Whatcha think?

[JacksonsDad]

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Education
*Undergrad -
- GPA - 3.93
- SciGPA - 3.89
- National Honor Society (chapter VP)
*Graduate school
Masters in Nursing (Case Western)
-GPA - 4.00

MCAT - Long story
Original MCAT taken in 2007 scored in the mid-high 30's, applied through AMCAS - Accepted at multiple schools - had to postpone due to emergency medical situation.
2009 I was all set to start the process again, and I was involved in a semi-truck v. car accident and fractured L-5.
Now 3 years later, I am registered to take the MCAT again in June (I have been scoring in the low-mid 30's on practice tests)

Experience (research/clinical/shadowing/volunteer)
Research -
- 4 months grant funded pharmacology research - Case Western Reserve University
- 1 year CRO as research biologist. (post graduation)
- 1 year Musc Dyst genetics research associated with Mercy Children's Hosp. (undergrad)
Work
- 2 years as phlebotomist (including 1.5 on trauma/code team)
- 1.5 years as phlebotomy supervisor
- 1.5 years as patient services supervisor (phlebotomy, customer service, couriers for a hospital lab)
- 3 years as TA and Lab assistant (classes/labs included: Micro bio/Cell bio/Ecology/Environmental Bio/Marine Bio/Genetics/Bacterial pathogenesis/Botany)
Volunteer
- 4 years as youth sponsor at local church
- 3 relief projects with habitat for humanity
- 1 summer- Team coordinator for ACS cancer walk
- Various -Team coordinator for health awareness team at 4 health fairs
- 1 summer- Health/wellness educator for at-risk after school program
- Several other experiences with soup kitchens etc
Shadowing
- 200+ hours shadowing, almost equally divided between general surgery, emergency med and family practice
Other
- 1000 clinical hours for Masters in Nursing

I am applying at NEOMED, I know they are primarily at 6-year joint BS/MD, but 20% of their class is regular MD. I will also apply to a couple of other schools nearby, but moving far away from NE Ohio really isn't an option at this point as my wife is completing her masters here.

I am not the most traditional applicant, as it has been a while since I was pointed towards med school, but I think my personal story and experience adds a lot.

What MCAT score do you guys think I will need to be competitive? I would really prefer to not pay to take a prep course, and just focus my study on weak points highlighted on practice exams.

Any thoughts, ideas, questions, clarifications????

 

[Buckeye1992]

I would say you are highly competitive for Neomed. Depending on Mcat score you could also look into Case (34+) since you obviously have ties there. If you absoultely must stay in the area, LECOM- erie could also be an option (you would be a shoe in here).

 

[Catalystik]

Education
*Undergrad -
- GPA - 3.93
- SciGPA - 3.89
- National Honor Society (chapter VP)
*Graduate school
Masters in Nursing (Case Western)
-GPA - 4.00

MCAT - Long story
Original MCAT taken in 2007 scored in the mid 30's, applied through AMCAS, but did not do secondaries because of some life events (wife had surgery etc).
2009 I was all set to start the process again, and I was involved in a semi-truck v. car accident and fractured L-5.
Now 3 years later, I am registered to take the MCAT again in June (I have been scoring in the low-mid 30's on practice tests)

Experience (research/clinical/shadowing/volunteer)
Research -
- 4 months grant funded pharmacology research - Case Western Reserve University
- 1 year CRO as research biologist. (post graduation)
- 1 year Musc Dyst genetics research associated with Mercy Children's Hosp. (undergrad)
Work
- 2 years as phlebotomist (including 1.5 on trauma/code team)
- 1.5 years as phlebotomy supervisor
- 1.5 years as patient services supervisor (phlebotomy, customer service, couriers for a hospital lab)
- 3 years as TA and Lab assistant (classes/labs included: Micro bio/Cell bio/Ecology/Environmental Bio/Marine Bio/Genetics/Bacterial pathogenesis/Botany)
Volunteer
- 4 years as youth sponsor at local church
- 3 relief projects with habitat for humanity
- 1 summer- Team coordinator for ACS cancer walk
- Various -Team coordinator for health awareness team at 4 health fairs
- 1 summer- Health/wellness educator for at-risk after school program
- Several other experiences with soup kitchens etc
Shadowing
- 200+ hours shadowing, almost equally divided between general surgery, emergency med and family practice
Other
- 1000 clinical hours for Masters in Nursing

I am applying at NEOMED, I know they are primarily at 6-year joint BS/MD, but 20% of their class is regular MD. I will also apply to a couple of other schools nearby, but moving far away from NE Ohio really isn't an option at this point as my wife is completing her masters here.

I am not the most traditional applicant, as it has been a while since I was pointed towards med school, but I think my personal story and experience adds a lot.

What MCAT score do you guys think I will need to be competitive? I would really prefer to not pay to take a prep course, and just focus my study on weak points highlighted on practice exams.

Any thoughts, ideas, questions, clarifications????

I would consider you a highly attractive candidate with life experiences that should outweigh even an MCAT slightly below their averages. But you can't take a chance since they can afford to be picky. A mid-thirties MCAT score is a good goal.

Since you have severe geographical limitations, you might consider touching base with NEOUCOM's (and other relevant) admissions offices by making a face-to-face appointment with one of the deans to discuss your application, get their advice, and be sure they know how high they are on your list.

 

[JacksonsDad]

Thanks for the insights! I will definitely contact the admissions office this week!