Nontraditional Student Looking for Advice

[vzx]

Hello All,
I'd appreciate some guidance on weak spots in my application including which schools would be a good fit for me, which are out of my league, etc.

Quick Profile of Last few years:
- Graduated from a top public university with a double in math and physics
- Spent gap years at a social entrepreneurship startup where I worked with data and research and held leadership positions.
- University experiences in service work as well as volunteer experiences at local free clinic motivate my desire to apply to medical school- health justice as well as clinical work is something im really passionate about.
- Hope to apply this summer.
- May potentially pursue a terminal masters in bioengineering 2014-2015 because of personal and career interests. Not sure how this would effect admissions.

Stats:
cGPA- 3.78
sGPA- 3.87
MCAT: Haven't taken yet, but maybe assume 3 potential outcomes which doling out advice: 30-32 or 33-35 or 35+

Question: I've taken some of the pre-med reqs since graduating, do they count in my GPA calculations?

Research:
- 2 1/2 yrs in physics lab including 1 Publication (Third Author)

Clinical Experience:
- 1 yr + at community free clinic including patient intake and counseling (500+ hours)

Other EC/Employment
- 2 1/2 years at startup as described above
- Service learning work in university (80 hours)
- 2 yrs as math tutor (including 6 months volunteering) for university students on campus
- 1 semester teaching university physics section and lab
- Reader for senior level physics and math courses
- Work experience in food service and retail shops

Potential Letters
- 1 professor from university research
- 1 M.D. from clinic
- 2 of my current employers including founder of company

Current School List (Still Doing my Research)
UCSF
UCLA
UCSD
Columbia
Cornell
NYU
UPENN
Tulane
U Washington

Thanks for the help!

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[Catalystik]

Hello All,
I'd appreciate some guidance on weak spots in my application including which schools would be a good fit for me, which are out of my league, etc.

Quick Profile of Last few years:
- Graduated from a top public university with a double in math and physics
- Spent gap years at a social entrepreneurship startup where I worked with data and research and held leadership positions.
- University experiences in service work as well as volunteer experiences at local free clinic motivate my desire to apply to medical school- health justice as well as clinical work is something im really passionate about.
- Hope to apply this summer.
- May potentially pursue a terminal masters in bioengineering 2014-2015 because of personal and career interests. Not sure how this would effect admissions.

Stats:
cGPA- 3.78
sGPA- 3.87
MCAT: Haven't taken yet, but maybe assume 3 potential outcomes which doling out advice: 30-32 or 33-35 or 35+

Question: I've taken some of the pre-med reqs since graduating, do they count in my GPA calculations?

Research:
- 2 1/2 yrs in physics lab including 1 Publication (Third Author)

Clinical Experience:
- 1 yr + at community free clinic including patient intake and counseling (500+ hours)

Other EC/Employment
- 2 1/2 years at startup as described above
- Service learning work in university (80 hours)
- 2 yrs as math tutor (including 6 months volunteering) for university students on campus
- 1 semester teaching university physics section and lab
- Reader for senior level physics and math courses
- Work experience in food service and retail shops

Potential Letters
- 1 professor from university research
- 1 M.D. from clinic
- 2 of my current employers including founder of company

Current School List (Still Doing my Research)
UCSF
UCLA
UCSD
Columbia
Cornell
NYU
UPENN
Tulane
U Washington

Thanks for the help!

Creating three school lists without an MCAT score is not a productive use of time. What if you get a 40, or a 27?

Yes, postbac undergrad classes are included in the undergrad GPA calculations.

Including UWashington isn't a good use of application dollars unless you're a resident, an MD/PhD applicant, or from a WWAMI state. And they require 40 hours of shadowing, which you didn't mention.

If you are not a California resident, UCSD had a low OOS matriculant rate, like 10% the last time I looked.

You will also likely need two LORs from science faculty who taught you as well as one nonscience, so strategize to acquire them. Some schools allow substitutions if you ask, especially if you are nontrad.

 

[gyngyn]

If you are not a California resident, UCSD had a low OOS matriculant rate, like 10% the last time I looked.

Last year, UCSD matriculated 35/125 OOS. The recent budget problems in CA have inspired the UC's stretch their interest in OOS applicants. It's still a long shot, though.

 

[vzx]

So, MCAT aside, my biggest weakness is LOR's? It's what I been struggling with the most to be honest. Will weak//non-academic LOR be enough make/break me?
Additionally, I am a CA resident.

 

[Catalystik]

Last year, UCSD matriculated 35/125 OOS. The recent budget problems in CA have inspired the UC's stretch their interest in OOS applicants. It's still a long shot, though.

Thanks for the update.