What else should I be doing

[pow123]

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Hey all, I'm a premed molecular biology major in my spring semester of my sophomore year. I currently have a 3.62 gpa and a 3.42 science gpa. I have been volunteering as an EMT since my freshman year and have over 200 hours by now. Volunteering has given me many interactions with ER doctors. I have recently been accepted into the AED chapter at my school and will soon be joining them for events. I know that gpa and MCAT are one of the biggest deciding factors, but how do I look as of now in my career? What else should I do to increase my chances once I apply? I'm thinking of applying at the end of my junior year. Thanks.

 

[Ohyeah]

It sounds like you're on the right track - keep it up.

I would look into research and leadership opportunities. These will grow you as a person, as well as embellish your resume. AED will expand your community service work, but is also a great opportunity for leadership. To find research opportunities, check out department/faculty websites and email/visit faculty about getting involved.

When you get time later on, you may want to shadow specialties of medicine other than ER to see some variety in cases and procedures. This really isn't crucial though and can honestly be done during a few weeks' break.

Be careful not to over-extend yourself. That GPA isn't bad, but you want to raise it as much as possible before applying.

 

[christiandocj]

Looks like you have all the premedical things in line so good job with that. Don't neglect the non-medical things of your life though, schools do look for well-rounded applicants. In my opinion you don't need to be doing a crazy amount of different things, but a few that you do well and can talk/write passionately about.

Keep up the good work and best wishes!

Jack
unfailingspring.com

 

[Viduus]

I would also get some more conventional shadowing experience also. I had several thousand hours of EMT experience but interviewers would ALWAYS ask if I shadowed on top of that. I think the idea was to see the life of a physician, but it still made me shake my head. Of course in all that time we have had a ton of interaction with the ER physicians and nurses. Most states require shadowing/ER work as part of the certification process. Just cover all your bases.

 

[CyberMaxx]

Hey pow123, it looks like your on track. I would echo that you should look for a research opportunity that interests you and that you should make sure do activities/pursue hobbies that you like outside of pre-med type activities. To add to these things, you might also want to include finding some non-medically related volunteer opportunity, if this interests you. If you can find a volunteering opportunity that your passionate about and doesn't involve medicine, it shows ADCOMs that altruism is important to you both in and out of medicine.

 

[Ohyeah]

To add to these things, you might also want to include finding some non-medically related volunteer opportunity, if this interests you. If you can find a volunteering opportunity that your passionate about and doesn't involve medicine, it shows ADCOMs that altruism is important to you both in and out of medicine.

I agree. At my school, AED was actually a convenient way to do this. We had various divisions that cooked in soup kitchens, hosted sporting events for the community, and designed activities for handicapped children... among a ton of other things.

 

[CyberMaxx]

Good point Ohyeah. I wish AED was like that at my school. Unfortunately the vast majority of members use it as resume padding and our section is very inactive. 🙁 I never joined because it had such a bad reputation. But your definitely right, the OP should get involved in his section because it can be a very good organization.