What are chances with virtually no extracurriculars?

[aalamruad]

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Well according to this survey, mechanical engineers (my field) have a higher job satisfaction than internist. I really don't think shadowing has any effect on a students desire to pursue medicine.
http://www.myplan.com/careers/top-ten/highest-job-satisfaction.php

Well internists have the lowest job satisfaction of every medical specialty so that's not saying much

 

[bears1992]

Well internists have the lowest job satisfaction of every medical specialty so that's not saying much

True, just as the job satisfaction ratings vary greatly between types of engineering. On average they are both high on the chart so I certainly wouldn't consider engineers to be miserable just as I wouldn't consider doctors to be miserable.

I think both schools just take a different approach and rightfully so. It's very easy to get into engineering school (maybe not a top institution but there are plenty of ABET accredited schools that accept students with 2.5gpa all day). There is no shadowing, hours in the field, essays, and you certainly don't have to spend $3000 applying to 30 schools and flying out for interviews. Even when applying to a PhD program, the process is not as over the top as medical school. Graduating an engineer program is a completely different story. Our dean said our class had a 55% drop out rate (most just switched majors). Most of the weeding out is done by the curriculum. From my experience on this site, it seems medical school is the opposite. They are extremely selective, but once you're in, they do everything to help you graduate and keep their rates 95%+. I guess a medical school that was run like an engineer school would look a lot like the Caribbean schools 🙂

 

[Medicalrose]

True, just as the job satisfaction ratings vary greatly between types of engineering. On average they are both high on the chart so I certainly wouldn't consider engineers to be miserable just as I wouldn't consider doctors to be miserable.

I think both schools just take a different approach and rightfully so. It's very easy to get into engineering school (maybe not a top institution but there are plenty of ABET accredited schools that accept students with 2.5gpa all day). There is no shadowing, hours in the field, essays, and you certainly don't have to spend $3000 applying to 30 schools and flying out for interviews. Even when applying to a PhD program, the process is not as over the top as medical school. Graduating an engineer program is a completely different story. Our dean said our class had a 55% drop out rate (most just switched majors). Most of the weeding out is done by the curriculum. From my experience on this site, it seems medical school is the opposite. They are extremely selective, but once you're in, they do everything to help you graduate and keep their rates 95%+. I guess a medical school that was run like an engineer school would look a lot like the Caribbean schools 🙂

hi, I am also a mechanical engineer and work for 7 years. I am 1st year medical student now. How about you?

 

[chemdoctor]

I think your chances would be equivalent to an applicant having the worlds greatest EC's but a 2.0 gpa and a 480 MCAT.

Stole my idea. I was going to type that!

 

[chemdoctor]

Honestly, I think that having strong stats but a weak resume in a traditional applicant is the kiss of death. The super competitive schools won't want you because they are able to fill their classes with people who both have strong stats and are somehow "interesting." Less competitive schools on the other hand screen out people with too-strong stats unless they have meaningful connections to that school/city. I feel like it's much better to have stats that aren't horrible and have a great resume or a compelling life story than the reverse of being a bland applicant with a 4.0 and great MCAT.

Agreed. I guess it's better to have a 3.7/3.6 with a 509/510 applicant, but have volunteering, shadowing, research, etc. than to be the other way around.

 

[Goro]

My super high GPA/super high MCAT advisee this term who got accepted day 1 is an engineer. It was his third application cycle as he had little to no clinical and community service

What was his hook, other than the stats????

 

[bears1992]

hi, I am also a mechanical engineer and work for 7 years. I am 1st year medical student now. How about you?

Same! Unless I fail this anatomy exam Monday, then probably engineer again lol.

 

[On_The_Way_Up]

Dumb idea. Don’t do it. I know someone who applied with a 522 MCAT and 4.0. They didn’t get in anywhere. No clinical volunteering and shadowed only 20 hours. No nonclinical volunteering either. He had 2 years of research though. Wasn’t involved in any school clubs.