Rate My Chance

[puppytiff]

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Hi,

I’m a working dad (27 yr) thinking about applying for MD in state TX (green card holder and TX resident)

Undergrad cGPA3.5, sGPA 4.0 (chemical engineering major in good state university)
Master in chemical engineer cGPA 3.8

research hours 2000+ (2 pubs not first author)
No clinical experience but work experience as engineer

I’m studying for MCAT and will be taking in April. What score should I target so I have a realistic chance at TX MD schools?

Should I get clinical experience to add to my app?

Much appreciated!

 

[Sky138]

Without clinical experience and no volunteering hours, I’d say save yourself the money. I mean, how do you know that you actually want to be a doctor? Let’s say you have a compelling internal reason, how exactly are you going to articulate that in a compelling way with literally no clinical experiences? I’m sure you’re smart but don’t apply until you’re ready

 

[puppytiff]

Thanks for your advice. I’ll start volunteer in hospital to gain clinical experience. Will probably gain 200 hours.

Is there anything else I should do for my application?

Also I was told to aim 510+ on MCAT considering my ORM status.

Your advice is much appreciated.

 

[Sky138]

Since you have time, I suggest picking two volunteering opportunities, one in which you work with underserved and another that’s truly authentic to you. I also suggest racking up clinical exposure as if your life depends on it through either more volunteering, shadowing, and on the extreme end, scribing. If you have the average 50 hours that, in my opinion, might not be enough considering you’re changing professions. I’d aim for 200 clinical to show your decision wasn’t made on a whim.

 

[Sky138]

Also, if you are truly serious. Start thinking about what your narrative might look like. As in what drew you to medicine because if you have an idea of that, you can find opportunities that support/builds upon that idea. For example, let’s say you were raised in an impoverished family. Which would be more compelling, you volunteering in a low income free clinic or you working in an arbitrary lab? The free clinic will allow you to tie in your hypothetical experiences in a way the lab can’t. If you can get a 510+, you clearly can handle the rigors of medical school which is why I can’t stress enough the importance of showing the soft side of medicine. Because to me, right now I see a successful engineer with good grades and that’s it. No story, no volunteering, no clinical exposure so nothing tells me you want this but fortunately for you, you still have time to change that

 

[puppytiff]

Thank you, these are very helpful!

 

[Blueprint Med School]

With a 510+ MCAT and some clinical experiences, your chances at getting in a Texas MD school are very high.

Kevin W, MCAT Tutor
Med School Tutors

 

[GAMING4FUNN]

I would suggest you try and spend some time beefing up your clinical experience. As of now your academic GPA is solid but we need more evidence of your genuine interest in the field of medicine. Through clinical experience....hands-on patient interaction you will have a good foundation of what it means to provide patient care and what the differences between various medical roles are between doctors, pharmacists, nurser practitioner's, nurses etc.. Because they all LOVE to help people.

As for your MCAT, make sure your score is SOLID. If you are aiming for a 510 plus then do your utmost best to achieve because a 512 plus or minus is a really good score.

 

[cincincyreds]

Hi,

I’m a working dad (27 yr) thinking about applying for MD in state TX (green card holder and TX resident)

Undergrad cGPA3.5, sGPA 4.0 (chemical engineering major in good state university)
Master in chemical engineer cGPA 3.8

research hours 2000+ (2 pubs not first author)
No clinical experience but work experience as engineer

I’m studying for MCAT and will be taking in April. What score should I target so I have a realistic chance at TX MD schools?

Should I get clinical experience to add to my app?

Much appreciated!

Focus on getting the highest MCAT as possible. Get at least above a 510 and I say you have a good chance. You can always get clinical experience after crushing the MCAT.