What are my chances? 36R, 3.2s, 3.3c, lots of research, pubs

[poiboy]

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Hi, just trying to get some insight on my chances and where I should apply.

3rd time applicant (hopefully the last!)

first MCAT 34S -- 11P/10V/13B (expired)
second MCAT 36R -- 13P/11V/12B

California Resident, the UC where fun comes to die
MCB major, 3.3c, 3.2s, honors math & some engineering classes just for "fun"
Masters in Biomedical Imaging/Engineering -- 4.0

2+ years Research in Neuro lab that led to 4th author pub in high profile journal (N****e)
1.5+years Internship & consultant with clinical imaging group of major biotech-pharma group
2+ years Research in vascular imaging lab with lots & lots of clinical exposure (departments of rad, IR, NIR, neuro, vascular surg, CT surg)

100+ hours shadowing (pulmonologist, cardiac EP, prim care)
100+ hours volunteering homeless clinic

lots of poster presentations at various conferences
manuscripts in submission and preparation for various research

 

[poiboy]

C'mon guys.. you know you don't have anything better to do on your Saturday night 😉

 

[Mack11]

I think your prob. before might have been realy low GPA. Now that you've done your masters and have a 4.0 I think you have a real good shot at some top ten schools

 

[poiboy]

Thanks Mack.

i've just heard that adcoms lump undergrad/postbac together & look at grad school separately (with a lot more weight placed on UG), so my concern is that my (straight B's) as an overzealous 18-21 year old will come back to haunt me

 

[Radon XP]

They will consider your undergrad GPA separately, but now that you have a shiny new 4.0 post-grad GPA, they'll consider that, too. I think you have a shot at MD schools, and you'd have excellent chances if you're also applying DO.

Good luck.

 

[poiboy]

They will consider your undergrad GPA separately, but now that you have a shiny new 4.0 post-grad GPA, they'll consider that, too. I think you have a shot at MD schools, and you'd have excellent chances if you're also applying DO.

Good luck.

Thanks Radon.

 

[Goro]

This is the app of someone who wants to be in a lab and never touch patients.

All new MD programs
All low-tiers
Any DO program. Start with TUCOM-CA and Western since they're in your backyard.

Hi, just trying to get some insight on my chances and where I should apply.

3rd time applicant (hopefully the last!)

first MCAT 34S -- 11P/10V/13B (expired)
second MCAT 36R -- 13P/11V/12B

California Resident, the UC where fun comes to die
MCB major, 3.3c, 3.2s, honors math & some engineering classes just for "fun"
Masters in Biomedical Imaging/Engineering -- 4.0

2+ years Research in Neuro lab that led to 4th author pub in high profile journal (N****e)
1.5+years Internship & consultant with clinical imaging group of major biotech-pharma group
2+ years Research in vascular imaging lab with lots & lots of clinical exposure (departments of rad, IR, NIR, neuro, vascular surg, CT surg)

100+ hours shadowing (pulmonologist, cardiac EP, prim care)
100+ hours volunteering homeless clinic

lots of poster presentations at various conferences
manuscripts in submission and preparation for various research

 

[poiboy]

This is the app of someone who wants to be in a lab and never touch patients.

All new MD programs
All low-tiers
Any DO program. Start with TUCOM-CA and Western since they're in your backyard.

Thanks for your response.

This is what is frustrating to me about the admission process. I really don't understand the arbitrary measures of what adcoms consider to be "indicators of a good future doctor that wants to interact with clinical populations". Is it simply because I don't have extensive clinical volunteer work? All the research I've participated in is with clinical populations, lots of patients interaction, but somehow I continue to get lumped in with the research world.

 

[Radon XP]

Clinical volunteering would help, for sure. Especially if you can find a low-income clinic, that way you're combining clinical exposure with helping the underserved.

 

[Pasmal]

How many schools are you applying to? I remember reading that the average is 14, so make sure you cast a wide net. If you're looking for more schools to add to the list, consider MCW. My parents went there and told me that there were so many folks from Cali in the program that they all called the school "UC Wisconsin." Also consider Tulane, they're big on community service.

Your undergrad GPA isn't THAT low. Try not to worry about your grades coming back to haunt you; you rocked the MCAT and your post-bac. If you apply to a range of DO/MD schools this year, I'm confident this will be your last cycle.

 

[Lamel]

Thanks for your response.

This is what is frustrating to me about the admission process. I really don't understand the arbitrary measures of what adcoms consider to be "indicators of a good future doctor that wants to interact with clinical populations". Is it simply because I don't have extensive clinical volunteer work? All the research I've participated in is with clinical populations, lots of patients interaction, but somehow I continue to get lumped in with the research world.

What exactly is a homeless clinic? Isn't that your clinical volunteering?

 

[poiboy]

Clinical volunteering would help, for sure. Especially if you can find a low-income clinic, that way you're combining clinical exposure with helping the underserved.

I'll have to look into that!

On top of the 40hrs/week I already do at the VA + 30hrs/week at my other clinical imaging gig, it seems pretty that I can squeeze anything else in. Anything meaningful that is - I'm sure I could show up, but I'd likely be a mindless, sleep-deprived zombie

Thanks for the advice though, Radon

 

[poiboy]

How many schools are you applying to? I remember reading that the average is 14, so make sure you cast a wide net. If you're looking for more schools to add to the list, consider MCW. My parents went there and told me that there were so many folks from Cali in the program that they all called the school "UC Wisconsin." Also consider Tulane, they're big on community service.

Your undergrad GPA isn't THAT low. Try not to worry about your grades coming back to haunt you; you rocked the MCAT and your post-bac. If you apply to a range of DO/MD schools this year, I'm confident this will be your last cycle.

It wasn't a post-bacc, it was a graduate degree, which in my understanding is very different in adcom eyes. Whatever though, I gained more from it than I would have with any SMP and I wouldn't trade it for the world

I'm applying to nearly 40 schools, casting a wide net. My professors and PI's at UC recommended I do throw in some mid and higher tiers in the mix with my background and experience. I have heard a lot about midwest schools, and I'm very interested in their programs for various reasons. Tulane also is in the mix.

 

[poiboy]

What exactly is a homeless clinic? Isn't that your clinical volunteering?

Yeah, homeless clinic is a type of free clinic for those who can't afford medical care... I would consider it clinical volunteering, but I don't have the ridiculous hours I keep hearing about on SDN. I'd say that my clinical research labs were more beneficial clinical exposure, but who am I to say? I'm not the adcom 😉

 

[Lamel]

Yeah, homeless clinic is a type of free clinic for those who can't afford medical care... I would consider it clinical volunteering, but I don't have the ridiculous hours I keep hearing about on SDN. I'd say that my clinical research labs were more beneficial clinical exposure, but who am I to say? I'm not the adcom 😉

I think your clinical will be fine; be sure to emphasize the clinical interaction in your research on your application.

 

[Pasmal]

It wasn't a post-bacc, it was a graduate degree, which in my understanding is very different in adcom eyes. Whatever though, I gained more from it than I would have with any SMP and I wouldn't trade it for the world

I'm applying to nearly 40 schools, casting a wide net. My professors and PI's at UC recommended I do throw in some mid and higher tiers in the mix with my background and experience. I have heard a lot about midwest schools, and I'm very interested in their programs for various reasons. Tulane also is in the mix.

There are two different types of post-baccalaureate education. One is degree-granting, the other is certificate-granting. I was just referring to your graduate education in general, sorry for any confusion. 40 is a lot! You probably already know this, but my advice with that many schools is to pre-write secondaries so you can send them out within 24-48 hours. Sounds like you have a solid plan, though, can't wait to see where you end up!

 

[poiboy]

There are two different types of post-baccalaureate education. One is degree-granting, the other is certificate-granting. I was just referring to your graduate education in general, sorry for any confusion. 40 is a lot! You probably already know this, but my advice with that many schools is to pre-write secondaries so you can send them out within 24-48 hours. Sounds like you have a solid plan, though, can't wait to see where you end up!

Ya, I took about 24 units in a certificate granting program (with a 3.75GPA, but no certificate)... but my 4.0 is in a Masters of Science, so I don't think that factors in as part of the UG/post-bac GPA

Thanks for the advice and good vibes, Pasmal! I am already pre-writing lots of secondaries. Being a third time reapplicant I have seen the scope of questions asked and have had lots of time to reflect on my responses... which can either be very helpful or anxiety-provoking!

 

[Goro]

Clinical research doesn't appear to us at face value that you want to spend the next 30-40 years being around sick people, nor does it really demonstrate that you know what you're getting into. Talking to patients and getting their permission for the PI to do something to them is different from, say, pushing people in wheelchairs, talking to families, or bringing the patients ice after surgery to suck on, or reading to patients

Suggest that you get out of your comfort zone and volunteer in a hospice, nursing home or a clinic.

This is what is frustrating to me about the admission process. I really don't understand the arbitrary measures of what adcoms consider to be "indicators of a good future doctor that wants to interact with clinical populations". Is it simply because I don't have extensive clinical volunteer work? All the research I've participated in is with clinical populations, lots of patients interaction, but somehow I continue to get lumped in with the research world.[/QUOTE]

 

[poiboy]

Clinical research doesn't appear to us at face value that you want to spend the next 30-40 years being around sick people, nor does it really demonstrate that you know what you're getting into. Talking to patients and getting their permission for the PI to do something to them is different from, say, pushing people in wheelchairs, talking to families, or bringing the patients ice after surgery to suck on, or reading to patients

Suggest that you get out of your comfort zone and volunteer in a hospice, nursing home or a clinic.

This is what is frustrating to me about the admission process. I really don't understand the arbitrary measures of what adcoms consider to be "indicators of a good future doctor that wants to interact with clinical populations". Is it simply because I don't have extensive clinical volunteer work? All the research I've participated in is with clinical populations, lots of patients interaction, but somehow I continue to get lumped in with the research world.

[/QUOTE]

I appreciate the input Goro!

 

[poiboy]

interviewed at 3 MSTP , 2 MD only.. matriculating in the fall

 

[Verbatim Disk]

Clinical research doesn't appear to us at face value that you want to spend the next 30-40 years being around sick people, nor does it really demonstrate that you know what you're getting into. Talking to patients and getting their permission for the PI to do something to them is different from, say, pushing people in wheelchairs, talking to families, or bringing the patients ice after surgery to suck on, or reading to patients

Suggest that you get out of your comfort zone and volunteer in a hospice, nursing home or a clinic.

I'm confused. Isn't
"100+ hours shadowing (pulmonologist, cardiac EP, prim care)
100+ hours volunteering homeless clinic"

clinical experience? Unless this was recently edited into the first post?

 

[Goro]

Must have been added later. I just recall the clinical research bit.

I'm confused. Isn't
"100+ hours shadowing (pulmonologist, cardiac EP, prim care)
100+ hours volunteering homeless clinic"

clinical experience? Unless this was recently edited into the first post?

 

[samsunimomo]

interviewed at 3 MSTP , 2 MD only.. matriculating in the fall

Congrats!!!

 

[ridethecliche]

Did you get into any of the MSTP's?