Screwed... right?

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Stitch77

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Hi guys,

First an apology - I have never posted before, so if this is in the wrong location or something, I am deeply sorry.

Anyways...

I wanted to see if anyone else is in my position, and if I am as screwed as I think I am.

I have applied to about 13 med schools, with 4 rejections (BU, U of R, Downstate and Tulane), and 4 "on Hold" pre-interview (Albany, Uconn, UVM, Upstate).

Since I submitted everything by early to mid Sept, I can only assume that the last 5 schools will be rejections (NYMC, Mt. Sinai, Jefferson, Stony Brook and Temple).

I don't believe I am that bad of a candidate (NYS resident, 3.3 at Cornell for undergrad, 7 years of lab research, 4 years as an EMT both home and at school, a firefighter for 6 years, 30 MCAT and great recs), but I guess the Med Schools think differently.

So should I be holding out hope or just start planning for a year off 😕?

thanks in advance --
 
Stitch77 said:
...holding out hope or just start planning for a year off...
Click to expand...
"Holding out hope" should NOT preclude you from planning. You can look at some research possibilities and maybe graduate (i.e. masters) possibilities. You need to plan for the next step. That doesn't mean all hope is lost or you gave up. The path is not always straight, narrow, and easy....
 
I wouldn't assume that your final schools will be rejections. Anyone who's been through this process will tell you it's fickle and you can't predict where you will or won't get in.

With that said, your numbers are average and may be hurting you. It's still surprising that you haven't had more success. There might be some glaring issue with your application. Perhaps your personal statement? Maybe your LORs weren't as strong as you thought? Something just seems "off."

Best of luck.
 
Currently my plans, upon all rejections, are to either work at my local hospital for a year and possibly take some classes at Ualbany, or go to nursing school (if med school is really not going to happen ever). I'm trying to be proactive about this situation.
 
Stitch77 said:
Currently my plans, upon all rejections, are to either work at my local hospital for a year and possibly take some classes at Ualbany, or go to nursing school (if med school is really not going to happen ever). I'm trying to be proactive about this situation.
Click to expand...

👍

If you have a plan in place then things will work out. If you want to go to med school, I wouldn't accept nursing school as an alternative. Do a post-bacc program (improve your GPA), rack up some more experiences (whether that be research or otherwise), and apply next year or the year after. Perhaps consider a Master's program if there's a field you want to do formal work in.
 
I don' think so. You could apply to DO schools, you could a post bac to bring your undergrad GPA up, you could do an SMP, master program, for 1 year. All those will make you a more attractive applicant. If you are willing to spend a little time you can definitely get in. I don't think you are screwed at all, I have a 3.4 GPA, and I am applying for SMPs...

Its really up to you, if you really want to do medicine, and don't mind it taking a little longer, I would definitely pursue that, but if you want to do something immediately I guess you could look at other options as you have mentioned.
 
Stitch77 said:
I don't believe I am that bad of a candidate (NYS resident, 3.3 at Cornell for undergrad, 7 years of lab research, 4 years as an EMT both home and at school, a firefighter for 6 years, 30 MCAT and great recs), but I guess the Med Schools think differently.

So should I be holding out hope or just start planning for a year off 😕?

thanks in advance --
Click to expand...

This is very likely your problem. I agree with the above poster that holding out hope does not preclude planning. That is most important.

But you will probably need to take some undergrad courses (NOT graduate) in order to boost your uGPA and put you into a more competitive block. The problem is your average MCAT does not make up for the below average gpa.

if you take a year of classes, you could prob get up to 3.4 or 3.5 and then have a very successful application.

Graduate courses are another option, but won't help with the initial screen out.

Last option, is to rock the hell out of the MCAT. if you can score 33+ schools may not screen you out due to the gpa.
 
ColeOnTheRoll said:
...If you want to go to med school, I wouldn't accept nursing school as an alternative. ...Perhaps consider a Master's program ...
Click to expand...
They are two different fields. The janitor or tech may work around patients too. Do not choose an alternative just cause it gets you into the hospital or around patients. It's a big mistake to choose nursing as an ALTERNATIVE to being a physician... That is not saying there is anything wrong with being a nurse. I am simply saying be a nurse if that is what you want to do.... don't be a nurse cause you failed to become a physician.
 
Cornell is a tough school but you are, IIRC, below average among applicants applying to med school out of Cornell. Likewise, your MCAT is a little below avg among Cornell undergrads. About 70% of white applicants with your stats get admitted so you aren't alone if after this cycle you are without a med school.

If this is your first cycle, I'd suggest preparing like crazy and retaking the MCAT in April. Then plan to reapply during the first week of June 2010 if you have managed at least a 34 on the MCAT. Find something (f/t job in research or in a hospital or outpatient setting) to do to support yourself during the year off.

Alternately, take a two year gap. Take some additional natural science courses in 2010-11 to show that you have what it takes to succeed in medical school. This could be undergrad courses, a masters in bio or chem, or a special masters program. Your goal should be a 4.0 gpa, particularly if you are trading down in prestige from Ivy League to state university (regardless of the real difficulty of the coursework the name/prestige is all that an adcom thinks about). Then reapply in June 2011. (If you felt that you needed it, you could retake the MCAT in April 2011). Work during the second year or finish up the academic work need for a degree.
 
You look like the kind of person med schools should want. Unfortunately, both your numbers are below the median for those accepted, with the cGPA being well below. If you are of nontraditional age, with a recent upward grade trend, and balanced subscores on the MCAT, with a compelling personal statement, and the usual and customary ECs beyond those excellent things you specified, your numbers may be overridden in the eyes of one of your med schools. Don't give up yet. But always plan ahead, just in case. Hopefully, your ECs will be even stronger if you have to reapply (and we'd be happy to microanalyze them if you care to list them in detail).

Potential pathways to success:
1) Apply to DO schools, where you would have an excellent chance as you are.

2) Retake the MCAT and get a 34+ to compensate for the low cGPA.

3) Apply to Special Masters Programs now. A year of straight As in undergrad postbac work won't raise your cGPA enough with your current MCAT score to help significantly.

4) A year or two of straight A undergrad postbac work and a somewhat higher MCAT score.

5) When you reapply to MD programs, add more of the less-selective schools, on-par with Jeff, Temple, Drexel, Tulane, UVermont, Albany.
 
i know its been sad and i think LizzyM's advice is great so ill just reiterate: get those numbers up. i think that is hurting you terrribly. my friend is in a similar boat - amazing EC's and everything except numbers. her numbers are 3.65 and 32 MCAT and she applied in june/july and has only has 2 interviews and 1 rejection already.
 
ar2388 said:
i know its been sad and i think LizzyM's advice is great so ill just reiterate: get those numbers up. i think that is hurting you terrribly. my friend is in a similar boat - amazing EC's and everything except numbers. her numbers are 3.65 and 32 MCAT and she applied in june/july and has only has 2 interviews and 1 rejection already.
Click to expand...

This seems pretty good, at least for state school... you sure her ECs and PS weren't lacking, maybe problem with LOR/committee letter? If not then I'm worried for myself lol
 
Increase the number of schools you apply to next cycle. Your MCAT and GPA are slightly below average, so you can work on those too. Try to get something substantial done in your EC's. Tacking on anymore unremarkable one's won't help you as your EC's already sound wide and varied. Did you get a publication or two in the 7 years of research?
 
LizzyM said:
Cornell is a tough school but you are, IIRC, below average among applicants applying to med school out of Cornell. Likewise, your MCAT is a little below avg among Cornell undergrads. About 70% of white applicants with your stats get admitted so you aren't alone if after this cycle you are without a med school.

If this is your first cycle, I'd suggest preparing like crazy and retaking the MCAT in April. Then plan to reapply during the first week of June 2010 if you have managed at least a 34 on the MCAT. Find something (f/t job in research or in a hospital or outpatient setting) to do to support yourself during the year off.

Alternately, take a two year gap. Take some additional natural science courses in 2010-11 to show that you have what it takes to succeed in medical school. This could be undergrad courses, a masters in bio or chem, or a special masters program. Your goal should be a 4.0 gpa, particularly if you are trading down in prestige from Ivy League to state university (regardless of the real difficulty of the coursework the name/prestige is all that an adcom thinks about). Then reapply in June 2011. (If you felt that you needed it, you could retake the MCAT in April 2011). Work during the second year or finish up the academic work need for a degree.
Click to expand...

Is there a site that will tell me what the average applicant is for my school?
 
You can use the US News Rankings of US med-schools and other guides as a reference when looking for the average scores of admittance to specific schools. BUT, the reality is that a 3.3 GPA at an Ivy with an MCAT of 30 won't be considered.

Get that GPA up and retake the MCAT; a 3.60 and a 33 puts you in a different league.
 
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