Apply next cycle or take two year off?

[snoopylove]

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Hey guys I'm quite resigned to being rejected this cycle, but I want your input on how I can improve my chances for a later cycle.

My stats:
MCAT: 12/12/12
cGPA: 3.70
sGPA: 3.58
Good private school
4 years of research but no publications yet (in the works)
2 years of EMT (quit due to family reasons)
Average to below average community service/Leadership
Average LORs
ORM
Cali kid
Applied to 18 mostly mid-tier med schools, with a few reaches (no top ten's) and a few lower ranking ones.

I applied quite late in this cycle (AMCAS verified early Sept) and turned in secondaries late as well. The last of the secondaries were finished around early November. It was inexcusable, and I've been beating myself up over it ever since.

I have been rejected at 2 schools, and I'm on hold at 2 schools where I thought I had a decent chance. Silence everywhere else.

I don't know if it's my essays or LOR or lack of recent clinical experience that's responsible for this. I previously considered applying waaaayyy earlier next cycle, but then there are people who received II's 2 weeks after their equally late apps. Do you guys think I should just apply early for the next cycle or take a full year off (apply in 2014) building up clinical experience/shadowing etc?

Thanks for your input!

 

[CrimsonKing]

Work on your personal statement, get better LOR's, and submit your AMCAS on June 1. There is no excuse for delaying it.

 

[sliceofbread136]

Apply more safely this time. To me it seems like you should've gotten an acceptance with that app.

 

[cheechootrain]

Work on your personal statement, get better LOR's, and submit your AMCAS on June 1. There is no excuse for delaying it.

Agreed. But you never know, you might get some interview invites in February or even in March. My friend had the similar stats but he had a 4.0 but hardly any volunteer experience and didn't train hard enough to learn about the application cycle. He applied in September and got interview invites late Feb and March. He was accepted to 3 schools. He had a 36 MCAT too.

 

[Doctor Strange]

Agreed. But you never know, you might get some interview invites in February or even in March. My friend had the similar stats but he had a 4.0 but hardly any volunteer experience and didn't train hard enough to learn about the application cycle. He applied in September and got interview invites late Feb and March. He was accepted to 3 schools. He had a 36 MCAT too.

For a second there, I was worried there wasn't going to be a train reference.

Anywaysssss, with your stats, you should have had an acceptance by now. Applying late is what killed you here. Keep doing your ECs and stuff during your gap year, tweak your personal statement, work on interview skills, and just apply again the next cycle. Get your stuff in early.

If you haven't already, send some LOIs to receptive schools. That may or may not help, but it's worth a try.

 

[gravitywave]

First - you could still get in. This cycle is not over yet. Applying late definitely hurt you, although it's probably not the September verification so much as the sluggishness on the secondaries. I would be surprised if someone didn't snap you up.

Start planning now for a reapplication in June for the c/o 2018. Use the time to fill whatever holes you have on your app. Doesn't look like you have any, but more volunteering never hurt anyone.

If you do this I think you are justified in taking shots at as many dream schools as you want. Your numbers are within range.