Overall, How Competitive am I?

[uclabruin2005]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

Hey guys,

Heres the low down on my status so far. I am a junior at UCLA and am a molecular cell and developmental biology major. I have a 4.0 at CC and 3.9 at UCLA. I just research, volunteer via the careextenders program at ronald reagan hospital, and work in the chemistry lab support room. Am I looking to be competitive at the upper level med schools? I have yet to take my MCAT. Also, do clubs and organizations look that good on an app. I want to get involved in them but I feel like theres so many other things that I need to focus on first. Thanks

 

[236116]

You have no outstanding ECs or clinicals and this belongs in WAMC.

Get involved with something. Find someone to shadow.

 

[MrAgreeable]

First, you are gonna get yelled at because there is a "what are my chances thread." But I will be agreeable and answer your question.

1) Excellent GPA

2) Do you have any one-on-one shadowing, that might help

3) Get involved in some sort of interesting club or intramural sport or two

4) I don't know much about the UC's but if you can get a score above 33 on your MCAT you should get interviews at some pretty top-notch institutions (I had numbers not as good as yours and got interviews at Dartmouth and Pitt)

4a) You get the same medical education wherever you go, just at the school's own flavor (in general, in general I know some places have better research and oppurtunity and what not, but I am assuming you get what you put in to your medical education)

 

[Shaptown]

You have no outstanding ECs or clinicals and this belongs in WAMC.

Get involved with something. Find someone to shadow.

Ignorant words of advice. If you can maintain a GPA like that. You are missing four things: a stellar MCAT, good recommendations, clinical experience, and research experience. MCAT should definately be your first priority. As for the other three its debatable which is of the most importance. Continue to do well and every tier of school is at your fingertips. Best of luck~

 

[ChubbyChaser]

You are doing fine, provided your volunteering is clinical.

Just line up some recommendations and do well on the mcat.

 

[redlight]

beat the mcat, try and find some clubs/org that interest you if you have the time commitment & have a passion.

shadowing is important, lors are important, but i think your #s (assuming you skin the 'cat) and possibly research if it's good quality and quantity, would be good enough to get some interviews at some top schools. but what are you going to talk about at interviews besides your research? i think that's where ECs/experiences are most important and overshadow shadowing and lors (i think the vast majority of lors are about the same, so only oustanding lors would help you stand out anyways).

 

[SiR99]

Hey you have really good stats and your a really good applicant but there are a few things that might be a problem

If you are a new transfer from community college, that means that you only have one quarter of UCLA grades that are holding up your 3.9 gpa, and you really need to try your best to keep your grades up because one B when you only have 15-20 units will drag you down alot.

If you have alot of UCLA units and a 3.9, ignore what I just said because you have a really great gpa.

Second, I'm not sure if youve been volunteering while you were at your cc (so you may actually have Alot of hours of community service), but some people who apply have a great amount of volunteering and research hours, just do whatever you can handle though dont overload yourself!!!

keep up the good work 👍

 

[KippocalypsE]

I think you are doing excellent.
Your stats are good and a 3.9 from a UC is insanely superb so keep that up.

You are also doing research which is pretty much a requisite to be competetive. Just keep at it to get a good LOR and don't worry if you don't get any publications since it is rare for undergrads to get them.

I did the CCE program as well and let me tell you that it is the only clinical experience you will need as long as you keep asking the nurses to let you observe/perform new things. Trust me the nurses are more than willing to get badgered on and on. You could shadow but the CCE program is pretty comprehensive IMO.

The only component you need now is a good MCAT. You'll need a 34+ if you want to aim for the top tier.

In regards to clubs, being a member is good to have if you do it for the long term. From my interviews, one of the things they really liked is that I was a member of a club for all 4 years of undergrad.

 

[Lukkie]

ucla clubs are lame don't join

 

[Bacchus]

Moved to WAMC.

 

[Mobius1985]

Also, do clubs and organizations look that good on an app. I want to get involved in them but I feel like theres so many other things that I need to focus on first. Thanks

Being in a club is unlikely to help you much unless you get into a leadership role or active participation. Don't join a club unless it's about something you're very interested in. Your description of club involvement on your application should reflect active involvement, not just sitting and listening to speakers. Examples might be a service club where the group volunteered to provide community service(s), raise money for charity, raise awareness through participation in (eg, health) fairs, or a sport-participation club.

If you want to be competitive at highly-selective med schools, besides great stats, you will need stand-out extracurriculars, like substantive research (>2 years, preferably with publication), extensive leadership role, above-the-usual, unique forms of clinical exposure and community service. Teaching/mentoring is also valued, as is evidence of teamwork.

 

[Vancouver BC]

okay, so im in grade 11. just wondering, what do medical schools look at in terms of deciding who they should accept? i.e approx. gpa? E.C's? volunteering? etc...

thanks

 

[236116]

okay, so im in grade 11. just wondering, what do medical schools look at in terms of deciding who they should accept? i.e approx. gpa? E.C's? volunteering? etc...

thanks

gpa 3.5+
mcat 26+
ec: vols, clinical, shadowing. get involved with something and someone who needs help.

 

[scarletgirl777]

okay, so im in grade 11. just wondering, what do medical schools look at in terms of deciding who they should accept? i.e approx. gpa? E.C's? volunteering? etc...

thanks

Standards/required profile are different for Canadian schools. May want to look in the Canadian forums.

 

[202781]

It all depends on how well you do on the



M

Seriously you have put yourself in a pretty good place number wise... but there are many people who get great grades then get below 30 on the MCAT. Get a 35+ and work on getting better EC's/Volunteer positions and you will probably get a "top school"

 

[Mobius1985]

Awwwwww.