Unique Non-Trad Applicant

[hopefullyaccept]

I was wondering if I could get some help to see what my chances are realistically.

MCAT: 39S (13,13,13)
cGPA: 3.65
sGPA: 3.85

I graduated 10+ years ago with a Business Management and Entrepreneurship double major, a Global Business minor, and a Healthcare Management Certificate. During my time at college I was a member of the Men's Tennis Team and was ranked nationally.

After I graduated I became a Teach for America Corps Member and taught High School Biology for two years. When I finished my two years with Teach for America I decided to join the Army and spent five years as a SF Medical Sergeant where I found the passion for medicine.

Once I left the Army I continued my education and received a Master's of Public Health with a 4.0 GPA. I completed this less than a year ago. I took the MCAT and received the score that I posted above and have been volunteering at a local hospital for the past three months. I wondering what my chances were to be a competitive applicant.

Thanks for everybody's time and effort.

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[gmcguitar4]

Realistically..your going to medical school.

 

[Catalystik]

I was wondering if I could get some help to see what my chances are realistically.

MCAT: 39S (13,13,13)
cGPA: 3.65
sGPA: 3.85

I graduated 10+ years ago with a Business Management and Entrepreneurship double major, a Global Business minor, and a Healthcare Management Certificate. During my time at college I was a member of the Men's Tennis Team and was ranked nationally.

After I graduated I became a Teach for America Corps Member and taught High School Biology for two years. When I finished my two years with Teach for America I decided to join the Army and spent five years as a SF Medical Sergeant where I found the passion for medicine.

Once I left the Army I continued my education and received a Master's of Public Health with a 4.0 GPA. I completed this less than a year ago. I took the MCAT and received the score that I posted above and have been volunteering at a local hospital for the past three months. I wondering what my chances were to be a competitive applicant.

Thanks for everybody's time and effort.

When did you take the prerequisites? They wouldn't typically be considered necessary for any of the study concentrations you've mentioned.

 

[hopefullyaccept]

When did you take the prerequisites? They wouldn't typically be considered necessary for any of the study concentrations you've mentioned.

I completed most of them when trying to figure out what I wanted to focus on during undergrad and then completed the rest before and after my MPH.

 

[Catalystik]

Do you have Calculus I & II and Biochem?

 

[hopefullyaccept]

Realistically..your going to medical school.

Sarcasm?

 

[hopefullyaccept]

Yes I completed all three with As

 

[Catalystik]

What weaknesses are you most concerned about in your application?
Are you taking any classes right now? What?

 

[hopefullyaccept]

What weaknesses are you most concerned about in your application?

My LORs are not amazing by any stretch and my lack of research experience compared to many others that I have seen post on this message board.

 

[Catalystik]

Nontrad status and significant other accomplishments help adcomms overlook a lack of research.

Why are your LORs not all they should be?

Do you have physician shadowing, or can you get some soon?

How would you say that your leadership experience stacks up?

Any legal issues?

 

[hopefullyaccept]

Nontrad status and significant other accomplishments help adcomms overlook a lack of research.

Why are your LORs not all they should be?

Do you have physician shadowing, or can you get some soon?

How would you say that your leadership experience stacks up?

Any legal issues?

I do not have any physician shadowing, but I would definitely seek it out if it put me over the top. I think my leadership experience is the strongest part of my app with TFA and Army SF experience. Absolutely clean record, not even a traffic ticket.

 

[scarshapedstar]

My LORs are not amazing by any stretch and my lack of research experience compared to many others that I have seen post on this message board.

How do you know that anyone else's letters are better? And research is hardly compulsory, especially for a nontrad.

If this is all you're worried about, you're in like Flynn.

 

[Catalystik]

How much clinical experience did you get in the service?

 

[hopefullyaccept]

How much clinical experience did you get in the service?

I provided most if not all medical examinations and treatments to our detachment as well as those who were serving with us in the field.

 

[Catalystik]

Did you ever work side-by-side with physicians while serving?

 

[hopefullyaccept]

Did you ever work side-by-side with physicians while serving?

No I never worked side-by-side with the Army Physicians my duty was first response and trauma medicine.

 

[DVolle]

I think if you spent the summer shadowing various physicians and getting experience in a hospital (clinical) setting, you'd be set.

Also, thank you for serving our country.

 

[hopefullyaccept]

I think if you spent the summer shadowing various physicians and getting experience in a hospital (clinical) setting, you'd be set.

Also, thank you for serving our country.

My pleasure it was the most exciting/rewarding time of my life.

 

[Catalystik]

Most schools are going to expect physician shadowing where you gain an understanding of a physician's day-today duties and the problems facing healthcare these days. This is an experience that can be obtained at the last minute. About 50 hours is the average listed. Forty should be the minimum. Most will follow 2-3 docs, of which one is an office-based primary care doc. But some shadow only one, and others a wide variety of specialists. Ideally, you'd get this done by mid-June, or so, as you want to get your application submitted at the optimal time.

With this one exception, I think you're good to go, and this is a fixable issue. Even though your cGPA is on the lower side for "top schools", you have enough other pluses, that I'd encourage you to apply to some dream schools that you might think above your reach.

 

[hopefullyaccept]

Most schools are going to expect physician shadowing where you gain an understanding of a physician's day-today duties and the problems facing healthcare these days. This is an experience that can be obtained at the last minute. About 50 hours is the average listed. Forty should be the minimum. Most will follow 2-3 docs, of which one is an office-based primary care doc. But some shadow only one, and others a wide variety of specialists. Ideally, you'd get this done by mid-June, or so, as you want to get your application submitted at the optimal time.

With this one exception, I think you're good to go, and this is a fixable issue. Even though your cGPA is on the lower side for "top schools", you have enough other pluses, that I'd encourage you to apply to some dream schools that you might think above your reach.

Thank you for your responses

 

[theseeker4]

Realistically..your going to medical school.

Sarcasm?

He wasn't being sarcastic at all. Your stats are great and almost guarantee you get in somewhere if you apply intelligently after fixing the small gaps Cat pointed out.