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Hello SDN!
I am a college senior planning on taking a gap year (or two) before entering medical school. I had been hoping to spend my gap year (or first year gap year) gaining clinical experience by working as a scribe, however I recently met with a pre-health advisor who told me the only I would have a chance at acceptance anywhere (MD) would be if I did a special masters program. Now, I'd be much more accepting of that advice if I didn't have to pay for an SMP, but unfortunately my financial situation is something I have to take into account. I would much rather spend my gap year working somewhere interesting than taking classes for the sole purpose of boosting my chances at acceptance, but I also want to do what I have to in order to get accepted!
I listed more info about me below. Are my stats comparable to other students who do SMPs? I'd appreciate any input!
Major: Neuroscience
Minor: Clinical Psychology
cGPA: 3.48
sGPA: 3.29
MCAT: 510 (taken 8/5/16)
Hometown in TX
Neither of my GPAs are where I would like them to be right now, however I know that they should both be higher by the end of my senior year ( I could probably bring them up to at least cGPA: 3.57 and sGPA: 3.38, that's assuming I get B+'s in my science courses but of course I'll be working my butt off to getting A's ) .
Research experience for over 1 year: working with CRISPR-Cas9, very invested in lab and personal project, presented one poster, trained other undergrads, ~15 hours per week during school year and full time for one summer
Technical assistant in Department of Microbiology and Immunology at hospital for 6 months
Intern for Research Foundation Executive Director for one summer
Volunteer for two summers at hospital in PACU, Med-Surg. Unit
Extensive leadership experience: President of Rotaract club (community service group- so I've also done a TON of volunteering in community), also Founder/President of a new community service group that volunteers at clinics around city and does a special project providing medical resources to homeless
Shadowing: handful of hours (bad, I know)
I am a college senior planning on taking a gap year (or two) before entering medical school. I had been hoping to spend my gap year (or first year gap year) gaining clinical experience by working as a scribe, however I recently met with a pre-health advisor who told me the only I would have a chance at acceptance anywhere (MD) would be if I did a special masters program. Now, I'd be much more accepting of that advice if I didn't have to pay for an SMP, but unfortunately my financial situation is something I have to take into account. I would much rather spend my gap year working somewhere interesting than taking classes for the sole purpose of boosting my chances at acceptance, but I also want to do what I have to in order to get accepted!
I listed more info about me below. Are my stats comparable to other students who do SMPs? I'd appreciate any input!
Major: Neuroscience
Minor: Clinical Psychology
cGPA: 3.48
sGPA: 3.29
MCAT: 510 (taken 8/5/16)
Hometown in TX
Neither of my GPAs are where I would like them to be right now, however I know that they should both be higher by the end of my senior year ( I could probably bring them up to at least cGPA: 3.57 and sGPA: 3.38, that's assuming I get B+'s in my science courses but of course I'll be working my butt off to getting A's ) .
Research experience for over 1 year: working with CRISPR-Cas9, very invested in lab and personal project, presented one poster, trained other undergrads, ~15 hours per week during school year and full time for one summer
Technical assistant in Department of Microbiology and Immunology at hospital for 6 months
Intern for Research Foundation Executive Director for one summer
Volunteer for two summers at hospital in PACU, Med-Surg. Unit
Extensive leadership experience: President of Rotaract club (community service group- so I've also done a TON of volunteering in community), also Founder/President of a new community service group that volunteers at clinics around city and does a special project providing medical resources to homeless
Shadowing: handful of hours (bad, I know)
