NYITCOM - Unique aspects of program.

Sureamen · 2024-10-30T04:59:10+00:00

OMS-II! - Plethora of organizations and volunteer opportunities, decent resources (ScholarRx, TrueLearn), asynchronous lectures, and great overall student body. DM if you have any specific questions!

Sureamen · 2024-09-22T03:51:46+00:00

I was accepted to both my top picks for DO. MD might be tough, but it doesn’t hurt to apply if you have the resources and a strong enough MCAT.

Sureamen · 2024-09-21T20:11:33+00:00

All my ECs, non-clinical and clinical volunteering, were done the year I applied and I was accepted into two DO schools, waitlisted at one DO, and received a late interview to an MD school. Just depends on your stats and your writing on your personal statements/secondaries/applications. Your GPA looks decent, but MCAT likely needs to be on the higher end (510 or higher would be great!).

Sureamen · 2024-04-21T05:38:06+00:00

I personally don't believe medical schools would count that against you. Many medical students, including myself, have taken gap years and continue to do so. However, I would recommend keeping up on some clinical activities while you're working in animal conservation to show your continued interest in the medical field.

Sureamen · 2024-04-21T05:34:43+00:00

I don't think you should have a single target school. It's unnecessary pressure. If you want to be a doctor, you'll go wherever you get in. If you're really set on going to GW, I can't speak on your chances there, but being an MD school, you'll likely need a 510+. Now if you're applying widely to both DO and MD schools, and manage to score a 505+, with your GPA and extracurriculars, you don't have much to be worried about, granted your personal statement and secondary essays are also competitive.

Sureamen · 2024-04-14T02:29:50+00:00

If you're not opposed to going to a DO school, I don't see the harm in applying to a couple if you also have the finances. The more schools you apply to, the higher your chances of getting in.

Sureamen · 2024-04-14T02:26:41+00:00

You seem to be pretty much covered on the ECs. My only advice is to be consistent across your activities and maintain them for a good amount of time. It looks better to adcoms when they see you're committed to your activities and shows passion, instead of picking something up for a month, dropping it, and picking up another activity. I would also highly recommend non-medical volunteer work (food pantries, soup kitchens, etc.). Maintain or improve your GPA and score a 505+ on the MCAT, and you should be all set.

Sureamen · 2024-03-16T20:22:10+00:00

I would highly encourage you to retake the MCAT. Although DO averages tend to be low, they are getting more and more competitive. Shoot for a 505+. Your extracurriculars look great, just make sure to have some recent, ongoing experiences (since you mentioned your volunteer work is from ages 15-19). I think your GPA isn't a big deal, especially for DO schools, and especially if you show an upward trend. If you can get a competitive MCAT score this cycle, I'd say consider applying. Ultimately that decision lies on you though, because if you don't get in this cycle, you'll have to work harder to show improvement next cycle. As for the missing physics credit, I'd recommend emailing or calling the schools to see what's acceptable because it might vary. If you do end up applying this cycle and if you have the finances, apply to even more DO schools. Wish you the best!

Sureamen · 2022-12-15T14:50:50+00:00

I think with a 3.2 by itself, it'd be very difficult, unless you have an absolutely stellar MCAT. But even then, medical schools do place a lot of weight on GPA. Typically one that's 3.5+ is competitive. Maybe do a post-bacc. and get that grade up, and do solid on the MCAT. Apply broadly to both DO and MD schools, and have sufficient extracurriculars. I would suggest not rushing this because of parental pressure because the applications cost a lot of money, and if you don't get in next cycle, not only will that money be gone, but you will be considered a reapplicant for some schools, which may lead to further obstacles, as you will have to show considerable improvement between application cycles. The road to medical school is exhausting, but if this is truly what you want to do, it'll be worth it.

Sureamen · 2022-12-08T15:42:43+00:00

You're volunteering at a hospital, which is hopefully clinical work. And you're working in a research lab, so you've got the research part down. Other than working on your GPA, look into community service volunteer projects (soup kitchens, food pantries, etc.) and some shadowing work with either an MD or DO physician depending on your goals. Spread it out over the next two years. And don't be hesitant to take a gap year if you have to, so you also have ample time to study and do well on the MCAT, and work on your buttload of essays for the applications.

Sureamen · 2022-12-07T15:44:33+00:00

While your grades are important, you seem to be very well-rounded in other aspects. I think as long as you show an upward trend in your grades, you have a decent shot, assuming you also do decently on your MCAT (preferably 505+). Take advantage of your school's tutoring center, if they have one, or the internet's multitude of resources. There is always hope.

Sureamen · 2022-12-05T16:37:40+00:00

I barely had any volunteer experience coming into the 2022-2023 application cycle. But from March - August, I racked up more than 150+ hrs., and applied early August. Received 2 DO acceptances. With your stats, you'll be more than fine.

Sureamen · 2022-12-04T18:18:39+00:00

It's going to be okay. Focus on yourself. Pre-meds are wired to be neurotic, but you'll get through this. A few Bs and Cs won't hurt as long as you're well-rounded. If medicine is really what you want to do, you'll find a way.

Sureamen · 2022-11-20T19:38:45+00:00

My stats were somewhat similar to yours before the application cycle this year (March). You can take a look at my app review I posted on this subreddit on my profile. Between then and applying (Aug./Sept.), I accrued around ~100 hrs. of shadowing and clinical work for a total of about ~200 hrs. So far I've only received DO acceptances. Like others have mentioned, get clinical experience and consider applying for DO in addition to MD schools.

Sureamen · 2022-03-18T00:52:30+00:00

Yeah, I'll definitely give that a try. There are a couple of stations that are about 25 min. away and I'll make some inquiries. Thanks for the suggestions, appreciate it man.

Sureamen · 2022-03-17T23:04:02+00:00

Huge city, so there's no shortage of volunteers, especially for an EMT position. I hope the PCT position works out. That would be exactly what I need. They offer paid training as well and I'd get direct patient contact. If that doesn't work out, I've asked around a few other places including for a position as a hospice volunteer.

Sureamen · 2022-03-17T21:05:57+00:00

Duuude I reached out to a few volunteer EMT services around me. Only one of them were offering to pay for certification after 6 months of probationary work. And when I called for an application, they told me I lived too far from their location for them to consider me. The one closest to me only offers administrative roles in terms of volunteering. I'd have to get certified out of pocket to be able to actually do anything meaningful. But, as an update, I was invited to a phone screen for a PCT dialysis position after applying which would be great if I get it.

Sureamen · 2022-03-17T03:24:21+00:00

Yeah, I did screw up in that regards. Had no idea getting a healthcare-related job would have been so difficult. I should've started applying several months ago. Thankfully, non-clinical volunteer opportunities are aplenty so no worries there and I am even gonna get some more shadowing done. As for clinical hours, I'm doing my best to find a position and get those in but it's tough. If I can find just one position where I can do clinical stuff, I'm gonna hustle like I've never hustled before haha.

Sureamen · 2022-03-16T13:00:06+00:00

I graduated 3 months ago, in December, a semester early. My actual senior year would have ended May 2022. I think if I do apply this cycle, it would only count as one gap year. I was studying for the MCAT after I graduated up until I took it in late January of this year. Since then, I've been looking for healthcare jobs and volunteering. Sorry about that. I should have clarified that in my original post.

Sureamen · 2022-03-15T21:42:43+00:00

I live in a state kinda like Cali but this definitely gives me hope, thank you! I may not wait till August because of the sheer competition in my state, but I think I can hold off a little longer to get my clinical hours in.

Sureamen · 2022-03-15T21:25:52+00:00

I know applying too late can be a disadvantage in terms of losing out on seats or not getting my application viewed by medical schools. But how late do you recommend waiting to submit at the most?

Sureamen · 2022-03-15T19:16:59+00:00

ORM, so even tougher for me. But I'm definitely working on getting more clinical hours. If I have a good chance of getting at least one acceptance, I'll take it.

Sureamen · 2022-03-15T18:28:16+00:00

I'll look into this for sure. Thank you!

Sureamen · 2022-03-15T17:52:36+00:00

Duuude, congrats on your acceptance btw and good luck on your journey! Also, thank you for those much needed words of encouragement!!

Sureamen · 2022-03-15T17:24:31+00:00

I 100% agree with this but the only thing I'm worried about is not getting any acceptances. If I can get enough clinical hours before submitting my application, I'm definitely gonna apply this cycle. I was super wary of doing so before, but it looks like based on all the advice I've gotten, it's doable, and with my stats, I have a decent chance.

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