What are my chances?

[dngk5119]

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I have currently graduated from college with a sGPA 3.72 and overall GPA 3.72 in May 2011.

I haven't taken MCAT yet but as of now, at least expecting around 25-30.

My biggest concern is regarding the EC. I had absolutely no EC during college life (I had to work all 4 years of my undergrad years non-medical fields - like cashier)

After graduation, I began to work as a Research Assistant at a medical related field for 5 months and was wondering if that would count at all?

I also work in a clinic as a technician but it's in a field of optometry. Do you think it would help me to get into a MD or an OD school?

Thanks in advance

 

[gmcguitar4]

The research is good. It is also good that you did something all 4 years undergrad. Some people just can't do EC's because they have to support themselves during school. You absolutely are lacking in the clinical experience and need to get going on that ASAP. Volunteer at a hospital near you for the next year or try to find some other clinical experience(hospice maybe).

Your GPA is competitive. Shoot for 30+ MCAT, don't hold yourself back. Study until you are averaging above that. With <30 MCAT and you are competitive at DO programs but not so much MD.

As for as the OD schools...I would say guaranteed acceptance.

 

[Catalystik]

1) After graduation, I began to work as a Research Assistant at a medical related field for 5 months and was wondering if that would count at all?

2) I also work in a clinic as a technician but it's in a field of optometry. Do you think it would help me to get into a MD or an OD school?

1) Yes. A research experience will benefit your application, even if only a semester's worth.

2) If you are interacting with patients, it is clinical experience, though since most are well patients, it's not as relevant to med school as it could be. Definitely plan to get hospital, hospice, medical clinic, etc volunteering or work experience where you engage sick or injured people. About 1.5 years of this is the average listed.

You'll also need some physician shadowing (50 hours is average). And some regular nonmedical community service for a cause you care about also strengthens and application (an hour per week average is a good goal). So do teaching and leadership (which could be combined with another category).

 

[Goro]

You will need to do some ECs, including patient contact and doctor shadowing (the two are NOT the same). First, show us you know what you're getting into. Seconds, show us you actually like being around sick and injured people. Thirs, show us your altruism.

We've interviewed and then rejected people who didn't have enough ECs.

I have currently graduated from college with a sGPA 3.72 and overall GPA 3.72 in May 2011.

I haven't taken MCAT yet but as of now, at least expecting around 25-30.

My biggest concern is regarding the EC. I had absolutely no EC during college life (I had to work all 4 years of my undergrad years non-medical fields - like cashier)

After graduation, I began to work as a Research Assistant at a medical related field for 5 months and was wondering if that would count at all?

I also work in a clinic as a technician but it's in a field of optometry. Do you think it would help me to get into a MD or an OD school?

Thanks in advance