Advice

[Enzymatic21]

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Hey all, I was recommended to this forum to see how I can improve my app for another cycle in the future.

White, PA resident

3.4 overall gpa. 3.24 sgpa for amcas; 3.36 sgpa for aacomas.
These numbers are low at best but do have a pretty massive upward trend ( avg 2.8-2.9 gpa first two years and finished with an avg 3.7, 3.6sgpa last two years)

503 mcat in 2016 (127, 123, 128, 125) and a 505 mcat in 2018 (127, 124, 128, 126). Really surprised by my second score as I got a pair of 509s in AAMC material beforehand.

ECs from my opinion are pretty good:
- club athlete all 4 years of college, 25hrs/week
- volunteering: about 160hrs clinical and 600hrs non-clinical (ongoing). About 300hrs of the non-clinical work is with underserved population through americorps
- had 500ish hours in basic research in undergrad
- 32 hours shadowing (FM, IM, Anesthesiology)
- currently in clinical research lab that involves patient contact, about 1500 on app.
- leadership: captain of club team senior year, project lead on 6 different projects at clinical research lab, TA'ed 3 courses
- do have 2 publications in local journal and my name on a poster (did not present)
-variety of academic and non-academic awards through volunteering, club sports, fraternity

Ended up getting one II from a DO school, but was rejected about a month afterward. In my opinion that shows signs of life but obviously disappointed with the lack of success this cycle. However I am willing to give it another shot. Ideas on how to proceed?

 

[Magus5454]

Hey all, I was recommended to this forum to see how I can improve my app for another cycle in the future.

White, PA resident

3.4 overall gpa. 3.24 sgpa for amcas; 3.36 sgpa for aacomas.
These numbers are low at best but do have a pretty massive upward trend ( avg 2.8-2.9 gpa first two years and finished with an avg 3.7, 3.6sgpa last two years)

503 mcat in 2016 (127, 123, 128, 125) and a 505 mcat in 2018 (127, 124, 128, 126). Really surprised by my second score as I got a pair of 509s in AAMC material beforehand.

ECs from my opinion are pretty good:
- club athlete all 4 years of college, 25hrs/week
- volunteering: about 160hrs clinical and 600hrs non-clinical (ongoing). About 300hrs of the non-clinical work is with underserved population through americorps
- had 500ish hours in basic research in undergrad
- 32 hours shadowing (FM, IM, Anesthesiology)
- currently in clinical research lab that involves patient contact, about 1500 on app.
- leadership: captain of club team senior year, project lead on 6 different projects at clinical research lab, TA'ed 3 courses
- do have 2 publications in local journal and my name on a poster (did not present)
-variety of academic and non-academic awards through volunteering, club sports, fraternity

Ended up getting one II from a DO school, but was rejected about a month afterward. In my opinion that shows signs of life but obviously disappointed with the lack of success this cycle. However I am willing to give it another shot. Ideas on how to proceed?

How are your LORs?

 

[Faha]

I suggest applying more broadly to DO schools and include all these:
LECOM
ACOM
ARCOM
BCOM
WCU-COM
LMU-DCOM
UP-KYCOM
MU-COM
WVSOM
VCOM (all 3 schools)
NYIT-Arkansas
RVU-Utah
UIWSOM
ICOM
You should receive several interviews with your stats.

 

[Enzymatic21]

How are your LORs?

My LORs were pretty good. I had one from my PI, clinical volunteer coordinator, and physician. They shared their letter with me (willingly w/o me asking) and it seemed great. Had the typical 2 science 1 non-science as well.

 

[Enzymatic21]

I suggest applying more broadly to DO schools and include all these:
LECOM
ACOM
ARCOM
BCOM
WCU-COM
LMU-DCOM
UP-KYCOM
MU-COM
WVSOM
VCOM (all 3 schools)
NYIT-Arkansas
RVU-Utah
UIWSOM
ICOM
You should receive several interviews with your stats.

Thanks! Recommend doing anything with my stats/ECs or just applying with what I have?

 

[Faha]

You are fine with what you have?

 

[Enzymatic21]

You are fine with what you have?

Sorry should have been more clear. Should I try to improve my grades/experiences to show schools that as a re-applicant I am addressing my shortcomings? I applied to schools like LECOM and LMU on that list and haven't heard anything back.

 

[Faha]

Sorry should have been more clear. Should I try to improve my grades/experiences to show schools that as a re-applicant I am addressing my shortcomings? I applied to schools like LECOM and LMU on that list and haven't heard anything back.

Continue working in a medical field during your gap year. Another 20 hours of shadowing would help. It is important to apply to many schools to increase your chances for interviews.

 

[Osminog]

How many DO schools did you apply to?

 

[Enzymatic21]

How many DO schools did you apply to?

I applied to 8!

 

[Magus5454]

I applied to 8!

Not near enough

 

[Enzymatic21]

Not near enough

Ahh okay. I was considering applying to more but was pretty limited financially. I'm gonna try to get my sGPA up by taking classes at my university (free w/ benefits) and ill keep that in mind in the future

 

[Magus5454]

Ahh okay. I was considering applying to more but was pretty limited financially. I'm gonna try to get my sGPA up by taking classes at my university (free w/ benefits) and ill keep that in mind in the future

Were you not eligible for the fee waiver? It helps so much with secondaries.

 

[Enzymatic21]

Were you not eligible for the fee waiver? It helps so much with secondaries.

From my understanding I wasn't because my parents' incomes were above that threshold. They just didn't have the finances to help me out (have 3 other siblings)

 

[GypsyHummus]

With those stats, you should have gotten in somewhere. Keep taking hard science classes and getting As, up the volunteering.

Do NOT retake the MCAT.

I would try and get some experience in rural or underserved areas if you can. Then you can apply to programs that cater to that demographic.

If you for some reason can’t get into a DO program, look into podiatry. DO is getting harder every year.

 

[Enzymatic21]

With those stats, you should have gotten in somewhere. Keep taking hard science classes and getting As, up the volunteering.

Do NOT retake the MCAT.

I would try and get some experience in rural or underserved areas if you can. Then you can apply to programs that cater to that demographic.

If you for some reason can’t get into a DO program, look into podiatry. DO is getting harder every year.

Thanks for your input! I do have 300hrs underserved volunteer experience that was through the Americorps program/come from fairly rural background. I was thinking about getting more clinical volunteer experience (only 150 hrs currently) though if thats what you mean. I am also very heavily considering taking classes to raise grades.

Just out of curiosity, why not recommend taking the mcat? Just bc thats fine for DO schools, likelihood on 3rd try of significant improvement not likely, etc? I scored 509s on both AAMC material and scored similarly on Nextstep so I wanna say my score could be improved.

Yea tbh I thought I was fine stats-wise, but only landed 1 II. Maybe LOR problem/writing problem?

 

[Magus5454]

From my understanding I wasn't because my parents' incomes were above that threshold. They just didn't have the finances to help me out (have 3 other siblings)

Did they claim you as a dependent? Otherwise its just your income, its not like the AMCAS one

 

[GypsyHummus]

Don’t retake mcat because what happens if you drop to 500?

LOR can deff be a problem. It could also be your personal statement.

When did you apply? It’s better to apply June or July than November or December.

Thanks for your input! I do have 300hrs underserved volunteer experience that was through the Americorps program/come from fairly rural background. I was thinking about getting more clinical volunteer experience (only 150 hrs currently) though if thats what you mean. I am also very heavily considering taking classes to raise grades.

Just out of curiosity, why not recommend taking the mcat? Just bc thats fine for DO schools, likelihood on 3rd try of significant improvement not likely, etc? I scored 509s on both AAMC material and scored similarly on Nextstep so I wanna say my score could be improved.

Yea tbh I thought I was fine stats-wise, but only landed 1 II. Maybe LOR problem/writing problem?

 

[Enzymatic21]

Did they claim you as a dependent? Otherwise its just your income, its not like the AMCAS one

I am 90% sure they did but hey I guess I'll have to check with them. Thanks thats huge for whenever I re-apply.

 

[Enzymatic21]

Don’t retake mcat because what happens if you drop to 500?

LOR can deff be a problem. It could also be your personal statement.

When did you apply? It’s better to apply June or July than November or December.

I applied July/August so I think the timing wasn't too bad. I had several people look over my PS (including SDNers) who said it was good. LOR I could see playing a role; i'll try and get some new academic ones with the new classes.

Idk about dropping down to 500, as I haven't had a score dipping down into the 490s on practice tests. However I do see your point about potentially doing worse than what I have. A 505 (imo) is the beginning of a gray area in terms of retake

 

[GypsyHummus]

I mean, If you think that you can score a 510 on your MCAT, go for it. You can even add some MD schools in the mix if you live in a state with one.

It might be a LOR. It could have even been in passing "Enzymatic was in my X class, he missed a couple of classes but still managed to do well on assignments, etc."

I applied July/August so I think the timing wasn't too bad. I had several people look over my PS (including SDNers) who said it was good. LOR I could see playing a role; i'll try and get some new academic ones with the new classes.

Idk about dropping down to 500, as I haven't had a score dipping down into the 490s on practice tests. However I do see your point about potentially doing worse than what I have. A 505 (imo) is the beginning of a gray area in terms of retake

 

[Enzymatic21]

I mean, If you think that you can score a 510 on your MCAT, go for it. You can even add some MD schools in the mix if you live in a state with one.

It might be a LOR. It could have even been in passing "Enzymatic was in my X class, he missed a couple of classes but still managed to do well on assignments, etc."

You're right its definitely gonna have to be 510+. Ill probably just take more classes and get fresh LORs just in case there was a problem with one of them, and then worry about the MCAT depending on how the post-bac goes