Rising Junior Seeking Advice

[medicscientist]

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Hi, I’m looking for some advice on what I should work on this next year to make my application stronger, and what schools should I start to look at. Thanks!

Rising Junior

GPA: 3.967
MCAT: Taking this winter (latest practice test =36)

Volunteer
• Volunteer Fellowship (4 yrs)
• Various humanitarian projects (2 yrs - 200 hrs)
• Biology student advisor (1 yr - 100 hrs)
• Orientation leader (2 yrs - 100 hrs)
• Teaching assistant (2 semesters – 200 hrs)

Research
• 1 year + 1 summer (plan on continuing until I graduate)
• 15 month fellowship (stipend, research funds, living funds)
• 2 Symposia talks + 1 poster
• Will complete an honors thesis
• No pubs yet, but should have one second author and maybe 1 first author by the time I graduate

Clinical (weak)
• Will start hospital volunteering this semester
• Trying to start shadowing this semester

Letters of recommendation
• Research Advisor (PI)
• Research mentor (Post-doc)
• Academic advisor/teacher
• 2 Professors I TA’d for

 

[K31]

I think you are in good shape assuming you do well on the MCAT. As you are aware, clinical experience is your weak area, but you should be fine if you do as you have planned.

One thing I'd suggest you consider is doing a summer research project somewhere else to get a second research faculty letter--postdoc letters don't count for much. If that's not possible however, I doubt it will make or break your application.

 

[Josh7]

I'm not trying to be "that guy" and I'm sure you've been asked this a lot. What class did you get an A- in just out of curiosity?

Also what is your major and field of research?