WAMC - Looking for advice on 26/27 application cycle

[avatar142]

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I am a 4th year student who is a US citizen attending McGill University. I am interested in applying on the East Coast and wondering whether I should apply for the 26/27 cycle or wait an additional year. Also, should I retake the MCAT to increase cars score? AAMC practice exams were average 521 and all a CARS score were 129 and above.

-cGPA = 3.83
-MCAT= 515 129/126/129/131
-Massachusetts resident (US citizen)
-White
-McGill University
-Clinical Experience: 300+ hrs of clinical volunteering in Canada and the US hospitals. Worked in Neurological ICU, Radiology lab, several inpatient units, Orthopedics, ENT wards as a volunteer. Further 100+ hours of clinical volunteering expected this year in Neurological ICU. Volunteered in both English and French.
-Research: Led a research team for a year (600+ hrs) researching Lipid nanoparticles for mRNA gene therapies. Currently have been in a Neuroscience lab for 2 years on fragile X syndrome with no publications yet(~900 hrs). Internship at Biotech company with clinical research 450 hours.
-Shadowing: 50 hours of shadowing experience in Neurological ICU and outpatient orthopedic surgery clinic
-Non clinical volunteering: 215 hours total: 200 hrs at a food pantry for 2 years, 15 hours teaching piano to underprivileged students, and an additional 75-100 hours expected volunteering at a geriatric facility
-Other ECs: Tournament chess player (2200 rating), Recreational sports
- Awards: Deans list , Finalist in Dobson Pitch Competition
- Speaks English and French

I am interested in practicing at urban large hospital location, possibly doing clinical research, and working with adult patients. I have not started my personal statement but am working on my mission fit. Would my application be much stronger with a scribe or assistant job over my gap year? I feel ready and interested in starting medical school but looking to apply on east coast. Would it be valuable to have more clinical hours and an MD letter of recommendation before applying? Interested in your thoughts!

 

[karaya]

Academics are solid, no need to retake the MCAT. Research is good but would be better if you had a pub or a rave review from your PI. Clinicals are average; if you can scribe or MA, great--a good clinical amount would be 1000 hours. Community service is also a bit light, but your planned hours should suffice. This based on the applicants I've evaluated.

The chess is interesting and I'd be tempted to test your knowledge in the interview. Is that your Classical rating? Can't say I've seen too many CMs in the med world 🙂

My only advice: apply broadly. School list is the #1 thing entirely in your control and limiting yourself to a single region is basically handicapping. I got interviews from places I didn't expect.

 

[RockClimberMed]

I was 1600 rapid chess.com rated before med school... sitting at 1200 now...be ready for your elo to take a hit lol

 

[Faha]

You do not need to retake a MCAT of 515. I suggest these schools with your stats:
UMass
Tufts
Boston University
Vermont
Quinnipiac
Albany
New York Medical College
Rochester
Hofstra
Hackensack
Drexel
Temple
Jefferson
Penn State
George Washington
George Washington
Virginia Commonwealth
Eastern Virginia
Wake Forest
Oakland Beaumont
Western Michigan
Medical College Wisconsin
Rosalind Franklin
St. Louis
Creighton
TCU

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Welcome to the forums.

Canadian medical schools seem to care more about the subscores than American medical schools, so if you want to retake, do it for your chances for Canadian schools.

The challenge for American schools comes from not having enough clinical experience in the American healthcare system: shadowing and clinical exposure are more restricted in Canada. It appears you do address this, but nothing is certain without your submitted AMCAS. Talk with admissions representatives (coming up is the AAMC Virtual Fair). On first blush, I want to see more primary care experience. Scribing could be helpful.

The Becoming a Student Doctor resource helps enrollees better discern mission fit. We share some perspectives of the Canadian system though most of our focus is on US schools and systems.