Hey guys, I'm planning to reapply in the up-coming cycle and submit the AMCAS on Jun 1. Last year I applied to 22 schools, half of which are top 20 (what a silly move, looking back). I had only 2IIs and is currently waitlisted by my state school.
Now I'm looking for a job for next year and am also looking at the postbac programs. I'm not sure which path will be more beneficial in terms of enhancing my chance to get into med schools.
Here is my brief profile:
Econ major. cGPA 3.61, sGPA 3.67, MCAT 38R (14/12/12 ps/vr/bs)
Research experience:
3yrs biol research. (1yr as undergrad senior, 2yrs full-time Jo after graduation) 2 papers submitted recently for publication.
1 summer hedge fund internship.(freshman yr summer)
Clinical experience:
1 winter and 1 summer of hospital volunteering (150hrs)
Teaching experience:
1yr biol TA (2 courses)
4yr tutoring (math, physics, biol, chem, ~10 hrs/wk)
Since my app cycle didn't go so well, I tried to list the possible weaknesses I have:
1. Applied late. Secondaries completed mid-Sep to mid-Oct.
2. Applied too top heavy.
3. Econ major + misleading PS, making people think I'm just a career change driven by poor economy.
4. Sparse EC in college.
5. Not enough clinical exposure.
6. Not so great GPA? (have a C for OChem)
The first 3 can be fixed easily. The 4th can't be changed. So I'm focusing on 5 and 6. Starting in early this month, I started shadowing docs (4 hrs/wk) and volunteering at hospital again (8hrs/wk). I'm planning to keep these going whether I get a job or go to post-bac.
The ultimate question is this: in addition to shadowing and volunteering, should I get a job in clinical setting or go to post-bac? Or in other words, weakness 5 vs. 6, which one should I pick to fix? Keep in mind that I will keep shadowing and volunteering no matter what, I just won't have a full time job in clinical setting if I go to post-bac. Tuition of post-bac is not a big issue.
Thanks for any tip in advance!
Now I'm looking for a job for next year and am also looking at the postbac programs. I'm not sure which path will be more beneficial in terms of enhancing my chance to get into med schools.
Here is my brief profile:
Econ major. cGPA 3.61, sGPA 3.67, MCAT 38R (14/12/12 ps/vr/bs)
Research experience:
3yrs biol research. (1yr as undergrad senior, 2yrs full-time Jo after graduation) 2 papers submitted recently for publication.
1 summer hedge fund internship.(freshman yr summer)
Clinical experience:
1 winter and 1 summer of hospital volunteering (150hrs)
Teaching experience:
1yr biol TA (2 courses)
4yr tutoring (math, physics, biol, chem, ~10 hrs/wk)
Since my app cycle didn't go so well, I tried to list the possible weaknesses I have:
1. Applied late. Secondaries completed mid-Sep to mid-Oct.
2. Applied too top heavy.
3. Econ major + misleading PS, making people think I'm just a career change driven by poor economy.
4. Sparse EC in college.
5. Not enough clinical exposure.
6. Not so great GPA? (have a C for OChem)
The first 3 can be fixed easily. The 4th can't be changed. So I'm focusing on 5 and 6. Starting in early this month, I started shadowing docs (4 hrs/wk) and volunteering at hospital again (8hrs/wk). I'm planning to keep these going whether I get a job or go to post-bac.
The ultimate question is this: in addition to shadowing and volunteering, should I get a job in clinical setting or go to post-bac? Or in other words, weakness 5 vs. 6, which one should I pick to fix? Keep in mind that I will keep shadowing and volunteering no matter what, I just won't have a full time job in clinical setting if I go to post-bac. Tuition of post-bac is not a big issue.
Thanks for any tip in advance!