Where am I at?

[TheTickets]

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This may be premature but I was wondering what else I can do in order to make myself look competitive.

I'm a sophomore and I haven't taken the MCAT yet. I have a 3.55 Cumulative GPA.

I have approximately 30 hours of shadowing in three different specialties.
I volunteered at an animal shelter for 4 hours a week for a semester.
I also began volunteering in summer '08 as a ED patient transporter for 3 hours a week.

I'm also planning to go abroad this summer but am still waiting to here back. It is a pretty competitive overseas program. I've applied to a research position but don't count on getting it.

What else can I do to help strengthen my application?

 

[yessira]

I think that ED transporter thing is pretty golden. I also think you should consider shadowing a physician (im sure youve met some at the hospital). You would also do well to maybe email some professors and see if you can work in their lab. not only can you get some experience, but you can also get a letter of recommendation. also, start studying for your mcats. its never too early and if you can rock it, you won't have to worry nearly as much.

 

[Mobius1985]

You have over a year left before you apply, so there's plenty of time to get your GPA up a little. I think the shadowing you've done is fine. By application time, you'l have plenty of clinical experience. Consider transferring to another department eventually to get a breadth of experience. Or maybe volunteer in a different venue like a clinic, as well. Your time in the animal shelter is terrific. Try to get in some leadership. Definitely work harder at finding a research experience. I emailed 14 professors before I found two willing to give me an interview. This is the time to approach them in order to get a summer spot. Other areas to potentially list on your application are teaching/mentoring, publications (of anything, even poetry), and teamwork. Don't forget sports, music, dance, art, or whatever you do for fun and have a dedication to.