Dear all,
I'd really appreciate some honest advice on my case: =]
I have 25O, PS 10, BS 9, VR6, I'm retaking in August this year, aiming for a 30+ at least since I was underprepared last time (didn't even do those EK 1001s and only few AAMC tests).
I have GPA (general and BCPM) both in the 3.5s. The pre-reqs I didn't do that well in them (mostly Bs and 1C + 1W, very few As) but I outweigh in by getting many As in my double major (physics and bioengineering)
My ECs are strong, as my premed advisor commented (see bottom of this post). But I just don't know how much would that compensate my grades. 😕
Also, I grew up in asia and speak their language fluently (US born originally), so I think I can bring diversity to the class.
My premed advisors suggested that I should be prepared that I may need to apply again next year and advised me to continue working hard this upcoming senior year (but actually, even if i choose to I apply this year, I know i'll be working hard anyways since there are always chances I get late interviews and I can send in updates to the schools--but i'm undecided now on whether to apply yet..)
But what do you guys think? Should I apply this cycle or wait?
---
There's social stigma from my friends from that country I grew up in to take a year off. No one does that unless they are lazy or didn't do well in school. Also, I could have just went straight into med school there after 13th grade, and do a 5 year med schools+ 1 yr required internship and I would already be a liscensed doctor, free to practice as a General Practitioner. (How many years of residency GP need to do here btw 😕 I'm aiming for going into a specialty nonetheless, but just wondering what's the difference in the planning of the years ahead...) In any case, I guess since I've already taken the long road compared to my old friends there, I'm uncertain if I want to take a year off after my senior year next year and be an extra year behind.
And yes, it's true that maybe I can get in this year, but I had really hoped to get into those top tier schools. Though yes I know all of them are likely almost equally good. But I think if I wait a year, I can have a much higher chance at those top tier ones (e.g. those ranking above the 20s lets say).
Because my grades have been continually improving, and this year since only have 6 classes left, I can take even more electives that interests me (in particular those in bioengineering and physics or healthcare management etc.) and that i think I can get a good grade on. Plus, I can do more frontline research and complete that big event for my healthcare group that I'm a director of. etcetc.
Nonetheless, since my family and most of my friends are from that country I grew up in, and I may ultimately practice there (not sure now still), I do care about how late I compare to others there in terms of timing and lateness(with my grades I could have got into their med school few years back but I chose to finish my bachelor's here) and what they may think of my qualifications to a certain extent.
Do you think it would be a good reason to wait a cycle if only my goal is to get into the top tier schools over possibly getting into one this year but that is likely not one of my preferred schools?😕
Also, I can also just try out this year, and if I didn't get into one, or get into one I don't wish to go, I can also apply next cycle again. But how do adcom look upon re-applying? 😕 I seem to hear so many people who advocate waiting for the next cycle to apply if unsure.. what are the usual reasons?
Finally, I'm exploring my options if I'm taking a year off, since I've been involved with a lot of public health outreach work, I may be interested in a 1 year degree or non-degree in MPH. Anyone know how tough are those to get in? 😕 what do you think about this route then?
Thank you! I'm looking forward to hearing your comments soon!
-----
ECs:
extensive leadership work in both health-care and academic groups,
tutoring,
long-term music involvements with awards and performance history,
did shadowing,
taken clinical/surgical rotations elective at a local medical school,
research (1 independent + 1 few years back helping with a Prof and grad student) + a clinical one started in May this year (more significant involvement--me doing bulk of the work so far--from design to analysis, since it's a simpler study) possible publication later or at least some presentation/postering
scholarship,
dean's list(s)...
I'd really appreciate some honest advice on my case: =]
I have 25O, PS 10, BS 9, VR6, I'm retaking in August this year, aiming for a 30+ at least since I was underprepared last time (didn't even do those EK 1001s and only few AAMC tests).
I have GPA (general and BCPM) both in the 3.5s. The pre-reqs I didn't do that well in them (mostly Bs and 1C + 1W, very few As) but I outweigh in by getting many As in my double major (physics and bioengineering)
My ECs are strong, as my premed advisor commented (see bottom of this post). But I just don't know how much would that compensate my grades. 😕
Also, I grew up in asia and speak their language fluently (US born originally), so I think I can bring diversity to the class.
My premed advisors suggested that I should be prepared that I may need to apply again next year and advised me to continue working hard this upcoming senior year (but actually, even if i choose to I apply this year, I know i'll be working hard anyways since there are always chances I get late interviews and I can send in updates to the schools--but i'm undecided now on whether to apply yet..)
But what do you guys think? Should I apply this cycle or wait?
---
There's social stigma from my friends from that country I grew up in to take a year off. No one does that unless they are lazy or didn't do well in school. Also, I could have just went straight into med school there after 13th grade, and do a 5 year med schools+ 1 yr required internship and I would already be a liscensed doctor, free to practice as a General Practitioner. (How many years of residency GP need to do here btw 😕 I'm aiming for going into a specialty nonetheless, but just wondering what's the difference in the planning of the years ahead...) In any case, I guess since I've already taken the long road compared to my old friends there, I'm uncertain if I want to take a year off after my senior year next year and be an extra year behind.
And yes, it's true that maybe I can get in this year, but I had really hoped to get into those top tier schools. Though yes I know all of them are likely almost equally good. But I think if I wait a year, I can have a much higher chance at those top tier ones (e.g. those ranking above the 20s lets say).
Because my grades have been continually improving, and this year since only have 6 classes left, I can take even more electives that interests me (in particular those in bioengineering and physics or healthcare management etc.) and that i think I can get a good grade on. Plus, I can do more frontline research and complete that big event for my healthcare group that I'm a director of. etcetc.
Nonetheless, since my family and most of my friends are from that country I grew up in, and I may ultimately practice there (not sure now still), I do care about how late I compare to others there in terms of timing and lateness(with my grades I could have got into their med school few years back but I chose to finish my bachelor's here) and what they may think of my qualifications to a certain extent.
Do you think it would be a good reason to wait a cycle if only my goal is to get into the top tier schools over possibly getting into one this year but that is likely not one of my preferred schools?😕
Also, I can also just try out this year, and if I didn't get into one, or get into one I don't wish to go, I can also apply next cycle again. But how do adcom look upon re-applying? 😕 I seem to hear so many people who advocate waiting for the next cycle to apply if unsure.. what are the usual reasons?
Finally, I'm exploring my options if I'm taking a year off, since I've been involved with a lot of public health outreach work, I may be interested in a 1 year degree or non-degree in MPH. Anyone know how tough are those to get in? 😕 what do you think about this route then?
Thank you! I'm looking forward to hearing your comments soon!
-----
ECs:
extensive leadership work in both health-care and academic groups,
tutoring,
long-term music involvements with awards and performance history,
did shadowing,
taken clinical/surgical rotations elective at a local medical school,
research (1 independent + 1 few years back helping with a Prof and grad student) + a clinical one started in May this year (more significant involvement--me doing bulk of the work so far--from design to analysis, since it's a simpler study) possible publication later or at least some presentation/postering
scholarship,
dean's list(s)...
