What Are My Chances?

[DontWannaBChemE]

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3.77 cGPA
3.7 sGPA
Chemical Engineering Major
36 MCAT

And that's about where the good stuff stops. I haven't had connections with pre-med people up until very recently since I am not a "science" major, so my ECs are junk.

No research

Leadership experience from:
Leading a team participating in regional competitions (Probably 70+ hrs worth of work input)
A leadership development program I am currently attending (not really a big deal, but it sounds good I guess)

very limited shadowing experience

No volunteer experience (starting next week, and will get 6 hours/week for 12 weeks of the semester at a free clinic)

Not terribly picky where I go, but I DO NOT LIKE cities over 300k...

Should I:
A)Apply in June, hope for acceptances, if I don't get them apply again next year or
B)Wait a year to apply in the first place to get more volunteering/clinical hours under my belt so I have a better chance at getting in the first time?

I think the volunteering/clinical experience is the biggest deficit (research would be nice, but I'm not sure it is completely necessary, correct me if I am wrong, please), but am hoping my high GPA/MCAT combo might get me in.

FWIW, I live in TN. Not opposed to going to Quillen, but do not want to go to Memphis (UT). That said, Quillen wouldn't be my #1 choice. I would like to go out of state, preferably farther north somewhere.

 

[J ROD]

really strong numbers.....get as much clinical experience as you can before you apply this summer (submit AMCAS in early June).....

including volunteering and shadowing...

I think if you apply broadly and smart based on the MSAR I think you will get in somewhere....

Instate is always the best option....

You are not late but it is getting close...I did most of my work Nov-Jun right before I applied but I did have more ECs that you from previous works....

 

[DontWannaBChemE]

Thanks for the reply, J DUB.

I will get in as much clinical experience as I can this semester, but I can't really push more than that 6 hours/week as I have 19 credit hours this semester, plus my team leadership position I am holding. I know some schools are more numbers-focused and others are more focused on the volunteering/etc. Do you know if/where I might be able to find a list about that?

 

[J ROD]

Thanks for the reply, J DUB.

I will get in as much clinical experience as I can this semester, but I can't really push more than that 6 hours/week as I have 19 credit hours this semester, plus my team leadership position I am holding. I know some schools are more numbers-focused and others are more focused on the volunteering/etc. Do you know if/where I might be able to find a list about that?

Not sure about schools....but I would work your instate schools hard....

also, dont forget the shadowing about 50hrs.....

 

[DntStopBelievin]

I always thought that volunteering and shadowing help to reinforce your decision to go into medicine or at least give you exposure to it. That being said, you had better convince them that you have a reason for choosing medicine as a career. Maybe your personal statement will say this. But if you are granted an interview, "why medicine?" is the first question followed by "so clinical experiences have you had" All of my interviewers asked these basic med school questions. But hopefully you have a good experience once you start volunteering. Good luck!

 

[mmmcdowe]

I'd take a year extra. It will do wonders for your application success. With only a few months of volunteering and stuff (which is going to look like you are trying to do some last minute justification of why medicine?), you might not get in even with your great stats. At the very least, I think it is likely that you won't do nearly as well nor have the options that you deserve with such a strong academic profile.

 

[TheFamilyDoc]

3.77 cGPA
3.7 sGPA
Chemical Engineering Major
36 MCAT

And that's about where the good stuff stops. I haven't had connections with pre-med people up until very recently since I am not a "science" major, so my ECs are junk.

No research
.

Don't worry. apply broadly you have a good chance of acceptance, that many wish they had. With no research you may have to convenience the schools why you choose medicine but most likely you'll be fine.

 

[Catalystik]

I would be amazed if you get an acceptance with only five months of last-minute clinical volunteering, no nonmedical community service, no research, brief leadership, and no teaching. Don't waste your money applying this year. Your application screams of a last minute decision to go into medicine. Do it right and apply when your application is the best it can be. High stats are no substitute for activities that demonstrate the characteristics that an adcomm wants to see in the doctors they train.

That said, you've done a great job keeping your cGPA high in such a demanding major.

And no, you don't need research if everything else is solid.

 

[J ROD]

I would be amazed if you get an acceptance with only five months of last-minute clinical volunteering, no nonmedical community service, no research, brief leadership, and no teaching. Don't waste your money applying this year. Your application screams of a last minute decision to go into medicine. Do it right and apply when your application is the best it can be. High stats are no substitute for activities that demonstrate the characteristics that an adcomm wants to see in the doctors they train.

That said, you've done a great job keeping your cGPA high in such a demanding major.

And no, you don't need research if everything else is solid.

I used to think that too until I noticed some folks getting in just doing that.....those stats can make up for it as long as you have some ECs.....

Will it work? Maybe, but I would take the shot and continue to work on the ECs and update schools in the cycle if need be.

 

[Catalystik]

We've seen that a rare poster gains an acceptance with a minimum of experience in an important area, but there are too many weaknesses in what has been presented to us here for us to give false hope, strong stats notwithstanding.

 

[J ROD]

We've seen that a rare poster gains an acceptance with a minimum of experience in an important area, but there are too many weaknesses in what has been presented to us here for us to give false hope, strong stats notwithstanding.

I still think it is a decent chance since the OP is gonna have some of the clinical experience....

And the really strong stats....

 

[mmmcdowe]

I still think it is a decent chance since the OP is gonna have some of the clinical experience....

And the really strong stats....

The real question is the potential for increased in state merit scholarship money and perhaps more than one acceptance at some top schools worth it for a year off.

 

[J ROD]

The real question is the potential for increased in state merit scholarship money and perhaps more than one acceptance at some top schools worth it for a year off.

true....OP has to decide whether to take what they can get now or get more later....

I would say 50/50 v. 80-90 later..

But, I went for it so it is hard for me not to say think about it even when a yr off would make them much stronger....

I am changing my strategy some since I have been getting PMs from people that have gotten in doing what the OP is trying to do with much lesser stats...I think I might have been a little premature....