How to improve my application?

[MedicineClimber]

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Hello,
I am thinking of applying next year. I am a white women, TX resident.

cGPA: DO-3.65 TX/MD-3.55
sGPA: DO-3.4 TX-3.35 MD-3.3

I left undergraduate after completing 3 years. After some time off, I transferred schools and completed my last 60 hours (35 BCPM) with a cGPA/sGPA of 3.9/3.8.

Work:
6000+ hours tutoring people with learning disabilities - leadership roles
2000+ hours as CNA in metropolitan hospital
2000+ hours as a research coordinator (this is an administrative role)

Volunteering:
50 hours food bank (3hrs/week and will continue)
20 hours helping older poor people with their homes (I do this when I can find opportunities)

Shadowing:
None so far, but I think I have some leads

Research:
None, and doubt I will be able to get any.

MCAT:
What score do you all think I need in order to have a successful application for both MD and DO?

 

[curbsideconsult]

You're good on your clinical hours, but you really need to up the volunteering hours. You need only about 50 shadowing hours, preferably with primary care.

Don't worry about research if you can't get it.

As for your MCAT: get as high as you can get. You probably don't want anything less than a 505 with your GPA, but this is more a question for MSAR/SDN adcoms.

Do you have hobbies or do any other extracurriculars? While you want to fit the mold of a medical student, you still want to stand out amongst the crowd.

 

[MedicineClimber]

You're good on your clinical hours, but you really need to up the volunteering hours. You need only about 50 shadowing hours, preferably with primary care.

Don't worry about research if you can't get it.

As for your MCAT: get as high as you can get. You probably don't want anything less than a 505 with your GPA, but this is more a question for MSAR/SDN adcoms.

Do you have hobbies or do any other extracurriculars? While you want to fit the mold of a medical student, you still want to stand out amongst the crowd.

I would have 200+ hours at the food bank before application time, and probably around 50ish with the other organization. Would that be sufficient? It will be difficult to work full time, study for the MCAT, and do much more than that. I can postpone for a year though, if necessary.

I do have hobbies - rock climbing is a big one. I was in some extracurricular clubs during undergraduate, but nothing major.

 

[curbsideconsult]

I would have 200+ hours at the food bank before application time, and probably around 50ish with the other organization. Would that be sufficient? It will be difficult to work full time, study for the MCAT, and do much more than that. I can postpone for a year though, if necessary.

I do have hobbies - rock climbing is a big one. I was in some extracurricular clubs during undergraduate, but nothing major.

I think that should be good, especially considering your projected hours will probably be more if you're going to continue volunteering throughout the app cycle. If you can, and if you're not doing so already, try to be involved in something more unique at the food bank. Like if the food bank has classes for how to eat healthy, help design some curriculum and lead a few classes.

I should have figure you for a rock climber based on your username 🙂

 

[MedicineClimber]

@Goro @gyngyn your advice would be greatly appreciated.

What MCAT do I need for it to be worth applying to TX schools, MD, and DO?
I know TX seems to like high GPAs, do I even have a chance with any MCAT score?

How do the rest of my activities seem?

Thanks in advance for any advice you are able to provide.

 

[Goro]

@Goro @gyngyn your advice would be greatly appreciated.

What MCAT do I need for it to be worth applying to TX schools, MD, and DO?
I know TX seems to like high GPAs, do I even have a chance with any MCAT score?

How do the rest of my activities seem?

Thanks in advance for any advice you are able to provide.

Invest in MSAR and look at the TX schools.

 

[MedicineClimber]

Invest in MSAR and look at the TX schools.

Thank you for the advice.

I have done that, and my science GPA is below the 10th percentile for all but 1 TX school. I was hoping for further insight from people with much more experience than myself.

 

[Goro]

Thank you for the advice.

I have done that, and my science GPA is below the 10th percentile for all but 1 TX school. I was hoping for further insight from people with much more experience than myself.

Applied broadly to do

 

[MedicineClimber]

Applied broadly to do

Thanks for the advice. I will definitely do that if I am able to go forward with applying in a year.

I hoped that with my last 60 hours being a 3.9/3.8, I might still have a shot at MD schools.

Would GPA repair benefit me? If I were to apply in 2 years rather than 1, I could bring my cGPA up to a 3.6 and sGPA up to a TX/MD 3.45/3.4 by doing a DIY post-bac at a local community college.

I want to be a doctor, and would be perfectly happy as a DO, but if an extra year would keep more doors open then it could be worth it.

 

[Goro]

Thanks for the advice. I will definitely do that if I am able to go forward with applying in a year.

I hoped that with my last 60 hours being a 3.9/3.8, I might still have a shot at MD schools.

Would GPA repair benefit me? If I were to apply in 2 years rather than 1, I could bring my cGPA up to a 3.6 and sGPA up to a TX/MD 3.45/3.4 by doing a DIY post-bac at a local community college.

I want to be a doctor, and would be perfectly happy as a DO, but if an extra year would keep more doors open then it could be worth it.

The problem with being a Texan is that OOS MD schools no from historic norms that very few candidates leave the Lone Star State. Those that do are superstars. OP is fine for DO schools with those stats. TX is his/her best shot for MD.

Shoot for a 510+ MCAT

 

[Skiiiiiing]

Hello,
I am thinking of applying next year. I am a white women, TX resident.

cGPA: DO-3.65 TX/MD-3.55
sGPA: DO-3.4 TX-3.35 MD-3.3

I left undergraduate after completing 3 years. After some time off, I transferred schools and completed my last 60 hours (35 BCPM) with a cGPA/sGPA of 3.9/3.8.

Work:
6000+ hours tutoring people with learning disabilities - leadership roles
2000+ hours as CNA in metropolitan hospital
2000+ hours as a research coordinator (this is an administrative role)

Volunteering:
50 hours food bank (3hrs/week and will continue)
20 hours helping older poor people with their homes (I do this when I can find opportunities)

Shadowing:
None so far, but I think I have some leads

Research:
None, and doubt I will be able to get any.

MCAT:
What score do you all think I need in order to have a successful application for both MD and DO?

You have to get shadowing, period. Most DO schools won't look at a secondary until a DO letter is in the file. Takes a combination of grit and social skills, but get at least 25 hours, 50 really.