WAMC: Looking at schools to apply to ORM 4.00

[utdcalipremed]

Hi y'all. I'm a sophomore and have started looking at schools to apply to for the 2022 cycle. I wanted to get feedback on what I've done so far and see how I can improve going forward, especially with t10 chances. My narrative is around serving the underserved, especially immigrants and refugees as my family is composed of these groups. Also have lifelong experience with infectious diseases.

Stats:
-GPA: 4.00
-MCAT Diagnostic: 510 (without studying, will take this summer)
-Neuroscience major, political science minor
-Asian, CA resident in TX school

Clinical Exposure:
-50 hours volunteering hospice (hoping to add a lot more hours)
-75 hours virtual shadowing
-20 hours shadowing neurosurgeon
[does meeting with patients for clinical research count here?]

Extracurriculars:
-Founded global health organization with other schools and is sponsored by my school
-Freshman mentor(1 year)
-Ambassador for scholarship program(1 year)
-Student health ambassador (1.5 years)
-Developed 2 medical school electives that focus on the homeless population(1 year)
-Officer in healthcare improvement club
-TA for intro class for major(1 sem)

Research:
-400 hours in summer research program with poster presentation
-1000 hours in basic sciences lab (will have 2 pubs + thesis)
-100 hours in clinical research (first author 1 pub, 5 pubs as middle author)
-Will start basic sciences research with highly regarded PI, clinical research in PM&R

Awards:
-Dean's list
-Honors program in major

I would love feedback on what I've done and how to continue to improve as I apply in the 2022 cycle. Thanks!

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[amath03]

You mention that your narrative is around serving the underserved, do you actually volunteer with any underserved communities? Also, you plan on taking the MCAT between sophomore and junior year? That seems too early, I think you should wait to take the MCAT until spring of junior year at the earliest right before you apply to medical school. I would advise some more shadowing and clinical exposure.

 

[utdcalipremed]

You mention that your narrative is around serving the underserved, do you actually volunteer with any underserved communities? Also, you plan on taking the MCAT between sophomore and junior year? That seems too early, I think you should wait to take the MCAT until spring of junior year at the earliest right before you apply to medical school. I would advise some more shadowing and clinical exposure.

@amath03 I have had limited underserved volunteering but I'll be accruing that experience over the next year and a half, thanks for pointing that out. I've completed all my premed requirements and can essentially graduate anytime as my major is complete after this spring semester, which is why I'm thinking about studying for the MCAT now... Would you still suggest waiting to take the MCAT? Thanks!

 

[amath03]

@amath03 I have had limited underserved volunteering but I'll be accruing that experience over the next year and a half, thanks for pointing that out. I've completed all my premed requirements and can essentially graduate anytime as my major is complete after this spring semester, which is why I'm thinking about studying for the MCAT now... Would you still suggest waiting to take the MCAT? Thanks!

What year do you plan on applying to medical school?

 

[Hoosierpride99]

@amath03 I have had limited underserved volunteering but I'll be accruing that experience over the next year and a half, thanks for pointing that out. I've completed all my premed requirements and can essentially graduate anytime as my major is complete after this spring semester, which is why I'm thinking about studying for the MCAT now... Would you still suggest waiting to take the MCAT? Thanks!

I took my MCAT just before my junior year too as I had just completed all my pre recs for it and I did great. Take it when you think you’re ready, as in your practice tests are at the mark you want your score to be. You don’t have to wait longer if you don’t think you need to.

 

[Banco]

Get a 518+ and increase your clinical experience and you should be in the competitive range for top schools.