Any thing else I can do to improve application?

[brooklynb]

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First, my stats
Undergrad GPA: 3.2 (with an improving trend, but some erratic grades)
Master's GPA: 3.3
MCAT: 30N
Medical volunteering: 130 hours and continuing
Community volunteering: 80 hours
Shadowing: 40 hours and appointments to shadow my g.p. next month


By the time I got into the master's program, I had horrible academic anxiety and recieved a C in a five unit course. My instructor noticed how much I was struggling and recommended I seek treatment (it never had occurred to me that I had a problem). My grades immediately improved and in the next semesters I knocked it out of the park. This instructor has written me a letter of recommendation.

This year, I applied to allopathic and osteopathic medical schools. I spoke candidly with a few admissions officials from allopathic schools and was encouraged to apply, but early.

I applied very late due to a string of bad luck and poor planning. I was waiting until August to receive my MCAT scores before I sent off my AMCAS application (stupid, I know). In August, I became very sick and was hospitalized. I submitted my application in early September and received a lot of secondaries. Then, I had a close death in the family that required a lot of travel. So my secondaries were turned in during late October/ early November.

So far, all rejections. No interviews, nada. (No surprises there, am I right? 🙄)

Here's my plan for reapplication:

I'm going to call the schools I am most interested in and see if they have any specific critiques about my application.
I'm continuing to volunteer and to shadow physicians.
I have written 2 publications that will likely be accepted by May.
I'm rewriting my application essay and seeking advice on what to improve from my prehealth conselors.
I'm getting updated letters of recommendation lined up so that I can begin working on my applicaiton May 1st. I am planning to submit on June 1st.

Now what? Am I missing anything?
I have spoken with my prehealth conselor and he said that I should mention why I applied late when I reapply. I'm hesitant because it seems ... whiny. Any advice?

 

[DrMidlife]

Now what? Am I missing anything?

Retake the MCAT. Definitely. This gives you the cheapest, fastest defense for doubts about your undergrad & grad performance. Think what a 35+ would do for you.

I have spoken with my prehealth conselor and he said that I should mention why I applied late when I reapply. I'm hesitant because it seems ... whiny. Any advice?

Sounds like your premed adviser is as valuable as most: not at all. The lateness of your app is completely unrelated to the quality of your app, and lateness is NOT why you didn't get in. Plus August isn't super late, it's right up the middle.

Don't put anything explanatory or apologizing into your personal statement. Market yourself with your PS, don't share reasons for doubt. You'll have almost infinite opportunities to explain shortcomings in secondaries and in interviews (practice your responses to these).

Think about hiring a consultant (Judy Colwell, MedEdits etc.) and think about how you're going to afford another app year - I'd say hit 40+ schools.

Think about doing an SMP. This would get the job DONE. Your stats are kinda perfect for an SMP (but I'd still take the MCAT again).

Best of luck to you.

 

[315033]

First, my stats
Undergrad GPA: 3.2 (with an improving trend, but some erratic grades)
Master's GPA: 3.3
MCAT: 30N
Medical volunteering: 130 hours and continuing
Community volunteering: 80 hours
Shadowing: 40 hours and appointments to shadow my g.p. next month


By the time I got into the master's program, I had horrible academic anxiety and recieved a C in a five unit course. My instructor noticed how much I was struggling and recommended I seek treatment (it never had occurred to me that I had a problem). My grades immediately improved and in the next semesters I knocked it out of the park. This instructor has written me a letter of recommendation.

This year, I applied to allopathic and osteopathic medical schools. I spoke candidly with a few admissions officials from allopathic schools and was encouraged to apply, but early.

I applied very late due to a string of bad luck and poor planning. I was waiting until August to receive my MCAT scores before I sent off my AMCAS application (stupid, I know). In August, I became very sick and was hospitalized. I submitted my application in early September and received a lot of secondaries. Then, I had a close death in the family that required a lot of travel. So my secondaries were turned in during late October/ early November.

So far, all rejections. No interviews, nada. (No surprises there, am I right? 🙄)

Here's my plan for reapplication:

I'm going to call the schools I am most interested in and see if they have any specific critiques about my application.
I'm continuing to volunteer and to shadow physicians.
I have written 2 publications that will likely be accepted by May.
I'm rewriting my application essay and seeking advice on what to improve from my prehealth conselors.
I'm getting updated letters of recommendation lined up so that I can begin working on my applicaiton May 1st. I am planning to submit on June 1st.

Now what? Am I missing anything?
I have spoken with my prehealth conselor and he said that I should mention why I applied late when I reapply. I'm hesitant because it seems ... whiny. Any advice?

Wasting time with other stuff --- study for the MCAT full time.

 

[dragonfly99]

I agree with retaking the MCAT, particularly if that was your first try.
Make sure that you study well. The essay part in particular should be easy if you just memorize the way they want the essays written, although that part isn't as important as the other parts anyway.

After you get your master's done and MCAT retaken, would suggest taking some upper level biology courses because your undergrad GPA leaves something to be desired.

The premed advisor is wrong I think. The adcom doesn't care about your app. from this year and they don't want to hear your excuses. They see lots of reapplicants every year and I'm sure a lot of them are/were people who turned in the application a little late and who had weaker stats like yours, so there's no point in trying to explain it away and it won't help you.