What are my Chances?

[LUV29]

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I am currently a Junior though I can graduate a semester early. I will also be applying in the 2013-2014 cycle (taking the 1 year gap, hopefully doing something interesting), but it's never too early to start worrying about such things. What can I do to improve my stats at a good medical school.

My overall Gpa is 3.5
2+ years of Volunteering
3+weeks of community service abroad (Medical Clinic) under local NGO
Also youth cordinator of the same NGO
Shadowing this summer (aiming for 3 semesters worth of shadowing hours)
Accepted into an Internship/Research program for next semester (worth 3 credits) at my school
Member of NCSC/Phi Kappa Phi
In the process of starting my own NGO in Africa
Bilingual
African
MCAT- taking them in August

Worries: I have 3 C's and a withdrawal (1 C is non-bio related)

Also should I just go ahead and use the semester that I am free by taking more classes to improve my GPA or a 3.5 is competitive enough. It is something I don't mind doing, but that would mean taking more financial aid.

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

 

[CanadianPremed]

,.,.,.,.,.,.,.

 

[LUV29]

Since you qualify for URM status, a 3.5 GPA is competitive for you. Apply to a broad range of schools. Most preferably, all of your Instate schools and schools known to accept applicants around your GPA. Work hard on getting a good score on the MCAT. A 30 should be sufficient for you, but it's always good to aim higher.

Thank you so much. Will work for a high MCAT score.

 

[flodhi1]

You're taking the MCAT pretty late.

 

[LUV29]

I am taking them in August and applying Next cycle 2013-2014. I wouldn't be applying this year because of the MCAT and no Shadowing hours yet.

 

[LUV29]

You're taking the MCAT pretty late.

The reply was meant for you. And I just saw your profile and I am guessing you matriculated at VCU🙂.

 

[Catalystik]

I am currently a Junior though I can graduate a semester early. I will also be applying in the 2013-2014 cycle (taking the 1 year gap, hopefully doing something interesting), but it's never too early to start worrying about such things. What can I do to improve my stats at a good medical school.

My overall Gpa is 3.5
2+ years of Volunteering
3+weeks of community service abroad (Medical Clinic) under local NGO
Also youth cordinator of the same NGO
Shadowing this summer (aiming for 3 semesters worth of shadowing hours)
Accepted into an Internship/Research program for next semester (worth 3 credits) at my school
Member of NCSC/Phi Kappa Phi
In the process of starting my own NGO in Africa
Bilingual
African
MCAT- taking them in August

Worries: I have 3 C's and a withdrawal (1 C is non-bio related)

Also should I just go ahead and use the semester that I am free by taking more classes to improve my GPA or a 3.5 is competitive enough. It is something I don't mind doing, but that would mean taking more financial aid.

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

If you are not a citizen/permanent resident of the US, you will benefit from more competitive numbers. Even if you are, a higher GPA may result in better financial aid offers. So don't be content with a 3.5 if you can possibly get it higher than that. Staying in school will benefit you if it is financially feasible. Similarly, aim as high as possible for your MCAT score.

Do you have any clinical experience? US-based shadowing is important too, but you'd be better off putting some of those extra hours into into active patient experience rather than a passive observership.

What US-based community service have you been involved in?

The organizations you've joined don't help much unless you take on a leadership role, or use them to engage in volunteer opportunities.

Your leadership looks good. Your research experience will help you.

Any teaching, hobbies, or artistic endeavors?

 

[LUV29]

If you are not a citizen/permanent resident of the US, you will benefit from more competitive numbers. Even if you are, a higher GPA may result in better financial aid offers. So don't be content with a 3.5 if you can possibly get it higher than that. Staying in school will benefit you if it is financially feasible. Similarly, aim as high as possible for your MCAT score.

Do you have any clinical experience? US-based shadowing is important too, but you'd be better off putting some of those extra hours into into active patient experience rather than a passive observership.

What US-based community service have you been involved in?

The organizations you've joined don't help much unless you take on a leadership role, or use them to engage in volunteer opportunities.

Your leadership looks good. Your research experience will help you.

Any teaching, hobbies, or artistic endeavors?

I am a US citizen and IA that a 3.5 is not enough for me and I would likely increase it to a 3.6-3.65 in my remaining two semesters counting summer.

I am guessing by clinical experience you mean shadowing? That I do not have yet, but I am working on that for this summer and the remainder of my undergraduate. I have shadowed before with Red Cross for refugee/IDP camps and at a local hospital, but all of these was abroad and the beginning of my freshman year so it's not something I depend much on. My 2+ years in volunteering is at a hospital and I do have patient contact (I discharge the patients)

I have also done some community service here and there (I.e food drive, back to school parades, etc and the organizations I am currently in have done some extras too). I am also looking to expand that section by doing habitat for humanity this summer.

No teaching yet, but will be a TA for my cell biology class in my last semester (already registered for it).

Hobbies: Photography, Sewing, Babysitting, Singing, and Playing Scrabble.

I also work at a Children's Store

Any advice is appreciated🙂 Thanks

 

[Catalystik]

1) I am a US citizen and IA that a 3.5 is not enough for me and I would likely increase it to a 3.6-3.65 in my remaining two semesters counting summer.

2) I am guessing by clinical experience you mean shadowing? That I do not have yet, but I am working on that for this summer and the remainder of my undergraduate. I have shadowed before with Red Cross for refugee/IDP camps and at a local hospital, but all of these was abroad and the beginning of my freshman year so it's not something I depend much on. My 2+ years in volunteering is at a hospital and I do have patient contact (I discharge the patients)

3) I have also done some community service here and there (I.e food drive, back to school parades, etc and the organizations I am currently in have done some extras too). I am also looking to expand that section by doing habitat for humanity this summer.

4) No teaching yet, but will be a TA for my cell biology class in my last semester (already registered for it).

5) Hobbies: Photography, Sewing, Babysitting, Singing, and Playing Scrabble.

6) I also work at a Children's Store

Any advice is appreciated🙂 Thanks

I think the final possible grade range you give is a good goal. Citizenship means you will have better chances overall for acceptance, as more schools will consider you.

2) By "clinical experience" I referred to experiences like the hospital volunteering you just mentioned, where you were involved for a decent period of time, and interacted with patients. That looks good. I consider the shadowing to be separate, but also necessary, and i'm glad you have planned for it. The Red Cross international shadowing can be listed, too, but can't stand on its own.

3) That all sounds good, and the H for H summer experience will be great.

4), 5), & 6) All excellent. Mention everything.

Overall, you'll have comprehensive ECs that will put you in good stead for a range of schools. Exactly which will be depending on final GPA and MCAT outcomes.

 

[LUV29]

I think the final possible grade range you give is a good goal. Citizenship means you will have better chances overall for acceptance, as more schools will consider you.

2) By "clinical experience" I referred to experiences like the hospital volunteering you just mentioned, where you were involved for a decent period of time, and interacted with patients. That looks good. I consider the shadowing to be separate, but also necessary, and i'm glad you have planned for it. The Red Cross international shadowing can be listed, too, but can't stand on its own.

3) That all sounds good, and the H for H summer experience will be great.

4), 5), & 6) All excellent. Mention everything.

Overall, you'll have comprehensive ECs that will put you in good stead for a range of schools. Exactly which will be depending on final GPA and MCAT outcomes.

Thanks a bunch. Will now work to improve my other weak areas.

 

[flodhi1]

The reply was meant for you. And I just saw your profile and I am guessing you matriculated at VCU🙂.

Yes! I will start June 1st!

 

[LUV29]

Yes! I will start June 1st!

Congrats. Great med school program.