How to improve my application for 2025-2026 cycle?

[mmssjj]

I recently graduated from college and currently in gap year. I plan to apply for 2025-2026 cycle. I would love some insight on how to increase my chances. I haven’t taken MCAT yet and I am aware of that, EC wise what should I focus on? Thank you,
cGPA: 3.92
sGPA:3.91
MCAT: February 2025 (currently studying)
EC:
Clinical Paid: 1000 hours MA at gyno office
Clinical volunteering: 50 hours emergency room
Research: 1800 hours 3 years undergraduate research and honors thesis
One 5th author pub, 6 posters including 3 national levels
2 research grant
NSF Rising Scientists Award

Leadership: 200 hours paid job as college advisor for low income poc high school students at NYC.
50 hours as a board member of a sorority.
Leader within undergraduate research group.

Volunteer: 30 hours non clinical volunteer at emergency department
100 hours crisis text line support

Shadow: 100 hours GYN, 20 hours in Primary care

Awards: University Writing Award, Deans list all semester, Phi Beta Kappa

Other: Caretaker of disabled mother suffered from Multiple Sclerosis in Junior year, a big part of my junior year spent taking care of her and helping her to gain partial walking ability.

I would appreciate any insight on how to improve my application for next cycle. I am open to MD and DO. Thank you!

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[chilly_md]

Get 200 hours through helping at a food bank, homeless shelter, Big Sib Little Sib etc.

 

[LEET87]

Have you allowed enough time to get your MCAT score back before application deadlines? It takes approximately 30 days for results. Consider moving it to mid-January?

I applied to OSUCOM last cycle.
Their “offered applicants from OK” stats were:
Extracurricular activities - 2200 hours
Health-related - 2100 hours
Community service - 500 hours
Employment - 2500 hours
Research - 600 hours
Teaching - 500 hours

 

[mmssjj]

Get 200 hours through helping at a food bank, homeless shelter, Big Sib Little Sib etc.

What if I don’t apply to service oriented schools, would it still recommended?

 

[mmssjj]

Have you allowed enough time to get your MCAT score back before application deadlines? It takes approximately 30 days for results. Consider moving it to mid-January?

I applied to OSUCOM last cycle.
Their “offered applicants from OK” stats were:
Extracurricular activities - 2200 hours
Health-related - 2100 hours
Community service - 500 hours
Employment - 2500 hours
Research - 600 hours
Teaching - 500 hours

I guess I would get back the score on mid march and can still retake in april if my score isn’t good enough? As the first day to submit AMCAS is May 28th ish? I am from NYC and considering applying to east coast schools

 

[mmssjj]

Have you allowed enough time to get your MCAT score back before application deadlines? It takes approximately 30 days for results. Consider moving it to mid-January?

I applied to OSUCOM last cycle.
Their “offered applicants from OK” stats were:
Extracurricular activities - 2200 hours
Health-related - 2100 hours
Community service - 500 hours
Employment - 2500 hours
Research - 600 hours
Teaching - 500 hours

As I will have one year between college and application, is it recommended to get these amount of hours?

 

[wysdoc]

What if I don’t apply to service oriented schools, would it still recommended?

Absolutely, all the schools seem to expect some time given to community service activities.
If you can reach 150-200 by May you should be okay for the "not-service heavy" schools.

I realize that your important role at home helping your mother makes your available free time less than some other people.
This role is something you can write about in relevant essays because it indicates some good traits like loyalty, family priorities, and dedication, but you won't be able to "Count the hours" as an activity in your AMCAS activity list.
If you can spend just 8 hours a week on these volunteer activities, the hours will add up for you by the time you apply.

 

[LEET87]

As I will have one year between college and application, is it recommended to get these amount of hours?

These were the EC stats for OK students who were offered a spot. In order to be competitive, I’d say yes. Also, this is a DO school. MD programs are probably different.

 

[LEET87]

I guess I would get back the score on mid march and can still retake in april if my score isn’t good enough? As the first day to submit AMCAS is May 28th ish? I am from NYC and considering applying to east coast schools

My mistake, I thought you were applying for the 2025-2026 academic year.

 

[mmssjj]

Absolutely, all the schools seem to expect some time given to community service activities.
If you can reach 150-200 by May you should be okay for the "not-service heavy" schools.

I realize that your important role at home helping your mother makes your available free time less than some other people.
This role is something you can write about in relevant essays because it indicates some good traits like loyalty, family priorities, and dedication, but you won't be able to "Count the hours" as an activity in your AMCAS activity list.
If you can spend just 8 hours a week on these volunteer activities, the hours will add up for you by the time you apply.

Thank you. I heard a new section opened up on AMCAS as other activities, is it recommended to talk about my caregiver role in that section?

 

[wysdoc]

Thank you. I heard a new section opened up on AMCAS as other activities, is it recommended to talk about my caregiver role in that section?

Yes, that would be a great place to share your experiences in an extra essay that allows you the space to do it.
It's called the "Other Impactful Experiences" see page 27 of the AMCAS Guide

 

[chilly_md]

What if I don’t apply to service oriented schools, would it still recommended?

Yes, for the reasons wysdoc mentioned. You will not gain much benefit from continuing research or working as an MA past the hours you listed, so if you do not need income from there and need more time, you can stop doing those. Service is the main thing missing from you app.

 

[mmssjj]

Yes, for the reasons wysdoc mentioned. You will not gain much benefit from continuing research or working as an MA past the hours you listed, so if you do not need income from there and need more time, you can stop doing those. Service is the main thing missing from you app.

Thank you, I am currently working in the MA position for gap year job and income and I’ll have 1000 hours by April next year. That’s why volunteering time is little hard to manage while studying for MCAT. But I’ll try my best.
Does volunteering in crisis text line somewhat makes up for the service hour if I can write and talk about it well?

 

[chilly_md]

Thank you, I am currently working in the MA position for gap year job and income and I’ll have 1000 hours by April next year. That’s why volunteering time is little hard to manage while studying for MCAT. But I’ll try my best.
Does volunteering in crisis text line somewhat makes up for the service hour if I can write and talk about it well?

You need an in-person experience. Going for a few hours to a food bank during the weekends over the course of the year will get you there.