WAMC/ Reapplicant

[pineapple1122]

I am at the end of the 2023 application cycle and have not received any interviews. I am looking into applying to SMP programs for my second gap year and then reapplying to MD/DO schools. I am going back and forth if I should study for the MCAT now and apply again June 2024 or go for the masters.

1. cGPA and sGPA as calculated by AMCAS or AACOMAS
   • cGPA: 3.89
   • sGPA: 3.83
2. MCAT score(s) and breakdown
   • 497 (125/122/124/126)
   • AAMC PREview: 7
3. State of residence or country of citizenship (if non-US:
   • Michigan
4. Ethnicity and/or race:
   • Caucasian
5. Undergraduate institution or category:
   • Michigan State University; B.S in Neuroscience
6. Clinical experience (volunteer and non-volunteer)
   • Volunteer: educated fraternities and sororities about the use of Narcan
   • Medical Assistant (225 hours)
   • Patient care volunteer (30 hours)
7. Research experience and productivity
   • 155 Hours
   • Publication
   • Researched and co-wrote a chapter titled 'Personal Reflections and Effective Coping Mechanisms when Transitioning to Higher Education'
8. Shadowing experience and specialties represented
   • Shadowed Neurosurgeon in Israel
   • Shadowed Orthopedic surgeon in Israel
9. Non-clinical volunteering
   • Raised $9,000 for the families who suffered from the Michigan State University Shooting
   • Volunteer at a organization that builds friendships between volunteers and kids with special needs (500+ hours)
10. Other extracurricular activities (including athletics, military service, gap year activities, leadership, teaching, etc)
    • Gap year in Africa volunteering at a hospital in Ghana and Tanzania
    • Volunteering at wildlife reserve in South Africa
    • President of leadership society
11. Relevant honors or awards
    • Honor of Philanthropy from my University
    • Honor of top 20% of my graduating class
12. Anything else not listed you think might be important
    • Spending my gap year in Africa volunteering at different hospitals and with wildlife.

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[Faha]

Which MD and DO schools did you apply to ?

 

[Mr.Smile12]

You don't need to post in multiple forums.

You don't need a SMP.

You need to get a better MCAT.

What schools are on your list? You will be considered a reapplicant for the ones where you sent secondaries

Your Narcan activities are great but are not clinical experiences. They are more education/advocacy, not service orientation. Fundraising is not service orientation.

Even with a strong MCAT:
No shadowing in the US can screen you out. Little clinical experience probably will screen you out.

Your activities are great but if you are applying to US Medical Schools, you need activities in the US.

 

[pineapple1122]

Which MD and DO schools did you apply to ?

NYITCOM
MSUCOM

Wayne State
Oakland University
Central Michigan
Western Michigan
MSU CHM
University of Michigan
Icahn
Roaslind Franklin
South Carolina
Case Western
University of Minnesota
OSU
University of Tennessee
Indiana
SUNY

 

[Faha]

A 497 MCAT is not competitive for any MD schools. However, you could receive interviews at some DO schools if you are willing to apply broadly and include all the new schools. I suggest these schools:
MU-COM
LECOM (all schools)
PCOM Georgia and South Georgia
UP-KYCOM
WVSOM
LUCOM
DUQCOM
VCOM (all schools)
BUCOM
KHSC-COM
ICOM
Touro-Montana
RVU-Montana
Noorda-COM
BCOM (both schools)
UIWSOM
TUNCOM
WCU-COM
NYIT-AR
ARCOM
ACOM
OCOM
LMU-DCOM
Any new schools that open for 2025 (there may be several)
In order to be competitive for MD schools you would need to increase your MCAT to 505+. Do not retake the MCAT unless your practice scores are consistently 505+.

 

[candbgirl]

Why do you think a SMP will help you?
Why did you apply to so many MD schools with a 497 MCAT? A 497;isn’t competitive for MD schools.
Any shadowing in the US? Get some primary care shadowing.
Your Narcan thing is interesting but I’m not sure it is actually clinical.
I’m not sure the fund raising counts as nonclinical volunteering. Fund raising usually doesn’t.
You have several state schools that aren’t especially friendly to OOS applicants with a 497 MCAT.
You don’t need a SMP. It isn’t your GPA that’s keeping you out of med school..

 

[gyngyn]

Describe your hospital activities in Africa.