At first glance, I certainly would say I look like a long-shot, as I'm sporting a 3.0 GPA (A- average in the chems, though 👍) and just received a 24 on the MCAT. I'm planning, though, to retake next summer and hopefully to not choke (was consistently getting 31's on last 5 practices, both Kaplan and AAMC). My goal this time around will be to simply study... a lot more.
Any way, beyond the GPA and MCAT, I work in a lab which has quickly earned me more than I could've ever expected. I recently was awarded a grant to fund a study which should get me published, and have been titled (by a technicality) as a PRA even though I'm still an undergrad. Additional to this (and like any other premed student on the planet), I've started volunteering at a hospital, which has dropped me into the deep end of patient interaction within the ER and will culminate in a scribe position. My premed advisor tells me this is an impressive list, and very relevant to what admission boards look for in research and volunteering.
My question mainly lies in the importance of these latter accomplishments - Will this, at least to an extent, separate me from the typical subpar applicant?
Better yet, should I even bother applying anywhere yet?
Should I simply retake the MCAT and apply?
Or should I retake the MCAT along with a Post-bac (or grad school) before applying to any med school?
PS, I'm certainly more set on MD schools.
Thanks in advance?
Any way, beyond the GPA and MCAT, I work in a lab which has quickly earned me more than I could've ever expected. I recently was awarded a grant to fund a study which should get me published, and have been titled (by a technicality) as a PRA even though I'm still an undergrad. Additional to this (and like any other premed student on the planet), I've started volunteering at a hospital, which has dropped me into the deep end of patient interaction within the ER and will culminate in a scribe position. My premed advisor tells me this is an impressive list, and very relevant to what admission boards look for in research and volunteering.
My question mainly lies in the importance of these latter accomplishments - Will this, at least to an extent, separate me from the typical subpar applicant?
Better yet, should I even bother applying anywhere yet?
Should I simply retake the MCAT and apply?
Or should I retake the MCAT along with a Post-bac (or grad school) before applying to any med school?
PS, I'm certainly more set on MD schools.
Thanks in advance?