Make a mistake applying this cycle?

[lolmcat]

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Im wondering if i should have put off my app till next cycle, since i feel like i have a few huge big weaknesses that i havent covered =(.

My stats are okay i think - 13/11/12P and c3.66 and s3.71, so i dont think thats where my problem is

I feel like my ECs are just way too weak:
150ish hours at a clinical internship (lots of patient contact tho) over a 1 year period
~1200 hours over the course of 2 years in a plant bio lab (paper in submission)
4 quarters as a teaching assistant (1 quarter as head)
NO SHADOWING
NO OUTSIDE NON-MEDICAL VOLUNTEERING

LORS:
1 from a psych professor (my "nonscience" -____-)
1 from a regular science professor
1 from my PI/science professor/prof i TA'ed under

However, thats ALL i have. I've literally done pretty much NOTHING else in college and those are the ONLY things i have on my amcas 🙁.....

I've applied to 43 schools and submitted 30 secondaries (i dont think i am filling out the other 13, they're either way too hard or I simply made a bad pick in including them in the primary)

People with similar stats to me have been getting 5+ interviews, so far i've only receieved rejections (UCI, UCD, Mayo, BU)! Im feeling incredibly worried, and I'm wondering if my lack of strong EC's is killing my chances at an MD this year.

My list of schools is very broad, but im wondering if i should keep hoping for a chance at schools this cycle or if i should start beefing up my weak areas as of right now

PS: I cant add any DO schools cuz i got no physician LOR

 

[Catalystik]

After making such a big investment in applying, I think you need to forge ahead and start plugging the holes. NOW! With luck, update letters detailing your community service, shadowing, and maybe some more leadership, will have a positive impact on adcomm decision making. And if worse comes to worst and you don't get any acceptances, you'll be in a much stronger position when you reapply next season.

If there's a next time, be sure to include hobbies, sports, and artistic endeavors too.

 

[lolmcat]

Thanks Cat... Man, I was hoping to take the year off too..🙁

Would it look really bad if i discontinued doing research? I'm leaving my undergrad institution in about a month, and simply wont be around to do anything anymore. I'm also not sure how i'm gonna go about finding leadership opportunities since I won't be in school any longer, and just hoping that the teaching experience is enough to cover the leadership segment.

However I think I'll take your advice and quickly find some more shadowing to do, I guess i just needed someone to tell me that.

Just wondering, based on my original post, do you think I still have a good shot this cycle at the schools where i cannot send update letters? Doing more shadowing/volunteering wont really help for them would it 🙁?

 

[Catalystik]

Your research is already solid, so discontinuing it when you leave the institution is understandable.

Noncampus hands-on community service is preferred. Find a cause to get involved in that you care about (near where you'll live) like soup kitchen, homeless shelter, womens shelter, Habitat for Humanity, Humane Society, and set up a weekly gig. Take on a leadership role in this organization and do good with it.

If you can't send in update letters (and I know some schools refuse all supplemental submissions) you can still work the details into interview conversations where it can make a difference.

 

[lolmcat]

Thanks, thats a great idea!

I used to volunteer at a place for special ed kids - something that i still do whenever i go home during the summer (but only for about 10 hours for the entire summer). I think ill go back to doing that. Should i have mentioned those ~20ish hours on my AMCAS? I felt like they werent really enough to warrant mentioning, kinda regretting that too now -____-

 

[Catalystik]

I don't think that those 20 hours would make or break you, but returning to the same organization and having that type of longevity looks way better than last-minute volunteering. And since they already know you, maybe you can move to a leadership role faster.

 

[lolmcat]

Thanks!

Guess I'll get started next month when i move back home >.>

 

[Catalystik]

(high-five!)