Is there anything else I should be doing + advice? (MCAT Prep, EC's, etc.)

[gph997]

Hello Everyone!!!

I just wanted to thank everyone who responded to my last thread (Where do I go from here? (MCAT Prep,ECs and etc.). This site has been tremendously helpful in my pre-med journey and I am very grateful for every piece of advice I receive I just wanted to post in an effort to see if there is any changes or additional activities I should be doing to strengthen my chances and to ask a few more questions.

As I stated previously, I am currently a sophomore at a top 50 university located in New York. I created my own major through a specialized program, however I am on the accelerated track to complete my MPH in Global Health by my "senior" year (2019). My main goal is to work as an infectious disease specialist or medical officer at an international health organization.

My main questions are as follows:

1) Is there anything that I should be doing to addition to my current activities?

2) I recently was told that my school may not continue my merit scholarship to my fourth year due to the fact that I will be taking graduate courses, exclusively. I'm not sure I'm willing to pay full price to get an MPH at my school. Should I:

a) Take the GRE and apply to MPH programs at other universities?
b) Forego the MPH for now, take a gap year and simply apply to MD/MPH programs when the time comes?
c) Just bite the bullet and go with my original plan to get my MPH at my current school.

Here are my current stats (Bold means that the information is new since the last time I posted):

- DE Resident
- cGPA: 3.89
- sGPA: 3.80 (I still need to take Orgo II, Bio II and Biochem. I have completed all of General Chemistry and Calculus I)
- Major: International Health with a minor in Chemistry
- Ethnicity and Gender: African American Female

Clinical Volunteer:
- Volunteer Ambassador at a well-known hospital located in Manhattan (4 hours a week) - Ongoing
- Buddy volunteer at a public clinic located in Brooklyn (3 hours a week) - Ongoing

Non-Clinical Volunteering:
- Teach health related topics to high school aged students in underfunded schools through PHE (~100 hours)
- Plan fundraisers and informative events for a well known global health organization (~250 hours) - Ongoing
- Volunteer weekly at local soup kitchen and women's shelter (~200 hours) - Ongoing
- Member of public health organization - frequently plan and organize fundraisers (~75 hours) - Ongoing
- President of a Volunteer and Outreach that includes several volunteer excursions a week through a reputable volunteer networking organization (~150 hours) - Ongoing

Work Experience:
- Work as a fashion and beauty journalist, which entails interviewing models and designers, attending NYFW, and etc.

Research:
- Six months spent as a research intern for an infectious disease lab (Publication pending and 1 poster): Ongoing

Other extracurriculars:
- Work as a General Chemistry tutor at school's education center.
- In the process of opening up a chapter of Partners in Health Engage at my campus
- Active member of the local ACT UP chapter
- E-board member of a public health oriented club dedicated to health crises affecting the Black and Latino population

This summer, I am planning to fly to Rwanda to volunteer with a reputable international health organization for 12 weeks. Next year, my main goals are to continue with my current extracurriculars and shadow a local internist. I am slated to take the MCAT in August of 2018 and apply in June of 2019.

Thank you so much in advance!

@Goro @LizzyM @WedgeDawg @gyngyn

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[Goro]

ECs look great!!!!

 

[gph997]

ECs look great!!!!

Thank you so much @Goro ! Do you think there is anything else I should be doing to be a strong applicant?

 

[Goro]

Forget the MPH. Service to others less fortunate than yourself always look good

 

[gph997]

Forget the MPH. Service to others less fortunate than yourself always look good

Do you think it would be necessary to take a gap year if I opt out of the MPH? Thank you again for answering all of my questions @Goro

(I would be done with all of my pre-med requisites by junior year and I would probably spend that extra year researching, volunteering and tutoring in lieu of a Master's)

@Goro @LizzyM @WedgeDawg @gyngyn

 

[gph997]

Also, what are some suggested activities for a gap year that doesn't include an MPH or research?

@Goro @LizzyM @WedgeDawg @gyngyn @efle

 

[Meeehai]

In my opinion, you are way ahead of the curve as a sophomore. Take some time to relax and actually enjoy your college experience.

 

[gph997]

In my opinion, you are way ahead of the curve as a sophomore. Take some time to relax and actually enjoy your college experience.

Thank you @Meeehai - my college just requires an application to the accelerated program in sophomore spring, so I'm trying to get my plans organized now LOL I'm usually not this high strung

 

[Goro]

Patient contact experience or service to others

Also, what are some suggested activities for a gap year that doesn't include an MPH or research?

@Goro @LizzyM @WedgeDawg @gyngyn @efle

 

[byrdhouse]

A gap year would't be a bad idea, but is there any way you can apply to med school after your junior year to matriculate after you graduate? I would recommend the MPH/MD programs, as the MPH is completed in one year (as opposed to two). EC's look great, research looks great, clinical/non-clinical volunteer looks great, GPA looks great. If you do well on the MCAT you should be in a very good position for an MD school, and get a few looks at some top-tier places, IMO.

As far as other things to do to bolster your application:
- Shadow some physicians to get that experience
- Secure solid letters of recommendation when your application comes closer. Usually 2 science professors and 1 non-science individual are bare-minimums, but check with some schools you are interested in.
- Continue volunteering and doing meaningful things for yourself.
- Don't forget to take care of yourself and do things you enjoy!

 

[gph997]

A gap year would't be a bad idea, but is there any way you can apply to med school after your junior year to matriculate after you graduate? I would recommend the MPH/MD programs, as the MPH is completed in one year (as opposed to two). EC's look great, research looks great, clinical/non-clinical volunteer looks great, GPA looks great. If you do well on the MCAT you should be in a very good position for an MD school, and get a few looks at some top-tier places, IMO.

As far as other things to do to bolster your application:
- Shadow some physicians to get that experience
- Secure solid letters of recommendation when your application comes closer. Usually 2 science professors and 1 non-science individual are bare-minimums, but check with some schools you are interested in.
- Continue volunteering and doing meaningful things for yourself.
- Don't forget to take care of yourself and do things you enjoy!

Thank you for the reply and kind words @byrdhouse . The only reason I'm considering the gap year is because I'm not sure that I will have enough time to study for the MCAT during junior spring, so I want to have the entire summer to study and take the exam.