Hey, so if I were you I'd take the June 2nd mcat - or even a little later, what other dates after that are available that are before your trip? I understand being worried about applying early but honestly taking it at the end of May or end of June WILL NOT make a difference. what WILL matter is your score. You'll probably be tired from your finals and will want a little time to relax. Then if I were you (what I did anyways) is spend time studying, 4 or so hours a day and the final 1.5-2 weeks I studied like 8 hours a day. Obviously this is just what worked for me but my main point is take it a little later if you think it'll help you score higher!!!!! I can't stress it enough. ALSO - I'd prioritize MCAT over your mission trip (unless you are super interested in global health, etc./ financially or in some other way completely committed). Your trip will be during/after your primary submission so it won't boost your app much and the mcat is MORE IMPORTANT. plus, tons of pre-meds do these types of trips and i don't think it adds much to your app.
Also, you mentioned your sGPA went from 3.4 --> 3.3? Unless I misread something. I would find a grade calculator and figure out which science classes, if any, would raise your sGPA the most if you retook them for an A. This is ONLY IF you believe you can get an A. for example I got a C+ in physics I and II, so I prob could have raised my sGPA a bit had I retaken those 8 credits and gotten an A. however I stink at physics and didn't think I could achieve an A so I did not retake. The big thing is to show you can improve on your weaker science grades by doing well on those sections on the mcat. I did fine on the physical science section of the mcat (9, old test obviously) and no interview has asked me about my physics grade. AND I think showing you can do well in upper level sciences is great/important as well. basically: retake courses for an A that will raise sGPA the most; take an upper level if reasonable (and you think you can get an A).
Is your radiology job at your hospital direct patient care? If so, that's a GREAT e/c to have. also, you can discuss working while going to school, which is huge. If not, can you possibly turn your assisted living volunteer position into a job? either one would be great, direct patient care is a huge plus for an app.
As for the rest of your app:
-E.D. Volunteering: fine, don't waste valuable time doing this though if you can use this time to study/work (in a direct patient care role) more. everyone knows hospital volunteering isn't a life-changing experience. 6 months is good enough for this e/c imo.
-Assisted Living Center Volunteer- this volunteer e/c is way better than the ED one - what do you do as a volunteer here? and again, can you possibly turn this into a job? i.e. become a nurses aide, etc.
-Pre-Med club member/ Pre-SOMA club member- meh; unless you're out doing community service through these clubs.
-Senior Citizens club member- what do you do in this club? i think this is a GREAT e/c if you are truly involved, even if its not in a healthcare position.
-Radiology Support Services Specialist- again, what does this role entail? its definitely a good e/c, it'd be great if it involves direct hands-on patient care.
-50 hours: fine, i think <100 hours would be acceptable.
-Getting research experience: GREAT e/c. DO schools aren't huge on research but it's a plus and if you can publish a poster or something that's even better.
tl;dr (ok do read lol, but here's my summary):
-MCAT >>>>> everything except your grades; take it later in the summer if you need more time to study. I'd aim to score a 28 or higher on the old scale.
-retake low science courses.
-if you can get your cGPA to >3.4 and sGPA >3.3 with an mcat >28 (and of course "apply early and broadly"), i think you have a decent shot at an acceptance!
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Do You Think I'll Make It to Medical School?
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