P
parski
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If you can get your sGPA above 3.0 it would make less doors slam shut automatically.Looking for feedback and some general guidance.
Stats:
2012 BA Math
Undergrad sGPA 2.84 (my major courses, i.e. math, a lot of B-/Cs)
Undergrad cGPA 3.15
2015 MS Biomedical Sciences
GPA 3.44
2014 MCAT
30 - 8ps/10vr/12bs
LORs:
MS program committee letter including:
- graduate research PI (MD, surgeon in chief top 50 hospital)
-current research PI (MD, chief physician executive top 50 hospital)
-MS program academic adviser (DO)
-MS program program director (PhD, author of committee letter)
-HR director from EMT company (clinical/professional)
PS:
Several individuals looked it over (adviser, PIs, etc) and I've revised it several times based on feedback (between both application cycles). Addresses low points of my application concisely and highlights my more recent and relevant experiences/successes
EC's:
Applications:
- Currently work as a research assistant on disease management trail. Started in December 2015. Plan to stay on till study finishes ~12 months or so. Will be involved in write up and drafting of manuscript. Part time work as of now 20 hrs/week
- 500+ hours as a volunteer research assistant during graduate program. Published J. Vascular Surgery (October 2014 - 3rd authorship). Also presented work at 2014 regional vascular surgery conference
- 5000+ clinical hours as an EMT in large (pop >1.0 million) city over 4 year period (one year full time, last three years per diem). ~24 hrs/week right now
- 300-400 volunteer hours college EMS. Operations coordinator position senior year
- Eagle Scout
2015 - 23 MD schools
2016 - 15 MD schools
No interviews either cycle
All applications were in by July 30 (primary+secondary)
I have no institutional actions or major red flags (besides low GPA and ok MCAT).
State does not have a medical school, so all applications are to privates w/e of UVM and VCU
Rejections came mostly in Feb/March.
Plan:
-Re-take MCAT with aim of a 520. I've been studying for several weeks, plan to retake in June.
-Expand my research role, i.e. move to full time.
-More volunteer work, waiting to hear back on little league position, considering big brothers big sisters
DO has been suggested and I have been weighing that for awhile now, several months at least. I do not feel DO is something that I can be proud of (personally that is, not by any means a shot against DOs). While I have not ruled it out, I feel like I would have a chip on my shoulder. However, I know that being a DO physician is better than not being a physician.
Caribbean schools are not in the question and will never considered.
If the MCAT comes up to a respectable score (515 minimum, aiming for 520, current practice tests are in the 510-513 range, 2 months to go), will that alone help me to begin getting interviews? I've considered additional course work, but for the cost per class how much benefit would that add to me?
Much appreciated.