Advice for Potential Reapplication?

[AlexTheEvilOne]

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Hi all,

So now is January and I've got some thinking to do. I applied this year late (complete mid september) and have not had too much like so far, only 3 ii's. I've already gone through one and got put on a post-interview hold list, and my next two are coming up in Feb. Its entirely possible, with me trying my hardest for sure, to nail an acceptance still, but I'm trying to plan for the worst.

My info:
3.4c/3.42s GPA, Bio/Anthro double major
32T MCAT

2.5 years of undergrad research
NYC volunteer EMT for nearly 3 years in 2 months

Been working for 2.5 years now in a high prestige immuno lab, been published 3 times (3 Science 1 Nature)

As an undergrad, helped start and led for 3 years a student-run branch of an overseas medical nonprofit. Our group led about 80 kids a year, and I wasm in addition to being a copresident, specifically in charge of the 50k medication/supply budget, as well as the pharmacy when in country.

Later, in same organization, was for a year an advisor for all clubs nationally regarding medication and supply acquisition/fundraising and managing the incountry pharmacy.

Also did some work (3 weeks full time) in Panama as a student consultant for a pilot systems thinking education/socioeco conservation program.

hobbyist silversmith (don't really have the capital/time to turn it into much more than making things for friends and family, but really awesome).

I've been out of school for almost 3 years now, and I'm very worried about the whole thing. If I have to reapply, should I do an SMP, more undergrad high level bio (which I do very well in).

It seems like I'll likely retake the MCATs and try to knock my score up to a 35+, I'll likely leave my research job and take a month fulltime to study (with studying part time before of course).

What should I do? Any similar people out there?

Thanks all.

 

[MedPR]

I wouldn't retake a 32. Why do you think you didn't get in the last time you applied?

 

[AlexTheEvilOne]

Well I'm not out of the game yet for this round, but its likely that my late application combined with low gpa/average mcat didn't help me much.

I pushed all my secondaries in for before October, and did them thoroughly. My PS and secondary essays I believe are all fine, as (thankfully) I've got plenty to talk about and elaborate on as to why I want to do medicine.

My one interview I had so far I believe went very well, I connected well with the interviewer (and ER doc) and we were joking and talking relatively informally for a good part of it. Obviously I am going to continue to brush my interview skills and get my facts in proper order for the next ones, but I don't believe that the interview was a problem.

As for recommendations, I have 2 from professors (got A's in there classes and one of them was my ug PI), 1 from my EMS director of operations which we get along very well, 1 from a volunteer doc that would accompany my international work often, and 1 from my current PI. I'm pretty sure that all of them gave me good letters (otherwise I would not have asked), but as always when there is little luck I'm doubting it a bit.

Academic red flags, I did get a C in Physics 2, but my upper level science classes, especially bio, are all very high.

 

[poopsicle]

I'm in a fairly similar position. I plan to apply to get either a master's or a graduate certificate in public health and then reapply to medical school. Your 32T is pretty competitive. I wouldn't retake it unless your score expires soon.

 

[113]

It's amazing that you've published 3 times--not to mention in the ultra high impact journals of Science and Nature. There are many career academics with a lifetime of research experience that will never have research published in journals of that caliber. I would interview you based on just your research potential. Are you considering MD/PhD?

Sent from my SPH-L700 using Tapatalk 2

 

[AlexTheEvilOne]

I'm in a fairly similar position. I plan to apply to get either a master's or a graduate certificate in public health and then reapply to medical school. Your 32T is pretty competitive. I wouldn't retake it unless your score expires soon.

That sounds like a good idea, I would love to get an MPH. However, I've heard worrying things that doing well in an MPH program is not looked as highly upon as doing well in an SMP or ultra-science masters by admissions, so that was the reason why I hesitated and have not applied to any MPH's.

If anyone knows about MPH's, I'd love to hear thoughts about it.

 

[AlexTheEvilOne]

It's amazing that you've published 3 times--not to mention in the ultra high impact journals of Science and Nature. There are many career academics with a lifetime of research experience that will never have research published in journals of that caliber. I would interview you based on just your research potential. Are you considering MD/PhD?

Sent from my SPH-L700 using Tapatalk 2

Thanks for that, I've heard a similar note from many Department heads (Anesthesia and Derm mostly) that have seen my cv. Unfortunately it did not seem to equate well for adcoms, no idea why.

I'm not considering MD/PhD, largely because I am not dead set on a life of research (I'd rather do international healthcare and related translational medicine).

 

[tofuu]

Either bring your score up to high 30 or take more science classes to boost your applying GPA. SMP or post bacc are "more highly looked upon" because they do more for your app in terms of showing your ability to succeed in difficult science courses, handle the rigors of med school, and boost your GPA. Someone like you is ideal for a postbacc so schools will be able to see that you are dedicated to school and can perform well despite being out of school for three years. Everything else you've got going on is rock solid. Simply having higher numbers will get you looked at. This + early application next round = GOLD!

As you are right now, having applied late and getting three interviews is great. Nail them and you may not have to worry about reapplying! Right now, you should invest your time and getting as much interview practice as possible. Be able to articulate your experiences, speak passionately and insightfully about you learned from them, then contribute them to why you want to become a doctor, how it will impact your future practice, or why you want to go to X school/what you can do for X school.

 

[gumbyj]

Hi all,

So now is January and I've got some thinking to do. I applied this year late (complete mid september) and have not had too much like so far, only 3 ii's. I've already gone through one and got put on a post-interview hold list, and my next two are coming up in Feb. Its entirely possible, with me trying my hardest for sure, to nail an acceptance still, but I'm trying to plan for the worst.

My info:
3.4c/3.42s GPA, Bio/Anthro double major
32T MCAT

2.5 years of undergrad research
NYC volunteer EMT for nearly 3 years in 2 months

Been working for 2.5 years now in a high prestige immuno lab, been published 3 times (3 Science 1 Nature)

As an undergrad, helped start and led for 3 years a student-run branch of an overseas medical nonprofit. Our group led about 80 kids a year, and I wasm in addition to being a copresident, specifically in charge of the 50k medication/supply budget, as well as the pharmacy when in country.

Later, in same organization, was for a year an advisor for all clubs nationally regarding medication and supply acquisition/fundraising and managing the incountry pharmacy.

Also did some work (3 weeks full time) in Panama as a student consultant for a pilot systems thinking education/socioeco conservation program.

hobbyist silversmith (don't really have the capital/time to turn it into much more than making things for friends and family, but really awesome).

I've been out of school for almost 3 years now, and I'm very worried about the whole thing. If I have to reapply, should I do an SMP, more undergrad high level bio (which I do very well in).

It seems like I'll likely retake the MCATs and try to knock my score up to a 35+, I'll likely leave my research job and take a month fulltime to study (with studying part time before of course).

What should I do? Any similar people out there?

Thanks all.

In 2.5 years you have been published in Science 3 times and Nature 1 time... as an undergrad. I call BS. Granted there is a 1% possibility you are telling the truth. With an OK GPA and MCAT you should have landed more interviews from your experience and publications alone... unless applying in September is really THAT detrimental to an application... or you come off like an a**.

*Edit: Sorry just realized this wasn't really helpful. Take a few classes to get the sGPA up and apply June 1 this cycle! (That is if you don't get an acceptance). Everyone I know who retook a 32 + score regretted it.

 

[AlexTheEvilOne]

In 2.5 years you have been published in Science 3 times and Nature 1 time... as an undergrad. I call BS. Granted there is a 1% possibility you are telling the truth. With an OK GPA and MCAT you should have landed more interviews from your experience and publications alone... unless applying in September is really THAT detrimental to an application... or you come off like an a**.

*Edit: Sorry just realized this wasn't really helpful. Take a few classes to get the sGPA up and apply June 1 this cycle! (That is if you don't get an acceptance). Everyone I know who retook a 32 + score regretted it.

No, you're absolutely sound doubting it, most of my friends do as well, yet the pubmed search does say it all. This was not as an undergrad, this was during my full-time tech position in a very prominent HIV lab, people publish like crazy in high impact journals in HIV in order to secure Gates funding.

It was 2 Science and 1 Nature so far.

Also I've gotten a total of 5 II's, but my nerves are due to how late they are, since I have 4 of them next month.

I think it is too late to register for this semester any classes, any my schedule does not really permit taking many unless I quit work (which I should allow at least a months notice based on the work I do).

 

[lalalaaaaaa]

No, you're absolutely sound doubting it, most of my friends do as well, yet the pubmed search does say it all. This was not as an undergrad, this was during my full-time tech position in a very prominent HIV lab, people publish like crazy in high impact journals in HIV in order to secure Gates funding.

It was 2 Science and 1 Nature so far.

Also I've gotten a total of 5 II's, but my nerves are due to how late they are, since I have 4 of them next month.

I think it is too late to register for this semester any classes, any my schedule does not really permit taking many unless I quit work (which I should allow at least a months notice based on the work I do).

Five interviews! With that many, no matter when they are, If you don't get an acceptance it's because you interview poorly IMO. Work on your interview skills and apply early. If you apply late it takes longer therefore you get later interviews which is likely what happened this year. Good luck!

 

[eDITN]

Congrats on the five interviews. Don't let the fact that you are interviewing late discourage you from thinking that you are a worthy candidate. You applied late and therefore you are interviewing late. With five interviews, there is a very slim chance you will have to reapply this summer. Make these interviews count!

 

[AlexTheEvilOne]

Just a bit of a bump and update:

So I have had 5 interviews: put on hold at 1, rejected at 1, 2 wait lists (at schools I am not incredibly fond of), and I should be hearing back from the final one that sadly I am almost certain is a rejection.

It seems very likely that the consensus for a backup plan is to reapply early (granted) and apply for an SMP. I've been looking at the SMP options and suffice to say I am not 100% behind going to a program that has the chance of nuking my app (I strongly doubt I'd do poorly but I cannot account for all variables).

Also, regarding the interview being what's my Achilles' heel, I have had very positive interviews, that were conferred to me by the interviewer at most places. It seems that interviewers don't really concern themselves over old GPA's and are instead very focused on EC's and publications, though of course this can very a lot.

Are there any SMPs/postbaccs that would be a good start? I'd love one that confers more than a certificate, and I believe that Dartmouth has an MPH one, which sounds great, but any further insight from former SMP/postbacc members would be great.