Advice for current gap year in case I need to reapply

[MadScientist228]

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[Domepiece]

It sounds like you have a good handle on what you want/need to improve. With regards to the LOR, I imagine you could find an associated professor in the department you have done all that research to write you a letter instead of sticking with the same writer who takes her time. Rewriting your PS blows, but it is doable. The MCAT is obviously the crux of your application. Retake it and do much better should it come to that. Only take it when you have indications that it will be a score consistent with success.

Your application hasn't been in for long in the grand scheme of things. Being prepared is good, but start worrying about these things later in the cycle after you have a better idea of your success or lack thereof.

 

[CyrilFiggis]

Agree with Domepiece. You have a good hold of things and just need to be patient and wait til spring. If you can volunteer, like you suggested, in a clinical setting even just 4 hours/week, that can add more to your app.

The biggest piece of advice is again, don't rush. Don't force yourself to do things. If you don't get any interviews, don't rush into reapplying, it'll just be a waste of money. Contact the schools that reject you and ask for feedback on your app.

Finally, if it is due to financial burden I understand, but I would widen your net for next time. With the competitiveness of med school applications and the volume of applicants, you should really be applying to 20+ to get a good chance of admission esp with your MCAT score. It's unfair, but when schools get 7000+ apps, sometimes the easiest cut-off is an arbitrary MCAT standard.

 

[Pixiwoman]

Hello all,

I’m in the application process now, but would like to work on improving my application in the event that I need to reapply. There are so many different options and pathways to take to improve during this time, so I appreciate any input with my situation.

MCAT first attempt: 495 (125, 123, 124, 123)
MCAT second attempt: 501 (124, 124, 125, 128)
cGPA: 3.95; sGPA: 3.9

ECs:
4 years of research in biological psychology lab (3 years as manager of lab), 8 posters, no pubs
3.5 years teaching science labs at my university
400 hours clinical volunteering (about 150 hours came from an internship that I received academic credit for) across 4 institutions (2 that provided care for underserved populations)
70 hours non-clinical volunteering
2 years in an officer position for club on campus
200 hours shadowing (mostly from 14 different surgical sub-specialties; 50 hours from primary care)
TA for a semester in physiological psychology
Worked at family’s business
Award from my university and 3 awards from research poster presentations


Most of my ECs were done in undergrad. During my first gap year (and currently in my second), I have been continuing with research (which I am now getting paid for) and teaching.

Most of my LORs are presumed to be excellent – coming from my research PIs and professor for the labs I teach – all who have known me for many years. My other LORs are assumed to be very good. My PS was reviewed and edited by multiple professors and I have been told it’s very strong.

I was complete at 11 schools (2 state MD schools and 9 DO schools) in September. So far, I am on an interview hold/waitlist for my state’s DO school and one of the MD schools (also in-state). I had others read and review my secondaries. If I do need to reapply, I will definitely be complete MUCH earlier.

Some concerns I have: I know my MCAT is my weakness on my app, which is why I was thinking of retaking the MCAT, but from what I have read thus far, this may not be a good idea given my attempts thus far, unless I am absolutely certain I will score >90th percentile (and even then, I may be perceived as a risk). Also, I do have a LOR that is 2 years old now, so if I reapplied, I would need that professor to submit again. Unfortunately, she left the university and moved across country a semester after she taught me. It took a long time for her to submit my LOR, and I’m not confident that she will do it again a few years later. Since she fulfilled 1 of the 2 science professor LOR requirements, I would likely need another one for many schools. I already graduated in 2015, so I would probably need to enroll in a random science course to get a new science LOR from a professor who will issue a grade.

So as of now, I am thinking of getting started with new clinical and non-clinical volunteer experiences because it has now been a little over a year since I have been immersed in the clinical setting. I can also re-write my PS to reflect changes from this year’s app (which is so unfortunate considering professors deemed it to be well-written, but I will do what I need to). I thought about enrolling in a master’s program, mainly because I miss being in school (in my second gap year), but my undergrad GPA is fine, which is typically the main reason why students do SMPs or other master’s programs.


Any advice would be appreciated!

You have research and experience , I think you are in the right track, good luck with all