Advice for a probable third timer

[lalalaaaaaa]

---

Members don't see this ad.

So I applied last year, scored one interview at the Univ of Colorado (state school), got waitlisted, then didn't get in. I applied too competitively with not enough clinical experience.

I applied late this year to 4 schools (long story as to why, suffice it to say I had high hopes for getting in off the waitlist at CU, and didn't have the money to reapply early), but I'm not anticipating getting in. (The schools are CU, Temple, Thomas Jefferson, and Ros Franklin)

Any advice on how to strengthen my app for the next cycle would be much appreciated! (See my MDapps for more specs. These are also not likely to change much for the next cycle.)

Gracias! 👍

 

[JoeM]

You have a great application. But next time you absolutely MUST apply early (as in June 1st) and broadly (at least 15 schools). If you can't do this DO NOT reapply! If you don't have the money, wait until next year. If you are on any wait lists assume you won't get off--because most people don't. And if you do: great! Congratulations!

I can guarantee you that applying narrowly and late are what killed you. Start working on next years application now, and make sure you leave plenty of time for LORs and transcripts.

Good luck

 

[lalalaaaaaa]

You have a great application. But next time you absolutely MUST apply early (as in June 1st) and broadly (at least 15 schools). If you can't do this DO NOT reapply! If you don't have the money, wait until next year. If you are on any wait lists assume you won't get off--because most people don't. And if you do: great! Congratulations!

I can guarantee you that applying narrowly and late are what killed you. Start working on next years application now, and make sure you leave plenty of time for LORs and transcripts.

Good luck

Thanks, this is solid advice for sure! I will be sure to apply right away, and I'm going to use fee assistance to apply to 14 schools. Any advice on schools to look at? Someone told me Ohio is really into Colorado applicants for some reason. Any other advice (whether hearsay or not) is appreciated.

 

[cabinbuilder]

Any school who wait lists you means you have a good enough application to go there but you applied too late and the class was full. Apply on the first day (JUNE 1st) Get all your paperwork and secondaries in quickly.

 

[JoeM]

Thanks, this is solid advice for sure! I will be sure to apply right away, and I'm going to use fee assistance to apply to 14 schools. Any advice on schools to look at? Someone told me Ohio is really into Colorado applicants for some reason. Any other advice (whether hearsay or not) is appreciated.

Definitely buy the MSAR, it is very useful. Do plenty of research and try to find a school that "meshes" with your personal style. Look especially for schools where your numbers are above the average for that school. Try not to go off of hearsay. Everyone has heard of someone who got into some school...etc., etc.

Look into these (I realize this is more than 14, but these schools are in your range numbers wise and are a place to start):

Tulane
Albany
Virginia Commonwealth
The Commonwealth Medical College
Michigan State
Florida International
Florida Atlantic
Drexel
Hofstra
Wake Forest
Loyola
George Washington
New York Medical College
Rush
Creighton
University of Vermont
Wayne State
Wright State
Penn State
Louisville
Eastern Virginia

And obviously your state school(s). Be very careful about how many OOS students are accepted (if it is a public school). All of the schools on this list are relatively open to OOSers.

 

[lalalaaaaaa]

Thanks for the advice! I appreciate it. 👍

 

[Faha]

The key is the apply early ( June ) and apply often ( 14 schools is too few ). Consider the following strategy.
# 1 Apply to your state school- University of Colorado
#2 Apply to new private medical schools- they have fewer applicants than most schools so the odds of an acceptance are higher. They also do not give preference to in state residents. These schools would include Hofstra, Oakland Beaumont, Quinnipiac ( 1st class beginning August 2013 ), Northstate California, King College Abingdon VA., Palm Beach Medical College ( all 3 have tentative 1st class August 2014 ).
# 3 Creighton, St. Louis, Loyola, Rochester, Albany, New York Medical College, Vanderbilt, Tulane
#4 Even though there are some state schools that are friendly to out of state applicants, they all still prefer in state applicants. Some private schools also prefer in state students- sometimes due to financial support they receive from their state legislature. Several Pennsylvania, Ohio, Illinois and Florida schools fall into this category.
#5 Apply to 5 or 6 DO schools . With your stats you should be accepted to at least one. While applying to too few MD and DO schools decreases your chances of an acceptance there is no downside to applying to a large number of schools- other than the cost of applying and time to complete the applications.

 

[lalalaaaaaa]

The key is the apply early ( June ) and apply often ( 14 schools is too few ). Consider the following strategy.
# 1 Apply to your state school- University of Colorado
#2 Apply to new private medical schools- they have fewer applicants than most schools so the odds of an acceptance are higher. They also do not give preference to in state residents. These schools would include Hofstra, Oakland Beaumont, Quinnipiac ( 1st class beginning August 2013 ), Northstate California, King College Abingdon VA., Palm Beach Medical College ( all 3 have tentative 1st class August 2014 ).
# 3 Creighton, St. Louis, Loyola, Rochester, Albany, New York Medical College, Vanderbilt, Tulane
#4 Even though there are some state schools that are friendly to out of state applicants, they all still prefer in state applicants. Some private schools also prefer in state students- sometimes due to financial support they receive from their state legislature. Several Pennsylvania, Ohio, Illinois and Florida schools fall into this category.
#5 Apply to 5 or 6 DO schools. With your stats you should be accepted to at least one. While applying to too few MD and DO schools decreases your chances of an acceptance there is no downside to applying to a large number of schools- other than the cost of applying and time to complete the applications.

Thanks for the advice! #1,2,3,4, I will definitely look into. I did apply the first day 2 years ago, but it took nearly 3 months for my committee letter to be written 👎 So I wasn't complete until late September at most schools. That was disappointing to say the least, but it wont happen again.

In regards to #5, I'm not interested in osteopathic medicine, and don't have enough $ to apply to that many more schools anyways.

 

[SilverCat]

Did you look into the financial aid assistance that AAMCAS gives? The fee wavers?

 

[lalalaaaaaa]

Did you look into the financial aid assistance that AAMCAS gives? The fee wavers?

I will apply for FAP, hopefully I get it!

 

[lalalaaaaaa]

Looking for LOR advice:

Should I cut any of these, try to add any others?

I'm also wondering if I should have my letter writers re-write their LOR? The first three were written 3 years ago when I first applied to medical school.

Currently my letters are:

1)Undergrad Biochem Thesis Advisor and Lab PI: worked in the lab 2 years, magna cum laude on thesis, he is very familiar with my excellence as a teaching assistant as well

2)Undergrad English Thesis Advisor: she advised my thesis for 2 years, summa cum laude on thesis, took a course from her, this is my best LOR

3)Undergrad Supervisor for a Leadership Program I was the Director of the program for 4 years: She attests to my love of service and leadership abilities.

4)Post grad Research PI at Colorado Medical School: Talks about how I love science and good at research.

5)Professor of Medical Humanities at Colorado Medical School (PhD, not MD): I sat in on three of her courses for medical students while working in research at the med school. She attests to my interest and skill in medical humanities. Is familiar with my poetry and writing abilities.

6)Current Supervisor for my AmeriCorps Position: Attests to my excellence in my role as the Local Leader of our program, attests to my hard work and passion for service.


...and finally, the committee letter. I have been told that this is also a very strong letter, and it has been updated since I got it in 2011.


Thanks!