How can I improve?

[BirdietheCockatiel]

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Hi everyone. I am a senior at USF in Florida and I am applying this cycle, preferably MD. I was just looking for some advice on where I can improve on and maybe just some general advice overall. Thanks in advance!

Some info about me:
Biomedical Sciences Major, Public health minor
Hispanic
Middle - High socioeconomic background (if that matters...)
3.65 cGPA
3.6 sGPA
MCAT in June
Mostly Upward trend in GPA. 2 Ws (Gen chem 2 and Gen chem 2 lab linked classes). Retook both and received B+ and A+ respectively. No Cs. Most pre med courses with a B+ grade, labs are As.

125 clinical volunteer hours in a cancer Hospital. (Will gain 80 more by application time)
50 non clinical volunteer hours. (Possibly 35-70 more by application time)

186 shadowing hours across 5+ specialties. (Is adult primary care favored? someone told me this..)

2 years of academic microbiology research - will result in poster presentation at research colloquium
1 publication to medical journal.

1 month long Surgical shadowing internship (produced publication)

Secretary position of my student org (Social Chair previously)

Working as a computer lab assistant for my University's Student Government. 25 hours per week.

Honors Thesis

 

[Catalystik]

Hi everyone. I am a senior at USF in Florida and I am applying this cycle, preferably MD. I was just looking for some advice on where I can improve on and maybe just some general advice overall. Thanks in advance!

Some info about me:
Biomedical Sciences Major, Public health minor
Hispanic
Middle - High socioeconomic background (if that matters...)
3.65 cGPA
3.6 sGPA
MCAT in June
Mostly Upward trend in GPA. 2 Ws (Gen chem 2 and Gen chem 2 lab linked classes). Retook both and received B+ and A+ respectively. No Cs. Most pre med courses with a B+ grade, labs are As.

125 clinical volunteer hours in a cancer Hospital. (Will gain 80 more by application time)
50 non clinical volunteer hours. (Possibly 35-70 more by application time)

186 shadowing hours across 5+ specialties. (Is adult primary care favored? someone told me this..)

2 years of academic microbiology research - will result in poster presentation at research colloquium
1 publication to medical journal.

1 month long Surgical shadowing internship (produced publication)

Secretary position of my student org

Honors Thesis

-Any peer leadership experience? A secretary officer position doesn't usually cover this, but it's not an impossibility, depending on what you'd have to say about it.

-Any teaching (includes mentoring, tutoring, coaching, TA)?

-Yes, including some shadowing of a primary care practice doc is recommended, but need not be for an adult specialty.

 

[BirdietheCockatiel]

-Any peer leadership experience? A secretary officer position doesn't usually cover this, but it's not an impossibility, depending on what you'd have to say about it.

-Any teaching (includes mentoring, tutoring, coaching, TA)?

-Yes, including some shadowing of a primary care practice doc is recommended, but need not be for an adult specialty.

Hi! thank you so much for replying. No, I do not have teaching experience. In regards to the secretary officer position, I am responsible for attending volunteering events, fundraising events,
and aiding with the overall organization of the org, including online portals. I was previously the social chair which required me to organize social events and create various fundraising events for the members specifically.

In my shadowing experience, i did about 35 hours with a pediatrician in an office, and about 15 hours with internal medicine in a hospital. I was thinking these specialties satisfied the primary care experiences.

Thank you!
(I also updated my post, I forgot to include my university job. Whoops!)

 

[Catalystik]

1) No, I do not have teaching experience.

2) In regards to the secretary officer position, I am responsible for attending volunteering events, fundraising events,
and aiding with the overall organization of the org, including online portals.

3) I was previously the social chair which required me to organize social events and create various fundraising events for the members specifically.

4) In my shadowing experience, i did about 35 hours with a pediatrician in an office, and about 15 hours with internal medicine in a hospital. I was thinking these specialties satisfied the primary care experiences.

1) If an opportunity comes along, Teaching is another area of endeavor that is of value for a med school applicant.

2) Attending volunteering and fund raising events might better be categorized as Community Service.

3) Designing events, organizing others, delegating tasks, and taking responsibility for overall success would fit under Leadership on the application.

4) I agree.

 

[gyngyn]

Most Hispanic groups are not considered under-represented in medicine.
Language skills are always appreciated, though.

 

[Veni vidi vicii]

1) If an opportunity comes along, Teaching is another area of endeavor that is of value for a med school applicant.

2) Attending volunteering and fund raising events might better be categorized as Community Service.

3) Designing events, organizing others, delegating tasks, and taking responsibility for overall success would fit under Leadership on the application.

4) I agree.

Is teaching really that important? Would someone with a lot of teaching experience (more than a thousand hours) catch the adcoms eyes?

 

[Catalystik]

Is teaching really that important? Would someone with a lot of teaching experience (more than a thousand hours) catch the adcoms eyes?

I don't know how adcomms from dental programs view teaching experience, but in medicine communicating information effectively to patients about their conditions, their options, side effects or potential complications, or preventive measures, etc, is a large part of what they need to do. Teaching isn't a requirement, but it's an excellent skill to have demonstrated.