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- Jun 16, 2015
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It's getting late in the interview season, and I need some advice. I applied to about 18 schools, have heard rejections from 6 so far, 4 interviews (two waitlists, two decisions TBD) and nothing from the other schools (assuming silent rejections). My application stats were as follows:
AMCAS application submitted late July (was waiting for MCAT score)
BS Neuroscience
MCAT 515
cGPA 3.66, sGPA 3.57 (upward trends)
EC's:
- 2 yrs church service mission in Spain (mainly proselyting, but still did significant service, and was absolutely valuable to my growth).
-Fluent in Spanish
-170 hrs ER volunteer
-190 hrs Spanish Interpreter at free medical clinic
- 25 hrs diabetes clinic tech. Triaged patients, took vitals, foot exams, diabetes education, discussed medication with physician. Often took place in Spanish.
-150 hrs research
- Co-authored one publication in a mid-tier academic journal
-45 hrs shadowing - neurology, urology
- 400 hrs community service.
So my question is whether or not I should reapply this year, or wait it out a year to build up my app? I've considered doing an SMP to raise GPA (would that even be worth it?) These are the changes I would be able to make by June 1st this year:
-Submit application on June 1st
-Don't love my GPA, but not sure an SMP or masters would be worth time/money
- 1000 hours working as Endoscopy Tech in surgical services department at largest hospital in the state
-Phlebotomy certification and 320 hours phlebotomy work experience
-250 hours Spanish medical interpreting
-Interpreter trainer at the free clinic: coordinating training program for new clinic interpreter volunteers
-75 hours diabetes tech volunteer
-250 hours research
- 70 hrs shadowing (in addition to working alongside physicians full time as tech and interpreter)
-500 hours community service
I don't THINK I have any real red flags on my app since I got some interviews. But I've also read that it's important to give yourself enough time to significantly improve your application. I think late submission and average GPA hurt me. And maybe I'm just bad at interviewing? Haha. When applying for jobs last fall I got offers from everywhere I applied, so I don' think I'm an awful interviewer. I think my essays were decent, but I plan on being able to put more time into this year.
Anyway, any and all feedback would be much appreciated!!
AMCAS application submitted late July (was waiting for MCAT score)
BS Neuroscience
MCAT 515
cGPA 3.66, sGPA 3.57 (upward trends)
EC's:
- 2 yrs church service mission in Spain (mainly proselyting, but still did significant service, and was absolutely valuable to my growth).
-Fluent in Spanish
-170 hrs ER volunteer
-190 hrs Spanish Interpreter at free medical clinic
- 25 hrs diabetes clinic tech. Triaged patients, took vitals, foot exams, diabetes education, discussed medication with physician. Often took place in Spanish.
-150 hrs research
- Co-authored one publication in a mid-tier academic journal
-45 hrs shadowing - neurology, urology
- 400 hrs community service.
So my question is whether or not I should reapply this year, or wait it out a year to build up my app? I've considered doing an SMP to raise GPA (would that even be worth it?) These are the changes I would be able to make by June 1st this year:
-Submit application on June 1st
-Don't love my GPA, but not sure an SMP or masters would be worth time/money
- 1000 hours working as Endoscopy Tech in surgical services department at largest hospital in the state
-Phlebotomy certification and 320 hours phlebotomy work experience
-250 hours Spanish medical interpreting
-Interpreter trainer at the free clinic: coordinating training program for new clinic interpreter volunteers
-75 hours diabetes tech volunteer
-250 hours research
- 70 hrs shadowing (in addition to working alongside physicians full time as tech and interpreter)
-500 hours community service
I don't THINK I have any real red flags on my app since I got some interviews. But I've also read that it's important to give yourself enough time to significantly improve your application. I think late submission and average GPA hurt me. And maybe I'm just bad at interviewing? Haha. When applying for jobs last fall I got offers from everywhere I applied, so I don' think I'm an awful interviewer. I think my essays were decent, but I plan on being able to put more time into this year.
Anyway, any and all feedback would be much appreciated!!
