What are my chances?

[lionsfan1]

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Currently a Junior at Wayne state university with a cGPA of 3.8, sgpa right around 3.72. Currently studying for my MCAT which I will be taking on April 28.

Volunteering ...

100 hours at local hospital, served mostly in surgery aiding doctors and shadowing surgeries.

30 hours last summer volunteering in a summer program aiding autistic children in speech and physical therapy.

3 years on the board of my ethnic backgrounds group at wayne state. served this last year on the board, and we participated in many events through this group (food drives, breast cancer walks, fundraisers)

I'm actually going to be beginning research this semester on membrane proteins, which im excited about 😀

A little more about me, i've been balancing school with work for all of undergrad (like alot of other pre-meds), i usually work 20 hours a week aiding in running a family business. Was not born in the United states but came at a young age, I don't know if that will have any effect on app, but I am first generation to go to college in my family.

I know its hard to tell without an MCAT score, but what should I be looking to score to make sure I'm in good shape, and what else could I do to improve my app for this coming fall?

Looking at mostly MD but will consider DO as well.

 

[flodhi1]

Impressive GPA, with that GPA all you need is a MCAT score > 29 and you will "most likely get accepted". Obviously though strive to do your best, if you aim for a 40 then you'll probably get some where > 30 might even hit 40 😉
Nothing is a guarantee though even a 4.0/45 on the MCAT is not a guaranteed admission but you do have a very good chance. There are some important things you need to improve on though.
1) Start shadowing with primary care physicians and physicians from other fields than surgery. Medical schools like diversity, if you shadow with different fields you will get a better perspective of medicine and have much more to talk about.
2) Get a LOR from one of the Physicians that you shadow with. So, build a good relationship with the physicians you shadow. Shadow with an outgoing physician, just interact with him on a personal and academic level that's really all it takes at times.
3) Increase your community service trust me 30 hours is not enough. Open up to other fields such as rehab facilities, community centers, homeless shelters etc.
4) Mentor children, medical schools are big on mentoring and leadership. You can also just tutor at your university that would be an easy and quick start.

So my final take is that your GPA is strong, your ECs need some work and the MCAT should not be a problem for you as long as you put in the effort. Let me know if you need anything, good luck!

 

[lionsfan1]

thanks for the help/tips I APPRECIATE it, and congrats on getting accepted.!

 

[sliceofbread136]

Impressive GPA, with that GPA all you need is a MCAT score > 29 and you will "most likely get accepted". Obviously though strive to do your best, if you aim for a 40 then you'll probably get some where > 30 might even hit 40 😉
Nothing is a guarantee though even a 4.0/45 on the MCAT is not a guaranteed admission but you do have a very good chance. There are some important things you need to improve on though.
1) Start shadowing with primary care physicians and physicians from other fields than surgery. Medical schools like diversity, if you shadow with different fields you will get a better perspective of medicine and have much more to talk about.
2) Get a LOR from one of the Physicians that you shadow with. So, build a good relationship with the physicians you shadow. Shadow with an outgoing physician, just interact with him on a personal and academic level that's really all it takes at times.
3) Increase your community service trust me 30 hours is not enough. Open up to other fields such as rehab facilities, community centers, homeless shelters etc.
4) Mentor children, medical schools are big on mentoring and leadership. You can also just tutor at your university that would be an easy and quick start.

So my final take is that your GPA is strong, your ECs need some work and the MCAT should not be a problem for you as long as you put in the effort. Let me know if you need anything, good luck!

Just one thing, I read LizzyM state that an MD recommendation doesn't carry alot of weight because it is usually from a family friend. Probably better to just get one from a science professor or whoever you're doing research with.

 

[flodhi1]

Just one thing, I read LizzyM state that an MD recommendation doesn't carry alot of weight because it is usually from a family friend. Probably better to just get one from a science professor or whoever you're doing research with.

That's her own opinion, I personally had a committee letter with 2 science, 1 non-science and 1 MD letter. My own advisor stated that adding a strong MD letter on top strengthens the application. Every school/ ADCOM looks at each letter differently. So, there are schools specifically social mission based schools that appreciate primary care MD letters. It would be harsh for medical schools to automatically assume that a MD letter is from a "family friend". Therefore, OP add the MD letter to your other letters you will be fine. The MD letter sort of also verifies that you did actually have clinic experience not just BSing around excuse my language. OP, thank you for your kind words and good luck!