What do I need to score on the 2015 MCAT to be competitive for MD

[vicktrump]

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I have a 3.94 GPA, don't know what my science is but it's close to that, GPA shouldn't drop below a 3.85 by time of application.
Volunteer: <160 hrs at two free clinics, week medical mission trip in central america
Shadowing: <120 hrs between 14 doctors
Research: started this semester, coauthor on poster
Leadership: Treasurer for fraternity, held exec position for St. Jude's Charity, Pre-health ambassador
Work: TA for Ochem 2 1 semester, tutor 1 semester, CNA at doctors office 1 summer
Eagle Scout if it counts
Will have solid letters of rec and personal stmt, shouldn't bomb an interview

Main question is what do I need to get on new MCAT to be competitive for in-state med school that heavily favors in-state kids

 

[vicktrump]

Also I'm a WASP from large city

 

[gyngyn]

Which state?

 

[vicktrump]

Which state?

Kansas

 

[gyngyn]

Kansas

You should be getting practice scores at or above the 75th% to hit the expected median at the U of KS.

 

[Doug Underhill]

There are large cities in Kansas?

Aim for a 506. Actually, I would aim for a 528, but 506 is more realistic and what you need to be competitive.

 

[vicktrump]

Haha

There are large cities in Kansas?

Aim for a 506. Actually, I would aim for a 528, but 506 is more realistic and what you need to be competitive.

Haha for Kansas they are large and thanks for the advice! Any other critiques for what I need to be doing before I apply (this summer) would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Doug Underhill]

Describe your solid letters of rec. They don't involve any of those 14 doctors you shadowed for about a day apiece, right? MD LORs are kind of frowned upon, or so says the adcoms on SDN.

 

[vicktrump]

Three of them do, however one of those docs I worked for during a summer as a CNA, and the other two have seen me over a long period of time and can attest to my character. Another letter is from a teacher and another from volunteer supervisor. I would feel foolish if I didn't get letters from those who are working in the profession I would like to join, seems counter-intuitive IMO

 

[dr.0ne]

45

 

[vicktrump]

45

Well played

 

[Doug Underhill]

Three of them do, however one of those docs I worked for during a summer as a CNA, and the other two have seen me over a long period of time and can attest to my character. Another letter is from a teacher and another from volunteer supervisor. I would feel foolish if I didn't get letters from those who are working in the profession I would like to join, seems counter-intuitive IMO

The SDN dogma is two letters from science professors who know you well and one letter from someone other than a science professor. A volunteer supervisor is often a good pick for this letter. These people can BE doctors, but you should have experience with them other than shadowing, because shadowing mostly involves sitting quietly rather than any kind of skill.

 

[gyngyn]

Three of them do, however one of those docs I worked for during a summer as a CNA, and the other two have seen me over a long period of time and can attest to my character. Another letter is from a teacher and another from volunteer supervisor. I would feel foolish if I didn't get letters from those who are working in the profession I would like to join, seems counter-intuitive IMO

DO letters are valued by the DO schools.
MD letters are considered fluff by MD schools. There are times when a PI might be an MD, in which case the letter has the same value given to a PhD's letter.
Shadowing letters are a real waste of everyone's time.

 

[vicktrump]

DO letters are valued by the DO schools.
MD letters are considered fluff by MD schools. There are times when a PI might be an MD, in which case the letter has the same value given to a PhD's letter.
Shadowing letters are a real waste of everyone's time.

That does sound like good advice, but I have spoken with the dean of admissions at KU and they do feel like if you have significant shadowing experience and there isn't a letter from that doc then it leads to red flags. This is probably because KU is much more focused on churning out rural docs who stay in-state.

I am curious though why it is considered a waste of time for them to write you one, is it because you do not display a skill? I would think that a strong recommendation from someone in a field that you want to go into would speak volumes, rather than someone else but again I really don't know and any clarification is appreciated!

 

[Doug Underhill]

That is very much contrary to why multiple adcoms have posted on SDN. The rural bit is also a non-sequitur.

 

[gyngyn]

I am curious though why it is considered a waste of time for them to write you one, is it because you do not display a skill? I would think that a strong recommendation from someone in a field that you want to go into would speak volumes, rather than someone else but again I really don't know and any clarification is appreciated!

First, physicians you have shadowed are incapable of writing anything but a blandly positive letter. What can they really say about you? "vicktrump showed up on time and was really good at staying out of the way!" Or more usually, "he seems like a polite young man and I predict a long future for him in medicine." These letters are universally useless because they do not help us distinguish the strengths of a candidate.

Combine this with the fact that so many are coming from colleagues of the applicant's parents or actual relatives and you can see why they are viewed through a lens darkly.

If a particular school (or committee) requires one, go right ahead and send it to them. Do not use it for schools that make no such request, just list the shadowing hours and the contact information. If we really want to know how unobtrusive you were, we'll call!

 

[Goro]

The equivalent of a 30 score or better.

I have a 3.94 GPA, don't know what my science is but it's close to that, GPA shouldn't drop below a 3.85 by time of application.
Volunteer: <160 hrs at two free clinics, week medical mission trip in central america
Shadowing: <120 hrs between 14 doctors
Research: started this semester, coauthor on poster
Leadership: Treasurer for fraternity, held exec position for St. Jude's Charity, Pre-health ambassador
Work: TA for Ochem 2 1 semester, tutor 1 semester, CNA at doctors office 1 summer
Eagle Scout if it counts
Will have solid letters of rec and personal stmt, shouldn't bomb an interview

Main question is what do I need to get on new MCAT to be competitive for in-state med school that heavily favors in-state kids