MD & DO Undergrad w/ WEAK EC'S, advice??

[Doctor Dream]

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Hey everyone
This isn't a WAMC thread, I'm just an undergrad looking for some EC's advice. I'm a second semester sophomore and won't be applying to med school for another year and however many months, but I'm looking for some feedback. My GPA's are great, except my EC's are looking pretty weak at this point, and I was wondering how I should spend this next year making them more competitive for MD and DO schools before I apply

So far I have...
Volunteer in In-patient pharmacy (~50hrs)
Mentor and tutor for struggling middle school kids in my area (~60hrs)
Founder and President of my campus's Fitness Club, 2 yrs
Pharmacy technician in In-patient pharmacy, about 3/4 yr, occasional status, (~700hrs)
Raised money for various charities the past 3 years, participated in run/walks as well
Shadowed primary care physician (~24hrs), as well as podiatrist, dentist, and 2 different pharmacists
Volunteered at campus scholarship fundraiser past 2 yrs
No research (but botany prof is currently helping me find some opportunities for summer)

Any input for improvement would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!!

 

[OneDayDoctor]

These are not weak by any means. However, if this wasn't in a premed forum, I'd think I was looking at a pharmacy application. What can you do to clarify your commitment to medicine? Make sure also to pursue your hobbies, you'll be passionate about those ECs.

 

[Doctor Dream]

These are not weak by any means. However, if this wasn't in a premed forum, I'd think I was looking at a pharmacy application. What can you do to clarify your commitment to medicine? Make sure also to pursue your hobbies, you'll be passionate about those ECs.

Thanks for the reply! I've been pre-pharm the past couple years, but recently decided to go pre-med for various reasons, the biggest being that pharmacists don't have enough patient interaction for me. There's minimal face-to-face contact and human connection between patient and caregiver, which is something that's important to me. I'm not sure how I can show the commitment to medicine in my app though, other than the continued volunteering and shadowing. Maybe an internship or something?

 

[OneDayDoctor]

Thanks for the reply! I've been pre-pharm the past couple years, but recently decided to go pre-med for various reasons, the biggest being that pharmacists don't have enough patient interaction for me. There's minimal face-to-face contact and human connection between patient and caregiver, which is something that's important to me. I'm not sure how I can show the commitment to medicine in my app though, other than the continued volunteering and shadowing. Maybe an internship or something?

Those are great ideas. It's great that you've shadowed so many professions; you'll have a better grasp on the perks of each field. If you are set on medicine, now try to shadow different specialties including primary care. As far as volunteering goes, I'd suggest stepping out of the pharmacy and try an ED or ICU. Again your ECs are coming along great. Now just stick with them and you'll have the coveted longevity factor.

Oh and PS- make sure you do something to relax once in a blue moon!

 

[Doctor Dream]

Those are great ideas. It's great that you've shadowed so many professions; you'll have a better grasp on the perks of each field. If you are set on medicine, now try to shadow different specialties including primary care. As far as volunteering goes, I'd suggest stepping out of the pharmacy and try an ED or ICU. Again your ECs are coming along great. Now just stick with them and you'll have the coveted longevity factor.

Oh and PS- make sure you do something to relax once in a blue moon!

Thank you for the great advice! I'll be hitting up the hospital volunteer office tomorrow and seeing what they have for ED/ICU spots. And don't worry, I do haha running is what keeps me sane!!