Extracurricular Advice: Competitive Applicant?

<p>Hey all!</p>

<p>Like almost any other med-school applicant, I'm freaking out. I won't start applications until I've taken the MCAT (July 26th), but I'm still worried about my chances as an applicant.</p>

<p>I'm a junior in college with a cumulative GPA of 3.6. My science GPA isn't far from that at about 3.5. Like I said, I haven't taken the MCAT, and I have no idea how I'll do, although ideally, I'd like to score at about 32 or higher. As far as extracurriculars go, I haven't had much. I've been a math tutor at my college for the last three semesters, and I plan on tutoring for the next two as well (and if it makes any difference, I'm a bio major. I decided on tutoring math because my professor really wanted me to and because there was a shortage of math tutors at school). I have been volunteering at a local children's hospital for the past 6 months (I have about 100 hours with the admitting department and am trying to get into the emergency department. No news on that yet, but I'm definitely going to continue volunteering no matter what happens). I'm also part of the university honors program, if that counts for anything (it's counted as a minor for my school, which is why it's hard for me to list it as an extracurricular). I'm also going to shadow my family doctor this summer for a couple of hours (about 50 or so), and I'm in the works of volunteering at a foundation that works with terminally-ill children. </p>

<p>I do all of these things because they're of interest to me. I never bothered with research at my college because most of the research programs have to do with topics that never really interested me (plant biology? I'll pass). People have told me that having such a mindset will hurt me, and I guess that's essentially why I'm freaking out. I never wanted to invest my time into things simply because it'd make my resume look better. And, I know that's ironic considering I want to do everything I can to ensure my acceptance into medical schools.</p>

<p>Any advice would be appreciated! I've been on this site for a while, and it's been extremely helpful. Thanks, guys :)</p>

<p>**Also, for what it's worth, my ideal medical school is UCI. I'm a California resident and the school's actually quite close to home, which is ONE of the main reasons I'd like to go there.</p>

<p>Your late MCAT and application date will probably hurt you more than your lack of research.</p>

<p>UCI has rolling admissions and starts accepting students Nov. 1.</p>

<p>You should perhaps look at this thread (old, but the advice still stands). In particular, read Post #16.</p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/pre-med-topics/282027-timing-alert.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/pre-med-topics/282027-timing-alert.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Are you applying this summer or next? With a July MCAT date and CA residency, I would highly recommend applying next summer, 2014. CA is a tough state, the stats are high, a 32 doesn’t even guarantee you interviews. Your ECs are fine, but not amazing, not that everyone can be amazing, but CA has a huge population of med school applicants and they tend to have very high MCAT & GPA meaning you will need to set yourself apart from that pile of applicants somehow. If not by grades & MCAT, then by ECs & LORs.</p>

<p>Perhaps take senior year and raise that GPA by doing your upper division sciences and really cracking down for all/mostly As. More shadowing, more involvement is all good, you are doing it for the right reason, for you. You need to show the adcoms why you have personally investigated being a doctor and that you know it is right for you.</p>

<p>My DD did, in fact, apply after senior year and had no research, but she got a job during that interview year as a research assistant in a university lab. That worked well for her.</p>

<p>What about LORs, do you know professors well? You need to know them well enough to ask for a ‘strong’ letter. Senior bio classes would be a good place to make those connections.</p>

<p>Do you attend a UC now or a private?</p>

<p>I would not waste my time, money, or emotional angst applying in 2013 with a July 26 MCAT, too late to be sure.</p>

<p>I’m surprised both of you say so because the majority of my class (if not everyone) is taking the MCAT later than I am and are applying this summer as well. Granted their GPAs are slightly higher than my own, but none of them have raised those concerns. Honestly, I was hoping to really focus on the MCAT, take it once, and start with my applications. I know that’s wishful thinking, but by doing so, I’d be able to submit applications by September 1st. I’ll definitely consider your advice though, so thank you!</p>

<p>As far as LORs go, I have a couple of professors I’d like to ask, including my math professor, English professor, and an honors course professor. I know I need a science professor (also, does my math professor count as one?), but I have a couple in mind. </p>

<p>I’m at a private university, right now. I’m not sure how that would make a difference, but that’s to answer your question.</p>

<p>Chances are at a private school you might have already developed an LOR worthy relationship with a professor, that’s all.</p>

<p>Oh, the other thing about a private, they should have more solid, consistent guidance for the application process. If you attend a CA private and the adviser tells you to apply in September, he or she may know something we don’t know. In general, late applications are considered no good, but then neither is a sub-30 MCAT and I know several successful med students with that, too.</p>

<p>CA is a tough state, just be sure you are well advised.</p>

<p>Your scores will be released on Sept. 4th. By the time they reach the schools it’s probably going to be Sept 10th. If you get going with your PS right away and complete your AMCAS verification early, you might end up receiving your secondary applications soon after. Unfortunately you won’t have time to work on them since you will be busy with your MCAT prep. If you work hard and get going on the secondary apps as soon as you are done with your MCAT, you may stand an outside chance. Its risky to take MCAT so late. Gap year is your safest bet.</p>

<p>Regarding the LORs - Getting a letter from a science prof., and the PI of your research (if any) is a good thing. However, if you have a committee letter, it may not matter much since some schools care for the committee letter more.</p>

<p>I thought if I took the MCAT on July 26th, the scores would be released around August 27th? That’s what AAMC’s saying, at least. I was hoping within that month of waiting, I’d be able to finalize my application and submit it once I have my scores. </p>

<p>Either way, I’m seeing the trend here, haha. I’ll definitely consider waiting, but I’ll probably have to confirm with my pre-med adviser before I make any decision.</p>

<p>AAMC says “July 26, 2013 - September 4, 2013”. For you to have any chance you should submit your app in June. Remember, you don’t need your MCAT score for your AMCAS verification. OTOH, your pre-med committee may balk at writing you LR, if they don’t see your MCAT :(</p>

<p>Taking the MCAT test on July 26 is late. If your score turns out to be super high, I think you may still have a chance.</p>

<p>Two precious cases: a student from Cal with 35 (GPA around 3.5-3.6) did not get into any and he applied relatively late. Another student with 37 (GPA 3.9) from a top 10 college posted here that it was only after he “begged” essentially that UC Irvine gave him an interview invite - and he applied between late May and early June and therefore not late.</p>

<p>California is just “special” as it has well two many qualified applicants in terms of stats. That is the reason why California applicants tend to “flood” many OOS med schools all over the country every year.</p>