Will I be ready?

[MedEngine5]

Currently, I'm a sophomore Biomedical Engineering Major. I do not want to take a gap year, I just don't know if I will be ready come 2026 for application season.

Here's my plan for MCAT:
- Start studying August 2025, only a few hours a week until January 2026. Once January 2026 hits, heavy studying until March 2026 MCAT.

Here's my EC's I will have by May 2026.
- 300 hrs. in leading sepsis and cardiovascular research lab.
- 100 hrs. of shadowing across six specialties.
- 100 hrs. of clinical volunteering at hospital.
- 100 hrs. of non-clinical volunteering.

I will most likely apply to around twenty-five schools. Being a Central Illinois resident, I have SIU Medicine to my advantage. I know a few physicians there I should be able to shadow. I also have UI-Carle, where my engineering major would come into play.

Will I be ready?

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[Goro]

So far, so good.

Be sure to enjoy life.

Love what you do, and do what you love.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Sure. Check in with your prehealth advisors and secure references.

 

[LunaOri]

100 hours of shadowing is plenty, but 100 hours of clinical contact and 100 hours of nonclinical volunteering is less than the average applicant. You may be screened out at some schools.

 

[AJS59]

As said above, I'd redirect your shadowing hours (if/when you hit 50) and focus on clinical/non-clinical

 

[candbgirl]

Find time for more direct patient care ( clinical -can be volunteer or paid). You need at least 200 hours to prevent being screened out. 100 hours is well below most applicants.
What is involved in your 100 hours of nonclinical volunteering? You really need 200+ hours to be competitive and not screened out at some schools.