Hello,
Currently I am considering my next steps for applying to medical school either this cycle or the next. My cGPA is 3.65, sGPA is 3.60 and my latest MCAT score is a 511 (129, 126, 129, 127). I have already applied to medical school for the past two years, both unsuccessful in obtaining an interview. I will say my first attempt at applying to medical school was more to gauge where I was standing and I was able to retake the MCAT and get a better score (504 to 511). This last year I definitely made the mistake in not applying to any DO programs and having a relatively small list of schools. Should I decide to go an apply for this cycle, I will be applying to mostly DO programs. I know that my application lacks a few things. To perfect my application I would look to get shadowing hours from a doctor, include more volunteer hours, and add an additional letter of recommendation from a physician. Since my gap year started it has been difficult for me to get any of these experiences and I have been focusing much of my time in gaining clinical hours as an EMT (40+ hours per week). It worries me that I was not able to accomplish these things for the upcoming application this year but I thought I would try to see what others thought before I made any hard decisions on what to do.
Here's the rest of my application info:
State of Residence: IL
Mixed- Filipino, White
Degree: BA in Biochemistry, Graduated May 2020 from Indiana University Bloomington
LORs: 1 Science Professor, 1 from research professor, 1 non-science course professor (all IU Bloomington Faculty)
ECs:
ER Hospital Shadowing Volunteer- 24 total hours
Phi Delta Epsilon PreMedical Fraternity- Volunteer/ Philanthropy Experience (roughly 32 hours)
ER Hospital Volunteer- Roughly 18 hours
Lab Assistant (Non research)- Paid, part time about 400 cumulative hours
Materials Chemistry Research Lab- 3.5 years experience, listed author on published paper, presented poster presentations for University held events, includes full time research in summer between terms. I was awarded multiple scholarships/grants for this research through university and department funding.
IU Mens Club Volleyball- 4 years- Player, Captain, Executive Board Member
Practice Player for D1 Women's Volleyball- Volunteer experience, about 140 total hours
EMT for private ambulance company- (Not included in last years application, but sent updates as I continued to gain more experience) Over 1000 hours for full time paid employment. This has been a clinical experience, not just an ambulance driver.
I plan on doing a full overhaul on my application from last year if I apply again this year. Any advice or recommendations are appreciated and I will try to respond to any questions as they come up.
Thanks!!!
Currently I am considering my next steps for applying to medical school either this cycle or the next. My cGPA is 3.65, sGPA is 3.60 and my latest MCAT score is a 511 (129, 126, 129, 127). I have already applied to medical school for the past two years, both unsuccessful in obtaining an interview. I will say my first attempt at applying to medical school was more to gauge where I was standing and I was able to retake the MCAT and get a better score (504 to 511). This last year I definitely made the mistake in not applying to any DO programs and having a relatively small list of schools. Should I decide to go an apply for this cycle, I will be applying to mostly DO programs. I know that my application lacks a few things. To perfect my application I would look to get shadowing hours from a doctor, include more volunteer hours, and add an additional letter of recommendation from a physician. Since my gap year started it has been difficult for me to get any of these experiences and I have been focusing much of my time in gaining clinical hours as an EMT (40+ hours per week). It worries me that I was not able to accomplish these things for the upcoming application this year but I thought I would try to see what others thought before I made any hard decisions on what to do.
Here's the rest of my application info:
State of Residence: IL
Mixed- Filipino, White
Degree: BA in Biochemistry, Graduated May 2020 from Indiana University Bloomington
LORs: 1 Science Professor, 1 from research professor, 1 non-science course professor (all IU Bloomington Faculty)
ECs:
ER Hospital Shadowing Volunteer- 24 total hours
Phi Delta Epsilon PreMedical Fraternity- Volunteer/ Philanthropy Experience (roughly 32 hours)
ER Hospital Volunteer- Roughly 18 hours
Lab Assistant (Non research)- Paid, part time about 400 cumulative hours
Materials Chemistry Research Lab- 3.5 years experience, listed author on published paper, presented poster presentations for University held events, includes full time research in summer between terms. I was awarded multiple scholarships/grants for this research through university and department funding.
IU Mens Club Volleyball- 4 years- Player, Captain, Executive Board Member
Practice Player for D1 Women's Volleyball- Volunteer experience, about 140 total hours
EMT for private ambulance company- (Not included in last years application, but sent updates as I continued to gain more experience) Over 1000 hours for full time paid employment. This has been a clinical experience, not just an ambulance driver.
I plan on doing a full overhaul on my application from last year if I apply again this year. Any advice or recommendations are appreciated and I will try to respond to any questions as they come up.
Thanks!!!