a research project with one of the neurosurgeons this semester which will be ongoing and the plan is to have 3 publications by August. At that point it will be too late but for secondaries and letters of interest it could help me, I just need to get through round 1.
I appreciate your help!
MCAT: April 2021, shooting for 518-520
School: UNC (transferred from UF after first year)
Status: Florida resident, though I am busting my butt to try to establish NC residency before June- hence all the jobs I am paying everything myself
Overall GPA: 3.88
Science GPA: 3.79
Major/Minors: Neurscience major, Biology and Chemistry double minors (RIGOROUS course load with 17-18 hours per semester, this is the first semester I've dropped down to 15 to study for the MCAT)
Major Extracurriculars
Volunteer: roughly 450 hours total
- Rock Steady Boxing for Parkinson's disease: 4 years with them when I am in FL, 300 of my hours
- Various events with the American Cancer Society
Non clinical paid work (however healthcare business administration): 4000 hours
- FYZICAL Therapy and Balance, I began in one little office in 2017 and have since worked my way up to corporate HQ, I have extensive knowledge of healthcare business admin (billing and coding, clinic staffing and equipment, legal components). I will have a rec letter from the president of operations and the CFO.
- Waitress job to pay the OOS bills- I am learning Spanish in the process as well
Clinical paid work: 500 hours
- UNC Neurosurgery, I started here in August 2020 and I have had some great opportunities with the neurosurgeons, I should have some good rec letters here too.
Physician shadowing: 220 hours (170 virtual due to COVID)
- Lenox Hill BrainTERNS 170 hours
- Surgical observation 50 hours
Research: 100 (or 150) hours
- I was in a glioblastoma lab for 3 months before it got shut down
- A concussion rehabilitation continuing education course I helped build
- A cadaver lab I am running on Monday nights for the neurosurgeons- if that counts as research as it is practice of endoscopic neurosurgical techniques? This would add roughly 50 hours
Other clubs/leadership: roughly 100 hours
Weaknesses:
Research and volunteer experience
Strengths:
Strong/heavy course load
Atypical applicant imo
Really good connections at UNC
Really good rec letters
Notes:
I know I am not a super strong applicant, and I am terrified. But I also think I have two things going for me: unique work experience/knowledge as well as a strong focus on neuro and neurosurgery. I just don't know if standing out in this sense will be enough to compensate? In addition, I am starting on a research project with one of the neurosurgeons this semester which will be ongoing and the plan is to have 3 publications by August. At that point it will be too late but for secondaries and letters of interest it could help me, I just need to get through round 1.
I appreciate your help!
