What else should I work on?

[doc_hulk]

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For DO schools specifically, I want to know what more I should work on to bolster up my application into a competitive one. I am heading into my final months as a senior, hoping to apply 2021 cycle. Currently scribing at a Family Practice since May 2019 and will have accumulated almost 500 hours by the beginning of October. I plan on taking the MCAT in Spring 2020, occasionally volunteer at a retirement home as well as the local hospital along with the community center close to where I live. I am also working on clinical research which will hopefully be published in which I will be first author. What else should I be focusing on? My GPA is kind of low but I am working on that while taking science classes full time along with scribing full time, I plan on discontinuing scribing in January so I can focus on MCAT prep for 4-5mos and take MCAT in May/June.

TLDR: Low GPA, what else should I do to make application competitive assuming I do well on MCAT/extensive scribing hours?

Thank you

 

[PapaGuava]

Your MCAT could cover for your GPA depending on where it is at the current moment. It sounds like you have enough going on, and if your GPA is the weak point, then focus on that first and foremost along with the MCAT. Down the road, maybe you could even shadow a DO but focus on the stats first since that's the most important.

 

[Lardy Boy]

For DO schools specifically, I want to know what more I should work on to bolster up my application into a competitive one. I am heading into my final months as a senior, hoping to apply 2021 cycle. Currently scribing at a Family Practice since May 2019 and will have accumulated almost 500 hours by the beginning of October. I plan on taking the MCAT in Spring 2020, occasionally volunteer at a retirement home as well as the local hospital along with the community center close to where I live. I am also working on clinical research which will hopefully be published in which I will be first author. What else should I be focusing on? My GPA is kind of low but I am working on that while taking science classes full time along with scribing full time, I plan on discontinuing scribing in January so I can focus on MCAT prep for 4-5mos and take MCAT in May/June.

TLDR: Low GPA, what else should I do to make application competitive assuming I do well on MCAT/extensive scribing hours?

Thank you

Priority is to Get your GPA to 3.5+ and 505+. Can’t really help unless you have those scores. Others include Shadow a DO and get a LOR. Start getting your other LOR lined up. Understand what DO is by reading The DOs.

Honestly, focus on your grades if it’s low. If it’s too low, many doors will close. Fine tune your writing and speaking skills if you lack in those areas.

 

[samosamosa]

I think you've basically got all the bases covered! I agree about focusing on grades and MCAT, and about shadowing a DO once you have some free time. Wanted to add - remember to relax and unwind once in a while with some fun hobbies/activities you enjoy. Interestingly, I put baking and cooking on my app as hobbies bc I genuinely enjoyed them, and I got asked about those at literally every interview so far.