Hello,
Im considering applying in 1 year (2014). I would mainly like to know my current chances, and what I should focus on spending my next year doing. I am definitely shooting for MD, but I will likely apply for DO depending on how the next year goes. I did apply last year, but I didn't have much luck.
3.56cGPA
3.33sGPA
(strong upward trend in both. 2.9 freshman year ughh)
32M MCAT taken in 2011. (same year I completed undergrad; considering retake)
ECs
-3 years undergraduate clinical psychology research. Typical stuff, 2 posters and a senior thesis
-1.5 years full time research coordinator at cancer center. (gives great research experience as well as clinical experience. 20+ hours a week in clinic mostly working with clinical oncologists, but I work with a varierty of specialties; 1 pub, 1-2 pending, 2 posters/abstracts, and 1 conference attended)
-3 years university orchestra. 1 year as section lead
-1 summer shadowing general surgeon (only about 30 hours. My dad is a general surgeon so I had a fair idea of the territory)
-1 summer kaplan ACT instructor
-involved in on campus video game club (mostly hosting charity tournaments... nothing substantial here.. just something for fun)
I'm mainly research oriented, and I would like to continue doing research in medical school and after(one of my motivations for going). I am concerned obviously about my sGPA/cGPA and my lack of volunteering (maybe shadowing too). I should have good recs from my current job and my undergrad.
My question is where should I go from here? I actually haven't taken very many sGPA classes, and I think I could raise it reasonably. I do not think working longer at my current job will help my application. Should I seek to enroll in undergrad classes again or go for a masters first? Would a program like Loyola's MSMP be feasible for me? Any tips are greatly appreciated!
I should note that I am a southern IL resident. I mainly focused on schools in IL/MO/WI
Im considering applying in 1 year (2014). I would mainly like to know my current chances, and what I should focus on spending my next year doing. I am definitely shooting for MD, but I will likely apply for DO depending on how the next year goes. I did apply last year, but I didn't have much luck.
3.56cGPA
3.33sGPA
(strong upward trend in both. 2.9 freshman year ughh)
32M MCAT taken in 2011. (same year I completed undergrad; considering retake)
ECs
-3 years undergraduate clinical psychology research. Typical stuff, 2 posters and a senior thesis
-1.5 years full time research coordinator at cancer center. (gives great research experience as well as clinical experience. 20+ hours a week in clinic mostly working with clinical oncologists, but I work with a varierty of specialties; 1 pub, 1-2 pending, 2 posters/abstracts, and 1 conference attended)
-3 years university orchestra. 1 year as section lead
-1 summer shadowing general surgeon (only about 30 hours. My dad is a general surgeon so I had a fair idea of the territory)
-1 summer kaplan ACT instructor
-involved in on campus video game club (mostly hosting charity tournaments... nothing substantial here.. just something for fun)
I'm mainly research oriented, and I would like to continue doing research in medical school and after(one of my motivations for going). I am concerned obviously about my sGPA/cGPA and my lack of volunteering (maybe shadowing too). I should have good recs from my current job and my undergrad.
My question is where should I go from here? I actually haven't taken very many sGPA classes, and I think I could raise it reasonably. I do not think working longer at my current job will help my application. Should I seek to enroll in undergrad classes again or go for a masters first? Would a program like Loyola's MSMP be feasible for me? Any tips are greatly appreciated!
I should note that I am a southern IL resident. I mainly focused on schools in IL/MO/WI