I'm a junior biotechnology major, and recently decided to pursue medicine. I'm trying to decide if I should try to apply this summer, or wait untill the summer after senior year. I signed up to take the mcat on 4/10 because I will have all the prereqs done by that point, and have scheduled a light load for my spring quarter to study for it. The score I get then (assuming I like it) can be used for either application time.
I have a pretty good gpa (3.9) but don't have a lot of medicine related volunteer experience. My father is a doctor so I've grown up with that in my life (occasionally accompany him on calls when he did favors for people). Been exposed through him to a variety of facets of medicine- he has 3 board specializations. I just started volunteering at a hospital-will have 40 hours at the end of this quarter. I didn't really do any restocking it was all helping nurses and answering patient calls (i fed some patients as well). I'm planning on arranging shadowing an ER doctor for a shift (but that probably won't be more than 6 hours). I volunteered at a theraputic riding facility for a couple of weeks (and will continue next quarter) working with autistic kids teaching how to ride. I have research experience from after freshman year I spent all summer in a lab in a fellowship program (worked 40hr a week mid june through mid september).
In terms of outside of school I worked (up until this quarter at least) up to 10/15 hours a week at an instructor/barn supervisor at the barn on campus. I was responsible for the vetrinary care of horses during my shift. I got a horse in the fall of my sophmore year, so I've had to balance going out to the barn everyday along with school. I'm also on the equestrian team (not a super active member though).
I realize that I don't have an ideal amount of clinical exposure, but I was wondering if I get a 30+ on the mcat should I apply this summer or wait? I could use the extra year to improve my volunteer experience...
I have a pretty good gpa (3.9) but don't have a lot of medicine related volunteer experience. My father is a doctor so I've grown up with that in my life (occasionally accompany him on calls when he did favors for people). Been exposed through him to a variety of facets of medicine- he has 3 board specializations. I just started volunteering at a hospital-will have 40 hours at the end of this quarter. I didn't really do any restocking it was all helping nurses and answering patient calls (i fed some patients as well). I'm planning on arranging shadowing an ER doctor for a shift (but that probably won't be more than 6 hours). I volunteered at a theraputic riding facility for a couple of weeks (and will continue next quarter) working with autistic kids teaching how to ride. I have research experience from after freshman year I spent all summer in a lab in a fellowship program (worked 40hr a week mid june through mid september).
In terms of outside of school I worked (up until this quarter at least) up to 10/15 hours a week at an instructor/barn supervisor at the barn on campus. I was responsible for the vetrinary care of horses during my shift. I got a horse in the fall of my sophmore year, so I've had to balance going out to the barn everyday along with school. I'm also on the equestrian team (not a super active member though).
I realize that I don't have an ideal amount of clinical exposure, but I was wondering if I get a 30+ on the mcat should I apply this summer or wait? I could use the extra year to improve my volunteer experience...