UNC Chapel Hill Physics BS w/ 3.63 cGPA, 3.62 sGPA

[ZacharyALindsey]

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Hey, all. I'm a newbie here, but I was just wondering if you could take a look at my info and give me some feedback/chances.

Anyway, on to the important stuff. I'm a senior physics BS major at UNC Chapel Hill. I will be applying to all my in-state schools (UNC Chapel Hill, Wake Forest, ECU, Duke) and probably some out-of-states as well.

I would most like to attend either UNC Chapel Hill or Wake Forest.

PS: I haven't yet taken the MCAT, but I am signed up for the June 17th administration. What score do you think would significantly improve my chances of admission? For what it's worth, I have taken practice MCAT exam #3 (the free one) and got a 34 (PS 13, BS 12, VR 9). I plan on taking several others very soon.

I've listed my information below:

Major: Physics (BS)
Minor: Chemistry

Education:

• College:
  • Physics BS major at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
  • Overall GPA: 3.63/4.00
  • Math/Science GPA: 3.62/4.00 (includes math, physics, chemistry, and biology courses)
  • Member of the Dr. Lu-Chang Qin group: Spring 2010 to present
    • Research area: chemical vapor deposition synthesis of double-walled carbon nanotubes
  • Interned in a Biology 101 lab: Spring 2008
  • Member of The National Society of Collegiate Scholars
  • Member of The National Dean’s List
  • Member of the Golden Key International Honor Society
  • Invited to join The National Scholars Honor Society
  • Invited to join many honor fraternities
  • Computer programming languages: MATLAB
  • Altria Group Scholarship
    • $1000 per year for four years

• High School:
  • Graduated from West Forsyth High School in Clemmons, NC: June 2006
  • Weighted GPA-4.444
  • Unweighted GPA-3.704/4.0
  • SAT Score: 2090: Math-720, Writing-740, Critical Reading-630
  • Received AP Scholar with Distinction award
  • President of Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) for two years in high school
  • Placed second at annual state FBLA competition in the field of entrepreneurship
  • Member of Red Cross Club
  • Member of Children’s Cancer Support Club

Community Service:

• College:
  • Volunteered with Apples Service Learning: Fall 2006 (~ 25 hours)
    • Worked with children at UNC Hospitals, helped build a Habitat for Humanity house
  • Volunteered with Red Cross Disaster Action Team: Summer 2008 (~20 hours)
    • On call from 6 AM to 6 PM
    • Responded mainly to residential house fires
  • Volunteered with UNC Hospitals: Spring 2009 to present (~80 hours)
    • Emergency Department
  • Volunteered with Horsepower Therapeutic Learning Center: Summer 2009 (~30 hours)
    • Worked with mentally and physically handicapped children

• High School:
  • Volunteered at local library (Clemmons, NC branch): Summer 2005
  • Volunteered with local Red Cross (Northwest NC Chapter): Spring/Summer 2005

Employment:

• College
  • String Theory Seminar Videographer (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Department of Physics and Astronomy): February 2008 to present (compensation: $15/hour)

Thank you in advance for all your help!

 

[Catalystik]

I'd aim for an MCAT score of 34+.

Having 80 hours of clinical experience isn't much. Whether the time at Horsepower would count towards this depends on what service you provided them.

I'd only list the HS activity that continued into the college years. You can work the cancer support club into the Primary Statement though.

You need some physician shadowing before you apply. It's fine to get that done in a short time.

You have something to list for Teaching, but what about Leadership during the college years? Having the nonmedical community service is a plus.

A few months of research won't help you much. Could be stronger. This lack could hurt you at the more-selective schools you mention.

Overall, your chances would be much improved with an additional year of beefing up your ECs. Without a solid MCAT score, I won't comment on your overall chances just yet.