Alternate list - what can I do in the meantime?

[spirited_away]

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Hello SDN! This isn't my first post. I just made a new account because I felt that I was giving away too much info on my main one. I have a 3.45 cGPA and 3.15 sGPA, already graduated last year. MCAT is 26 (9,7,10). My verbal on my first take was a 10 if that matters.

I was put on an alternate list a couple of weeks ago at a DO school. I applied to 15 DO schools, complete at the end of September, and only got two II. Rejected and alternate listed. I guess I have a couple of questions:

1) Would a LOI and an additional LOR from my health center supervisor and another from an MD I'll be shadowing at a FQHC be enough to get off the alternate list? I know this is a bit impossible to predict, but someone may be able to chime in if they were in the same situation and did the same thing? I think retaking the MCAT in May or retaking a C is out of the question to get off the alternate list.

2) I want to prepare for the worst and think about reapplication for June. I will be submitting my application day 1, but the thing is, I'm not really sure what I can do to bolster my application.I'm already committed in a service program in a health center until the end of July, but I had that in my app this year. The only thing that I am sure I'll be doing that'll add to my application is shadowing MDs here at my health center (no DOs here), and getting an LOR from my supervisor and an MD I will be shadowing. I'm worried it won't be enough. Is it worth it to retake ONE science class I did poorly on during the summer (Cs), and I'll have the grade by the end of August? Should I retake the MCAT? Or should I just go for it as is?

Any input would be much appreciated! 🙂

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

Send a LOI and keep your aacomas updated.

However consider some retakes or a post bacc to boost your Sci gpa. It's obviously holding you back from getting interviews.

 

[spirited_away]

Send a LOI and keep your aacomas updated.

However consider some retakes or a post bacc to boost your Sci gpa. It's obviously holding you back from getting interviews.

Yeah that and my MCAT is really holding me back, and I didn't do myself any favors by applying in August. Anyway, I think that if I end up not getting off an alternate list, I'll be retaking a couple of classes that I got Cs in. I'd rather not do a post-bacc... :\

 

[s5260205]

You should call the admissions and ask if they are receptive to update letters. Most of the times however, your update letters won't do much unless they are very significant. The school probably already ranked you on the alternate list and is unlikely to change your rank. You could also ask what your position is on the waitlist. Depending on the schools, there should usually be significant waitlist movement.

And it's likely your sGPA that held you back. Focus on retaking science courses first, especially those that are pre-requisites. You should get some DO shadowing experience as well, even if it means travelling to other cities/states. 50 hours worth of DO shadowing should be able to get you a decent LOR and lots of experience to talk about.

 

[GypsyHummus]

Yeah that and my MCAT is really holding me back, and I didn't do myself any favors by applying in August. Anyway, I think that if I end up not getting off an alternate list, I'll be retaking a couple of classes that I got Cs in. I'd rather not do a post-bacc... :\

I don't think a post bacc is necessary.

I was in your shoes about a year ago same GPA. During that year, I retook the classes that I got Cs in and was able to boost up my science GPA to a 3.3

You got II, so people are interested in your application. I don't think your MCAT is all THAT bad. Maybe it was school selection? Do you mind if I ask where you applied and where you got the II? You can PM me if you want, Im just really interested because like I said, I was in your shoes a year ago.

 

[spirited_away]

Thanks for your comment. I called admissions immediately after because I really had no idea what being on an alternate list meant haha. But they said they are receptive to anything that I think will boost my application, including an LOI. I am in the middle of the pack for the alternate list. What is the difference between a waitlist and alternate list anyway? I'm still fuzzy on that subject. I have 20+ hours of shadowing a DO and I'll try to shadow a DO who does OMT because that's what I really want to see.

You should call the admissions and ask if they are receptive to update letters. Most of the times however, your update letters won't do much unless they are very significant. The school probably already ranked you on the alternate list and is unlikely to change your rank. You could also ask what your position is on the waitlist. Depending on the schools, there should usually be significant waitlist movement.

And it's likely your sGPA that held you back. Focus on retaking science courses first, especially those that are pre-requisites. You should get some DO shadowing experience as well, even if it means travelling to other cities/states. 50 hours worth of DO shadowing should be able to get you a decent LOR and lots of experience to talk about.

As for school selection, I think that I cast out a wide net. I'll PM you, but for those who want to see where I applied:

MU-COM, ACOM, LECOM (both campuses), WV-SOM, UP-KYCOM, ATSU-SOMA and KCOM, Touro NY, CUSOM, Edward Via (all campuses), LMU-DCOM, NYIT-COM, UNECOM

I don't think a post bacc is necessary.

I was in your shoes about a year ago same GPA. During that year, I retook the classes that I got Cs in and was able to boost up my science GPA to a 3.3

You got II, so people are interested in your application. I don't think your MCAT is all THAT bad. Maybe it was school selection? Do you mind if I ask where you applied and where you got the II? You can PM me if you want, Im just really interested because like I said, I was in your shoes a year ago.

 

[s5260205]

Thanks for your comment. I called admissions immediately after because I really had no idea what being on an alternate list meant haha. But they said they are receptive to anything that I think will boost my application, including an LOI. I am in the middle of the pack for the alternate list. What is the difference between a waitlist and alternate list anyway? I'm still fuzzy on that subject. I have 20+ hours of shadowing a DO and I'll try to shadow a DO who does OMT because that's what I really want to see.



As for school selection, I think that I cast out a wide net. I'll PM you, but for those who want to see where I applied:

MU-COM, ACOM, LECOM (both campuses), WV-SOM, UP-KYCOM, ATSU-SOMA and KCOM, Touro NY, CUSOM, Edward Via (all campuses), LMU-DCOM, NYIT-COM, UNECOM

Waitlist = alternate list. It's just a different term I think. And as long as you have DO shadowing and LOR, no need to get more hours in my opinion. It's better to invest the time into finding other volunteering, you should still have 5 months to get something going. Your list of schools are good with a mix of high/low average stats. I am a bit puzzled why you didn't receive more interviews from the newer schools. Maybe re-assess your essays and have someone else read them as well.

 

[DetectiveAlonzo]

You mentioned a "first take" for your MCAT.

What was your first score?

 

[DetectiveAlonzo]

Also, along with the kinda low sGPA, it could be that you had no DO shadowing or a letter from a DO.

 

[gmj209]

If possible I would try to find a DO to shadow. I only shadowed a DO for about 30 hours before asking for a LOR.

 

[spirited_away]

I'm volunteering for the next 5 months somewhere and I pretty much don't have time to volunteer elsewhere unless I want to get burnt out... I also think my secondary essays were fine, so I don't think it was that, but I guess I could have someone read it them next time.

Waitlist = alternate list. It's just a different term I think. And as long as you have DO shadowing and LOR, no need to get more hours in my opinion. It's better to invest the time into finding other volunteering, you should still have 5 months to get something going. Your list of schools are good with a mix of high/low average stats. I am a bit puzzled why you didn't receive more interviews from the newer schools. Maybe re-assess your essays and have someone else read them as well.

My first score was a 22 (6,10,6)

You mentioned a "first take" for your MCAT.

What was your first score?

I've already shadowed a DO and got an LOR from her, so I'm pretty sure that wasn't the issue :/

If possible I would try to find a DO to shadow. I only shadowed a DO for about 30 hours before asking for a LOR.