MD & DO 2014-2015 Reapplicant (36, 3.73c, 3.65s)

[EthylMethylMan]

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Background
Non-URM, male, NY, applied last cycle. I got five interviews, two of which (private, home state schools) landed me on wait-lists. Graduated magna cum laude in May 2014 with a dual degree in forensic biology and pre-medical biology with a minor in chemistry.

36 MCAT (13/10/13)
3.73 cGPA, 3.65 sGPA (Improved from last cycle's 3.65 and 3.51 respectively.)

GPA by semester
-Fall 2010: 3.39 (lowest grades: B- in genetics and general chemistry I lab)
-Spring 2011: 3.38 (lowest grade: C+ in general chemistry II lab)
-Fall 2011: 3.91 (lowest grade: B+ in organic chemistry I lab)
-Spring 2012: 3.69 (lowest grades: B+ in organic chemistry II lab and physics II)
-Fall 2012: 3.88 (lowest grades: A- in forensic biology and creative writing)
-Spring 2013: 4.00
-Fall 2013: 3.76 (lowest grade: B+ in crime scene investigation)
-Spring 2014: 3.84 (lowest grade: B+ in seminar in forensic science)

EC's
*-TA for the chemistry department for four semesters (since Fall 2012).
*-Worked 400-ish hours over the Summer of 2011 at the emergency department of a local hospital with more responsibilities than a volunteer would have (can perform CPR on a patient if necessary, can transport more kinds of patients/samples, etc.).
-Volunteered 160+ hours over the Summer of 2012 in the emergency department of the very same local hospital (note: reason I didn't work for the second year is because the program was cut).
-Helped to conduct and evaluate clinical research for 16 hours a week during the Summer of 2013 at a different hospital than the one I was at for the previous two years.
*-Took jiu jitsu for twelve years, up until I left for undergrad. By the end, I had earned a second degree black belt. I still practice it outside of the dojo (both alone and with others), and it was honestly a defining experience for me (I wrote a bit about it in my personal statement).
-Was in the honors program at my university.
-Helped foreign students from China organize a Chinese cultural performance for a total of about 10 hours. Used Mandarin Chinese to communicate fairly frequently.
-Inducted into my university's chapter of the Honor Society for Experiential education. I had to take a course that involved community service and maintain a GPA within the top 20% of my graduating class to qualify.
-Volunteered with my creative writing class at the English department of an inner-city high school. My classmates and I helped the students write and revise poetry for a total of about 5 hours.
%-Conducted faculty-mentored synthetic chemistry research for my honors thesis for about 130 hours. No publication.

* = most meaningful
% = added this cycle

Additionally this cycle I have a new, strong letter of evaluation from my thesis advisor. As of now I have two faculty letters (including the new one), a letter from an MD, and my pre-med committee letter. I'm trying to get more from other faculty members.

Schools
MD
Albany
Albert Einstein
Drexel
Eastern Virginia
Dartmouth
Georgetown
Hofstra
Loyola
New York Medical College
Penn State
Rosalind Franklin
Rush
Robert Wood Johnson
SUNY Downstate
Stony Brook
SUNY Buffalo
SUNY Upstate
Temple
University of Cincinnati
University of Rochester
University of Virginia
Wake Forest
DO
Touro
NYIT
Rowan University
Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
Lake Erie

 

[Lamel]

Since your GPA is better this year hopefully you have more success. What do you think went wrong last time?

I would take of RWJ because they have heavy in state bias. And you can aim a little bit higher with your stats.

 

[Mad Jack]

If you had five interviews and landed two waitlists, chances are the only stumbling block you have is your interview skills. As was said by I can't remember which adcom (maybe it was LizzyM?) if they're interviewing you, they already like you, and the spot is basically yours to lose. I'd work on your interviewing skills primarily, as you will certainly get some interviews, and the only thing keeping you from an acceptance at that point will be the interview itself.

 

[EthylMethylMan]

Thanks, you guys.

Since your GPA is better this year hopefully you have more success. What do you think went wrong last time?

I would take of RWJ because they have heavy in state bias. And you can aim a little bit higher with your stats.

I'm starting to suspect it's either my interview skills or my lack of non-clinical volunteering. By the way, any specific schools you'd recommend?

If you had five interviews and landed two waitlists, chances are the only stumbling block you have is your interview skills. As was said by I can't remember which adcom (maybe it was LizzyM?) if they're interviewing you, they already like you, and the spot is basically yours to lose. I'd work on your interviewing skills primarily, as you will certainly get some interviews, and the only thing keeping you from an acceptance at that point will be the interview itself.

Yeah, I've heard that before from some of my peers and professors. Guess I'll have to get an interview coach or something.

 

[nemo123]

Wait so you were rejected from 3 of your schools? I agree with @Mad Jack, you might want to practice your interview skills before the start of next the cycle. You have a solid list with solid stats, so I don't think you need to apply to any DO schools. I'd also probably get rid of Georgetown since they get tons of applicants. What about adding NYMC to your list?

 

[Mad Jack]

Wait so you were rejected from 3 of your schools? I agree with @Mad Jack, you might want to practice your interview skills before the start of next the cycle. You have a solid list with solid stats, so I don't think you need to apply to any DO schools. I'd also probably get rid of Georgetown since they get tons of applicants. What about adding NYMC to your list?

I'd leave the DO schools, simply to avoid a third cycle. Applying to a few doesn't hurt if he wants to increase his chances of not doing this whole nightmare again.

 

[Lamel]

I'm starting to suspect it's either my interview skills or my lack of non-clinical volunteering. By the way, any specific schools you'd recommend?
.

Pick a few of mid-top tiers you like; look into Emory, Vandy, Case Western, Tufts, BU. I say this because your numbers are great and your activities are interesting, so you may have a shot.

I'd also get rid of Gtown, and the DO schools (unless you want DO).

Work on your interview skills, and make sure to check if you have any issues with LORs and if your PS is up-to par. Along with that, submit ASAP.

 

[zzxxzz]

Don't apply to DO schools. I don't see them accepting you, as they'll assume you'll just go elsewhere.

To echo what others said, my understanding is that many medical schools accept the majority of students they interview. Going 0/5 for interviews might mean you need to adjust your message, or deliver it more clearly. Good luck!