Advice for preparing re-application

[selmalabama]

Hello and thanks in advance for your time!

I am fairly certain I will be unsuccessful this application cycle based on the current trend and am seeking advice for re-application strategy. One aspect I will be sure to change is to apply to DO programs, which I (stupidly) did not do this cycle. Below I will provide a snapshot of my current application and new changes/updates that will be reflected in a re-application. Then I will list the potential paths I can take, and I would love feedback on which would be most likely to improve my chances.

Snapshot at time of application Submitted 7/12/2020
Undergraduate (2015-2019)
Michigan State University Class of 2019, B.S. in Genomics & Molecular Genetics, Additional Major in Psychology
cGPA=3.3 sGPA=3.1 (several Cs; retook 3 Ds; no Fs)
*sort of* upward trend--4.0ed senior year in difficult science courses, but prior to that had quite poor basic science grades due to lack of effort and time management/prioritized work>school
1st Author Poster Presentations: 3 (1 national)
Undergraduate Research: 960 hours, 2 years genetics research
Paid Undergraduate Clinical Work: 1920 hours, 2.5 years genetic counseling assistant
Leadership: Medical Outreach Club (President 2017-2018; Public Relations Chair 2016-2017) ACS Colleges Against Cancer (Social Media Director 2018-2019)
Clinical Volunteering: 300 hours (all done during summers: hospital volunteer and medical outreach)
Non-Clinical Volunteering: 200 hours (variety of places: ronald mcdonald house, homeless shelter, food bank, get-out-the-vote, etc)
Shadowing: 50 hours during medical outreach (didn't include clinical work as shadowing hours)
4 LORs: Microbial Genetics Professor, Undergrad Research PI, ACS Volunteer Cooordinator, and NIH research PI

Research Postbacc (June 2019-June 2021)
National Institutes of Health Intramural Research Training Award (full-time paid postbacc in clinical research; direct patient contact; rare metabolic diseases)
1st Author Poster Presentations: 3 (1 national)
Paid Research/Clinical work: 4160 hours
Shadowing: 60 hours
Scored 509 on MCAT taken June 2020 (covid delay)

Updates since submission
Publications: 2 co-author papers accepted to Genetics in Medicine
Presentations: 2 additional 1st author posters (1 national)
Non-Clinical Volunteering: 50 hours with Rock the Vote DC

Projected updates in next 5 months
Publications: 1 first author paper in American Journal of Medical Genetics Part A; 1 additional co-author paper (submitting to Science, but obviously may be rejected)
Presentations: 2 additional posters (1 national)

REAPPLICATION STRATEGIES:
A) Retake MCAT; reapply in 2021 with improved MCAT and publications; accept postbacc extension I have been offered from PI for 3rd year
B) Retake MCAT; reapply in 2021 with improved MCAT and publications; reject postbacc extension offer and instead do DIY postbacc at GWU and send schools updates with new grades
C) Delay reapp: Reject extension; do DIY postbacc at GWU (fall '21-spring '22); retake MCAT in either 2021 or 2022; reapply in 2022
D) Don't retake MCAT; reapply in 2021 and hope additional publications/presentations/rewriting essays will get me in; accept postbacc extension


I am sorry this post was so long--you are a saint for reading the whole thing. I am looking forward to any additional feedback you are willing to offer (e.g. I am assuming if I don't get in it is because of my stats--should I also be shooting to boost volunteering hours or other aspects?)

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[Talldoctor96]

C)
you don't need to retake your mcat bro/bromiga ! Many have gotten in with that MCAT, including myself. Work on that GPA thats the real issue.

 

[r2med]

Your app is great except for your MCAT and GPA. I usually don't like inviting others into any specific thread, but am doing so for this one, as I believe @Goro will be able to offer you the best advice.

 

[Goro]

Snapshot at time of application Submitted 7/12/2020
Undergraduate (2015-2019)
Michigan State University Class of 2019, B.S. in Genomics & Molecular Genetics, Additional Major in Psychology
cGPA=3.3 sGPA=3.1 (several Cs; retook 3 Ds; no Fs)
*sort of* upward trend--4.0ed senior year in difficult science courses, but prior to that had quite poor basic science grades due to lack of effort and time management/prioritized work>school
1st Author Poster Presentations: 3 (1 national)
Undergraduate Research: 960 hours, 2 years genetics research
Paid Undergraduate Clinical Work: 1920 hours, 2.5 years genetic counseling assistant
Leadership: Medical Outreach Club (President 2017-2018; Public Relations Chair 2016-2017) ACS Colleges Against Cancer (Social Media Director 2018-2019)
Clinical Volunteering: 300 hours (all done during summers: hospital volunteer and medical outreach)
Non-Clinical Volunteering: 200 hours (variety of places: ronald mcdonald house, homeless shelter, food bank, get-out-the-vote, etc)
Shadowing: 50 hours during medical outreach (didn't include clinical work as shadowing hours)
4 LORs: Microbial Genetics Professor, Undergrad Research PI, ACS Volunteer Cooordinator, and NIH research PI

Research Postbacc (June 2019-June 2021)
National Institutes of Health Intramural Research Training Award (full-time paid postbacc in clinical research; direct patient contact; rare metabolic diseases)
1st Author Poster Presentations: 3 (1 national)
Paid Research/Clinical work: 4160 hours
Shadowing: 60 hours
Scored 509 on MCAT taken June 2020 (covid delay)

Updates since submission
Publications: 2 co-author papers accepted to Genetics in Medicine
Presentations: 2 additional 1st author posters (1 national)
Non-Clinical Volunteering: 50 hours with Rock the Vote DC

Projected updates in next 5 months
Publications: 1 first author paper in American Journal of Medical Genetics Part A; 1 additional co-author paper (submitting to Science, but obviously may be rejected)
Presentations: 2 additional posters (1 national)

REAPPLICATION STRATEGIES:
A) Retake MCAT; reapply in 2021 with improved MCAT and publications; accept postbacc extension I have been offered from PI for 3rd year
B) Retake MCAT; reapply in 2021 with improved MCAT and publications; reject postbacc extension offer and instead do DIY postbacc at GWU and send schools updates with new grades
C) Delay reapp: Reject extension; do DIY postbacc at GWU (fall '21-spring '22); retake MCAT in either 2021 or 2022; reapply in 2022
D) Don't retake MCAT; reapply in 2021 and hope additional publications/presentations/rewriting essays will get me in; accept postbacc extension


I am sorry this post was so long--you are a saint for reading the whole thing. I am looking forward to any additional feedback you are willing to offer (e.g. I am assuming if I don't get in it is because of my stats--should I also be shooting to boost volunteering hours or other aspects?)

I think that you need one more year of post-bac or SMP to complete your reinvention. A single good SR year isn't enough data points to show that this is the new you.

Your ECs are outstanding. Just stick with what interests you the most.
Read this:

• Goro's advice for pre-meds who need reinvention

 

[selmalabama]

Thank you all for your input!

I think that you need one more year of post-bac or SMP to complete your reinvention. A single good SR year isn't enough data points to show that this is the new you.

Your ECs are outstanding. Just stick with what interests you the most.
Read this:

• Goro's advice for pre-meds who need reinvention

Thanks for your time Goro--I will take your advice and delay reapplication by 1 year to pursue a DIY postbacc. What are your thoughts on retaking the MCAT as well? I read through your thread and saw you recommended 513+ for reinvention.

 

[Goro]

Thank you all for your input!


Thanks for your time Goro--I will take your advice and delay reapplication by 1 year to pursue a DIY postbacc. What are your thoughts on retaking the MCAT as well? I read through your thread and saw you recommended 513+ for reinvention.

If you're gunning for MD, then retake the MCAT. Your score is fine for DO right now.

 

[selmalabama]

If you're gunning for MD, then retake the MCAT. Your score is fine for DO right now.

Hi @Goro I just wanted to share that I listened to your advice and it worked! Did a DIY postbacc and retook my MCAT (ended up scoring the same). Got interviewed at Pitt (R), LECOM (A), and PCOM (A). I will be attending PCOM!! THANK YOU!