What are my chances?

[Zelda840]

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I feel like I'm pretty borderline. I'm a Nebraska resident and would be really happy if I could get into UNMC.

My GPA is 3.89 (not sure about my science GPA.....AMCAS hasn't calced it yet)
MCAT score was 29 (8PS, 11VR, 10BS)

I think I interview pretty well, but I know I'm light on EC's. I've done over 300 hours of volunteer work, but it was at the humane society, so not medicine related. I've done about 12 hours of physician shadowing and have had a lot of trouble finding research opportunities. I've done other volunteer work with kids (STEM projects, Chemistry workshops, etc) but they are usually one or two day things.....not ongoing work. I've also done tutoring (about 200 hours over the last year).

Assuming I can get more physician shadowing in before a hypothetical interview, how badly will my lack of ECs and slightly low MCAT hurt me? Will my high GPA help balance it all out? Also I am applying very last minute for this cycle, so I'm sure that doesn't help. If I don't make it this year, I'll apply early decision to UNMC next cycle. I'm just hope hope hoping it doesn't come to that.

 

[Goro]

You don't need more shadowing, you desperately need some patient contact volunteer work to show us you actually want to be around sick and injured people for the next 40 years. lacking that, you might get interviews, but then wait listed.

The < avg MCAT suggests to me your best bet will aim for any DO program, and low-tier MD schools, + your state school if any.

I feel like I'm pretty borderline. I'm a Nebraska resident and would be really happy if I could get into UNMC.

My GPA is 3.89 (not sure about my science GPA.....AMCAS hasn't calced it yet)
MCAT score was 29 (8PS, 11VR, 10BS)

I think I interview pretty well, but I know I'm light on EC's. I've done over 300 hours of volunteer work, but it was at the humane society, so not medicine related. I've done about 12 hours of physician shadowing and have had a lot of trouble finding research opportunities. I've done other volunteer work with kids (STEM projects, Chemistry workshops, etc) but they are usually one or two day things.....not ongoing work. I've also done tutoring (about 200 hours over the last year).

Assuming I can get more physician shadowing in before a hypothetical interview, how badly will my lack of ECs and slightly low MCAT hurt me? Will my high GPA help balance it all out? Also I am applying very last minute for this cycle, so I'm sure that doesn't help. If I don't make it this year, I'll apply early decision to UNMC next cycle. I'm just hope hope hoping it doesn't come to that.

 

[Zelda840]

Thanks for your input. I appreciate it. 🙂

 

[Zelda840]

The truth is, I spend a good chunk of every day with one sick person in particular. My sister has cancer (multiple myeloma) and I help out a lot with my family. I didn't know if I should mention this to schools, though. I don't want it to seem......I don't know.....like I'm using her illness as an excuse, I guess. Do you think I should mention it so they know where all my time is going when I'm not in school?

 

[thegypsyqueen]

The truth is, I spend a good chunk of every day with one sick person in particular. My sister has cancer (multiple myeloma) and I help out a lot with my family. I didn't know if I should mention this to schools, though. I don't want it to seem......I don't know.....like I'm using her illness as an excuse, I guess. Do you think I should mention it so they know where all my time is going when I'm not in school?

Definitely mention it. If it has influenced your choice of pursuing medicine you might even consider putting it in your PS.