In need of SERIOUS help w/ my application!

[OomeedoO]

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Hey Everyone,


First things first... I wish I found this site earlier.



I need advice on quite a few topics. I have an overwhelming number of questions and would be grateful for any help anyone could provide.

Let me start by saying that I am a senior at UC Berkeley about to finish up my last semester. I am currently rather clueless on the application process and plan on applying next year. After reading through some of the posts on this forum I am starting to feel inadequate/behind and it is really starting to eat me up =[

Cumulative gpa = 3.62; Science gpa = 3.5

I plan on taking the MCATs at the end of this upcoming summer and am hoping on scoring high (hopefully above 34/35). I know this predicted score probably doesn’t match well with my GPA but I am an extremely conceptual learner and a great test taker, both of which will hopefully help me out with the MCAT.

Now here is where my application starts to go downhill…fast:

Little community service/club involvement… I have, however, done a lot of work with the American Cancer Society and other cancer related organizations. I am a survivor of Hodgkins lymphoma and come from a family with a strong genetic link to cancer. I am passionate in becoming an Oncologist and as such, the majority of my volunteer history has related to cancer.


No shadowing/clinical experience… Keeping in mind that I am applying next year, what types of things should I be trying to do here? Should I sign up for a year long volunteer commitment with local hospitals? Who should I be trying to shadow and how can I ask them? Also what is the time commitment I should be investing in shadowing? Also, I have a close relative who runs an urgent care center and was considering interning/volunteering/shadowing there over the summer… This would however require me to be removed from my research project and I am unsure how to prioritize.

Speaking of which, I have just begun doing research with a former professor of mine starting this semester.

I have 0/3 letters of recs. Pitiful, I know. I am planning on getting one from the professor who I am now doing research with. I have never really had a relationship with any of my professors simply because I rarely go to lecture and have literally never been to any office hours. I might, if I somewhat force it, be able to get 1 more letter of rec. this semester from my Physio Lab professor. Since this is my last semester, I am lost with what I can do here =[

Lastly, I LOVE writing, and should be able to write a solid PS. I am also fairly charismatic and have always done well in interviews.


Just a couple more questions…
I was planning on using this year off before applying strictly for MCATs, research, and clinical experience/volunteer work.
How bad does it look that I am cramming all these EC’s into this last year?
And, would it be a good idea to check out post-bac programs? Any other suggestions as to what I should be doing?
Last question… Since I am applying next year, how much time in total will I be spending not in school? It seems like 2 years total to me but some have told me it will be more.

Ultimately, I know my chances of getting into a good medical school at the moment aren’t all that high. I am more interested in receiving feedback on what I can do now (and within the next year) to make my application competitive.

Again, thanks for your time/input and I am sorry for the overwhelming amount of questions and long post!

 

[ksmi117]

Moving to the What Are My Chances? forum.

 

[Catalystik]

Cumulative gpa = 3.62; Science gpa = 3.5

1) Little community service/club involvement… I have, however, done a lot of work with the American Cancer Society and other cancer related organizations. I am a survivor of Hodgkins lymphoma and come from a family with a strong genetic link to cancer. I am passionate in becoming an Oncologist and as such, the majority of my volunteer history has related to cancer.


2) No shadowing/clinical experience… Keeping in mind that I am applying next year, what types of things should I be trying to do here? Should I sign up for a year long volunteer commitment with local hospitals? Who should I be trying to shadow and how can I ask them? Also what is the time commitment I should be investing in shadowing? Also, I have a close relative who runs an urgent care center and was considering interning/volunteering/shadowing there over the summer… This would however require me to be removed from my research project and I am unsure how to prioritize.

3) Speaking of which, I have just begun doing research with a former professor of mine starting this semester.

4) I have 0/3 letters of recs. Pitiful, I know. I am planning on getting one from the professor who I am now doing research with. I have never really had a relationship with any of my professors simply because I rarely go to lecture and have literally never been to any office hours. I might, if I somewhat force it, be able to get 1 more letter of rec. this semester from my Physio Lab professor. Since this is my last semester, I am lost with what I can do here =[

5) I was planning on using this year off before applying strictly for MCATs, research, and clinical experience/volunteer work.
How bad does it look that I am cramming all these EC's into this last year?

6) And, would it be a good idea to check out post-bac programs? Any other suggestions as to what I should be doing?

7) Last question… Since I am applying next year, how much time in total will I be spending not in school? It seems like 2 years total to me but some have told me it will be more.

1) A longstanding history of community service will probably bail out the last-minuteness of the rest of your application. Could you go into some detail about this involvement? If it doesn't include a leadership postion, you should get into this position over this next year, as this will help your application greatly. Any other leadership would be nice to know too.

2) Get your clinical experience going ASAP so it's more than a year's worth, considering that 1.5 years seems to be about average for appliants.

You can get clinical experience with sick people through the workplace, for class credit, data gathering for a clinical trial, or via volunteerism. It can be gained at a free, walk-in, family-planning, or private clinic, hospice, hospital, VA, residential home, rehabilitation facility, nursing home, as a first responder, among others.

Clinical patient experience is not always gained in a clinical environment, eg EMT, battle field medic, home hospice care, physical therapy aide, special camp environments. In such a case, you also should acquire some experience in a clinical milieu where doctors work, like a hospital, surgicenter, clinic, nursing home. For a broader experience, consider two of the above. A regular weekly activity is preferred. I think that having one regular gig over the academic year near your research is best. Then over the summer do the walk-in clinic activity that you outlined. Or if staying near the research to maintain continuity is desirable to the PI, make a few trips home and have some irregular activity at the walk-in clinic.

Shadowing is a type of clinical exposure, but because it is passive while you observe the role a physician plays (watching how a physician conducts business with patients and staff, takes a history, conducts a physical, counsels and treats, dictates notes, takes phone calls, does paperwork), it is not sufficient in itself. Though you choose voluntarily to shadow, it is not a "volunteer" experience, as it does not serve the patient. Adcomms are looking to see that you've had face-to face-interactions with sick people. Some med schools do not regard shadowing at all, and others value it highly as it gives one the best idea of what being a physician is all about. In order for your application to appeal to the broadest number of schools, it is wise (but not obligatory) to include this type of experience.

Shadowing is easy enough to do since it can be done in chunks of time over break. Pick a few types of specialists, ideally, at least one in primary care, and get enough hours in to give yourself the best chance of consideration wherever you apply. I'd suggest 60-80 hours total. Ask docs you meet while gaining clinical experience.

3) Research experience of any length will help your application. A year's worth is average.

4) & 6) You will need at a minimum 2 science professor letters, one nonscience, and your PI. You will need to approach another science prof. You might consider taking an upper-level class each semester toward this end, taking care to cultivate a relationship, but with the desirable benefit of further raising your BCPM. You do not need to do a formal postbac. just take interesting classes.

5) See comment in #1. What have you been doing aside from the cancer-related volunteering? Sports, hobbies, artistic endeavors, nonmedical publications all have a place on your application and help make you look well-rounded and interesting.

7) If you apply next June 2011, you will attend med school August-ish 2012, so you will be off from school for two years if you graduate soon. In the glide year while you are applying, there is no reason not to get a job (but it needs to be flexible so you can attend interviews), so long as you remain engaged in community service and clinical experience (a combo activity is fine) for 4 hours per week so you have pertinent material for update letters and to discuss at interviews.

 

[Neatloaf]

Your situation sounds similar to mine last year. I wanted to apply for the 2010 year, but I had no volunteering, no shadowing, no research and no letters.

That said, it CAN be done, but you just need to get started NOW. The time between now and the minute you submit your last secondary will be chaos. The last minute-ness of your activities will hurt, but it's not insurmountable.

Take Catalystik's advice, fill holes in your app, rock the MCAT and apply broadly and early. Good luck.

 

[OomeedoO]

1). .I’ve been a “spokesperson” for the Young Cancer Survivor Scholarship Program through the American Cancer Society (ACS). Basically serving as an event speaker/master of ceremonies for a few different fundraisers/events. These events, however, have been rather sporadic. I have also volunteered for a variety of other ACS organizations/events (Discovery Shops, Relay for Life, Stephanie H. Lane Cancer Resource Network). I also volunteer for a couple weeks every summer as a camp counselor at an oncology camp (Camp Okizu) for young cancer survivors and their siblings. I also am a member of my campuses Colleges Against Cancer club, but have done only a few occasional events through it. Combined, I would say I have around 100-150 hours between these activities. Does this sound sufficient?

Obtaining a leadership position would probably do wonders for me, but none of the activities I’ve mentioned seem to really have any opportunities for leadership positions (outside of the Relay for Life, which I will now commit some more time to!). Any other suggestions for obtaining a leadership role, specifically after you've graduated?


2). .For clinical experience, I think I will immediately start volunteering with 1 of 3 major hospitals in my area. My only concern is that the type of work I will be doing will be “meaningless”. After looking up the volunteer programs at these hospitals it seems a large portion of the work involved is simply running errands. Is this a suitable experience?

Besides that volunteer work, there are also a couple of clinical internships this summer which I am excited to apply for. In terms of shadowing, it seems I should just try to get some time in after I've developed a relationship with a couple M.Ds

4/6) I really liked the idea of trying to get the remaining letters of recs by taking a few additional courses after I graduate and focusing on building a relationship with my professors. Just wondering, is this non-science letter of rec. limited to a non-science professor? Or is it possible for me to get a letter of rec. from a higher up from the American Cancer Society. I have talked quite often with the head of the Californian division and I think he has a very favorable impression of me and would definitely be willing to help me out.


5) Aside from cancer-related volunteer work, I have done a few other noteworthy activities. For one, I’ve served as an assistant coach for my local high school wrestling team where I run technique clinics over winter break. I was also a founding member of the UC Berkeley Wrestling club. Furthermore, I am a pretty avid writer, especially with poetry and have served as a poetry tutor for troubled students at a local urban High School.

I have a few other activities worth mentioning, but I don’t need to bore you with them. I just want to know if I’m on the right track, and where exactly are the gaping holes of my application which I can focus on improving. Thank you for the detailed reply Catalystik, I feel like I am getting the direction that I so desperately needed!http://forums.studentdoctor.net/member.php?u=113536

 

[Cleavername]

Moving to the What Are My Chances? forum.

ur profile is amazing, 4.0 gpa and like 39 mcat, may i look up to u 🙂 .

 

[Catalystik]

1)I’ve been a “spokesperson” for the Young Cancer Survivor Scholarship Program through the American Cancer Society (ACS). Basically serving as an event speaker/master of ceremonies for a few different fundraisers/events. These events, however, have been rather sporadic. I have also volunteered for a variety of other ACS organizations/events (Discovery Shops, Relay for Life, Stephanie H. Lane Cancer Resource Network). I also volunteer for a couple weeks every summer as a camp counselor at an oncology camp (Camp Okizu) for young cancer survivors and their siblings. I also am a member of my campuses Colleges Against Cancer club, but have done only a few occasional events through it. Combined, I would say I have around 100-150 hours between these activities. Does this sound sufficient?

Obtaining a leadership position would probably do wonders for me, but none of the activities I’ve mentioned seem to really have any opportunities for leadership positions (outside of the Relay for Life, which I will now commit some more time to!). Any other suggestions for obtaining a leadership role, specifically after you've graduated?


2)For clinical experience, I think I will immediately start volunteering with 1 of 3 major hospitals in my area. My only concern is that the type of work I will be doing will be “meaningless”. After looking up the volunteer programs at these hospitals it seems a large portion of the work involved is simply running errands. Is this a suitable experience?

Besides that volunteer work, there are also a couple of clinical internships this summer which I am excited to apply for. In terms of shadowing, it seems I should just try to get some time in after I've developed a relationship with a couple M.Ds

4/6) I really liked the idea of trying to get the remaining letters of recs by taking a few additional courses after I graduate and focusing on building a relationship with my professors. Just wondering, is this non-science letter of rec. limited to a non-science professor? Or is it possible for me to get a letter of rec. from a higher up from the American Cancer Society. I have talked quite often with the head of the Californian division and I think he has a very favorable impression of me and would definitely be willing to help me out.


5) Aside from cancer-related volunteer work, I have done a few other noteworthy activities. For one, I’ve served as an assistant coach for my local high school wrestling team where I run technique clinics over winter break. I was also a founding member of the UC Berkeley Wrestling club. Furthermore, I am a pretty avid writer, especially with poetry and have served as a poetry tutor for troubled students at a local urban High School.

I have a few other activities worth mentioning, but I don’t need to bore you with them. I just want to know if I’m on the right track, and where exactly are the gaping holes of my application which I can focus on improving.

1) You've had a nice variety of involvement with the ACS. Having 100-150 hours is great. Be sure to list the variety with bullet points in the explanation portion of your application, briefly. Totaling the hours at the end.

I don't think you'll need further leadership (considering #5) but taking a lead role in training camp volunteers or organizing volunteers in a fund raiser might be pretty easy for you to get involved with. Adcomms really like to see leadership combined with community service.

2) Even activities that seem "meaningless" in the context of a medical career are still a community service when you are volunteering. As long as you interact with sick people you're getting out of it what adcomms want to see. Being a transporter, feeding people, filling their water jug, are all things that give you that access. If you have to wash some beds and stock some linen cabinets to get that experience, well, we've all been there. You do not want to be put in a gift shop. For even more patient access and greater ease of getting started, consider a nursing home instead of a hospital, for part of the time. Or volunteer in a clinic checking patients in, taking a history, or even taking vial signs. Sometimes hospitals take months to get a position started due to rules about "Orientation" sessions. Most of these BTW will want you to have a TB skin test within the last year.

4) There is a very good sticky at the top of the NonTrad forum that talks about getting Letters when you aren't a student and substituting them for what is requested. There's no question that adcomms prefer a letter that comments on your academic prowess rather than work or volunteer cpabilities, but substitutions are possible.

5) It sounds like you have a few things you can list under Teaching. And starting a wrestling club=Leadership.