Looking to improve app Junior Year

[trane17]

Current college junior looking for advice on how I can improve my application this year.

1. cGPA: ~3.98, sGPA: ~3.98 (current).
2. MCAT: Planned for January
3. Top 10 university
4. URM
5. Clinical experience (by the time of application):

-Hospital volunteering: ~150 hrs over 1.5 yrs.
-Hospice volunteering: ~90 hrs over 1 year

7. Research experience:
Basic scientific research at neuroscience lab (3 years). 1 publication in the works, should be done by Jan 2018. ~800 hours

8. Shadowing experience:
-Surgical oncologist: ~30 hours
-Plastic surgeon: ~30 hours
-Neurosurgeon: ~30 hours
-Planning on shadowing primary care over winter break...

9. Non-clinical volunteering (by application):
-Mentor for Freshman URMs (leadership position): ~100 hours, 4 semesters
-Mentoring underperforming, "at-risk" high school students for nonprofit organization (leadership position): ~100 hours, 4 years (during school semesters and over breaks)
-Tutoring elementary school students: ~100 hours. Did this freshman and sophomore year, but couldn't continue bc scheduling conflicts.

10. Other extracurricular activities (by application):
-Intramural sports
-TriBeta Biological Honor Society

11. Work experience:
-Teaching assistant for upper level neuroscience course (ongoing)
-Freshman dorm monitor (1 semester)
-Employee for start up website (1 semester)

Any suggestions on activities I should specifically add/focus on? I was also wondering if you guys would recommend taking a gap year with these current stats. Thanks!

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[Faha]

Which URM group do you belong to? Where is your state of residence?

 

[trane17]

Which URM group do you belong to? Where is your state of residence?

Hispanic male, Virginia

 

[Faha]

You just need to study hard and do well on the MCAT. If you score 508 or higher you will be competitive for many schools. Apply to all your state schools. Post your MCAT score here when available and we can advise you about other schools you could apply to.

 

[trane17]

Thanks for the advice!

 

[bears1992]

Looks like you've got everything covered. Ace the MCAT and I think you'll have a great cycle!

 

[trane17]

Looks like you've got everything covered. Ace the MCAT and I think you'll have a great cycle!

Thanks!

 

[BahnMiOrBanhYou]

Dude, you're killing it! Make sure you stick with your volunteering positions and I'm sure you'll do great! I'm already impressed by your app and you haven't even taken the MCAT lol. Good luck!

 

[bears1992]

OP could probably void his MCAT and still get in.

 

[GrandBuckeyeOH91]

Current college junior looking for advice on how I can improve my application this year.

1. cGPA: ~3.98, sGPA: ~3.98 (current).
2. MCAT: Planned for January
3. Top 10 university
4. URM
5. Clinical experience (by the time of application):

-Hospital volunteering: ~150 hrs over 1.5 yrs.
-Hospice volunteering: ~90 hrs over 1 year

7. Research experience:
Basic scientific research at neuroscience lab (3 years). 1 publication in the works, should be done by Jan 2018. ~800 hours

8. Shadowing experience:
-Surgical oncologist: ~30 hours
-Plastic surgeon: ~30 hours
-Neurosurgeon: ~30 hours
-Planning on shadowing primary care over winter break...

9. Non-clinical volunteering (by application):
-Mentor for Freshman URMs (leadership position): ~100 hours, 4 semesters
-Mentoring underperforming, "at-risk" high school students for nonprofit organization (leadership position): ~100 hours, 4 years (during school semesters and over breaks)
-Tutoring elementary school students: ~100 hours. Did this freshman and sophomore year, but couldn't continue bc scheduling conflicts.

10. Other extracurricular activities (by application):
-Intramural sports
-TriBeta Biological Honor Society

11. Work experience:
-Teaching assistant for upper level neuroscience course (ongoing)
-Freshman dorm monitor (1 semester)
-Employee for start up website (1 semester)

Any suggestions on activities I should specifically add/focus on? I was also wondering if you guys would recommend taking a gap year with these current stats. Thanks!

MS4 here. The only tip is to do well on your MCAT, but you already knew that. Otherwise, your app looks fine.