Deciding to re-apply

[phinee16]

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I am considering on applying for 2009. I applied during the 2007 season and got waitlisted at two schools and was rejected after.


There was slim improvement. I received some information back from one of my schools and they recommended that I should 1. re-take the MCAT, 2. take a master's program, 3. do some more community service.

I am currently working at a doctor's office as a MA. I worked almost every summer at a doctor's office or clinic. Since receiving feedback from the school, I have started community service.

I am scared to take the MCAT again because i already went down one point the second time around and I would not like to do any worse. [I did take a course]. I cannot afford the money or the time to go back to school for a masters. Does all this really hold me back?

I believe I was careless in picking out schools the first time, does anyone have recommendations as to where to apply?

Does anyone have a success story from similar stats? Has everyone gone to get their masters before applying again? Are there any other ways to improve my application in time for 2009?

PLEASE HELP!!

 

[Blade28]

A few questions:

How many schools did you apply to the first time?
How's the rest of your app? Other clinical experience, volunteering, extra-curriculars?
How were your letters of recommendation?

 

[phinee16]

I applied to 14 schools the first time.
I've worked in doctor's office (2), dental clinic, a hospital in london and a center for developmental disabilities. So I think I have a lot of experience. However, can it be that most of them were paid experiences? I have the london internship as the only one unpaid as well as the dental clinic.

As for recommendations, I got a lot from professors. Mostly in the classes I did well in. I got some from employers.

 

[ecca58]

I applied to 14 schools the first time.
I've worked in doctor's office (2), dental clinic, a hospital in london and a center for developmental disabilities. So I think I have a lot of experience. However, can it be that most of them were paid experiences? I have the london internship as the only one unpaid as well as the dental clinic.

As for recommendations, I got a lot from professors. Mostly in the classes I did well in. I got some from employers.

Yep. Those darn mcat scores. My score is a 28, too. 😀 Go us 28-ers! I know it's hard to increase those scores. I took it three times and my score only increased by 2. I hope I won't encounter this problem when I take the Steps.

I think the only advices I can share with you is to:

(1) apply EARLY. send in transcripts to aamc around May. for LORs, if you'll use VirtualEvals or Interfolio, submit them in May/June. submit amcas by the first available date (June). then complete and return all 2ndaries within a week.

(2) apply BROADLY and AS MANY SCHOOLS AS YOU CAN AFFORD. more schools, more chances. 😉

(3) do awesome at the interviews.

I hope these advices will help~.

 

[gman33]

A master's program won't help as much as increasing the MCAT score. Maybe buy the Examkrackers books or something similar. How much time did you spend prepping for the test? I spent about 400 hours studying and doing practice questions. I think most people could significantly increase their score if they put in enough time. If you are going to apply again, really go all out preparing for the MCAT. Try to spend 20-30 hours a week for the next 4 months. You can do it if you put in the time.

Also, how is your science GPA? If this is lower than 3.5, you may need to take some additional classes to bring it up.

Good luck.

 

[gman33]

Another thing, did you think about DO schools? Your MCAT is fine for them. Maybe apply to a few DO schools this time as well.

 

[GYN DOC]

Why are you considering retaking the mcat with a score of 28? Isnt that pretty much average. If you applied in 2007 - dont you still have time to receive acceptances from the schools u were waitlisted at to start this summer in 2008? Dont give up yet.

 

[theserbatron]

Another thing, did you think about DO schools? Your MCAT is fine for them. Maybe apply to a few DO schools this time as well.

second this. look into DO schools, you might be surprised w things you might learn and like about them.

 

[inthe415]

Hello,

I haven't been on this forum in awhile since I started at a DO school 7 months ago, but I remember how encouraging it was for people to write and basically say " Don't give up. I did it, so can you"

I was in the same boat...low GPA (2.85) Average MCAT(27Q), and I had been out of school for 8 years. The first time I applied to both MD and DO and didn't get a single interview. It didn't help that my letters of rec. were old.
So I volunteered as an MA at a Community Health Clinic and got the director to write a stellar letter of rec. I also did the PCOM - Post Bac program and got good grades and got excepted the next year at two DO schools. Then I made sure to apply as early as possible.

It was definately worth it. I love med school!

 

[Instatewaiter]

Why are you considering retaking the mcat with a score of 28? Isnt that pretty much average. If you applied in 2007 - dont you still have time to receive acceptances from the schools u were waitlisted at to start this summer in 2008? Dont give up yet.

Average right now is between 30 and 31. Unfortunately there is a pretty tight distribution around that mark and a 27 is a bit too low to have a good shot.

I vote to retake. If you improve to around a 30 apply MD and some of the older more established DO schools. If you stay around the same, apply to the schools at which you were waitlisted plus your state MD school plus various DO schools.

 

[Mspersistent]

Have you looked into the Tulane post bac program- Anatomy? I think it's for waitlisted applicants and it's suppose to have a 90% matriculation succes rate. G-luck.

 

[phinee16]

I'm just wondering if it's possible to get in with my numbers. I don't think I have time to take the MCAT because I'm so rusty on the material now and I really want to apply for 2009. I don't have the cash flow to get into a master's program.

I guess I'm wondering if I'm wasting my time. And what exactly is looked at the second time around. I mean on paper I may have worked at the same job but I believed that I have matured a lot in my goals and understand more now. I volunteer at a Community health center now doing health education. I'm getting more LORs from the physicians I've been working with. Is there something specific I should have them gear into. I mean people have looked at my application and besides my MCAT score say that's it's not horrible. But I don't know.

Has anyone who has gotten in with my grades somewhat have some advice? Any school sugggestions?