I have browsed the forums for months and read lots of threads mentioning the background of applicants. Most of them have quite ample EC experience and very good academic record. As an international applicant (NO citizen/green card) I'm concerning my competition seriously. Despite the med schools say no odds when reviewing domestic/international applications, the rate of getting matriculated for us is much lower than the local. So I would like to ask for an evaluation:
I'm Chinese but had my undergraduate in Australia.
Academic:
Undergrad: GPA ~3.0 (it's quite low because initially I did not intend to become a doctor but a researcher. After in my senior year I found myself unadaptive to the research stuffs), 3-years bachelor (we use a different scale for GPA so I need to evaluate it by WES)
Postbac: GPA 3.8 ( I retook some classes I did bad in my bachelor and did them pretty good. I aimed to prove that I have eligibility of studying them well. The reason I did bad in the past is only because I doubt myself in pursuing research career. Now I'm quite sure I wanna be a doctor)
I was told that for 3-year bachelor, I need at least one year in US as a compensation. Is it right?
EC:
~250 hours volunteer in US hospital (in GI/infusion, MedSurg department)
~30 hours in hospice (patient care and visit)
6 months shadowing in Chinese hospital (My advisor told me it did not count)
Other experiences are like casual employments in Australia, in computer company and massage. So compared to most of you, I have poor EC and low undergrad GPA. I really concern my conditions. I'm going to take MCAT in January 2013 and I think I can get around 30.
I intend to ask for a doctor to shadow later, and perhaps improve the leadership.
Is it easier for me to apply DO rather than MD? Any advice on what else I can do?
I'm Chinese but had my undergraduate in Australia.
Academic:
Undergrad: GPA ~3.0 (it's quite low because initially I did not intend to become a doctor but a researcher. After in my senior year I found myself unadaptive to the research stuffs), 3-years bachelor (we use a different scale for GPA so I need to evaluate it by WES)
Postbac: GPA 3.8 ( I retook some classes I did bad in my bachelor and did them pretty good. I aimed to prove that I have eligibility of studying them well. The reason I did bad in the past is only because I doubt myself in pursuing research career. Now I'm quite sure I wanna be a doctor)
I was told that for 3-year bachelor, I need at least one year in US as a compensation. Is it right?
EC:
~250 hours volunteer in US hospital (in GI/infusion, MedSurg department)
~30 hours in hospice (patient care and visit)
6 months shadowing in Chinese hospital (My advisor told me it did not count)
Other experiences are like casual employments in Australia, in computer company and massage. So compared to most of you, I have poor EC and low undergrad GPA. I really concern my conditions. I'm going to take MCAT in January 2013 and I think I can get around 30.
I intend to ask for a doctor to shadow later, and perhaps improve the leadership.
Is it easier for me to apply DO rather than MD? Any advice on what else I can do?