Junior Year Questions

[lovedocta07]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Hi guys, im a junior and im applying this June to med school, im getting really stressed out and just had some questions..

-if im taking my MCAT for the first time in march/april is it ok to take a really light load my winter quarter but still be a full time student....will adcoms think that i suddenly couldn't handle upper division science courses... (even though ill pack a lot of classes my spring quarter)

-also when would be the best time for letters of recommendation... do they have to be from classes that are upper division...isnt kinda hard to get 2 science and a non-scince before i apply because i havent really talked to any teachers. But i do have several research and shadowing letters

-also what special extra curricular do adcoms look for?...i feel every one and their moms have done research,mentoring,shadowing, and volunteering....

Thanks.

 

[TheMightySmiter]

Okay, answering your questions in bullet form.

1) Getting X score on the MCAT will look slightly better if you get it with a full course load than if you get the same score with a light course load. However, if you do poorly on the MCAT because you didn't have enough time to study, it doesn't matter what your course load was. I personally think it's better to take a light load, but try to have at least one difficult class during that quarter.

2) They can be from any science professor. Your letters should be based on who knows you best. Start getting to know your current profs RIGHT NOW. Research and shadowing letters are good, but the academic letters are most important. Get to know your profs, there's no excuse.

3) You need to have clinical experience, and you need to have volunteering. Research is common for applicants but it's not one of those unwritten requirements as volunteering and clinical experience are. It seems you already have shadowing experience from what you say, so that's good. But you'll have to have volunteering and clinical experience. If you don't already have some, start NOW.

 

[jvesco22]

.

 

[Medmon]

I think you are confusing unique EC's with necessary EC's. Shadowing, volunteering are necessary so yes everyone has them. Its what shadowing, volunteering etc that you do that differentiates you from other candidates. You also need to do stuff that makes you unique. Its not too much different from top candidates in high school to undergrad. Everyone had the 2300+ SAT/4.0 GPA/11 APs. You had to do something special to make sure you had a higher chance of getting in!

 

[Bbon]

I definitely don't think it makes a difference whether you took the MCAT with a heavy or light courseload. You really think adcoms discern your application that strongly and/or care? When it comes down to it, the MCAT is a number the helps evaluate your candidacy, and no one really cares how you got it or how much effort it took. Whatever gives you the best shot of getting the best score you can possibly get, do that.

If you're worried about letters, you still have time to fix that. If you're doing research, can you take an independent study with your PI so it counts as a science letter? If you have some good personal letters from research/shadowing, it will offset one "weaker" letter, say from a class where you got an A+ but didn't really know your professor.

In terms of extracurriculars, you don't necessarily need to do something that really sets you apart unless you're really going for a top 5 school. I think med schools are more interested in commitment and signs that you care about people and medicine. Which is why volunteering and clinical experience is so important. But if you really want to set yourself apart, you can do some kind of overseas service project or something. Don't ask me how to get involved.. I never did anything like that.