MD & DO Can't afford to apply now. How can I boost my app for next cycle?

[RespectTheChemistry]

Hi,

I can't afford to apply right now and, for some relationship reasons, it's probably better if I wait a cycle anyway. I'm disappointed, but it is what is is. I'd like to take advantage of this opportunity to improve my application because I have to wait awhile anyway.

Where I stand as of today:
Science GPA: 3.40
Overall GPA: 3.65
515 MCAT
J-shaped grade trend due to some personal, now-resolved stuff my freshman and sophomore years)

Clinical volunteering:
7 years hospice volunteering
3 years child life volunteering

Non-clinical volunteering:
5 years rape crisis crisis hotline staffer and medical advocate (accompanied new survivors to the ED and arranged follow-up care)
3 years domestic violence shelter childcare volunteer
1 year sorting diaper donations by size at a diaper bank. (Parents donate sleeves of diapies when their little one outgrows a size before running through the whole big box. You know how babies and toddlers seem to grow overnight!)
2 years math tutor at a medium-security prison for boys 12-21

Research:
1 summer Child & Adolescent Psych clinical research
1 semester Psychology research
1 semester lit review with a Neuroscience professor

Shadowing:
60 hours shadowing across a variety of inpatient and outpatient specialties. No primary care though.



The below is my plan. Please tell me if you have any additional suggestions for things I can do!

1. I plan to take about 20 credits of science classes to help boost up the science GPA a tad. I have been an A student the past couple years and, if I am able to keep up my streak, I should be up to about 3.5 on the BCPM GPA. Still not ideal, but better.

2. Much of my volunteering is with children, so I plan to add on some food bank volunteering.
Please give me all of your suggestions on ways I can improve! Thanks!

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[Banco]

I think your plan is solid, you have lots of fantastic activities for years now - very service oriented and I’d make sure to apply to schools that value that. Your MCAT is great and your overall GPA is okay - if you can get that sGPA up even higher then it’ll be a bit better. Otherwise do what you enjoy. If finances are an issue maybe you can look for a clinical job of some sort and save up some cash?

I do think you’re probably fine to apply this current cycle. Is there no way you can get the funds? Unfortunate that it’s such a high barrier to entry into the field.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Reach out to schools on your wish list and connect with student leaders (AMSA, SNMA, etc.) to get any insights on student support and opportunities as much as possible.

 

[Proudfather94]

Hi,

I can't afford to apply right now and, for some relationship reasons, it's probably better if I wait a cycle anyway. I'm disappointed, but it is what is is. I'd like to take advantage of this opportunity to improve my application because I have to wait awhile anyway.

Where I stand as of today:
Science GPA: 3.40
Overall GPA: 3.65
515 MCAT

Clinical volunteering:
7 years hospice volunteering
3 years child life volunteering

Non-clinical volunteering:
5 years rape crisis crisis hotline staffer and medical advocate (accompanied new survivors to the ED and arranged follow-up care)
3 years domestic violence shelter childcare volunteer
1 year sorting diaper donations by size at a diaper bank. (Parents donate sleeves of diapies when their little one outgrows a size before running through the whole big box. You know how babies and toddlers seem to grow overnight!)
2 years math tutor at a medium-security prison for boys 12-21

Research:
1 summer Child & Adolescent Psych clinical research
1 semester Psychology research
1 semester lit review with a Neuroscience professor

Shadowing:
60 hours shadowing across a variety of inpatient and outpatient specialties. No primary care though.



The below is my plan. Please tell me if you have any additional suggestions for things I can do!

1. I plan to take about 20 credits of science classes to help boost up the science GPA a tad. I have been an A student the past couple years and, if I am able to keep up my streak, I should be up to about 3.5 on the BCPM GPA. Still not ideal, but better.

2. Much of my volunteering is with children, so I plan to add on some food bank volunteering.
Please give me all of your suggestions on ways I can improve! Thanks!

Can you get the fee assistance program? If you get it you can apply to 20 schools for free and most drop the secondary cost.

 

[RespectTheChemistry]

I missed the FAP cutoff by $200, @Evilsilence , although I still really appreciate the suggestion. I also lost my job. I was able to find another one thankfully - it's something - but now I am underemployed (10 hours a week when I am usually full time).

I would certainly consider getting a clinical job especially because staying employed full time seems to be a problem since the pandemic hit and economy tanked. That is a fantastic idea, @Banco and I greatly appreciate your time and feedback!

I will see what I can do with the GPAs with some math on my end. I can pretty easily get the cGPA up to 3.7. My *hope* is that I can get the science GPA up to 3.6 but I'll have to look into that more. I think there's a good chance 3.5 is the best I can do given my 100 earned credits, but I'll look into it!

 

[RespectTheChemistry]

I don't super know how FAP works, but could you reapply for FAP now that you have lost your job? or apply to a couple, but not all schools on your list?

Thank you! I like your name too. Cows are my second favorite farm animal (behind goats).

Unfortunately, FAP eligibility is based off parental income regardless of age (I'm older - late 20s!) and independent FAFSA and tax filing status. I have a very low EFC right now for school because I'm over 24 and able to file the FAFSA based on my own income. I thought I would be a slam dunk for FAP eligibility until I learned it was parental income. My mama is just over the limit by $200. I'm way under based on my own income.

It could definitely work to reduce my school list, although I guess the con of that is a higher risk of being a reapplicant. I'll sleep on it.