Lots of Research and not that much shadowing

[mari1989]

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I've had lots of research experience and a few shadowing experiences here and there. Do I need to worry about that? What are my chances of getting in with mainly research under my belt?

Also, My science and math GPA is a 3.4 while my cumulative is a 3.8. What are my chances with a 3.4 science and math GPA?

 

[bobow98]

I'm the same more or less, I don't have a whole lot of "clinical exposure" that is to say working at free clinics and such, since where I go to school there are virtually no opportunities to do any of that and we have to fill out 10 pages of paperwork for anything we do.

I've basically just invested that time into research, and I think that will speak for itself if you have substantial work (not necessarily pubs)

I'm getting in shadowing experience between now and when we click submit, I'm hoping that will make up a little for lack of free clinic type work.

 

[ShinyDome19]

So, when I applied two years ago I had 6 years of research under my belt and something like 3 publications and 3-4 meetings at which I did presentations. My application was extremely research heavy to say the least. My clinical exposure consisted of working as an EMT-B for 1 year, full time. Needless to say, I didnt get accepted. After talking to an Admissions Counselor at my first choice school, she told me that my clinical exposure was the main reason why i didnt get in...despite my crappy MCAT score.

I spent another year getting clinical exposure while working in a Lab full time...got accepted.

It will likely be dependant on the school and the school's overall mission, but I definately wouldnt count on research making up for what you lack.

 

[bobow98]

OH well I was assuming average or above average GPA. I think research can do more to make up for GPA than for MCAT though, I just get that feeling.

Any thoughts?

 

[Catalystik]

I've had lots of research experience and a few shadowing experiences here and there. Do I need to worry about that? What are my chances of getting in with mainly research under my belt?

Also, My science and math GPA is a 3.4 while my cumulative is a 3.8. What are my chances with a 3.4 science and math GPA?

There's no question that your MD-only application will appeal to more schools if you have clinical experience in a reasonable amount. The average listed is about 1.5 year's worth. I'd aim for a minimum of a year, unless you're applying MD/PhD as those programs don't care as much. Shadowing is important to.

If you're applying this season, I'd suggest you start a volunteer position somewhere (hospital, clinic, nursing home, hospice, etc) before you submit so you can list it. Then send in update letters during the cycle to advise schools of additional hours accumulated, hoping to sway them postively to consider you. If worse comes to worst, you'll be in a stonger postion in a year if you need to reapply.

Your chances depend on MCAT score and GPA. Your BCPM GPA is on the low side right now. Keep aiming to raise it.

 

[mari1989]

There's no question that your MD-only application will appeal to more schools if you have clinical experience in a reasonable amount. The average listed is about 1.5 year's worth. I'd aim for a minimum of a year, unless you're applying MD/PhD as those programs don't care as much. Shadowing is important to.

If you're applying this season, I'd suggest you start a volunteer position somewhere (hospital, clinic, nursing home, hospice, etc) before you submit so you can list it. Then send in update letters during the cycle to advise schools of additional hours accumulated, hoping to sway them postively to consider you. If worse comes to worst, you'll be in a stonger postion in a year if you need to reapply.

Your chances depend on MCAT score and GPA. Your BCPM GPA is on the low side right now. Keep aiming to raise it.

I've worked for this entire past year in a doctor's office doing research. Does that count as clinical experience?

 

[Catalystik]

I've worked for this entire past year in a doctor's office doing research. Does that count as clinical experience?

It would count if you had direct interaction with patients while data gathering, drawing bood, getting an EKG, or otherwise. If you were mainly doing chart review or data entry a back room, then it is not clinical experience.

 

[mari1989]

It would count if you had direct interaction with patients while data gathering, drawing bood, getting an EKG, or otherwise. If you were mainly doing chart review or data entry a back room, then it is not clinical experience.

I acted as a research assistant. So, I mainly gathered data from them and observed them during obesity interventions.

 

[Catalystik]

How many hours would you say you've accumulated of patient interaction through research? Do you think you might broaden your experience by picking up some voilunteer time in a hospital, nursing home, hospice, or clinic?

How many hours and how many docs do you have shadowing experience with? When do you plan to apply?

 

[mari1989]

How many hours would you say you've accumulated of patient interaction through research? Do you think you might broaden your experience by picking up some voilunteer time in a hospital, nursing home, hospice, or clinic?

How many hours and how many docs do you have shadowing experience with? When do you plan to apply?

I've had at least 100 hours of patient interaction through research and about 80 through shadowing including a mentorship program I did in which I shadowed for 4 hours a week. I can pick up some volunteer time at a hospital while I am studying abroad this fall, but I am applying during this cycle. I have shadowed 11 doctors.

 

[Catalystik]

The shadowing looks great and the clinical experience you have is enough to give applying a try, especially as you'll augment it with more patient experience before get interviews. Be sure to let schools know later in the fall about additional hours you've acquired via email or letter update.

When you list your research under "Research" be sure to name the acivity "Clinical research in _________" so that adcomms are sure to notice. Make sure the patient experience is highlighted in the narrative description.

And as you select schools to apply to, be sure to keep an eye on the bottom tenth percentile for BCPM GPA (per the MSAR).

 

[mari1989]

The shadowing looks great and the clinical experience you have is enough to give applying a try, especially as you'll augment it with more patient experience before get interviews. Be sure to let schools know later in the fall about additional hours you've acquired via email or letter update.

When you list your research under "Research" be sure to name the acivity "Clinical research in _________" so that adcomms are sure to notice. Make sure the patient experience is highlighted in the narrative description.

And as you select schools to apply to, be sure to keep an eye on the bottom tenth percentile for BCPM GPA (per the MSAR).

Thanks a lot. You've been very helpful and helped to ease my mind about applying more 🙂