Thoughts?

[mcoste08]

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Hey all.

Here is my "profile":
-Sophomore Biology major
-cGPA-3.66, sGPA-3.65
-Fall '08 grades: Gen. Chem I=B Gen. Chem I Lab=B+ Gen. Bio I=audit Gen Bio I Lab=A- Honors Theology=B Intermediate Spanish=A-
-Spring '09 grades: Gen Chem II=A- Gen Chem II Lab= A- Gen Bio II= B+ Gen Bio II Lab=A- Advanced Spanish=A- Calculus I=A
-Summer '09 grades-Literature Elective= A Fine Arts Elective= A-
-Fall '09 grades- Org. Chem I=A Org. Chem I Lab=A Physics I=A Physics I Lab=A Theology (200 level)=A Animal Behavior=B+
-Spring '10 grades (as of now)= Org. Chem II=A Org. Chem II Lab=A Physics II=A Physics II Lab=A Genetics=A Genetics Lab=A Theology (300 level)=A
-Took practice MCAT in August and scored a 26 (PS-9 VR-9 BS-8) w/o OChem, Physics, or any studying
-Shadowed ER Physician for 90 hrs.
-Shadowed General Surgeon for 20 hrs.
-Currently Enrolled in Honors Pre-Med Program for Physicians Shadowing at local Med School Hospital (should start within a month)
-Currently volunteering in ER at local Children's Hospital
-Non medical volunteering includes Alternative Breaks, Labre (feeding homeless), Habitat for Humanity, assistant youth baseball & wrestling coach
-Looking for Research (have jobs lined up for next school year and summer of 2011, but still looking for this summer)
-Currently working in Biology Lab on campus
-Member of multiple clubs on campus (Pre-med, Biology, etc.)
-Tutor in Gen Chem, Gen Bio, Calc, OChem, Physics
-Recipient of multiple scholarships for academic achievement, character, motivation, etc.

How am I looking so far? I am sure that there are things that I forgot to mention but at first glance, what needs improvement? Will my heavy workload (job, volunteering, MCAT prep, shadowing, OChem, Physics, Genetics) this semester help me? Any feedback regarding chances as of now, areas for improvement, strong areas, etc. would be appreciated.

Thanks!!

 

[Catalystik]

Right now, it looks like you're developing the elements of your application very well. keep your GPA improvement going.

Comments: You already have plenty of shadowing. I expect you'll add to the breadth of your experience with more specialties with the shadowing program, so you'll be particularly strong in this area. Continue with the ER volunteering, ideally at least 1.5 years for about 150 hours. Regular nonmedical community service is nice to see, so I'm glad you're involved in that. Coaching and tutoring are good for the teaching category. You're working on finding a reasearch experience, so you're on top of that. Clubs don't really help you much, except for socialization, the potential for leadership as an officer, or opportunities for more community service. I'm not seeing a leadership experience, so strategize on getting that in. Don't forget to list Hobbies.

Being heavily involved in an academic load, ECs, work, etc., reflects well on your time management and will serve you well, provided your grades don't suffer.

 

[mcoste08]

Thank you for the prompt reply. Let's say that I wanted to get into a top tier school such as Columbia, Penn, Duke, etc., what would I have to do in order to make this happen? I am planning on scoring around a 35 on my MCAT and graduating with around a 3.8-3.85. What can I do now to improve my chances with schools like these?

 

[Morsetlis]

Research.

 

[Catalystik]

1) Consider 2+ years of substantive research. Get a publication if possible.

2) Extremely strong leadership, ideally related to community service of some sort.

 

[bravofleet4]

Drop the membership in clubs if you don't think they can help you or you don't enjoy them as it's not worth listing on your application unless you're an officer.

There's not going to be any forgiveness for a low MCAT or low GPA with your schedule as it sounds pretty typical for pre-meds. I think it's just a requirement that pre-med's demonstrate the ability to balance their academic schedule with their extracurriculars.

Research for this summer would give you a headstart but it wouldn't be bad to and/or dedicate it to studying for the MCAT.

As you start to get focus more on weaker areas like clinical experience and research you should start cutting back on other areas you've more than satisfied like non-medically related community service and shadowing. If you try to continue all these activities, then I'm worried you'll end up burning yourself out. Generally a year's length is good enough especially on a tight schedule of 3 years.

If you decide to post your stats again next year for chances don't post up the grades for all your individual classes LOL just do cGPA or BPCM gpa as this is how medical schools also look at your grade (along with a breakdown of years). Just keep your grades above 3.6 (ideally more about 3.7-3.8) and you'll be in good shape assuming a good MCAT.