Hello SDN,
You've all been an incredible resource throughout my first application cycle. Now, maybe you can help me out in round 2. I think it's time to face the fact that I will not be getting any interviews this cycle; I'm looking to identify and correct the deficiencies in my application. Frankly, I don't even know what to try to address before I reapply. It's pretty average all around.
My stats:
CA resident
BS Microbiology, June 2014
3.58 sGPA
3.59 cGPA
- Grades showed a strong upward trend (as I started to care more and try harder) after sophomore year (best grades were in my upper div major classes).
38 MCAT (14VR, 10PS, 14BS)- Again, junior and senior year I was a different student. I worked really hard for that score and would hate to see it go to waste.
First 2 years of undergrad were a waste. The following is from junior and senior year:
-100 hours scribing in a primary care clinic (1 year)
-'Co-author credit on an abstract' for my role in a clinical research project at said clinic.
-300 hours volunteering as a research intern (1 year, non-medical field)
-50 hours volunteering in an animal shelter (1 year)
5 LOR
-Major Professor (3 classes)
-Writing Professor
-Research Supervisor
-Supervising Physician (scribing and research)
-Animal shelter supervisor
The two letters I have been allowed to read were extremely positive and I'm very grateful for them. The rest are probably less personal.
And that's it folks. White male, stable home life, rather uninteresting person. The only thing I really have going for me is that I genuinely love medicine, especially primary care, though my app doesn't necessarily reflect this. I applied to 28 MD schools-nothing but holds and rejections 2 months later.
So, what do I need to improve? I can spot some big flaws-
-Luke warm EC's. As my adviser put it, I did the "bare minimum".
-Complete lack of leadership experience. I didn't get involved in any clubs as an undergrad. (don't know what I can do about this now)
-I applied late. Thanks to some shenanigans in the Registrar's Office coupled with my own laziness, my transcripts weren't confirmed until August. I submitted secondaries from mid-August to late-September, with a few submitted as late as October.
-Sub-par GPA. (too late to fix)
During my gap year, I've gotten my EMT-B cert, taken CC classes, started tutoring, and continued scribing and volunteering in an animal shelter. I hope to start working as an EMT and clinical care volunteer soon. I hope applying early and "staying the course" will be enough to get me into an MD or DO program next cycle, but I would thoroughly appreciate any criticism or suggestions.
You've all been an incredible resource throughout my first application cycle. Now, maybe you can help me out in round 2. I think it's time to face the fact that I will not be getting any interviews this cycle; I'm looking to identify and correct the deficiencies in my application. Frankly, I don't even know what to try to address before I reapply. It's pretty average all around.
My stats:
CA resident
BS Microbiology, June 2014
3.58 sGPA
3.59 cGPA
- Grades showed a strong upward trend (as I started to care more and try harder) after sophomore year (best grades were in my upper div major classes).
38 MCAT (14VR, 10PS, 14BS)- Again, junior and senior year I was a different student. I worked really hard for that score and would hate to see it go to waste.
First 2 years of undergrad were a waste. The following is from junior and senior year:
-100 hours scribing in a primary care clinic (1 year)
-'Co-author credit on an abstract' for my role in a clinical research project at said clinic.
-300 hours volunteering as a research intern (1 year, non-medical field)
-50 hours volunteering in an animal shelter (1 year)
5 LOR
-Major Professor (3 classes)
-Writing Professor
-Research Supervisor
-Supervising Physician (scribing and research)
-Animal shelter supervisor
The two letters I have been allowed to read were extremely positive and I'm very grateful for them. The rest are probably less personal.
And that's it folks. White male, stable home life, rather uninteresting person. The only thing I really have going for me is that I genuinely love medicine, especially primary care, though my app doesn't necessarily reflect this. I applied to 28 MD schools-nothing but holds and rejections 2 months later.
So, what do I need to improve? I can spot some big flaws-
-Luke warm EC's. As my adviser put it, I did the "bare minimum".
-Complete lack of leadership experience. I didn't get involved in any clubs as an undergrad. (don't know what I can do about this now)
-I applied late. Thanks to some shenanigans in the Registrar's Office coupled with my own laziness, my transcripts weren't confirmed until August. I submitted secondaries from mid-August to late-September, with a few submitted as late as October.
-Sub-par GPA. (too late to fix)
During my gap year, I've gotten my EMT-B cert, taken CC classes, started tutoring, and continued scribing and volunteering in an animal shelter. I hope to start working as an EMT and clinical care volunteer soon. I hope applying early and "staying the course" will be enough to get me into an MD or DO program next cycle, but I would thoroughly appreciate any criticism or suggestions.
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