WAMC-510 MCAT 3.98GPA, Indiana Resident

[Walrus84]

I am a first time applicant who is applying this upcoming cycle. I graduated past May with a degree in Biochemistry and am in gap year 1(still debating what I want to do in gap year 2). I am currently doing an AmeriCorps service project in a ED at a large trauma 1 hospital. My top choice is IUSM. Planning on applying to about 17-20 MD schools and 5-8 DO schools(I like Marion). A small portion of these hours will be projected but nearly all will be completed.

1. 3.98 cGPA, 3.98 sGPA
2. 510 (126, 124, 130, 130)
3. State: Indiana
4. Ethnicity: White male
5. Undergraduate institution: Purdue University
6. Clinical: 1300 hours scribing with a leadership position (1000 ER, 200 general surgery, 100 cardiology). 700hrs doing HIV testing and providing results in the ED along with HCV/HIV outreach trying to get patients linked to care.
7. Research experience: 400 hours in a biochemistry lab on the basic research side. No official publications. Did a departmental poster presentation
8. Shadowing experience: 50ish hours across pediatrics, orthopedic surgery, one DO observation, IM, and ID
9. Non-clinical volunteering: 700hrs across various activities in my AmeriCorps experience(standard volunteering and working on a long term community project with a group compose most of this time). 75hrs Crisis Text line volunteering.
10. Other extracurricular activities: member of a couple of clubs(no leadership positions)
11. Relevant honors or awards: Highest distinction at graduation, deans list

Trying to get pulse of my competitiveness for MD and see if the proposed school lists match up relatively well with what I have. Also if there is anything that can be bumped up in the final couple of months(I don't want to retake the MCAT) I'd be happy to hear it.

The MDs I have right now
IUSM(top choice)
Vermont
Medical college of Wisconsin
Temple
Wake forest
Penn St
Loyola
Oakland at Beaumont
Albany
UIC
Rush
wright st
Tulane

DO List as of now
Marion(top choice)
midwestern Chicago

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[Faha]

You could add these MD schools to your application:
Rosalind Franklin
Creighton
TCU
Alice Walton
Belmont
NOVA MD
Drexel
Jefferson
Quinnipiac
For DO schools you could add DMU-COM, KCU-COM and ATSU-KCOM

 

[septalridge]

I am a first time applicant who is applying this upcoming cycle. I graduated past May with a degree in Biochemistry and am in gap year 1(still debating what I want to do in gap year 2). I am currently doing an AmeriCorps service project in a ED at a large trauma 1 hospital. My top choice is IUSM. Planning on applying to about 17-20 MD schools and 5-8 DO schools(I like Marion). A small portion of these hours will be projected but nearly all will be completed.

1. 3.98 cGPA, 3.98 sGPA
2. 510 (126, 124, 130, 130)
3. State: Indiana
4. Ethnicity: White male
5. Undergraduate institution: Purdue University
6. Clinical: 1300 hours scribing with a leadership position (1000 ER, 200 general surgery, 100 cardiology). 700hrs doing HIV testing and providing results in the ED along with HCV/HIV outreach trying to get patients linked to care.
7. Research experience: 400 hours in a biochemistry lab on the basic research side. No official publications. Did a departmental poster presentation
8. Shadowing experience: 50ish hours across pediatrics, orthopedic surgery, one DO observation, IM, and ID
9. Non-clinical volunteering: 700hrs across various activities in my AmeriCorps experience(standard volunteering and working on a long term community project with a group compose most of this time). 75hrs Crisis Text line volunteering.
10. Other extracurricular activities: member of a couple of clubs(no leadership positions)
11. Relevant honors or awards: Highest distinction at graduation, deans list

Trying to get pulse of my competitiveness for MD and see if the proposed school lists match up relatively well with what I have. Also if there is anything that can be bumped up in the final couple of months(I don't want to retake the MCAT) I'd be happy to hear it.

The MDs I have right now
IUSM(top choice)
Vermont
Medical college of Wisconsin
Temple
Wake forest
Penn St
Loyola
Oakland at Beaumont
Albany
UIC
Rush
wright st
Tulane

DO List as of now
Marion(top choice)
midwestern Chicago

I agree with your assessment regarding MCAT retake; 510 is generally competitive, although obviously not for a top-tier program. You have wisely refrained from including any of those on your list, so again, I'd surmise you will be competitive. As far as enhancing your chances, I'd mention two considerations: first, your LOR and your Personal Statement should be in concordance with each other; you need to think carefully about your motivations for a medical lifetime of service as you craft your LOR. You should strive for a level of authenticity that will capture interest. Concomitantly, while you cannot dictate LOR's (obviously!), you can highlight for your folks several key experiential and personal aspects that are important and unique to you. Done well. the complementarity of LOR's with Personal Statement will very likely have a salutary synthesis.

The second consideration has more to do with the interview process, but I mention it here due to its overwhelming importance, plus the linkage to the first consideration. The critical characteristic I would mention is equanimity, a sense of ease with onesself and an assurance to the committee that the person they are interviewing is up to the task of "doctoring." You might think of these considerations as being on an augmenting spectrum of qualities necessary for medical professionals. Possessing equanimity is resultant from knowing within yourself you have made the correct decision in pursuing a medical career, and conveying that assurance to the committee, however you determine is the best way to do so...good luck!

 

[Mr.Smile12]

You ought to be fine with your in-state choices (IUSM, Marian). If your Americorps project inspires more of a purpose to you as a physician, look for schools that can help you develop it further.