Considering Changes to Reapply for Next Year - Feedback Please

[obscurehero]

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I graduated from a small liberal arts school in 2009. I had a 3.53 GPA but AMCAS lists my GPA as a 3.37 due to retaking a few classes (one of which I had an F). My own personal story is long and unnecessary, but suffice it to say my Junior year I was severely depressed and did quite poorly. I retook many of my classes my senior year (after I had managed my issues) and finished quite strong.

My AMCAS GPA's
[F-3.75 (34 Credits); So-3.40 (31 Credits); J-2.26 (23 Credits); Se-3.70 (37 Credits)]

I graduated and got a job at a top research hospital as a research technician in a cancer research lab where I've really grown. I have a publication (I'll be a fourth author...) forthcoming actually. I have been able to shadow my PI in the clinic with patients on a couple of occasions and I have some EC's from college and high school.

I was unable to study as much as I wanted but I was able to get a 33S on the MCAT (11V-11PS-11BS). I was happy with this but obviously it's not stellar enough to outshine my GPA problems.

I applied to MD/PhD programs as this was my first love and I also knew that adcoms will consider you for an MD if you are rejected by the school's MD/PhD committee.

My problem is I applied late. I volunteer a week with my parents every summer together with a international cancer conference in Sweden... All that combined with my perfectionism and I didn't submit until 08/30/10. I was certified by the end of the month, and I completed my secondaries throughout October. I realize this is WAAAAY late and doesn't help me at all. I really was unaware of the necessity of early submission.

I have one interview at RWJMS coming up, and I have recieved MD/PhD rejections from a few schools. Except Wayne State, no school has rejected me yet, but I'm starting to think I've been silently rejected.

Long story short, I want to start thinking about improvements for next year.
1. I've considered retaking the MCAT and trying to increase my score. I scored as high as a 38 in the online practice tests (but no higher than 12 for the verbal).
2. I've also considered taking the GRE to bolster my score.
3. I have all my essays that I can re-tool (or should I start from scratch?) and submit as soon as the application opens.
4. I already applied last year to two local hospitals to volunteer, but my limited hours (I'm putting my wife through graduate school currently) I think have precluded me from getting a volunteer spot.

Any suggestions?

I really don't want to have to do a post-bac to shore up my GPA, but I realize my GPA is obviously not helping. Add to that my poor performance Junior year, and I'm sure I raise red flags.

 

[Richardh]

If I were you, I would
-consider retaking the mcat
-not take the GRE (to me I don't think having a GRE score will help. a master's or a post-bac degree seems far better compared to achieving a high on GRE)
-volunteer more in your community
-continue with your reserach (great job with your publications btw 👍)
-apply early!!! and don't limit yourself to MD/phD programs. yes; I know that your passion is to pursue both degrees however it is best to apply exclusively MD route also.

good luck and I hope your interview at RWJMS is a successful one!!!

 

[obscurehero]

Thanks Richard!

I'll try to get more volunteer hours in and maybe try to be more productive at work (hope for good results!). You don't think the GRE would matter?

I had applied to MD/PhD as many schools (except MSTP schools like Penn or UNC) consider you for the MD even after a MD/PhD rejection. You think I should apply to some school's MD programs only? I don't mind having an MD only as you can still do research, it just needs to be more self-directed (or so I hear).

I'll definitely try to increase my MCAT score...👍

Thanks!! 🙂

 

[Richardh]

To me a GRE seems less impressive (but that's really my opinion. I respect others' views regarding the GRE!) In any event, I think getting a masters or post-bac degree is better.

But overall I think for your chances to improve, I believe (1) applying early, (2) applying broadly (not just MD/phD schools), and (3) retaking the MCAT are best.

Good luck and again with your interview at RWJMS 🙂

 

[dragonfly99]

It sounds to me like you probably need some more volunteer and shadowing hours. A lot of schools really look at this. They won't take being busy as an excuse.

Apply earlier next year.

Don't give up on this year yet - push hard to get into the school you got the interview for, if you like it at all @the interview and if you can move there.

Consider MCAT retake, but if you do it make sure the score goes up a little.

Yes, I would apply to non MD/PhD programs as well, and apply broadly. It really won't be hard to get into bench research if you just get an MD...there are MANY opportunities to do that, and a lot of med schools will let people into the MD/PhD program after they are in the MD program. Even if you don't ever get in to one, you can do a master's or you can do a post-doc after doing residency, or you can take a gap year/break in the middle of med school and do a research year (with or without a master's degree). NIH even has special programs for med students who want to do research. So don't obsess about it thinking you have to get an Md/PhD to become a researcher, because you totally don't.

 

[dragonfly99]

And I don't think the GRE will help much, if at all. Did someone say it would with Md/PhD? I hadn't heard that...

 

[obscurehero]

I thought it might help. A few schools require a separate application to the graduate school where the GRE is required, and there's an option on the primary to add your score.

I guess I'll just focus my efforts on retaking the MCAT.

I know there are a LOT of options for doing research as an MD. Not having a PhD definitely does not preclude you from research, and as you said, there is a lot of funding for MD's.

If I am accepted into a medical program this year, but not the MD/PhD program I will definitely attend and either reapply as an M1 or pursue research on the side.

Should I have to, I'll try to supplant my list next year with MD only applications to some schools as an additional option.

Thanks guys!

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The interview went QUITE well, but there are only 6 slots with 32 interviewed. I just received a no from UNC, but I've yet to hear from a good many schools still!

What is the best way to push hard for a spot? I like the school and I don't think I'd be settling if I went there.

 

[dragonfly99]

I think it would be smart to throw out some MD-only applications, in your sitation (with the lower cumulative GPA).

 

[Isoprop]

I will disagree about retaking the MCAT. I personally would not risk retaking a 33. It's a solid score and you might not do any better... or perhaps do even worse. GL.

 

[obscurehero]

Well, I had registered to retake the MCAT.

HOWEVER... I just found out I got accepted to one of the MD/PhD programs I had applied to!! I'm going to be a physician scientist!

Class of 2019? 🙄