Application Timeline

[kroniesrus65]

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Hello all, after a recent rejection to my state school and total silence besides that I have decided to go ahead and prepare for reapplication. For reference my stats are 3.5 (uGPa) / 3.4(sGPA) / 513. I have decent ECs but will continue adding clinical volunteering since it's my weakest area. Due to my low GPA, I will be doing some post-bacc work at a local state school. I calculated I need 19 credit hours to get to 3.5 sGPA so I was thinking about taking 7 credit hours spring, 6 summer session I, and 6 summer session 2. That would mean I submit my primary app on Aug. 1. Is this cutting it too close or will that allow for enough time to be considered early? I plan on rewriting some of the essays. Is this a feasible strategy or should I just wait an extra cycle. I work full time but I am confident that I can get straight A's (what choice do I have either way). Thanks for all your help!

 

[puahate]

Man I feel like taking a post bacc is so much work for little pay out. What was your school list? maybe that was the issue

 

[kroniesrus65]

That's how I feel too, but I don't know what other options I have. I don't want to retake the MCAT. My school list was low tiers only (the highest school was UNC-CH and that's my state school and UG). I didn't have an MD LOR so most DOs weren't possible but I'm working on that as well.

 

[BOAO523]

This is a tough situation but I think OP has the right plan in mind. It's not even so much about getting the sGPA to a 3.5, but a recent, proven track record of consistently high grades. As long as you prewrite personal statement and secondaries, you can expect your primary to be verified by mid September and to be completed by the end of September....I think it should be fine.

 

[puahate]

That's how I feel too, but I don't know what other options I have. I don't want to retake the MCAT. My school list was low tiers only (the highest school was UNC-CH and that's my state school and UG). I didn't have an MD LOR so most DOs weren't possible but I'm working on that as well.

post your full school list

 

[kroniesrus65]

East Carolina
U North Carolina
Wake Forest
Virginia Commonwealth
NOVA MD
George Washington
Drexel
Temple
Jefferson
Seton Hall
New York Medical College
Albany
Quinnipiac
Vermont
Oakland Beaumont
Medical College Wisconsin
Loyola
Rosalind Franklin
Tulane
Western Michigan

 

[puahate]

East Carolina
U North Carolina
Wake Forest
Virginia Commonwealth
NOVA MD
George Washington
Drexel
Temple
Jefferson
Seton Hall
New York Medical College
Albany
Quinnipiac
Vermont
Oakland Beaumont
Medical College Wisconsin
Loyola
Rosalind Franklin
Tulane
Western Michigan

What is your residence?

 

[kroniesrus65]

This is a tough situation but I think OP has the right plan in mind. It's not even so much about getting the sGPA to a 3.5, but a recent, proven track record of consistently high grades. As long as you prewrite personal statement and secondaries, you can expect your primary to be verified by mid September and to be completed by the end of September....I think it should be fine.

End of September is suuuuper late, right? I really wanted to be done by the first week of September at the absolute latest. Does verification really take that long in August? it took a little over 4 weeks when I submitted primary July 1 this cycle.

 

[kroniesrus65]

What is your residence?

NC

 

[BOAO523]

I honestly don't think it'll make too much of a difference in the big picture. I know you don't want to be too late but if you look at school-specific threads there are many October completion dates who get called for interviews. Sometimes earlier application just means earlier rejection. I was complete late August and it hasn't seemed to be a problem.

 

[puahate]

NC

Ill be honest I am kinda surprised although everyone can't get in.

How many clinical hours do you have?

 

[kroniesrus65]

Ill be honest I am kinda surprised although everyone can't get in.

How many clinical hours do you have?

My interview was late September and it went pretty bad honestly.

80 hrs shadowing, 50 hrs EMT, 25 hrs community health clinic. (I now have 75 hours EMT for next cycle/updates if it even comes to that)

 

[kroniesrus65]

I honestly don't think it'll make too much of a difference in the big picture. I know you don't want to be too late but if you look at school-specific threads there are many October completion dates who get called for interviews. Sometimes earlier application just means earlier rejection. I was complete late August and it hasn't seemed to be a problem.

Ugh I have severe reservations about being complete late September. What if I took 11 credit hours now and 8 summer session 1?

 

[puahate]

I'll be honest. I don't think taking post bacc work is that efficient or best use of your time. I think you are ok where you are and you should increase clinical hours and help those less fortunate than you. I don't see a .1 increase in you sGPA being proportionally helpful for reapplying.

How many interview invites did you have?

 

[BOAO523]

I agree with what everyone above is saying. Especially the suggestion to increase serving/clinical volunteer hours. This is critical.

I'm not sure if the 3.5/3.4 is holding OP's application back, but do we not agree that a recent track record of high grades (even if only a semester or 2) would improve OPs chances at getting interviews? I agree that the opportunity cost of more courses is super high. I just can't help but wonder if OP is just missing the cutoff for interviews because of the low GPA.

Also, this is only if OP seeks MD. If he/she is indifferent between MD and DO then increasing clinical hours and applying broadly should do the trick.

Perhaps SDN heavyweghts can give input?

 

[kroniesrus65]

any advise? @Goro @gonnif

 

[Blanky]

Dude if you cant be complete by Sep1... I'm still waiting for half my apps to be reviewed and I was compete first week of Sept...
I think you should gap year for MD with improvement on clinical hours and GPA, or apply early next cycle with a 50/50 MD DO split.

 

[kroniesrus65]

Thank you so much for this.