how to proceed as a traditional app if late in the game?

[BoxVersionAce]

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Yo SDN people

I've lurked around here for a while, so I kind have some general knowledge of what the average++ premed application looks like. So I am an undergraduate going to a relatively good UC (UCSD in case if wondering and/or identity theft). Currently a sophomore and finally deciding to become a physician. Through the short time I've been here at the university I've considered myself pre-health. I'm late in the game and wondering how the hell to proceed.

STATS:
Biochemchem major
3.7++ overall GPA (calculated via school/transcript material)
3.8++ sGPA (only obtained a B in chem lab, otherwise I did well in physics, math, ochem, and gen chem... one or two A-)

Going to be done with all prereqs for most med schools at the end of this quarter and sophomore year.

Minimal community Service (like 10 hours through a community service club)

Worked at a dining hall for the past two years (starting winter quarter freshman, about 15-20 hrs per week)... interesting experience I'd say.

Helped out with parents work/summer community college classes (GE stuff) in between freshman and sophomore year.

If relevant, NOT URM.. far from it: Eastern Asian Male
--------------------------------

No clinical experience (other than HS), no research, no mcat. And I certainly want to be a competitive applicant to stay in California 😡 But I'm definitely prepared to go out there.

I am currently in a pursuit of landing a lab job and/or research position (I know). I'm planning on taking summer classes at UCSD while also possibly obtaining some research experience. If not research, maybe look into hospital volunteering. Also, I believe I will have to prepare a lot more than others for the MCAT, due to my past track record with standardized test. But I do believe it doesn't matter whether or not I take it this year or next. What do you guys think I should do first? Will I probably have to wait a year after senior year to have better EC's? And finally when would apply if I did have a plan?

TLDR; read the above three questions and apply to someone with little EC's and a relatively good GPA who sucks at standardized tests.

 

[huskydock]

You're not that late in the game, trust me. Especially since you're already en route to completing all your pre-med requirements. I started even later than you, and it was plenty of time.

Warning: This is pretty long, but worth the read.

I graduated from UCSD last year, so I think I can help you out here, at least in regards to UCSD-related experiences:

(1) Maintain your high GPA. It's easy to let it slip in the last two years. You're going to start taking upper-div bio classes which range from fairly do-able to WTF. Make sure you allow yourself substantial time to study and pull off mostly As in all those classes. You definitely do not want to show a downward trend as the quarters go on.

(2) Study your ass off for the MCAT. This is crucial, especially if you are truly a poor test-taker. Shell out the cash and take a class if you have to, learn test-taking strategies, practice practice practice. UCSD has a Kaplan (or is it Princeton?) center right there at Price Center. Also, subscribe to the HPMP emails if you haven't already. There are opportunities to bid on Kaplan MCAT courses and you could save 50% or more on those classes. Honestly, don't try to study the MCAT while going to school trying to achieve high grades. Find a good 3 months (or even after your senior year) to devote all your time to the MCAT.

This is going to be a crucial part of your app. You could have a high GPA and good ECs, but a poor MCAT score will sorely limit you come application time, especially for CA schools.

(3) I hope you intend on multiplying that community service time by ten. I'm guessing you're in PASS. Go out there and find the opportunities to volunteer yourself. Something you really care about. Animal shelters, homeless shelters, whatever. Schools want to see that you are a compassionate individual who cares about stuff. But just a disclaimer, if you don't care about anything, but try to pretend that you do, it will show later on.

(4) Clinical volunteering: More important than accumulating hundreds of hours in a matter of months, you want to show long-term commitment. Start NOW. The best clinical volunteering in SD is the clinical care extender program in Palomar Pomerado. It's a long drive, yes, but the experience you get is very worth it. Honestly, you'll be bored to tears and probably learn nothing if you volunteer at Scripps or Thornton. I know. All my friends know. Then, they go to CCE and they're loving it. Do the right thing.

Alternative: San Diego Hospice and Palliative Care, working with a clinical population in research

(5) Research is VERY important. Especially for the UCs who tout their world-class research faculty and facilities, blah blah. It's nice to get a lab job where you autoclave and wash dishes and all, at least it puts you in the lab setting....but you want an actual research position where you'd be working directly for your PI or even a post-doc and have substantial responsibility. Ideally, you'd want the prospects of being on a publication for all your hard work, but don't be entitled. You're there to learn.

Lucky for you and me, UCSD does indeed have tons of medical research faculty. I find that cold-emailing or cold-calling all the doctors/professors who have research that interests you will yield promising results. Worst case scenario, you get ignored. But I've gotten all my research by randomly emailing people. Go to the UCSD department sites, like the UCSD Dept of Pediatrics, look at the faculty directory, and they usually list what kind of research they do. If something pops, go for it.

Still with me?

(6) You want to get shadowing. Use HPMP. It's a great program to hook you up with physicians who want students to shadow them.

(7) Leadership experience is critical. This is the kind of stuff that can make your app really pop. Without it, you risk being by-passed for looking like everyone else. If there is something you are truly passionate about and care about, join that club and be so involved that not making you an officer would be a true disservice. Then take that club to great heights, where it's never been before. It is rewarding and difficult to excel as a leader. But keep in mind, top-tier medical schools want to train future physicians who will step up to be the leaders in the field. It's one of those things that I believe are unspoken, but absolutely important to display on your application.

(8) Schmooze with your profs. You're going to need at least two science letters, one non-science, and probably letters from the physicians you shadow, your volunteer coordinator, research supervisor, etc. Start on this early because there are too many people who freak out about this when application time is looming. Luckily (or unluckily?), UCSD doesn't really have a pre-med committee, so don't worry about that.

(9) Pursue outside interests. Hopefully, studying isn't the only thing you do all day. Live life and enjoy the last two years of college! They are truly different than the first two. Join club sports, the cycling club, guitar club, the swim team, whatever you're interested in. Med school ADCOMS want to know that you're a well-rounded person who has outside interests. Besides, who wants to get to know someone who obviously comes off as dry and unremarkable?

I know it was probably too long, but I don't care. You stay on your game and consider all of the above, I have no doubt you'd be extremely competitive for CA medical schools. The rest of it is honestly sheer luck. PM me if you have any more questions!

 

[PingPongPro]

You got lots of time left! I also didn't start till late sophomore year because I had no clue what to do first year, but I accumulated a lot of ECs since then.

Just to reassure you, a lot of applicants have less than 3 years of research/volunteering.

First you need to decide if you will take a gap year.

Things to do after:
1. Look for a research position immediately, and see if you could possibly find something where you can start getting involved during the summer.
2. Also look for ways to get clinical experience (hospital volunteer is common). If 1 doesn't, materialize until Fall, then you should definitely try to find clinical ec during summer.
3.Plan when you will take the MCAT depending on your situation (ec's, work, gap year, etc.). Summer or Winter breaks are generally best to dedicate for mcat study.
4. Look into shadowing if possible.


You will be fine. Some premeds that were premed since day 1 would KILL to be in your position with your stats. Don't get overwhelmed and try not to do everything all at once. Just be smart and strategize. If possible, definitely find an older pre-med friend that can somewhat mentor you. This information/support is invaluable!

 

[Aerus]

You're not that late in the game, trust me. Especially since you're already en route to completing all your pre-med requirements. I started even later than you, and it was plenty of time.

Warning: This is pretty long, but worth the read.

I graduated from UCSD last year, so I think I can help you out here, at least in regards to UCSD-related experiences:

(1) Maintain your high GPA. It's easy to let it slip in the last two years. You're going to start taking upper-div bio classes which range from fairly do-able to WTF. Make sure you allow yourself substantial time to study and pull off mostly As in all those classes. You definitely do not want to show a downward trend as the quarters go on.

(2) Study your ass off for the MCAT. This is crucial, especially if you are truly a poor test-taker. Shell out the cash and take a class if you have to, learn test-taking strategies, practice practice practice. UCSD has a Kaplan (or is it Princeton?) center right there at Price Center. Also, subscribe to the HPMP emails if you haven't already. There are opportunities to bid on Kaplan MCAT courses and you could save 50% or more on those classes. Honestly, don't try to study the MCAT while going to school trying to achieve high grades. Find a good 3 months (or even after your senior year) to devote all your time to the MCAT.

This is going to be a crucial part of your app. You could have a high GPA and good ECs, but a poor MCAT score will sorely limit you come application time, especially for CA schools.

(3) I hope you intend on multiplying that community service time by ten. I'm guessing you're in PASS. Go out there and find the opportunities to volunteer yourself. Something you really care about. Animal shelters, homeless shelters, whatever. Schools want to see that you are a compassionate individual who cares about stuff. But just a disclaimer, if you don't care about anything, but try to pretend that you do, it will show later on.

(4) Clinical volunteering: More important than accumulating hundreds of hours in a matter of months, you want to show long-term commitment. Start NOW. The best clinical volunteering in SD is the clinical care extender program in Palomar Pomerado. It's a long drive, yes, but the experience you get is very worth it. Honestly, you'll be bored to tears and probably learn nothing if you volunteer at Scripps or Thornton. I know. All my friends know. Then, they go to CCE and they're loving it. Do the right thing.

Alternative: San Diego Hospice and Palliative Care, working with a clinical population in research

(5) Research is VERY important. Especially for the UCs who tout their world-class research faculty and facilities, blah blah. It's nice to get a lab job where you autoclave and wash dishes and all, at least it puts you in the lab setting....but you want an actual research position where you'd be working directly for your PI or even a post-doc and have substantial responsibility. Ideally, you'd want the prospects of being on a publication for all your hard work, but don't be entitled. You're there to learn.

Lucky for you and me, UCSD does indeed have tons of medical research faculty. I find that cold-emailing or cold-calling all the doctors/professors who have research that interests you will yield promising results. Worst case scenario, you get ignored. But I've gotten all my research by randomly emailing people. Go to the UCSD department sites, like the UCSD Dept of Pediatrics, look at the faculty directory, and they usually list what kind of research they do. If something pops, go for it.

Still with me?

(6) You want to get shadowing. Use HPMP. It's a great program to hook you up with physicians who want students to shadow them.

(7) Leadership experience is critical. This is the kind of stuff that can make your app really pop. Without it, you risk being by-passed for looking like everyone else. If there is something you are truly passionate about and care about, join that club and be so involved that not making you an officer would be a true disservice. Then take that club to great heights, where it's never been before. It is rewarding and difficult to excel as a leader. But keep in mind, top-tier medical schools want to train future physicians who will step up to be the leaders in the field. It's one of those things that I believe are unspoken, but absolutely important to display on your application.

(8) Schmooze with your profs. You're going to need at least two science letters, one non-science, and probably letters from the physicians you shadow, your volunteer coordinator, research supervisor, etc. Start on this early because there are too many people who freak out about this when application time is looming. Luckily (or unluckily?), UCSD doesn't really have a pre-med committee, so don't worry about that.

(9) Pursue outside interests. Hopefully, studying isn't the only thing you do all day. Live life and enjoy the last two years of college! They are truly different than the first two. Join club sports, the cycling club, guitar club, the swim team, whatever you're interested in. Med school ADCOMS want to know that you're a well-rounded person who has outside interests. Besides, who wants to get to know someone who obviously comes off as dry and unremarkable?

I know it was probably too long, but I don't care. You stay on your game and consider all of the above, I have no doubt you'd be extremely competitive for CA medical schools. The rest of it is honestly sheer luck. PM me if you have any more questions!

Basically this. You've got UCSD experience right here. 👍

 

[BoxVersionAce]

@huskydock: Jesus. Thanks for all the information! Some of my premed friends also pointed me torwards HPMP, CCE, and the "cold-emailing" of research opportunities. Ideally research/lab experience will start up this upcoming summer. HPMP probably will start up in fall. At this point in time CCE might be a bit less than doable due to transportation constraints, but some clinical experience around perhaps VA. But if CCE is as rewarding as per what I've heard I might just have to make some sacrifices.

My propensity to pursue leadership activties and/or outside activities is rather lacking. Also yes, I can't think of any volunteering activity that I would say that I am passionate for other than maybe hospice care. I realize this might be a crux for me, rendering my application bland and average. : / Perhaps I should join another club of interest, like for sketching/painting. I was thinking about joining AED (pre-health). And pursue leadership there. long road ahead and easier said than done.

@PingPongPro: Thanks for the response. In a way, its good to hear that I am not actually as late in the game as this thread makes me out to be. It's reassuring that you and HuskyDock gave similar advice. The gap year is something that I might have to take if I want my ECs to look good. Taking the MCAT after junior (approaching senior year fall) seems like a plausible situation. Trying to roughly put this together:

Plan A (without gap year)
SophSummer: Summer bioclasses/research (lab exp.)
Juniorfall: Bioworkload/shadowing/research... join clubs??
Juniorwinter: Bioworkload/research/hospital voluteering
Juniorspring: Biolab?/GE/research?/hospital volunteering
JuniorSummer: Voluteering and MCAT studying Applications??
Senior-->gap year??

Plan B:
SophSummer: Summer bioclasses (light) with MCAT studying. Sept. MCAT
--- Everything else in plan A except more extracurrics instead of MCAT in junior summer
No gap year