Schools & advice :) 42MCAT 3.67cgpa/3.65sgpa (average rest of app)

[ponyo]

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Looking for SCHOOL LIST and ADVICE on improvement 🙂

Basic stats:

MCAT: 14PS/13VR/15BS = 42Q
GPA: 3.67c/3.65s. Probably will not change drastically over sr. year (cGPA may go up a bit)
Major: Chem & Psych (both with dept. honors)
School: Top ivy
State: MD
Currently a senior. Applying in 2012 for 2013 matriculation (so 1 gap year).

ECs, etc.:

4 yrs involvement with sorority chapter - president & other board positions (organized regional convention; oversaw all charter affairs incl. fundraising, philanthropy, etc.)
3 yrs hospice volunteer - inpatient care (wiping butts, etc. but also talking to them)
2 yr research at current lab (not feeling super confident about getting results). Some other little research experiences here and there (cancer, etc.)
2 internships at autism facilities - worked ext. with autistic adults & children - In particular one of my internships allowed me to work with a Chinese activist who has been unbelievably productive in getting legislation through left and right and it has given me a COMPLETELY different perspective on global health & how it relates to business & politics.
also writing a 2nd thesis on autism.
2 year job at chem dept. - some teaching, data analysis, supervising (babysitting) ochem kids, managing other student aides, etc.
2 year board on med related journal
1 year exec. editor on research journal
Professional-level translator (for private research as well as UN-affiliated NGOs)
Graphic/layout design since HS, ongoing to present; autodesk certified etc.

Background emphasizes neuro (research is in neurochem; other thesis is on neuropsychopharmacology of autism; coursework, etc.)

LORs (hopefully):

This is my weakest spot (even weaker than GPA, lol). I have taken a lot of classes so it has been hard for me to really get to know my profs. Our committee wants 4-5 letters...

1. PI (obviously). A prof at our med school. I am slightly worried that he might not like me. The other day he took me into his office and told me scary stories about mutant cockroaches. I have entomophobia. 🙁
2. Thesis advisor for psych, who taught me in a seminar and is advising me. I am trying to get him to know me a little better... He is a really well-known expert on autism and the chair of psychiatry at our med school.
3. Probably thesis prof for chem, who taught me in a lab. I am afraid of him because this lab was filled with gunners smarter than me and because he is frighteningly blunt but no other prof in chem really knows AND taught me, and I don't think I can get away with not having a letter from my own department.
4. Bioethics prof who actually knows and likes me. He taught me in a large lecture class and actually offered to mentor me/write me recs eventually. I am currently in a seminar he's teaching and having a blast. Also he's a really good writer which I hope will help.
5. Research supervisor from summer internship. This I can guarantee will be a glowing letter because this person owes me a (completely professional) favor.
6. ?? 🙁

Backup LORs: boss who loves me but hasnt taught me; former advisor (chair of philosophy; former chair of cog sci) who taught me in freshman year

Other fun facts that will go into committee letter or other parts of app:

- I am apparently graduating with the most number of credits in the history of my college. Also did an intense humanities program. Also most of my courses have been on the more notorious side.
- At least one job every semester, sometimes 2.
- Some really unimpressive awards/scholarships/fellowship stuff
- Year round thesis symposium thingy (useless but you get free booze!! ...perhaps problematic since my ex is in it too...)

Other problems of which I am aware and on which I am trying to improve

- Zero shadowing. Yes, I am getting on it 😛

I am taking a gap year. I have no idea what I will be doing yet. It will probably be in consulting, pharma, or biotech.


I realize that I have a high MCAT score, but I feel pretty ****ty when I go on MDapps and look at how ridiculous other people's applications are (esp other people who have high MCAT scores), which is why I was hoping for advice on how to improve it. Thanks in advance for your time!

 

[vin5cent0]

Seriously dude?

👎

 

[wololololololo]

Uh, I wouldn't worry, but get some shadowing. As long as your PS doesn't discuss seal-clubbing you're good. 👍

 

[Catalystik]

Looking for SCHOOL LIST and ADVICE on improvement 🙂

Basic stats:

MCAT: 14PS/13VR/15BS = 42Q
GPA: 3.67c/3.65s. Probably will not change drastically over sr. year (cGPA may go up a bit)
Major: Chem & Psych (both with dept. honors)
School: Top ivy
State: MD
Currently a senior. Applying in 2012 for 2013 matriculation (so 1 gap year).

ECs, etc.:

4 yrs involvement with sorority chapter - president & other board positions (organized regional convention; oversaw all charter affairs incl. fundraising, philanthropy, etc.)
3 yrs hospice volunteer - inpatient care (wiping butts, etc. but also talking to them)
2 yr research at current lab (not feeling super confident about getting results). Some other little research experiences here and there (cancer, etc.)
2 internships at autism facilities - worked ext. with autistic adults & children - In particular one of my internships allowed me to work with a Chinese activist who has been unbelievably productive in getting legislation through left and right and it has given me a COMPLETELY different perspective on global health & how it relates to business & politics.
also writing a 2nd thesis on autism.
2 year job at chem dept. - some teaching, data analysis, supervising (babysitting) ochem kids, managing other student aides, etc.
2 year board on med related journal
1 year exec. editor on research journal
Professional-level translator (for private research as well as UN-affiliated NGOs)
Graphic/layout design since HS, ongoing to present; autodesk certified etc.

Background emphasizes neuro (research is in neurochem; other thesis is on neuropsychopharmacology of autism; coursework, etc.)

LORs (hopefully):

This is my weakest spot (even weaker than GPA, lol). I have taken a lot of classes so it has been hard for me to really get to know my profs. Our committee wants 4-5 letters...

1. PI (obviously). A prof at our med school. I am slightly worried that he might not like me. The other day he took me into his office and told me scary stories about mutant cockroaches. I have entomophobia. 🙁
2. Thesis advisor for psych, who taught me in a seminar and is advising me. I am trying to get him to know me a little better... He is a really well-known expert on autism and the chair of psychiatry at our med school.
3. Probably thesis prof for chem, who taught me in a lab. I am afraid of him because this lab was filled with gunners smarter than me and because he is frighteningly blunt but no other prof in chem really knows AND taught me, and I don't think I can get away with not having a letter from my own department.
4. Bioethics prof who actually knows and likes me. He taught me in a large lecture class and actually offered to mentor me/write me recs eventually. I am currently in a seminar he's teaching and having a blast. Also he's a really good writer which I hope will help.
5. Research supervisor from summer internship. This I can guarantee will be a glowing letter because this person owes me a (completely professional) favor.
6. ?? 🙁

Backup LORs: boss who loves me but hasnt taught me; former advisor (chair of philosophy; former chair of cog sci) who taught me in freshman year

Other fun facts that will go into committee letter or other parts of app:

- I am apparently graduating with the most number of credits in the history of my college. Also did an intense humanities program. Also most of my courses have been on the more notorious side.
- At least one job every semester, sometimes 2.
- Some really unimpressive awards/scholarships/fellowship stuff
- Year round thesis symposium thingy (useless but you get free booze!! ...perhaps problematic since my ex is in it too...)

Other problems of which I am aware and on which I am trying to improve

- Zero shadowing. Yes, I am getting on it 😛

I am taking a gap year. I have no idea what I will be doing yet. It will probably be in consulting, pharma, or biotech.


I realize that I have a high MCAT score, but I feel pretty ****ty when I go on MDapps and look at how ridiculous other people's applications are (esp other people who have high MCAT scores), which is why I was hoping for advice on how to improve it. Thanks in advance for your time!

Comments: You seriously need a second letter from science faculty who has taught you.

I see no shadowing, or even a plan for it.

Be sure to emphasize your philanthropic involvement through the sorority, as you have no other nonmedical community service. If any of it was hands-on rather than fund-raising, highlight it. Maybe get involved in something more hands-on in the gap year? Have you considered spending the year in a social service job like City Year, Americorps, or similar? Have you applied for any research fellowships that might be carried through abroad or somewhere else interesting?

If UN means United Nations, then translating there would be a unique activity that will help you stand out.

Leadership is excellent; try to carry something through to the gap year.

Any posters/presentations? Any chance of a publication by the time you apply?

Besides graphic design, don't forget other Hobbies, sports, and Artistic Endeavors.

Apply wherever you like if you think your ECs suit the school's mission and they have a decent OOS matriculation rate. Decide what you want: a school that emphasizes humanism, leadership, research, or primary care.

 

[Valadi]

You probably won't make it into any of the Carib schools, but Penn & Columbia seem like a pretty decent backup. 😛

 

[Sutton]

I really think OP needs to retake the MCAT.

 

[Sutton]

You probably won't make it into any of the Carib schools, but Penn & Columbia seem like a pretty decent backup. 😛

I concur. 🙂

 

[V5RED]

"Average rest of app"?

That sounds like when a pretty girl calls herself fat so that people will give her compliments.

 

[fl00mba]

First of all, congrats on the MCAT score!

Since you're definitely going to get into medical school, I thought I'd share some experience from my ongoing application cycle to help you target schools.

1. Your MCAT and GPA are competitive everywhere. A cGPA of 3.7 is just about average outside of the top 10 schools, but is more than made up for by your MCAT. Moreover, once you've convinced the schools that you'd be able to handle the academic rigor of medical school, your numbers don't really mean much more. There are, however, some schools that love high stats (WashU, Michigan, et al).

2. You should really get some shadowing in like now. This is not a big deal, since you have about a year to do it and only ~50 hr to complete. Shadowing can be pretty boring, since you're just observing, so try to do this over a long period of time. Catalystik recommends multiple specialties, of which one is primary care.

3. Your humanitarian pursuits are strong and sustained, and you have a focused area of expertise (autism in China). This is greatly in your favor, since interviewers (in my experience) are very receptive to mission-driven applicants. I have a friend who's an adcom at Yale, and he told me that the most highly-ranked applicants at committee meetings are both "humble" about their accomplishments and "simple" in that they have deep, longitudinal involvement in a few areas.

4. As Catalystik pointed out, community service and research (posters, abstracts, pubs) should be your focus now. It would be a plus if your community service also tied into your area of interest (autism, neuropsychopharm) so that it appears less "box-checky" when the adcoms see it on your AMCAS. I recommend a mental health clinic. Research is also big, since you're a top applicant. I have been successful in getting my name on stuff, but only because I told my PI I was going to medical school and she understood the importance of documenting my involvement in the lab. Maybe your PI will be similarly receptive?

5. I think your letters are fine. Given that your grades are so good, I don't think that the 2 science, 1 non-science is as important a rule. I didn't have any nonscience faculty letters and I am doing well in my cycle (large part remains to be seen on 10/15). In any case, you've got it covered with letters 2, 3, and 4. I think you should add a letter from a volunteer experience. This should help balance out your research/academics-heavy LORs. Important piece of advice: solicit these letters ASAP. Your school's health professions office will store these letters for you in your file indefinitely, so getting them in early will only save you headaches later on.

6. Your gap year plans are not as important considering you will not have much to report back with when your interviews happen a year from now, so you can do whatever you like.

 

[ponyo]

Comments: You seriously need a second letter from science faculty who has taught you.

I see no shadowing, or even a plan for it.

Be sure to emphasize your philanthropic involvement through the sorority, as you have no other nonmedical community service. If any of it was hands-on rather than fund-raising, highlight it. Maybe get involved in something more hands-on in the gap year? Have you considered spending the year in a social service job like City Year, Americorps, or similar? Have you applied for any research fellowships that might be carried through abroad or somewhere else interesting?

If UN means United Nations, then translating there would be a unique activity that will help you stand out.

Leadership is excellent; try to carry something through to the gap year.

Any posters/presentations? Any chance of a publication by the time you apply?

Besides graphic design, don't forget other Hobbies, sports, and Artistic Endeavors.

Apply wherever you like if you think your ECs suit the school's mission and they have a decent OOS matriculation rate. Decide what you want: a school that emphasizes humanism, leadership, research, or primary care.

Thank you so much for the response! Here are the major flaws I'm getting:

1. Get letter from second science faculty - I just don't know how this is going to happen but I guess I'll make the effort...

2. Shadow asap - is it really necessary to have primary care?

3. No results from research (I can't actually do anything about this one 🙁 )

4. More non-medical community service

I don't qualify for most of the research fellowships since I'm not a citizen (green card though, so thankfully not international). I'm actually going to work during my gap year--Americorps etc. aren't an option since I'm counting on that income, which will certainly make it harder to stay medicine-related or remotely interesting during that year 🙁

abbrv

fl00mba? lol

Also is it weird that I tried reading it as floo-MBA...? 😛

 

[Catalystik]

2. Shadow asap - is it really necessary to have primary care?

No, it isn't required, but as your third year clinical rotations are mainly in primary care specialties (IM, peds, family med, OBGYN, Psych) in which you'll need a solid grounding (to get excellent evaluations and to pass your boards), and since these are the folks that refer to specialists, it's a good idea to have an idea of how medicine looks from the trenches, regardless of your eventual career goals. Eight hours won't kill you. You'll hit the average listed with a total of 50 hours.

 

[fl00mba]

fl00mba? lol

Also is it weird that I tried reading it as floo-MBA...? 😛

I made my first account with fl00mba (AIM) in 6th grade, and I haven't changed it since lols.

I am actually considering MD/MBA, seeing as how my liberal arts education has been wholly deficient in the area of real world econ/business.

But seriously - 42? omgwtfbbq

 

[Mcatz1188]

Have you EVER gotten blackout??

 

[1TB4RKSB4CK]

Mcat mcat mcat!!!!!