How to boost my app

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Hi all! So I'm a non-traditional app going back to school for a 2nd bachelor's so I can get my pre-reqs out of the way. I have a 3.1 undergrad GPA and a non existent science GPA. I'm applying June 2010, and since time is short I'm looking for ways to boost my app.

Some things I'm already doing:
1. The courses I'll take in the next year should put my GPA at 3.39-3.42ish with a 3.8-4.0 science GPA.
2. Hoping to get 36+ on MCAT. This obviously is not guaranteed but I'm going to study for a long time before hand and will not take the test unless I'm consistently scoring in the 36-40 range on the practice tests.
3. I'd like to get some more ECs under my belt. I was hoping to do around 100-200 hrs volunteering at a hospital, around 50 hrs shadowing in a few specialties. Are these enough in terms of clinical? Do you recommend more? I'm also hoping to do some research over summer with this USC bio professor I know.

From what I gather, the GPA is going to hold me back from having a stellar app, so I want everything else to be as pristine as possible. I would think that to offset the overall GPA, my MCAT, PS, ECs, LORs, and science gpa will need to be stellar.

My low GPA is explainable too so that might help me. I think the upward trend in grades would help too.

I also have a TON of ECs from my previous major (film production). Wrote several feature length screenplays (100pgs+ a piece), directed and produced films with budgets between 2,000-$30,000. Worked for development companies, etc.

Since my background is from writing, maybe I could use that to my advantage and get published in some magazines, like for short stories? Or I could somehow do research/story on medicine and media, combining my interests?


Any other ideas how to boost the app/highlight my strong areas?

 

[Greonis]

If everything that you are currently doing comes to fruition, then - even with your GPA, which is slightly below the matriculant average for allopathic medical schools - I think you'll be competitive at many institutions. You have a very interesting background that should make you stand out, so I encourage you to apply early and broadly next year to maximize your chances of receiving interviews. You may also want to include some osteopathic schools, assuming that route is also of interest to you, as they tend to be more forgiving with grades (for example, if you retake a class and receive a higher, they'll delete the old grade from your GPA calculations, giving you a substantial GPA boost).

With regards to clinical experience, 100-200 hours should be plenty. The goal is to use the experiences to affirm your interest in medicine and explore potential areas of interest. You'll want to be able to talk about these experiences during an interview, so be sure to "diversify your portfolio" and explore many different areas of the hospital (for example, 50 hours in the ER, 50 hours in the OR, etc...) Quality definitely trumps quantity!

As for anything else you can do, just be yourself! You are on the right track, as far as I can tell. Continue to be involved with film production/writing, if possible, as medical schools love to see applicants with a vested interest in something that they enjoy doing.

 

[Mobius1985]

Since you're not applying for a year and a half, you have plenty of time to build a solid application. The clinical experience you describe is fine for an average applicant. You might do well to demonstrate consistent volunteerism longitudinally, rather than the same number of hours in a shorter time (to demonstrate dedication). Also consider volunteering in more than one venue, maybe adding a clinic, hospice, or nursing home situation, in addition to what you've described, to have a broader experience.

A summer research program would be the minimum. Consider continuing in the same lab during the school year as well. On the other hand, research isn't essential, but having any will increase the number of schools willing to consider you.

It sounds like you should have plenty to say about leadership experience considering your previous occupation.

I think that having published work of any type would help make your application stronger, whether fiction, educational, scientific, etc. Film credits would surely be viewed in the same light, and will make your application unique.

Good luck with your MCAT goal. A good score will be needed to offset the low GPA, but you're right that a steep upward grade trend will help you, too.