Wait a year or apply now?

[Salamander3]

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Class Standing: Senior

Cumulative: 3.62

sGPA: 3.58

MCAT: 36M
Verbal: 11
Physical: 13
Biological: 12

Clinical Volunteer: None

Physician Shadowing: Summer 2011 (9 weeks, 72 hours, multiple rotations)
Summer 2012 (2 weeks, 140 hours, Plastic Surgery)

Research: June 2012-Present (15-20 hours per week)

Nonclinical Volunteer Activities:
Alternative Spring Break to NYC (HIV/AIDS)
Organized bone marrow registry drives (6 drives over past 4 years)
Tutoring inner city children (3 hours per week for 1 semester)

I have been told by my pre-med advisor that I should wait another year because my lack of clinical experience will hold me back from getting into medical school. Is he correct?

 

[Goro]

STRONGLY concur with your advisor. We're rejected or wait listed people who didn't have any patient contact experience. Would you buy a new car without test driving it? Buy a new suit without trying it on? How do we know that you'll like being around sick and injured people??? This is what you have to prove to us and yourself.

Class Standing: Senior

Cumulative: 3.62

sGPA: 3.58

MCAT: 36M
Verbal: 11
Physical: 13
Biological: 12

Clinical Volunteer: None

Physician Shadowing: Summer 2011 (9 weeks, 72 hours, multiple rotations)
Summer 2012 (2 weeks, 140 hours, Plastic Surgery)

Research: June 2012-Present (15-20 hours per week)

Nonclinical Volunteer Activities:
Alternative Spring Break to NYC (HIV/AIDS)
Organized bone marrow registry drives (6 drives over past 4 years)
Tutoring inner city children (3 hours per week for 1 semester)

I have been told by my pre-med advisor that I should wait another year because my lack of clinical experience will hold me back from getting into medical school. Is he correct?

 

[Salamander3]

How much more clinical experience do I need to make my application strong? I plan on working as a scribe or EMT over the next year.

 

[AlgernonMed]

I think if you were to begin now with some sort of clinical experience and continue that after you apply you should be fine. The rest of your application seems strong. You have shown that you understand what physicians do and their responsibilities by shadowing. Your application looks great to me.