Yes, no, maybe so?

[GATORade]

I would appreciate some input on my current situation. I guess you would classify me as a non-traditional applicant, being that it's my senior year in college and I just recently built up the guts to apply to medical school. I was planning on taking this April's MCAT, however, my timeline wound up being quite skewed considering I haven't even taken Orgo II yet. Well, here's my question: I currently have a 3.91 senior cum science and overall GPA at the University of Florida, and am in the process of submitting a research article on the validation of the American College of Sports Medicine's sub-maximal oxygen consumption prediction equations (I'm not trying to brag (as if it's anything really to brag about), only trying to allow you to get a better feeling of my standings). Here's the problem – I only have about 40hrs of clinical/volunteer time. I consider myself fairly humble, and I don't think I'll be applying to any top ten schools. I'm still a NY resident so I figure I'll probably be applying to all the SUNY schools ie. Stonybrook, Buffalo, Upstate and Downstate. Even if I do well on the MCATs (I'll be at a further disadvantage being that I'm taking them this August), do you think my lack of clinical experience and volunteer time will withhold me from getting acceptance? Any ideas or comments would be appreciated. BTW, sorry for suck a long thread…. :wink:

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[GATORade]

Oops, I meant such... <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="eek.gif" />

 

[Yogi Bear]

check out my post about # of hrs volunteered by SDN applicants. according to the poll, you'd just be a typical applicant (40% have volunteered less than 100 hrs).

 

[Papa Smurf]

You're applying to schools well within your range, provided you do well on the MCAT. I'd spend the summer studying for the MCAT, getting more clinical experience, and taking Orgo 2. At most places, it's a numbers game to get you to the interview stage. After that, it's up to you. You'll be fine. Hey, and the best thing you have going for you is that you're not a Florida resident! <img border="0" alt="[Laughy]" title="" src="graemlins/laughy.gif" />

 

[scooter31]

aid-

First congrats on your accomplishments so far. You definitely have the GPA and research background schools are looking for. As far as volunteer experience, it's a must, but depending on the med school you're looking at, you just might have enough. If the schools you're looking at are research oriented, then you should be fine. Primary care schools will definitely want to see more of a time commitment to volunteering and patient interaction. Sorry for the CA analogy, but if you wanted to go to UCSF then your credentials so far would be favorable. If you wanted to really go to UC Davis (FP, primary care heavy), then you need to get going with some volunteer hours. Just my dos centavos, but you're definitely well on your way, you just now need to figure out what path you'd like to take and see what schools you'd like to attend, and from there the decisions will become a little more refined. I have no idea what the NY schools each look for, but there are tons of us SDNers to help, and previous threads have dealt with SUNY schools, you just have to make a quick search for them. Ooh, since you're a non-trad ,definitely check out the OPM (old pre med) website- again just a thread search away. Best of luck, hope this helps a bit.

Hey- I'd be very interested in checking out your research! I was an exercise physio major and did a lot of work in my schools human performance lab, and am always trying my best to keep up to date with whats new in the field. PM me with the particulars if you would be so kind. Good luck!!!

 

[GATORade]

I really appreciate those of you whom have already taken the time to reply to my post. It's encouraging in itself to ponder the possibility of working along side individuals like you in the future.

Scooter&gt; I'll get a PM out to you in the near future.

 

[kafshar]

hey,
You are in great shape. by the way.... find out which New York schools get state funding and give priority to NY residents. I am 100% sure that Cornell gives priority to in state residents. I am pretty sure others (although private) do too. One good source is going to the details of admissions and see the percentages of those interviewed in-state versus ot of state.

dont worry about the "disadvantage" of taking the August MCAT. I personally dont think it hurts you too much..... it it a VERY minor thing. Cant explain it... just know from 5 years of knowing MANY MANY people that have applied.

Your GPA is awesome. Your research sounds awesome. If you break 30 on the MCAT... you are in a medical school. I am pretty confident in saying that.

By the way.... I didnt take O-chem II (ORGO II) either before my MCAT and I did perfectly fine. Got a 13 on the biological sciences (not to brag... just letting you know that you dont have to take the class). Obviously.... you have to learn the material on your own.

One last thing.... it sounds like you are going to have a year off..... try to get some clinical work in then..... it doesnt have to be before you apply. Mention that in your personal statement... or at least start that position while completing your primary application so you can write it as an extracurricular activity.

One last thing. I was in the same boat as you. I was in my last year of undergrad when I decided to apply to med school. did not have too many volunteer hours and no MCAT. I have been offered 9 interviews (1 top ten, 3 top 20 schools) and so far 3 acceptances. My GPA is not great but I did make up for it on my MCAT. My ECs are so-so.... my research is so-so. There is no magic formula to get into schools..... so dont think that since you dont have 100+ hours... that you cant get into a top 10. If you can afford it and you want to go.... apply there. Most of the top ten have easy secondaries (EXCEPT DUKE... their secondary is painful!!). Harvard, Penn, UCSF, and Wash U have no questions. Michigan 1 short questions. Hopkins.. 6 really short q's. Yale.... one long one (why yale? is the question).



Good luck.

 

[EMTgirl]

first of all, your gpa is awesome and you should really apply to some "reach" schools, given that you do well on the mcat. and i'm sure you will do well, you must be a diligent student considering your gpa. and the mcat is all about preparation. secondly, you should consider it a BLESSING that you are taking a year off. my "one year off" before med school turned into four years, but i have loved my experiences working and having a real life rather than the perpetual student life. my stats were much worse than yours and i have zero research experience, and i will be a medical student in the fall. you sound like you will be a great applicant, don't sell yourself short. good luck to you!