Covering my bases

[Johnmc]

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Hello all, just looking for some advice. I applied last cycle to DO and MD schools while working a job in clinical research. My stats were 3.29 GPA (upward trend) and 33 MCAT. I am currently on two waitlists (1 MD and 1 DO) which I would love to get off some time soon. I applied to two SMP's and Tulane's ACP because I felt I needed to do something different if I wanted different results for next application cycle. I can also continue on at my job if I need to. I was hoping someone could let me know what I should be doing to get off the waitlist and also give me advice on what to do next year if I don't. Thanks in advance, all advice is appreciated.

 

[Johnmc]

@gyngyn, @LizzyM, @Goro

 

[Goro]

There's nothing you can do to get off of the wait list except be patient, or maybe make a large donation to the school.

Did you apply late? Your stats are great for any DO program, but your GPA is well below avg for MD schools. How are your ECs? Shadowing? Patient contact?

Hello all, just looking for some advice. I applied last cycle to DO and MD schools while working a job in clinical research. My stats were 3.29 GPA (upward trend) and 33 MCAT. I am currently on two waitlists (1 MD and 1 DO) which I would love to get off some time soon. I applied to two SMP's and Tulane's ACP because I felt I needed to do something different if I wanted different results for next application cycle. I can also continue on at my job if I need to. I was hoping someone could let me know what I should be doing to get off the waitlist and also give me advice on what to do next year if I don't. Thanks in advance, all advice is appreciated.

 

[LizzyM]

You are on two waitlists which means you are good enough for medical school but not in the starting line-up. There is a chance you'll get off a waitlist so be patient.

If there is a question as to whether you can handle the academics, then a SMP might help. That said, doing the SMP concurrent with the application cycle won't give the adcoms any new information until Christmas when first term grades come out. That's late in the game.

Were you late in applying last year? Did you apply wisely or did you throw in quite a few "dream schools"? I would continue with your job rather than spending for a SMP. If you do go the SMP route, go all in, don't try to work at the same time, and skip this application cycle and apply the following year. Also know that the SMP is high risk (do poorly and you are done).

 

[Johnmc]

Thanks for your fast replies. I wasn't late in applying last year, although I may have applied to too many places. I was thought applying broadly would help my chances but I believe my secondaries suffered as a result. I am tempted to do the SMP because I feel that I have learned what I can at my current job and I need something else on my application to show my dedication to medicine. Would mentioning I am doing an SMP in my application have any positive effect on my results if I did apply in the upcoming cycle? As far as getting off the waitlist, would an additional letter of recommendation help in anyway? I feel like it might be better than another letter of interest, but I am not sure of how helpful it could be. Thanks again for you replies, you replied way faster than I expected anyone to.

 

[LizzyM]

Letters of interest can help if an admission offices wishes to identify candidates who will accept an offer at the last minute.

The only purpose of a SMP is to show that you can do well in an intensive science curriculum (some are basically the first year medical curriculum). As I've said, it is a risky proposition because doing poorly is the kiss of death and what you are studying is not in demand by employers (it won't help you get a job if you don't go on to med school). Furthermore, the value of the SMP is to show you can do the classroom work... if you have already shown that with a half-way decent GPA, you don't need to prove it and if you do need to demonstrate that ability, you won't be demonstrating it until you have some grades to show for it.

 

[Goro]

This assumes that school accepts LOI. Some do and some don't. What's the policy at your school, Lizzy? They're ignored at mine.

Letters of interest can help if an admission offices wishes to identify candidates who will accept an offer at the last minute.

The only purpose of a SMP is to show that you can do well in an intensive science curriculum (some are basically the first year medical curriculum). As I've said, it is a risky proposition because doing poorly is the kiss of death and what you are studying is not in demand by employers (it won't help you get a job if you don't go on to med school). Furthermore, the value of the SMP is to show you can do the classroom work... if you have already shown that with a half-way decent GPA, you don't need to prove it and if you do need to demonstrate that ability, you won't be demonstrating it until you have some grades to show for it.

 

[LizzyM]

This assumes that school accepts LOI. Some do and some don't. What's the policy at your school, Lizzy? They're ignored at mine.

I think that they might be taken into account in the (unlikely) event that a slot needs to be filled. The Dean thinks that "letters of intent" are complete bullsh*t.

 

[Johnmc]

Updates and that sort of thing were encouraged when I interviewed. But I can see where you are coming from. Anyone can write a nice email, that's doesn't mean you will be a good doc.

On another topic. Is a 3.29 considered even halfway decent? Based on the results I got this past cycle it doesn't seem to be.

 

[LostinLift]

Updates and that sort of thing were encouraged when I interviewed. But I can see where you are coming from. Anyone can write a nice email, that's doesn't mean you will be a good doc.

On another topic. Is a 3.29 considered even halfway decent? Based on the results I got this past cycle it doesn't seem to be.

No it is not for MD. It is below 10th percentile for many schools. You would need a higher MCAT and some post-bacc work to improve your chances for MD.


How many DO schools did you apply to? Your GPA is a bit on the lower end but your MCAT is very competitive.