bkn89 wrote:
Currently a second year Doctor of Medicine (MD) student at a USC.
Prior work experience:
- 1.5 years in drug addiction treatment, basically managed the facility logistics - supplies, intake, paperwork, etc.
- They do not encourage employment during medical school - it's pretty much impossible, so my third year (when I am working in the hospital full time) and my research projects will have to stand in for employment.
No GMAT yet...scored in top 5% nationally on the MCAT so hopefully I can pull off the same on the GMAT..
College:
- UC San Diego 2011, 3.44 GPA, Biology major, literature minor, upward trend.
- No excuses for the GPA, except that organic chemistry is tough.
- I was light on the quant classes.
- USC Med school does not give grades or rank students - it is pass/no pass only.
College leadership:
- Student Health Educator
- Program Development at a hospital volunteer program involving 500 volunteers.
Current med school leadership:
- Class council president, President of Health Policy club. Took the club from a barely functioning 6 members to 30+ active members, started a policy newsletter, brought in policy experts to do discussions with members.
- My main project: I'm currently putting together a team to build a patient coaching software for doctors treating obese patients. This has involved market research, engaging stakeholders (doctors in the community), user research, business model development. We're hoping to have the software built by early 2015 and running clinical trials in local clinics by the end of the year.
Target programs: HBS, Stanford, MIT, Wharton, Columbia, Haas, Yale
I plan to apply R1 2015-2016 or R1 2016-2017? My goal is to start in the fall of either 2016 or 2017. I have wiggle room, as my school allows me to take a few years off to do an MBA and then come back to complete the MD. I want to do the full 2-year MBA program rather than a joint MD/MBA because I don't want to go to USC for my MBA.
Near term Goals: I want to start a company focused on building software and IT systems for the medical world.
Long term Goals: I want to go into C-suite hospital/healthcare system administration, and be one of the ones that pushes hospitals and medical clinics into the 21st century via the implementation of better technological infrastructure that also improves patient care. I'm seeking the MBA because I've come to realize that you really need skills in both technology (to build tech) and business (to build tech that fits with healthcare business models) in order to have any hope of making this happen.
Things I'm worried about: my GPA, my lack of full time work experience before going to med school, the fact that I'm not at an elite private institution. Would appreciate feedback, thanks.
Hey there good sir,
Thanks for dropping by.
Well, maybe a good place to start is where the schools would: Ask yourself: What are they looking for? I mean, if you have so little work experience and have been a student for so long, even if this is natural for an MD, how can they KNOW (or believe) that you have potential to do what you actually say you would like to? In a word, how can you PROVE to them that you have a shot?
Obviously, doing supremely well on the GMAT will help. And that is your first and foremost task. But again, you should think: If I don't have the Ivy League school, the stellar GPA, what can I offer up? And hopefully you can find some more stuff in terms of leadership, volunteer work, sports, extra currics.
That, and a rock solid story will help you get as close to your goals as you can get.
If you are serious about the Top 5 schools, then my advice would be:
- Start your project NOW, and try and get it somewhere before you apply (I mean if you have Angel investment already BEFORE you apply, and three employees working on an app or whatever, it's a bit different that a dude with an idea and a diploma)
- Get as far and as high as you can in all your extra curricular involvement in Med School. Whatever it is. Volunteer more. Run fundraisers. Become president of the Med Student association... I dunno exactly, do ALL of the above.
That, plus a stellar GMAT will about give you the best chances you can get,
Best,
JF