Introduction and Iquiry

[hapyman]

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Hey everyone,

Just registered here and was hoping to get some insight from some people who have/are going through the same stuff.

I just completed my MCAT July 2nd and am waiting for the results. While waiting I am going to be filling out my Primaries and am probably going to be doing both DO and MD.

Brief background:

- Graduated BS in Biology & Minor in Psychology in 2004
- Cumulative: about 3.3 and Science about 3.5 (I know not stellar 😀)
- Was is AED did a whole bunch of volunteering in college, Social Chair.
- Worked for MR/DD at a group home while in school.
- Shadowed numerous docs, surgeons, anesthesiologists, etc.
- Have been working as a staff assistant for 4+ years at an outpatient surgery center. Work directly with patients, nurses, doctors, and other faculty.
- Worked my way up to assistant to the Materials Manager and now am in charge of ordering supplies, calling reps, etc etc.
- Have been working almost 8 months with Autistic children nights as a paid job at a group home. Pay is crap but I love working with challenged children.

I feel really confident about my grade on the MCAT as I studied my behind off for many months. Assuming I get a 35+ what do you guys think my chances are? I guess I really don't care what school I go to as long as I get into one. I just really want to become a doctor and think the timing is right.

I have a couple other questions if you guys don't mind.

- I am currently chugging out my Personal Statement and was wondering if anyone knew of any good resources to refine mine. Information such as what exactly SHOULD and SHOULD NOT be included and anything of the like.

- Letters of Recommendations: here is where it gets hairy. I know I can get some really good LOCs from Doctors, the Director of my Surgery Center, Nurses or what have you. The problem is on the academic side. Unfortunately the professor I was closest to passed away from a heart attack during my junior year. Needless to say I was devastated. He was a great guy and told me he was going to write me a great LOC. We were also setting up a hive of computers to calculate genetics but needless to say all that fell through and I was torn. I was pretty depressed for awhile and my grades suffered. Anyhow I worked through that but I really don't feel like I have a very meaningful relationship with any of my other professors. I could probably squeeze a recommendation from someone at my school but I am not sure how well they even know me. Basically is there any way around this since I have been out of school for 5 years? What are the common themes for stuff like this?

- Course Work: I am assuming my coursework being only 5 years old is still ok. I finished all the pre-reqs being a Bio major.

Thanks any advice no matter how critical is greatly appreciated. That is me shaking btw lol. If you would like me to expand on any info just ask. I don't think I have anything to hide.

 

[Narnian]

One little shred I could throw your way is to double check what medical schools want for pre-req's. Some want Biochemistry and Calculus or two physics. I would just start profiling schools. I would also apply very broad. Like 20-25 schools, mostly D.O. People with worse "Numbers" than you have been accepted at top 20 allopathic schools. But your chances are probably greater with the D.O. schools. You do have some life experience on your side to. I would do more recent community involvement type activities. Working with kids is nice but you get paid in crap ... so its not really volunteering. I do not know if there is a halflife on volunteer experience ... but I would find that out also. I remit the disclaimer that I am only at the very beggining of my journey. I am learning a lot from this forum though ... so stick with it and you will find lots of answers and encouragement, and some criticism. But all in all what I do know is that your in the right place. My school recommends that freshmen pre-meds become a member here. (UAA)

 

[Stratego]

Welcome to SDN. Here is a thread on getting Letters of Recommendation when you're a non-trad: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=523104

Here is a thread with info on writing a Personal Statement: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=599914&highlight=Aycock

Based on stats alone, with a cGPA of 3.3 and an MCAT of 35+ you'd have a decent shot at some allo med schools and you'd be a shoo-in for DO med schools. Of course your clinical experience is great. The shadowing looks fine. It looks like you have no recent community service, which could hurt you, but hopefully the altruism behind the group home job will give you some points. Other desirable elements that you might be excused as a nontrad, but may have anyway are research, teaching, and leadership.

I haven't heard that 5 year old coursework expires anywhere.

You might consider submitting your primary ASAP so the transcripts can get certified. This could take some weeks. Maybe only apply to one MD school for now until you have your MCAT score back, then add more (and pay for them) once you know how competitive you will be. Your entire application will be submitted within one business day to the new schools. You also need to move quickly in acquiring your recommendation letters. If you are not complete until later in the cycle, your statistical chances of being offered an interview are less. While you are waiting for your MCAT score to come back, you can also start working on Secondary essays (you'll find the prompts here on SDN) so your turn-around time once you receive them officially is just a few days.

 

[hapyman]

Thanks for the great info guys.

I figured my lack of recent volunteer exp. may be a factor. I guess I could've killed myself but it was hard enough juggling two jobs and studying for the MCAT. Hopefully my experience working with patients and docs pays off.

I didn't think about the transcripts clearing. Thanks for that. I will try to get that out ASAP. Just to clarify your transcripts will not start clearing until you submit at least one primary? This means I need my PS and all that jazz done quick.

 

[Stratego]

I didn't think about the transcripts clearing. Thanks for that. I will try to get that out ASAP. Just to clarify your transcripts will not start clearing until you submit at least one primary? This means I need my PS and all that jazz done quick.

Yep, they need to have received your transcripts and your payment before they will put in you the line for verification.

 

[2010houston]

Looks like you have a good application! I would second the opinion on certifying ASAP, and getting your transcripts and LORs in ASAP.

From all the medical schools I contacted, there is no problem with old courses, only with old MCATs (which is obviously not an issue for you!).

You didn't mention, but did you do any post-bacc classes at all after you graduated? If you did, you may want to consider talking to the pre-med advisors at the school where you took a class. Or if not, try talking to the advisors where you graduated from - they can sometimes be of assistance with gathering letters, and may give you some pointers on who to request them from.

Good luck! Hope the MCAT comes back great 🙂

 

[hapyman]

Quick question. Is there anyway to certify and get my transcripts in before finishing my Personal Statement?

I figure the PS and the LORs should be done by the time the transcripts are certified. If not I will just have to hustle on the PS.

One last thing (sorry). I see people suggesting using Interfolio to keep track of and send out their LORs. Doesn't AAMCAS and AACOMAS do this for you or am I mistaken?

 

[2010houston]

You can go ahead and submit transcripts as soon as you've finished the first bio/info sections, but you can't certify until after you've finished the PS. So it would be 1) Submit transcripts (assuming those sections are done; it's only name etc + the schools you've attended), 2) Complete PS, 3) Certify.

 

[hapyman]

Thanks.

I am a tad confused on the LOCs. How are people using Interfolio if a lot of the universities are requiring that you use the AMCAS system?