3.6GPA, 33MCAT, Next steps?

[speedyturtle]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hello all. I'm a senior this year and I applied during the 2015-2016 cycle but only got 1 II and am planning on my next steps because it is unlikely I will be successful in securing in a seat this cycle.

My stats:
GPA: 3.6
MCAT: 33
Clinical volunteer: ~54h (community clinic), ~64h (hospital), ~15h (colon cancer diagnostic test kit prep)
Leadership: Admin, Vice President, then President of a student human rights organization
Research: 8+h per week for 4 semesters (10+ hours per week during the summer), Poster presentation at a undergraduate research bazaar, spent year as a mentor and research assistant
Volunteer: Some variety of community service volunteering of ~50h
TA experience: 1 semester of 10+ hours per week
Recommendation: 3 (including from a research lab and work as a TA)
Tutoring experience: (with the university tutoring services as both a one-on-one and drop-in tutor) Physics, genetics, general chemistry, calculus
Unfortunately, I didn't have any shadowing experience.

I might have left off some components (probably several things). I would like some feedback on what might be a decent next-step plan for the upcoming years as I plan out next year and maybe how I want to restructure my application for an upcoming cycle.

Thanks for any input in advance!

 

[GrapesofRath]

Lack of service with the less fortunate and limited clinical experience are the issues I see here. And yes, it is enough to cause someone with solid stats like you to struggle to even get IIs. Go through MSAR and see just how many schools have a mission to service; if you dont have it, theyll find others with that LizzyM 69 who do. Period. It's in your best interest to address these issues before reapplying.

It's also worth asking
a) what state you are a resident of
b) Is that 33 your only MCAT attempt
c) where did you apply/get your interview at.

 

[speedyturtle]

Thank you for your feedback.
For the questions:
a) Texas
b) I took the MCAT once
c) Texas Tech at Lubbock

I am applying to postbacc currently but am not sure if this would be the best route if the problem is mainly with my ECs.

 

[GrapesofRath]

Thank you for your feedback.
For the questions:
a) Texas
b) I took the MCAT once
c) Texas Tech at Lubbock

I am applying to postbacc currently but am not sure if this would be the best route if the problem is mainly with my ECs.

Even with Texas's heavy emphasis on GPA if your sGPA is also in the 3.6 range a post-bacc isnt a good use of time. 3.6/33 is fine for most of the schools in TX(and for those where that's low like Baylor the MCAT is the bigger issue which you shouldnt retake anyway). Good news for you is Texas schools historically tend to be a little more open to re-applicants than some other schools. The key is to fix your deficits which like you said are in your ECs. You cant really fix them in the next 3 months but if you spend the next 15 and apply come summer 2017, you should be in a solid position. Now if after that you still cant get into an MD school, then maybe you could consider an SMP, but that's ways away.

And yes the obvious follow up question is "Wont that 33 expire?". Here is the link to tell you whether an old MCAT will still be accepted by schools in the 2017-18 cycle.
https://www.aamc.org/students/download/398586/data/mcatexampolicy.pdf

From a cursory glance on my part the only TX school I saw that wont take your MCAT in 2017-18 is UT San Antonio. Some schools still havent entered a policy but by and large I think youll likely be ok with your MCAT for 2017-18.

 

[speedyturtle]

Would a medical job or scribing be a better option during the intervening period then? Or should I focus on volunteering for those less fortunate?
I forgot to add that my work at the clinic was for an underserved population and their children. My volunteering also includes ~150+h with the (international) human rights org separate from what was mentioned above.
@Goro , @LizzyM , @gyngyn, @GrapesofRath

 

[Goro]

Listen to Grapo. The fact that you, as a Texan, got only one II is quite telling. I strongly recommend more service to others in greater need than yourself. Get off campus and out of your comfort zone. You may also be victimized by weak essays and possibly a weak LOR.

IF you get shut out this cycle, contact admissions deans for feedback on the rejections.

Add TCOM to your list next time around, and other DO schools as well.

 

[italiancowgirl]

Solid advice given. Hope you get focused and wait a year so you can be successful. It is hard but worth it. I would also throw in that I think shadowing independent of clinical experience is important. Many applicants have hundreds of hours volunteering, so you should be able to get that with a few opportunities consistently and also get shadowing in. GL, remember patience is a virtue.

Edited to fix sentences that my sleepy brain thought were real (they were not).