3.93 gpa, 511 mcat areas of improvement for re-app?

[desertrat12]

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This cycle hasn't been too great to me, 1 interview and no acceptances. Starting to prepare for reapplying.
App looks like this:
3.93 GPA, science and total
511 mat (126 CP, 127 BB, 127 CAR, 131 PS)
Community Volunteer 145 hrs
Shadowing 65 hrs
Clinical 71 hrs
Research 24 hrs
Leadership time >800 hrs (working w/high school students to help them prepare for college)
Applied somewhat late due to late MCAT, had secondaries turned in September and October.

Schools I applied to: Creighton, Drexel, EVMS, George Washington, Mayo, Medical College of Wisconsin, Penn State, Netter, Rosalind Frankling, Ohio State, Arizona Phoenix and Tuscon, Colorado, Nevada, Utah, All Texas MD schools

Within the next 3ish months, I'm wondering what would be the best area to focus on?

Also, I am graduating this semester and am in 18.5 credits as well as working, my schedule is very full. I'm taking anatomy this semester (don't need it to graduate), if I were to drop this class it would free up a significant amount of time in order to work on my app. Is it worth it to take this class before med school, or, would I be better served dropping it and using the extra time for app?

Thanks for any help!

 

[cantankerous]

How do you do only 24 hours of research?
And maybe build on clinical experience?

 

[Lannister]

By "clinical" do you mean clinical volunteering?

 

[piii]

Texas resident?

You should have not applied to Ohio, Nevada, mayo, Colorado, are both Arizona schools.
Poor choices.

You could have replaced those with far better OOS friendly private schools and increased your chances.

Pick a better school list. Apply early. Continue to dedicate time to the clinical volunteering and community volunteering.

 

[desertrat12]

How do you do only 24 hours of research?
And maybe build on clinical experience?

For the research, I was part of 2 short term projects. The first was a project with a physics professor that involved measuring lead levels in participants bones. I found participants and operated the equipment to measure lead levels. The second involved a large project in testing many under researched plants for their antibacterial properties. My involvement was doing a literature review to see if any of the plants we were testing had previously been studied in a similarly. The literature review didn't take a whole lot of time, neither did the physics research.

 

[desertrat12]

By "clinical" do you mean clinical volunteering?

Yes. Hospice volunteer.

 

[desertrat12]

Texas resident?

You should have not applied to Ohio, Nevada, mayo, Colorado, are both Arizona schools.
Poor choices.

You could have replaced those with far better OOS friendly private schools and increased your chances.

Pick a better school list. Apply early. Continue to dedicate time to the clinical volunteering and community volunteering.

Utah Resident with ties to Texas.

Any tips on friendlier OOS schools? I tried to apply to OOS schools where students from my university and surrounding state schools had been accepted. I'm realizing now I should have done a more exhaustive search for OOS schools.

 

[Lannister]

Yes. Hospice volunteer.

Yeah I would definitely try to get at least 100 more hours of clinical volunteering, if not more. Hospice volunteering is pretty unique, though, so you should continue doing that! School list is also not great, too many OOS public schools and too few low to mid tier private schools.

 

[desertrat12]

Appreciate the help everyone!

Any thoughts about the anatomy class? ...any reason to retake the MCAT?

 

[cantankerous]

For the research, I was part of 2 short term projects. The first was a project with a physics professor that involved measuring lead levels in participants bones. I found participants and operated the equipment to measure lead levels. The second involved a large project in testing many under researched plants for their antibacterial properties. My involvement was doing a literature review to see if any of the plants we were testing had previously been studied in a similarly. The literature review didn't take a whole lot of time, neither did the physics research.

Honestly, it would be better to just leave research off. 24 hours shows that you didn't commit to any research, which would be a waste of space on your app.
"Checking the boxes" looks terrible (even though many do it, don't make it seem to obvious)
Just really emphasize that high school program.

 

[Lannister]

Utah Resident with ties to Texas.

You probably wasted your time and money applying to Texas schools, then. Their public schools have to be 90% IS so as an OOS student your chances are extremely low. What are your "ties" to the state?

 

[Lannister]

I wouldn't retake the MCAT, personally. As for anatomy, I say drop it. It's not going to help you that much for med school. I took it last semester and it was a ton of work, plus I already forgot half the stuff we learned.

 

[piii]

Utah Resident with ties to Texas.

Any tips on friendlier OOS schools? I tried to apply to OOS schools where students from my university and surrounding state schools had been accepted. I'm realizing now I should have done a more exhaustive search for OOS schools.

If you aren't a resident of Texas, id have a hard time recommending you to apply to those schools again.

Quinnipiac, Loyola, Miami, NYMC, Albany, western mi, OUWB, Jefferson, temple, Tulane.

 

[desertrat12]

You probably wasted your time and money applying to Texas schools, then. Their public schools have to be 90% IS so as an OOS student your chances are extremely low. What are your "ties" to the state?

I lived there for a few years, so my ties are not significant. My one interview was actually from a public Texas school, however I see your point with Texas. Main reason for applying was to cast a broader net, plus applying to all Texas schools is relatively very cheap.

 

[GrapesofRath]

Limited clinical experience/exposure + Essentially no research experience + Late application + Applying to lots of OOS public schools is a problematic combination.

What you should realize is re-applicants often have a higher standard to reach that perhaps they wouldnt have had to reach on their first application to really give themselves a good shot. I dont think just tacking on some volunteering or clinical experience over the next couple months is going to change that much. As a reapplicant it very well might be in your best interest to skip this next cycle and spend closer to 15-18 months improving the weaknesses in your ECs than simply trying to rush everything in the next few months. You really dont want to be a 3rd time applicant; fix the flaws in your app and apply when you will have your best application. If you really cannot afford to wait that extra year consider DO schools and applying much more broadly to MD programs.

 

[desertrat12]

I wouldn't retake the MCAT, personally. As for anatomy, I say drop it. It's not going to help you that much for med school. I took it last semester and it was a ton of work, plus I already forgot half the stuff we learned.

Appreciate the advice! I see your status says med student/accepted. Perhaps I'm coming late to the party, regardless - congrats on your acceptance.

 

[Toutie]

Drop the anatomy class. You won't need it, and some schools (UCLA specifically) recommend you do NOT take it.

 

[Glandzburg]

Your biggest problem seems to be your school list. Texas schools heavily prefer Texas residents, so I don't think your "ties" help you much in that regard. Be more diligent in your research regarding your school list for the next cycle - this site is a tremendous help in that regard. It also didn't help that you applied late. Aim to have your secondaries completed in August or even July if you are able.

 

[desertrat12]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I've rearranged this semester's schedule and freed up a much larger portion of time for some more clinical and research. I've been able to find enough consistent clinical exposure to more than double my current amount, currently trying to find a consistent research opportunity for the semester

 

[desertrat12]

Also, while I didn't apply DO, I've been told recently to consider putting in a late app to DO schools immediately. I've never looked much into DO options, however from what I have seen there are a couple DO schools who have great resources and research opportunities. I get that med school is what you make of it, however, if possible I'd like to be in the best environment possible. I would be just as excited to carry DO rather MD after my name, I would just like to have the best shot at whatever residency I may decide to go for. Currently my interests are very broad, and I am not sure what exact field of medicine I'd like to practice. Is it too late at this point to try for one of these DO schools? I'm thinking PCOM, CCOM, etc. That said, I'm comfortable with waiting the extra year and applying again. I'm not too rushed.

 

[GrapesofRath]

Also, while I didn't apply DO, I've been told recently to consider putting in a late app to DO schools immediately. I've never looked much into DO options, however from what I have seen there are a couple DO schools who have great resources and research opportunities. I get that med school is what you make of it, however, if possible I'd like to be in the best environment possible. Is it too late at this point to try for one of these DO schools? I'm thinking PCOM, CCOM, etc. That said, I'm comfortable with waiting the extra year and applying again. I'm not too rushed.

Wait till next cycle. Dont make a rushed decision like this and yes it is really getting on the late side.

 

[Lucca]

I concur, try to create a better school list and apply early next cycle. Reinforce your app with more clinical volunteering and maybe another activity like a job or research. Your LizzyM is ~70 with that MCAT score so I don't see a good reason to retake.

 

[Dr. Death]

Also, while I didn't apply DO, I've been told recently to consider putting in a late app to DO schools immediately. I've never looked much into DO options, however from what I have seen there are a couple DO schools who have great resources and research opportunities. I get that med school is what you make of it, however, if possible I'd like to be in the best environment possible. I would be just as excited to carry DO rather MD after my name, I would just like to have the best shot at whatever residency I may decide to go for. Currently my interests are very broad, and I am not sure what exact field of medicine I'd like to practice. Is it too late at this point to try for one of these DO schools? I'm thinking PCOM, CCOM, etc. That said, I'm comfortable with waiting the extra year and applying again. I'm not too rushed.

Throw in some applications to DMU CCOM PCOM are probably your top options. KCUMB is a top tier DO but I think their class is almost full. DMU has a pipeline for Utah students. On my interview day it was 9 people from the midwest and 3 or 4 people from Utah. If you don't get into the U by the end of March then I would do some more research on DO schools and apply to a handful to make sure you don't have to apply a third cycle.

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

Depending on your undergrad don't listen to people saying drop Texas. If you go to BYU a large number end up matriculating there. It isn't your standard OOS problem. And living there is a decent enough tie. you applying to all the surrounding schools like Arizona are also not bad choices. I don't know why people say that it is such a bad idea. Honestly I think you are being shot down by a late application. If you applied in June you would most likely be sitting on an acceptance.

 

[utmn]

So not sure if you're still in st George (desert rat!) but there's a rad free clinic there if you speak Spanish thay you could volunteer at!!

 

[desertrat12]

Throw in some applications to DMU CCOM PCOM are probably your top options. KCUMB is a top tier DO but I think their class is almost full. DMU has a pipeline for Utah students. On my interview day it was 9 people from the midwest and 3 or 4 people from Utah. If you don't get into the U by the end of March then I would do some more research on DO schools and apply to a handful to make sure you don't have to apply a third cycle.

Thanks for the advice!

 

[desertrat12]

Depending on your undergrad don't listen to people saying drop Texas. If you go to BYU a large number end up matriculating there. It isn't your standard OOS problem. And living there is a decent enough tie. you applying to all the surrounding schools like Arizona are also not bad choices. I don't know why people say that it is such a bad idea. Honestly I think you are being shot down by a late application. If you applied in June you would most likely be sitting on an acceptance.

As far as Texas schools go, my experience has been similar to your description. I certainly don't know every pre med from Utah, but a relatively good number have had success with apps to Texas. Perhaps Texans are closet Jazz fans.

 

[desertrat12]

So not sure if you're still in st George (desert rat!) but there's a rad free clinic there if you speak Spanish thay you could volunteer at!!

I only wish I lived in St George. Mongolian bbq and the Deseret Rat are always must sees when I'm in the area.

 

[GEToutLADYits6AM]

What resoucrce did you use for the psych section? Sorry I know random question

 

[desertrat12]

What resoucrce did you use for the psych section? Sorry I know random question

I used Altius Test Prep. I thought their materials were extremely high quality.

 

[Dr.Smexy]

What undergrad are you currently at? Me along with most posters are not from Utah so don't be afraid to tell us. For anatomy, if you are not at a school that uses cadaver to teach which most undergrad often are (include mine), I found it generally not helpful and many med students told me that it is useless to take anatomy without cadaver. Drop it if that's the case and even if there is a cadaver the benefits are minimal according to many. In my personal opinion, your weak ECs are hurting you and possibly your essays in your app. Strengthen both area and apply early next cycle. I'm sure you'll do much better.

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

Are you at BYU for undergrad or a different Utah school? Texas is weird with how many people they take from Utah. Your stats aren't that great for Texas since OOS is so competitive, but you may still do it since it is cheap to apply through TMDSAS and the Utah factor may or may not help. I really don't know though. You wouldn't have a whole lot to lose doing TMDSAS again.

Also I'm assuming your interview was at U of Utah? or was it somewhere else? If you interviewed your odds aren't horrible, although you may be lacking in research for the school, even if you "met" their average for the category.

I think he said that his II was at a Texas school. This is what makes me think his lateness combined with an app that doesn't have anything that really stands out is what is leading to such a lack of success.

 

[doctororsomething]

The first things I noticed were research and clinical time. Those numbers are not going to stand out on an app. It is just a way to check boxes and be cookie cutter. I think that you could try to possibly increase the research and the clinical hours for a second cycle. The GPA and MCAT are fine, but other than the leadership (800+ hours) none of your ECs jump off the page. The solution is really sell your leadership experience in your essays. For example these roles will help me contribute to field because of X Y and Z. Drop anatomy and focus on putting together an amazing app for next cycle. Hope that helps.

 

[doctororsomething]

Thanks! I missed that.

I'm surprised about no Utah interview. They interview the vast majority of In-State applicants. I'm also surprised about the Texas Interview as well since they are so selective. Congrats on the Texas II though! Good luck

The Texas schools do range a lot. Although they are all great schools, places like Southwestern expect OOS applicants to have a LizzyM of 35+ typically.

 

[ciestar]

You very much need to beef up your clinical hours. Also pay attention to school mission statements before applying to them.

 

[desertrat12]

Thanks for the insights everyone!

 

[ridethecliche]

That awkward moment when you realize you're old because you have no idea what the new mcat scores mean.

 

[Salt Salt]

Do NOT make decisions on where to apply based on where you know people got in from your school. You're (hopefully) going to be a physician, man! You should know that anecdotes are not data! Get an MSAR subscription immediately and check out what schools have high OOS acceptance rates. Hint: mid-tier private schools that aren't in DC (and the university of Vermont...lol).