summer conundrum

[n0chi]

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Hey Folks,
Was wondering if you guys could help me out with a few questions.

My situation:
Im a pre-med from Umass Amherst, just finishing up my junior year. BSc Neuroscience, GPA 3.0.

I have done a year of research on campus, and last summer I interned at a good pharmacutical company.

My Problem:
This summer, I can either intern at the same place again or I can go abroad to Ethiopia and volunteer at a place that does AIDS education from an Econ perspective.

Some Questions:
(These might seem unrelated, but getting answers to these would make my decision easier!)

1. Does being a USA citizen help in getting into med schools? Is it better than being a permanent resident? (Green Card)

2. Is the volunteering experience abroad still count a good deal even if its not directly medical by nature?

3. Or, Would med schools like it better if I interned at the same place and got more extensive research skill sets?

4a. Im also planning to take the MCATS this Aug, so if I went abroad, I would come back after 2 months to take those, is that ok? Or should I take them in April following year - but then I'm not sure if those would still get back to me in time for me to try to get into med school following that Sept.

4b. From what I understand, internet access in Ethiopia is very limited, is it possible to study for the MCATS with some books and no net? If so, what books?

5. Finally, what kind of MCAT score would be a decent score with good research experience, and a good community service expericnce, with a 3.0 GPA. (if it remains as such even after my senior year)

Thanks for your help in advance! 😍

 

[mj1878]

Hey Folks,
Was wondering if you guys could help me out with a few questions.

My situation:
Im a pre-med from Umass Amherst, just finishing up my junior year. BSc Neuroscience, GPA 3.0.

I have done a year of research on campus, and last summer I interned at a good pharmacutical company.

My Problem:
This summer, I can either intern at the same place again or I can go abroad to Ethiopia and volunteer at a place that does AIDS education from an Econ perspective.

Some Questions:
(These might seem unrelated, but getting answers to these would make my decision easier!)

1. Does being a USA citizen help in getting into med schools? Is it better than being a permanent resident? (Green Card)

2. Is the volunteering experience abroad still count a good deal even if its not directly medical by nature?

3. Or, Would med schools like it better if I interned at the same place and got more extensive research skill sets?

4a. Im also planning to take the MCATS this Aug, so if I went abroad, I would come back after 2 months to take those, is that ok? Or should I take them in April following year - but then I'm not sure if those would still get back to me in time for me to try to get into med school following that Sept.

4b. From what I understand, internet access in Ethiopia is very limited, is it possible to study for the MCATS with some books and no net? If so, what books?

5. Finally, what kind of MCAT score would be a decent score with good research experience, and a good community service expericnce, with a 3.0 GPA. (if it remains as such even after my senior year)

Thanks for your help in advance! 😍

1)Definitely go abroad and volunteer. ADCOMS get thousands of applications every year, most of which are carbon copies of each other. EVERY applicant is a bio major, with some research and minimal volunteering, and has an average-above average MCAT, and a GPA that's average or above. You have to do something that sets you apart from the crowd. Remember, high numbers are not everything. Every year there are folks with 4.0s and high MCATS who are rejected and wonder why. Going to Ethiopia would be unique, rewarding for you and an invaluable experience. I say go for it.

2)You have to do what's interesting to you; not just what might look good. ADCOMS can see the butt-kissing premed quite easily, and if you do something that's truly selfless, in service of others (particularly those less fortunate) and different, then you've done something special.

3)No.

4)You can definitely study without the net. Last summer I went to Europe for all of July and took Examkrackers Audio Osmosis with me on iPod. It was nice not to cart books all around! I recommend AO, plus Examkrackers Complete study package. They're all you need to do well. Forget Kaplan, TPR, etc. For the kind of review you'll be doing abroad, go EK!

5)A 3.0 isn't terrible, but it isn't stellar. Is it you cumulative or your science GPA? In either case, you should be aiming for as high as you can. A score in the range of 27-30+ should be enough to offset your GPA.

Good luck to you, and PM me if you have additional questions!

 

[Jamers]

Hey Folks,
Was wondering if you guys could help me out with a few questions.

My situation:
Im a pre-med from Umass Amherst, just finishing up my junior year. BSc Neuroscience, GPA 3.0.

I have done a year of research on campus, and last summer I interned at a good pharmacutical company.

My Problem:
This summer, I can either intern at the same place again or I can go abroad to Ethiopia and volunteer at a place that does AIDS education from an Econ perspective.

Some Questions:


(These might seem unrelated, but getting answers to these would make my decision easier!)

1. Does being a USA citizen help in getting into med schools? Is it better than being a permanent resident? (Green Card)

2. Is the volunteering experience abroad still count a good deal even if its not directly medical by nature?

3. Or, Would med schools like it better if I interned at the same place and got more extensive research skill sets?

4a. Im also planning to take the MCATS this Aug, so if I went abroad, I would come back after 2 months to take those, is that ok? Or should I take them in April following year - but then I'm not sure if those would still get back to me in time for me to try to get into med school following that Sept.

4b. From what I understand, internet access in Ethiopia is very limited, is it possible to study for the MCATS with some books and no net? If so, what books?

5. Finally, what kind of MCAT score would be a decent score with good research experience, and a good community service expericnce, with a 3.0 GPA. (if it remains as such even after my senior year)

Thanks for your help in advance! 😍

I am going to answer this using infromation from me and my future roomate, ryan483.

By all means go overseas to the internship. Both of us did an overseas trip (I to Australia and he to Ireland). Not only does this give you more to talk about during the interview and application process, but, it also helps you to find yourself in the long run. In fact, in an answer to your second question, interning at any place overseas is great, medical or not. The MCATs are going to be hard. I didn't study for my April MCATs and, as a result, bombed them (22Q, my roomie did only a 23R). While overseas, you will have almost no chance to study. Trust me, even if you do, you will want to see the country instead. You are only here once, why waste it on studying? That being said, I would wait until the next test date, just to make sure (unless you are sure of your abilities to study in a foregin country which I strongly advice against). As for the last question, everyone will feed you differnt crap. The real answer is that there is none. You make the score. That is, your numbers are only as high as you yourself sell them to those interviewing you. If you can sell the overseas bid and make them realize how much more mature you are now because of this and how much you learned, they make be more willing to "overlook" a low MCAT. In the end, however, you must trying to make a score as high as you can. No EC, no matter how good, will outweigh a horrible MCAT. I, personally, would go with the overseas option and wait until the next test date. However, that is my own personal opinion on the subject...