26 year old, Non-traditional, Low Income, Black male, Re-applicant, FL Residence
First application was thrown in late (Oct 31) with lots of errors, poor letters of rec, and a poorly written PS.
This cycle the application is much better: No errors, well written descriptions and PS, and submitted early (end of this week).
Stats:
3.37 sGPA with a positive academic trend
3.438 cGPA with a positive trend
496 original MCAT score from last year, however on track to make between a 515-520 this test (I test in July but debating on pushing until August)
While in college, I had to be the parent for my younger siblings, father is a severe alcoholic, and had to contribute to household income which meant I couldn't only focus on my school.
Research (1,500 hours)
- Ad hoc Reviewer for the Journal of Cancer Education
- 1 Publication as a Primary Author
- 3 Poster Presentations at the American Association for Cancer Research
Work Experience [12,000 hours; 6,000 are direct patient care; 3,000 are directly participating in procedures]
- Co-founded a Nonprofit that provided free breast imaging to Medically Underserved Communities via a mobile mammography unit
-Worked in an outpatient Diagnostic Radiology Clinic
Shadowing (1,000 hours)
- Shadowed different specialties (Radiology, ER, General Surgery, Psychiatry, General Practice, Oncology) both here and out of the country to develop cultural sensitivity and view medicine outside of the United States
Volunteering (1,000 hours both clinical and non-clinical)
-400 of these hours were as an Academic Tutor at my university for a Science Course
I'm hoping to remain MD as I would prefer MD over DO. I have been accepted to a few post-bacc programs, two SMP programs (where I take classes alongside medical students), or I have the opportunity to move to Houston and continue doing research with MD Anderson. I am not sure if the Post-bacc or SMP are necessary with my background, EC's, and projected MCAT score. Looking for guidance on best decision to make as well. Also the dream is to go to a Texas (Houston) Medical School but I am not sure if possible with my GPA.
Edit for Clarity: No Interviews previous cycle. After Spending an obscene amount of money on consultants and speaking with them, they all have independently said it was due to the errors in the application (mislabeled courses, courses entered twice, courses attached to the wrong semester), lateness of the application, and low MCAT. They have all also said that they don't see why I wouldn't get in, even to a Texas school if I scored a 515+ but wanting to gain as much insight as I can.
First application was thrown in late (Oct 31) with lots of errors, poor letters of rec, and a poorly written PS.
This cycle the application is much better: No errors, well written descriptions and PS, and submitted early (end of this week).
Stats:
3.37 sGPA with a positive academic trend
3.438 cGPA with a positive trend
496 original MCAT score from last year, however on track to make between a 515-520 this test (I test in July but debating on pushing until August)
While in college, I had to be the parent for my younger siblings, father is a severe alcoholic, and had to contribute to household income which meant I couldn't only focus on my school.
Research (1,500 hours)
- Ad hoc Reviewer for the Journal of Cancer Education
- 1 Publication as a Primary Author
- 3 Poster Presentations at the American Association for Cancer Research
Work Experience [12,000 hours; 6,000 are direct patient care; 3,000 are directly participating in procedures]
- Co-founded a Nonprofit that provided free breast imaging to Medically Underserved Communities via a mobile mammography unit
-Worked in an outpatient Diagnostic Radiology Clinic
Shadowing (1,000 hours)
- Shadowed different specialties (Radiology, ER, General Surgery, Psychiatry, General Practice, Oncology) both here and out of the country to develop cultural sensitivity and view medicine outside of the United States
Volunteering (1,000 hours both clinical and non-clinical)
-400 of these hours were as an Academic Tutor at my university for a Science Course
I'm hoping to remain MD as I would prefer MD over DO. I have been accepted to a few post-bacc programs, two SMP programs (where I take classes alongside medical students), or I have the opportunity to move to Houston and continue doing research with MD Anderson. I am not sure if the Post-bacc or SMP are necessary with my background, EC's, and projected MCAT score. Looking for guidance on best decision to make as well. Also the dream is to go to a Texas (Houston) Medical School but I am not sure if possible with my GPA.
Edit for Clarity: No Interviews previous cycle. After Spending an obscene amount of money on consultants and speaking with them, they all have independently said it was due to the errors in the application (mislabeled courses, courses entered twice, courses attached to the wrong semester), lateness of the application, and low MCAT. They have all also said that they don't see why I wouldn't get in, even to a Texas school if I scored a 515+ but wanting to gain as much insight as I can.
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