- Joined
- Apr 7, 2014
- Messages
- 40
- Reaction score
- 4
Hello sdn,
I have a few questions regarding how to improve my app and I was hoping to gain some insight. (Stats listed below)
To start, I finished undergrad in 2014 with a 2.98 gpa. Knowing this, I began to retake some science courses I got C's in, while also working as an EMT. In 2016, I started an SMP (MA in Biomedical Sciences) at a local school that did not have linkage to any medical schools. This was partially due to the fact that most schools with "linkage" programs in my state require a minimum 3.0, which I didn't have. I performed well in all the upper level grad courses finishing with a 3.88 gpa. I also started working as a clinical research coordinator while in grad school.
I was ready to apply in 2017 when I finished grad school, but my aunt was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and my mom and I helped her with her treatments. You see, my aunt does not have any children or a spouse to take care of her. All she had was my mother and I to take her to treatments and help her recover. In 2018, I was gearing up to apply, but my dad lost his job and was unemployed for about a year. I withdrew my apps to help my parents pay their bills. While I helped my family, I took some additional courses at a community college and started some new volunteer opportunities in a free healthcare clinic and volunteer mentor to high school students. My aunt unfortunately passed away in 2019 and my father found another job toward the end of 2019. Finally, I was ready to apply this year, I took the MCAT, got a 501 and sent in my apps primarily to DO schools. With November almost half way through, and no interview invites, I think its fair to get ready to retake the mcat and apply again next cycle or in 2022. My questions is how do I improve my app besides the MCAT exam?
My concerns are that I spent too much time away from school and that my experiences are stretched over such a long period of time (approx 2014-2020). Would that hurt my chances? Do adcoms like to see more recent ECs? Also do I need to retake or take more classes? Should I look into another post-bacc grad program, this time at a medical school? Any info/guidance on which steps to take would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for taking the time to read this.
To give more context these are my stats:
undergrad gpa: 2.98
grad gpa: 3.88
cGPA: 3.18
sGPA: 3.18
last 48 credits post bacc work (26 grad 22 undergrad) gpa: 3.93
volunteer work: 376 hours (90 free clinic, 160 mentorship program, ER volunteer 126)
shadowing: 300 hours ( 24 ophtho, 60 ER/Peds, 216 IM/FM)
clinical: 1066 hours (ophthalmic tech/EMT)
research: 4266 (CRC, 3 publications, 1 first author)
MCAT: 501 (125,125,126,125)
I have a few questions regarding how to improve my app and I was hoping to gain some insight. (Stats listed below)
To start, I finished undergrad in 2014 with a 2.98 gpa. Knowing this, I began to retake some science courses I got C's in, while also working as an EMT. In 2016, I started an SMP (MA in Biomedical Sciences) at a local school that did not have linkage to any medical schools. This was partially due to the fact that most schools with "linkage" programs in my state require a minimum 3.0, which I didn't have. I performed well in all the upper level grad courses finishing with a 3.88 gpa. I also started working as a clinical research coordinator while in grad school.
I was ready to apply in 2017 when I finished grad school, but my aunt was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and my mom and I helped her with her treatments. You see, my aunt does not have any children or a spouse to take care of her. All she had was my mother and I to take her to treatments and help her recover. In 2018, I was gearing up to apply, but my dad lost his job and was unemployed for about a year. I withdrew my apps to help my parents pay their bills. While I helped my family, I took some additional courses at a community college and started some new volunteer opportunities in a free healthcare clinic and volunteer mentor to high school students. My aunt unfortunately passed away in 2019 and my father found another job toward the end of 2019. Finally, I was ready to apply this year, I took the MCAT, got a 501 and sent in my apps primarily to DO schools. With November almost half way through, and no interview invites, I think its fair to get ready to retake the mcat and apply again next cycle or in 2022. My questions is how do I improve my app besides the MCAT exam?
My concerns are that I spent too much time away from school and that my experiences are stretched over such a long period of time (approx 2014-2020). Would that hurt my chances? Do adcoms like to see more recent ECs? Also do I need to retake or take more classes? Should I look into another post-bacc grad program, this time at a medical school? Any info/guidance on which steps to take would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for taking the time to read this.
To give more context these are my stats:
undergrad gpa: 2.98
grad gpa: 3.88
cGPA: 3.18
sGPA: 3.18
last 48 credits post bacc work (26 grad 22 undergrad) gpa: 3.93
volunteer work: 376 hours (90 free clinic, 160 mentorship program, ER volunteer 126)
shadowing: 300 hours ( 24 ophtho, 60 ER/Peds, 216 IM/FM)
clinical: 1066 hours (ophthalmic tech/EMT)
research: 4266 (CRC, 3 publications, 1 first author)
MCAT: 501 (125,125,126,125)
