I think that it's time for me to come out from the lurking caves and actually post. So, I just got back my MCAT score and I got a 28 (11PS, 8V, 9BS). I am really relieved I got that score, since I thought I had totally bombed so bad that I wasn't even thinking about applying.
A bit about me: I was a Bio major in undergrad (3.3 cGPA, 3.5 sGP) with a huge upward trend (senior GPA above a 3.8), I was really into doing research in evolutionary bio, so I stayed on-board at my school so I could pursue my masters degree under my professor. During my time in grad school I did my own research project (1st author publication in a peer reviewed journal: Behavioral Ecology), I TA'd lectures, ran discussion sections, ran some upper division bio lab sections, and was the lab manager at my research lab for a few years (non-paid). Graduated with my masters and a 3.8 GPA but evolutionary bio research just wasn't my true calling.
I decided to leave the country to explore the world and find where I belonged. during my time living abroad I settled down and taught English in a country with a disadvantaged lower class who had little quality access to medical care. did some volunteer teaching over there (over 100 hours) with people from those underprivileged communities. Long story short: After some incredible experiences I had found my true calling. I moved back to home after my visa expired and got to work on making that calling a reality: retaking courses to improve my GPA, I started volunteering with the Red Cross (over a hundred hours along with an award for my consistent help) and learned a lot from the nurses (I have a charge nurse who will write me a letter of rec). I also secured myself a great letter of rec from a DO, my PI from grad school, and two professors from undergrad. my shadowing hours aren't as extensive as what I tend to see on this forum but I am hoping to get more in the meantime. I have lots of leadership experiences, from being president of a nationwide campus club, to being a graduate adviser for my fraternity and another campus ethnic club.
So, all in all, what do you think? how are my odds looking for something in California (I would like to stay in my home state but willing to go where ever is best)? Any ideas on where I should apply to outside of Cali? I expect to have my primary done and turned in by sometime next week and needless to say I'm quite excited about the journey that lies ahead. I can't appreciate your feedback enough, I'm so glad this forum exists.
A bit about me: I was a Bio major in undergrad (3.3 cGPA, 3.5 sGP) with a huge upward trend (senior GPA above a 3.8), I was really into doing research in evolutionary bio, so I stayed on-board at my school so I could pursue my masters degree under my professor. During my time in grad school I did my own research project (1st author publication in a peer reviewed journal: Behavioral Ecology), I TA'd lectures, ran discussion sections, ran some upper division bio lab sections, and was the lab manager at my research lab for a few years (non-paid). Graduated with my masters and a 3.8 GPA but evolutionary bio research just wasn't my true calling.
I decided to leave the country to explore the world and find where I belonged. during my time living abroad I settled down and taught English in a country with a disadvantaged lower class who had little quality access to medical care. did some volunteer teaching over there (over 100 hours) with people from those underprivileged communities. Long story short: After some incredible experiences I had found my true calling. I moved back to home after my visa expired and got to work on making that calling a reality: retaking courses to improve my GPA, I started volunteering with the Red Cross (over a hundred hours along with an award for my consistent help) and learned a lot from the nurses (I have a charge nurse who will write me a letter of rec). I also secured myself a great letter of rec from a DO, my PI from grad school, and two professors from undergrad. my shadowing hours aren't as extensive as what I tend to see on this forum but I am hoping to get more in the meantime. I have lots of leadership experiences, from being president of a nationwide campus club, to being a graduate adviser for my fraternity and another campus ethnic club.
So, all in all, what do you think? how are my odds looking for something in California (I would like to stay in my home state but willing to go where ever is best)? Any ideas on where I should apply to outside of Cali? I expect to have my primary done and turned in by sometime next week and needless to say I'm quite excited about the journey that lies ahead. I can't appreciate your feedback enough, I'm so glad this forum exists.