<p>Here’s my story. I’m a rising junior at The Wharton School at Penn. I went there thinking I’d go straight to med school while acquiring some business skills along the way (for several reasons). Upon soaking myself into all that is Wharton, my interest in business as a career/life pursuit grew stronger. I’d say for the past year/half-year I was seriously considering taking a stab at the financial world post graduation since I did (do) find it interesting and saw myself possessing much potential to rise high. However, after much introspection, I think I have decided to return to my original plan (for several reasons- ethical ones, what gets me fired up, etc.). Where do you guys think I stand (i.e. what Med Schools are reasonable targets, what are reaches, etc)? I plan to soon delve into the premed/med world as I have the business world the past two years (once I do so I’d probably know the answer to the question I am posing here). I just feel behind since my interests have been all over the place, and I haven’t been able to focus hard on medicine.</p>
<p>STATS:
-Degree: BS in Economics (concentration in Finance); Minor in Chemistry
-Current GPA: 3.87 (likely to drop a good amount)
-Work Experience: Freshman summer worked with Optometrist as clinical assistant and took Physics 1 and 2 w/ labs. Sophomore summer I was a Private Equity Summer Analyst.
-Clinical experience: I volunteer once a week at a health clinic in an impoverished area in Philly where I administer blood sugar tests and cholesterol tests. My freshman summer was clinical.
-Volunteer experience: I led a team to put on a school-wide event that raised $1000 for the Boys and Girls Club of Philly my freshman fall semester. My time at the clinic mentioned above is all volunteer (will have done for 1.5-2 yrs). I am the drummer in the school jazz band and we play gigs for several non-profits/charity events (have done every year). Volunteered at a health fair this past year; will do so again next year.
-Shadowing Experience: I shadowed my uncle in high school who is a radiologist for two weeks- learned to read radiographs and diagnose several conditions. I witnessed a total artificial heart transplant at HUP (so cool!). I’ve spent a night in the Trauma Bay at HUP. I plan to shadow a gastroenterologist this summer (maybe a cardiologist, too).<br>
-Leadership Experience: I am on the exec board of Penn Jazz. I was the leader of the team who put on the school-wide event mentioned above.
-Research Experience: NONE!</p>
<p>Obviously one key ingredient missing here are my MCATS. Also, I am concerned about not having done any research. What schools does this preclude me from? Are there books I can get that will tell me this? I might be able to do some this year, or start next summer (while I applying to med school).</p>
<p>Given a couple MCAT “score thresholds”, where would I stand a chance? How much difference would research experience make, and how serious would that research need to be?</p>
<p>Thanks guys. Hope this doesn’t come off as pretentious or annoying. Just looking for an honest opinion or two.</p>