My Chances?

[Rud42]

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My information in posted in MDapps, but I will post it again here.

- I am a rising senior. Biology major and history minor.

- Science GPA: 3.507; Overall GPA: 3.444; MCAT: 24N (I know... bad. I am
retaking it in August after I have actually put some real effort into
studying.

- Neurobiology research for approx. three years. (No publications as of yet
but I hope to help submit a paper by the end of the year.)

- Currently working on my undergraduate thesis project in neurobiology.

- Environmental club for entire college career. (Executive for one year,
director for one year.)

- Philosophy club and student government clubs.

- Community service (various): ~150 hours (Probably more but not sure.)

- Shadowing: ~120 hours (Again, probably more.) All of the shadowing was
done during high school, but the experience was the same.


Could anyone give me some idea of my chances or areas I might be able to improve? (except for the MCAT score which is plainly obvious)

Thanks.

 

[camaras2480]

My information in posted in MDapps, but I will post it again here.

- I am a rising senior. Biology major and history minor.

- Science GPA: 3.507; Overall GPA: 3.444; MCAT: 24N (I know... bad. I am
retaking it in August after I have actually put some real effort into
studying.

- Neurobiology research for approx. three years. (No publications as of yet
but I hope to help submit a paper by the end of the year.)

- Currently working on my undergraduate thesis project in neurobiology.

- Environmental club for entire college career. (Executive for one year,
director for one year.)

- Philosophy club and student government clubs.

- Community service (various): ~150 hours (Probably more but not sure.)

- Shadowing: ~120 hours (Again, probably more.) All of the shadowing was
done during high school, but the experience was the same.


Could anyone give me some idea of my chances or areas I might be able to improve? (except for the MCAT score which is plainly obvious)

Thanks.

I'm assuming your applying next year. Based on a quick read your post, this is what I see:

Research is not a required component of a Med school applicant. Your research experience makes you stand out - wonderful! But, if you can get that publication out, that puts you into the top like 5% of applicants, in terms of research. Talk about standing out.

Your shadowing is your main drawback, imo. High school shadowing doesn't really mean anything, unfortunately. You should really try to do some shadowing this upcoming year.

Beyond that, yes of course, there is the MCAT. Just in terms of general numbers, assuming you will improve a bit on the GPA, you will be applying with something like a 3.6s/3.5c. I don't know what 'tier' school you are shooting at, but you have a shot at high, mid, and low.

For high tier, you would be looking at a 36-38. And that publication haha.
For mid tier, 34-35.
For low tier, 30-32.

This is just my opinion. Anyone, feel free to pitch in.

 

[Mobius1985]

I think it will look strange to adcomms that you have had no recent clinical exposure. You did shadowing some years ago, and high school experiences are not supposed to be listed in the Activities section, but you can mention it in your personal statement. For the next year until you apply, it's most important to get clinical experience where you have face-to-face interactions with sick folks. I'd suggest a gig volunteering in a hospital, clinic, nursing home, or hospice where you spend four hours every week "testing" the vocation, so to speak. If you meet a doc you can hit on for some more recent shadowing time, go for it. You have great research experience, good leadership, and other community service, all of which is valued. By next year you could probably get your cGPA up to 3.6. If you can get that MCAT score up too, you'd be competitive in the less-selective MD schools with a 31.

 

[camaras2480]

I think it will look strange to adcomms that you have had no recent clinical exposure. You did shadowing some years ago, and high school experiences are not supposed to be listed in the Activities section, but you can mention it in your personal statement. For the next year until you apply, it's most important to get clinical experience where you have face-to-face interactions with sick folks. I'd suggest a gig volunteering in a hospital, clinic, nursing home, or hospice where you spend four hours every week "testing" the vocation, so to speak. If you meet a doc you can hit on for some more recent shadowing time, go for it. You have great research experience, good leadership, and other community service, all of which is valued. By next year you could probably get your cGPA up to 3.6. If you can get that MCAT score up too, you'd be competitive in the less-selective MD schools with a 31.

Check it out OP: same numbers as my post! Gogogo you can do this!

 

[Rud42]

I had forgotten to mention that I have done some minimal shadowing of a neurosurgeon this last winter break, maybe for ten hours or so.

How much shadowing experience should one have to apply? 50 hours? More/Less?

 

[Stratego]

Could anyone give me some idea of my chances or areas I might be able to improve? (except for the MCAT score which is plainly obvious)

Even if your repeat MCAT score is stellar, applying late in the cycle with a lack of clinical experience and recent shadowing has a good chance of sinking your application. Get a great MCAT score (retake in January if it's not great), start gaining clinical experience as soon as possible, and wait until June 2010 to apply.

 

[Stratego]

I had forgotten to mention that I have done some minimal shadowing of a neurosurgeon this last winter break, maybe for ten hours or so.

How much shadowing experience should one have to apply? 50 hours? More/Less?

The typical applicant seems to have 1 to five days (8-40 hours) with each of 2-3 types of doctor. How long you do it depends on your interest and the physicians tolerance of your presence.

 

[Rud42]

Even if your repeat MCAT score is stellar, applying late in the cycle with a lack of clinical experience and recent shadowing has a good chance of sinking your application. Get a great MCAT score (retake in January if it's not great), start gaining clinical experience as soon as possible, and wait until June 2010 to apply.

Will being a TX resident and applying to most of the TX schools improve my chances or would you still recommend applying during the next cycle?

I know I can gain quite a bit more clinical experience before the end of August (a little before my second MCAT scores come back). Will this just look like I'm rushing to gain some 'unofficial' requirement or will they even care?

 

[Mobius1985]

I believe Texas schools have the same expectations for clinical experience as AMCAS schools. An improved MCAT score might get you past screening cut offs, but last minute hospital volunteering won't impress adcomms. That's my opinion. Consider PMing GoSpursGo (who survived the Texas application process) and ask him to drop by for another opinion in case there's some wiggle room that might work in your favor.