MD & DO 8 Withdrawals - Otherwise strong application - WAMCs?

[nygiants123]

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Here are my statistics:

MCAT 37, balanced score.
cGPA: 3.81.
sGPA: 3.83.
Hospital volunteer (400+ hours)
Shadowed eight physicians (both MD and DO) over the course of 3 years. (200+ hours.)
2 years research experience (no publications).
3 strong LoRs (2 science, 1 non-science).
3 years tutoring calculus and other higher level mathematics courses.
2 years Miscellaneous community service around my university's area (soup kitchen, etc.).
EMT-B certification with 2 years experience on local volunteer squad.

Currently doing Teach for America in the midwest as a Chemistry teacher.

The only major drawback to my application is that I have 8 Ws from years ago, when I was taking care of a sick and dying relative and couldn't handle the course load.

I'd appreciate any insight. Barring the 8 Ws, how does my application otherwise look?

I'm considering applying for positions at research labs (taking a couple gap years), because I'd like to pursue MD/PhD

 

[nygiants123]

Any help?

 

[BrawnsNBrain]

I'm assuming 8 W's occurred over the course of several semesters? Why did you not just take a LOA? I'm asking to get a better understanding.

8 W's is something that stands out negatively in your application as you have pointed out. Maybe some admissions faculty can chime in on how they would view withdrawals with a solid explanation @Goro @gyngyn

 

[nygiants123]

I'm assuming 8 W's occurred over the course of several semesters? Why did you not just take a LOA? I'm asking to get a better understanding.

8 W's is something that stands out negatively in your application as you have pointed out. Maybe some admissions faculty can chime in on how they would view withdrawals with a solid explanation @Goro @gyngyn

Yes.

I thought I could handle the courswork while taking care of my relative. Alas, it was too time consuming and I had to withdraw from some of them.

 

[gyngyn]

8 W's is more than 2 SD's from the norm. That always raises concern. It may not be a deal breaker depending on the committee, though. They're going to wonder why not an LOA.

 

[nygiants123]

8 W's is more than 2 SD's from the norm. That always raises concern. It may not be a deal breaker depending on the committee, though. They're going to wonder why not an LOA.

So, even with all my other achievements, is this going to basically kill my chances at medical school?

 

[gyngyn]

So, even with all my other achievements, is this going to basically kill my chances at medical school?

As I said, it will definitely raise questions. Depending on how it is addressed, fears may be calmed, however.

 

[nygiants123]

As I said, it will definitely raise questions. Depending on how it is addressed, fears may be calmed, however.

Is this something that I'd want to address at length in my personal statement when I apply next year?

 

[gyngyn]

Is this something that I'd want to address at length in my personal statement when I apply next year?

The PS is to tell us why you believe that your personal qualities and validated commitment to service make you an excellent candidate for the profession of medicine or why the resources we devote to physician/scientists would be well invested in you.

 

[nygiants123]

The PS is to tell us why you believe that your personal qualities and validated commitment to service make you an excellent candidate for the profession of medicine or why the resources we devote to physician/scientists would be well invested in you.

Where would be the appropriate place to address these withdrawals, then?

 

[gyngyn]

Secondaries.

 

[nygiants123]

Would applying osteopathic be a better choice? Or does it not matter?

 

[gyngyn]

Would applying osteopathic be a better choice? Or does it not matter?

They are more likely to love you. Whether it is a better choice depends on you.
There are DO/PhD programs too.

 

[nygiants123]

They are more likely to love you. Whether it is a better choice depends on you.

I could go either way. If I'm going to get more love from osteopathic medical schools, then I'll just apply osteopathic.

 

[nygiants123]

They are more likely to love you. Whether it is a better choice depends on you.
There are DO/PhD programs too.

DO/PhD is something I'd be interested in. I know MSU COM has a good DO/PhD program. I'm guessing MD/PhD is probably out of the question for someone like me?

 

[gyngyn]

DO/PhD is something I'd be interested in. I know MSU COM has a good DO/PhD program. I'm guessing MD/PhD is probably out of the question for someone like me?

It's not out of the question. We will certainly have questions about your whole application and you will be compared to the strongest applicants in the country. You are the the only one who knows your commitment to this path. Why don't you post your situation in the physician scientist forum and see if anyone there has overcome a similar drawback?

 

[nygiants123]

It's not out of the question. We will certainly have questions about your whole application and you will be compared to the strongest applicants in the country. You are the the only one who knows your commitment to this path. Why don't you post your situation in the physician scientist forum and see if anyone there has overcome a similar drawback?

Will do. Thanks for all your help @gyngyn!

 

[Goro]

Even though the 8 Ws is going to get on radar of the AdCom, I sense that your numbers and experience might overcome this. In Your PS, you can obliquely mention this by saying something about how you were drawn to Medicine while taking care of your relative, even though it hurt academically.

The key thing will be to explain this in interviews in such a way that you don't come across as someone who routinely makes poor choices. We need to know that if life throws you a curve ball while you're in Medical school, you're going to be able to handle it with grace under pressure.

8 W's is more than 2 SD's from the norm. That always raises concern. It may not be a deal breaker depending on the committee, though. They're going to wonder why not an LOA.