SDNers,
I have been searching these forums for a very long time and wanted to get input on my chances this upcoming cycle. I see people do these type of posts all the time and so I thought I would give it a shot. Here we go....
First of all. I am a 30 yr old with 3 kids. I spent 6 years in the Air Force active duty as a Russian cryptoplogic linguist. My BA is in Russian, Cum Laude, and I have a sGPA of ~3.5 and cGPA ~3.6
I realize that military intelligence does not directly translate to medicine, but I am thinking of highlighting in my personal statement the other aspects of my military experience that do, such as: working in a team, communicating, keeping calm under pressure, determination/dedication, etc.
I separated the Air Force so that I could finish the Pre-reqs for med school. That was in Jan 2015. I have been taking 2 sciences/ semester and am finishing up with physics 2 right now which is my last pre-req.
Here are some ECs:
- In addition to classes, I have been gaining healthcare experience. I worked for a hospice agency, I have been an EKG tech for the last 9 months, so patient contact hours are about 600-700
- I have about a year of research in lab on my campus studying viral infections, mainly zika and west nile
- I have volunteered at the local hospital ER for ~60 hours, but have much more volunteer experience going back several years. I would say about 1000 hrs total
- multiple (6-7 each lasting >4 months) leadership experiences over the last 4-5 years (CPR instructor, leadership school, chemistry tutor, leader of mens group in church, sunday school teacher)
- shadowing ~ 30 hours split between military and civilian physicians broad range of specialties
The only thing I don't have information on is the MCAT which I take in April. Practice tests are right now right around 500 range, but several weeks still to get that up. I am hoping 510+, but would be happy with 508.
If you have any suggestions on application strategies that would be awesome as well
My current school list is 12-14 DO schools. Some of the schools are RVU-COM (UT and Colorado), PNWU (spent most of my life in the northwest), touro-Nevada, BCOM, ICOM (new Idaho school), LECOM, WVSOM, Campbell, AT still (Missouri) , Midwestern,
As for MD schools ( don't know if I am really competitive...) University of Utah, and Uniformed services
Thanks for your help. SDN has been an invaluable source of information and support.
I have been searching these forums for a very long time and wanted to get input on my chances this upcoming cycle. I see people do these type of posts all the time and so I thought I would give it a shot. Here we go....
First of all. I am a 30 yr old with 3 kids. I spent 6 years in the Air Force active duty as a Russian cryptoplogic linguist. My BA is in Russian, Cum Laude, and I have a sGPA of ~3.5 and cGPA ~3.6
I realize that military intelligence does not directly translate to medicine, but I am thinking of highlighting in my personal statement the other aspects of my military experience that do, such as: working in a team, communicating, keeping calm under pressure, determination/dedication, etc.
I separated the Air Force so that I could finish the Pre-reqs for med school. That was in Jan 2015. I have been taking 2 sciences/ semester and am finishing up with physics 2 right now which is my last pre-req.
Here are some ECs:
- In addition to classes, I have been gaining healthcare experience. I worked for a hospice agency, I have been an EKG tech for the last 9 months, so patient contact hours are about 600-700
- I have about a year of research in lab on my campus studying viral infections, mainly zika and west nile
- I have volunteered at the local hospital ER for ~60 hours, but have much more volunteer experience going back several years. I would say about 1000 hrs total
- multiple (6-7 each lasting >4 months) leadership experiences over the last 4-5 years (CPR instructor, leadership school, chemistry tutor, leader of mens group in church, sunday school teacher)
- shadowing ~ 30 hours split between military and civilian physicians broad range of specialties
The only thing I don't have information on is the MCAT which I take in April. Practice tests are right now right around 500 range, but several weeks still to get that up. I am hoping 510+, but would be happy with 508.
If you have any suggestions on application strategies that would be awesome as well
My current school list is 12-14 DO schools. Some of the schools are RVU-COM (UT and Colorado), PNWU (spent most of my life in the northwest), touro-Nevada, BCOM, ICOM (new Idaho school), LECOM, WVSOM, Campbell, AT still (Missouri) , Midwestern,
As for MD schools ( don't know if I am really competitive...) University of Utah, and Uniformed services
Thanks for your help. SDN has been an invaluable source of information and support.
