MD & DO Improving chances?

[superwholock415]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Currently a junior at a state university double majoring in Cell Biology and Psychology. I'm planning on taking a year off after graduating to improve my app but I think I could use some advice on what to do on the meantime.
Current gpa: 3.5
Science gpa: 3.2 (hopefully improve this semester and senior year)
Mcat: scoring in the low 30's/high 20s on practice tests, probably wait until late summer to take so I can improve a bit
EC's: no leadership but amsa, and book club.
Research: by the time i graduate 5 semesters in a social psych lab - 7 hours/week (possibly starting my own project by next semester but for now, uncertain); 4 semesters in a neurobehavioral lab - 10 hours/week
Shadowing: ~90 hours, mostly a infectious disease/general practictioner, and a few hours with a GI doctor where I got to see a colonoscopy
Volunteering: nothing yet. hoping to find something at a hospice soon but no luck yet.
LORs: I think I can get 3 good ones from professors I did research under/the doctor I shadowed who I got pretty close too. The rest may be pretty run of the mill.
Hobbies: art - been drawing/sketching for a few years, took a few anatomy and drawing classes online, and have a few decent sketches I could show off. music - been playing guitar for around 10 years, not sure how relevant but I played in the pit band at my high school theater, just in case of "proof" that I played.

 

[Catalystik]

Currently a junior at a state university double majoring in Cell Biology and Psychology. I'm planning on taking a year off after graduating to improve my app but I think I could use some advice on what to do on the meantime.
Current gpa: 3.5
Science gpa: 3.2 (hopefully improve this semester and senior year)
Mcat: scoring in the low 30's/high 20s on practice tests, probably wait until late summer to take so I can improve a bit
EC's: no leadership but amsa, and book club.
Research: by the time i graduate 5 semesters in a social psych lab - 7 hours/week (possibly starting my own project by next semester but for now, uncertain); 4 semesters in a neurobehavioral lab - 10 hours/week
Shadowing: ~90 hours, mostly a infectious disease/general practictioner, and a few hours with a GI doctor where I got to see a colonoscopy
Volunteering: nothing yet. hoping to find something at a hospice soon but no luck yet.
LORs: I think I can get 3 good ones from professors I did research under/the doctor I shadowed who I got pretty close too. The rest may be pretty run of the mill.
Hobbies: art - been drawing/sketching for a few years, took a few anatomy and drawing classes online, and have a few decent sketches I could show off. music - been playing guitar for around 10 years, not sure how relevant but I played in the pit band at my high school theater, just in case of "proof" that I played.

Hi. your application development seems to be coming along nicely. Your research and shadowing are already terrific. If you're applying in a year and a half, it's high time to get the active clinical experience going. Hospice would be a great source of this. You might also consider some nonmedical community service for a cause you care about (1-2 hours a week is fine). Since you haven't mentioned any teaching (coaching/TA, tutor/mentor), you might theoretically look for a volunteer gig that covers that, since more schools seem to be looking for nonmedical volunteering as part of a comprehensive application.

If you take on a leadership role at one of your clubs, that would also benefit your application.

You might add a link to a You Tube video of you playing guitar.

 

[superwholock415]

great, thanks for the response!