1st year wanting to get into top mdphd programs (applying in 3yrs), how's my plan?
hi all, i'm in my first year of college shooting for top mstps. gonna apply to a shit ton (shotgun method is a w - i also applied to 50+ colleges lmao so ik how to shotgun). if someone could evaluate my plan for the next 3 yrs i'd really appreciate it π looking for honest feedback or if i'm overlooking anything, etc. thank you!!
background & stats:
ORM π, 4.0 GPA from CC (83 credits) from HS, now at a top undergrad (BME major), assume 3.9+ GPA and adequate MCAT (520+) cause i'm more worried about evaluating my activities plan rn
taking mcat summer after soph yr, trying to apply w/o gaps so these are projections i would have in 3 yrs
research:
- 600 hrs summer before freshman yr, comp bio research (2 2nd author pubs since i did this for 2 yrs in hs)
- 3-4k hrs in wet lab cell bio, 25 hrs/wk (hopefully get some pubs π)
- several public health pubs & case reports (done + ongoing)
- couple hundred hours clinical research
- 1 poster + 2 orals at undergrad symposiums (already have), gonna apply to GCURS/BMES/NCURS later
- gonna apply for fellowships but no guarantee
clinical:
- 1.5k hrs volunteer EMT - getting cert this winter, ~1 12hr shift/wk
- 400 hrs scribing over summers
extracurriculars:
- 1k hrs educational: TA every semester starting this spring, tutoring (probably orgo tutor)
- couple hundred hrs nonclinical volunteering w/ elderly & kids w/ disabilities (try to get leadership in these orgs + various campus tutoring orgs)
- 6-700 hrs job tutoring SAT/ACT and college prep
- couple hundred hours campus tour guide & admissions office
- shadowing - i'll do this over breaks and stop at 50 hrs or smth
ik this depends on awards but is this plan ok? i feel like if i don't win anything substantial there's no way for me to stand out from everyone else with insane hours lol
Posted Sep 13, 2025, 10:43 PM UTC