What are my chances?

[WannaBeDoctorDad]

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About me: 32 years, old, married with a child, 6 years military service. GPA 3.4, 3.6 and 2 years of research experience. I left my full time job to pursue my undergraduate at the age of 28. I am taking my MCAT this summer following a Kaplan course, any insight on my chances assuming I do well on the MCAT. I haven't been able to get a ton of shadowing/clinical hours because, well simply, I still have to provide for my family financially etc. and have not had the time. Any thoughts would be helpful. I know that not having an MCAT score yet makes it harder....but I'm of course doing everything I can to prepare for it!

 

[moequestions]

Hey! Welcome to the forum 🙂! In here you will find a ton of resources and information. I would recommend at least getting some clinical/shadowing experience before applying. Also, I'm curious about your EC's (extracirculars), what have you done that has prepared you for a career in medicine (leadership roles, community outreach, service/volunteering etc..)?

 

[WannaBeDoctorDad]

Hey! Welcome to the forum 🙂! In here you will find a ton of resources and information. I would recommend at least getting some clinical/shadowing experience before applying. Also, I'm curious about your EC's (extracirculars), what have you done that has prepared you for a career in medicine (leadership roles, community outreach, service/volunteering etc..)?

Thank you! I meant to add that I'm a new member. I am shadowing a physician currently but can't foresee having more than 100 hours before applying. My EC include homeless shelter work (1 year), non-profit volunteering (over a summer), and my service in the military (includes several promotions, awards). I actually want to go into medicine to pursue being a military physician (although I have not worked as a medic in the military - I am in an engineering unit, and previously was in infantry). I think these roles have lead me to where I am - I've seen how badly military members need good medical care. Hope that answers some of your questions.

 

[2010houston]

Your military experience is absolutely a plus, and it sounds like you have a compelling story. Research experience is great too. Kill the MCAT! Good luck w everything.

 

[thegrind33]

I did Kaplan for MCAT reviewing, and I gotta say its really good for content review, but you should focus more on the aamc material as that will be the closest thing to the real deal.

 

[moequestions]

Thank you for your service! I agree with 2010huston that you have a great and compelling story. Focus on the MCAT and make sure you go through all the AAMC material. Good luck!

 

[WannaBeDoctorDad]

Thanks for the encouragement guys!

 

[WannaBeDoctorDad]

Honest question guys: Do you think my low clinical experience will hurt me significantly assuming I do decent-well on the MCAT? I am hopeful that most schools will see that I am not the typical applicant and couldn't fulfill as much as I wanted due to my other responsibilities. Any thoughts on this would be helpful. Like I mentioned, I am shadowing a physician currently.

 

[candbgirl]

Yes it will. ADCOMS will wonder how you know that you want to spend the next 30+ years dealing with the sick and dying. And saying you just know won’t be very believable. A good MCAT score doesn’t replace anything. It’s all part of the package. You aren’t the only applicant with other responsibilities yet every year hundreds manage to submit very complete and compelling applications.

 

[wysdoc]

Thanks for the encouragement guys!

If you look in the forum called Non-traditional students, you can also see some posts from other military SDN members making the transition and get some great advice/contacts. I know it takes some time to learn your way around the site here.
Nontraditional Students

 

[WannaBeDoctorDad]

Yes it will. ADCOMS will wonder how you know that you want to spend the next 30+ years dealing with the sick and dying. And saying you just know won’t be very believable. A good MCAT score doesn’t replace anything. It’s all part of the package. You aren’t the only applicant with other responsibilities yet every year hundreds manage to submit very complete and compelling applications.

Thank you. Good point. Another question: Does caring for my father in hospice count as some experience? It definitely led me towards medicine.

 

[candbgirl]

Hospice certainly does but I’ve read on here that taking care of a family member doesn’t. People are supposed to take care of their family. But the experience is still very valid for what led you to medicine.

 

[gyngyn]

Thank you. Good point. Another question: Does caring for my father in hospice count as some experience? It definitely led me towards medicine.

Caring for loved ones is wonderful and can certainly be part of your narrative. It does not count as an extracurricular activity.

 

[gyngyn]

Hospice certainly does but I’ve read on here that taking care of a family member doesn’t. People are supposed to take care of their family. But the experience is still very valid for what led you to medicine.

You sure do type fast!

 

[gyngyn]

Thank you! I meant to add that I'm a new member. I am shadowing a physician currently but can't foresee having more than 100 hours before applying. My EC include homeless shelter work (1 year), non-profit volunteering (over a summer), and my service in the military (includes several promotions, awards). I actually want to go into medicine to pursue being a military physician (although I have not worked as a medic in the military - I am in an engineering unit, and previously was in infantry). I think these roles have lead me to where I am - I've seen how badly military members need good medical care. Hope that answers some of your questions.

You don't really need that much shadowing! 40 hours in primary care would be fine.

 

[sixersfan]

The great thing about medical school is there is no direct path to it and everyone's journey to medical school is slightly different. Just focus on getting clinical exposure and doing well on the MCAT. Best of luck to you.