Feeling pretty discouraged!

[JBtt]

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So I applied last year to medical schools in state and DO schools out of state. My stats were less than impressive-I did get 3 interviews but unfortunately got rejected from all the schools…

Reapplying next year and since my last application, have made these improvements:

*Volunteer Experience- added about 150+ hours of volunteering, specifically with children due to my interest in pediatrics
*Shadowing Experience- added about 200+ hours of shadowing different doctors
*MCAT- went from a pretty bad MCAT score (60% percentile) to a decent one (83%)- thats the major criticism I faced applying last cycle so I'm hoping it will help!

So at this point, I'm unsure about where to go from here. I got into an EMT program for February and I could do that and hopefully work as an EMT to gain clinical experience OR I could try to find a research job (I have no research experience) OR I could do an SMP program. I just need some advice about what to do next. I have a 3.88 GPA and a 3.75 sGPA, a 510 MCAT.

 

[cabinbuilder]

You know it is possible to have a great package and not have done anything wrong and still not get accepted. Many times it's just the luck of the draw. I applied three times in a row before getting accepted and didn't change anything except my essay. You need to apply more broadly, to schools that have similar stats as yours. May sure your interview skills aren't what killed your chances. Apply EARLY!!!

 

[QofQuimica]

Definitely not the SMP; those are for people who have bad GPAs or need to take the prereqs. Your GPA is excellent and you have presumably completed all the prereqs.

I would say not to bother with the EMT course either unless you will definitely be able to work as an EMT prior to medical school. Just taking the course itself eats up time and money without providing you much of a useful EC.

Are you planning to apply this year? If so, I think you should just get a job, whatever job you can find that pays you the most money, and sock away as much money as you can. You'll need it. Also, if you have any outstanding loans (car, college, whatever), try to get those paid off before med school.

 

[JBtt]

You know it is possible to have a great package and not have done anything wrong and still not get accepted. Many times it's just the luck of the draw. I applied three times in a row before getting accepted and didn't change anything except my essay. You need to apply more broadly, to schools that have similar stats as yours. May sure your interview skills aren't what killed your chances. Apply EARLY!!!

I know, that's what I keep telling myself, sometimes it just doesn't work out! But all you can do is keep trying. I applied pretty broadly last year but I think I may apply to many more schools OOS this time.

I definitely plan to have my application in as soon as possible! In fact, I've already started working on my essays!

 

[JBtt]

Definitely not the SMP; those are for people who have bad GPAs or need to take the prereqs. Your GPA is excellent and you have presumably completed all the prereqs.

I would say not to bother with the EMT course either unless you will definitely be able to work as an EMT prior to medical school. Just taking the course itself eats up time and money without providing you much of a useful EC.

Are you planning to apply this year? If so, I think you should just get a job, whatever job you can find that pays you the most money, and sock away as much money as you can. You'll need it. Also, if you have any outstanding loans (car, college, whatever), try to get those paid off before med school.

Thanks for the advice! I'm applying next summer (2016). I'm doing pretty good financially, thanks to scholarships and working all throughout undergrad. My plan actually is to work as an EMT until med school and save up some money. Although I know it's not the best paying job, I feel that working as an EMT would just look better on my application than working as a bartender (even though I know the pay would be better). Plus I definitely need some clinical experience.

 

[adrian710]

So I applied last year to medical schools in state and DO schools out of state. My stats were less than impressive-I did get 3 interviews but unfortunately got rejected from all the schools…

Reapplying next year and since my last application, have made these improvements:

*Volunteer Experience- added about 150+ hours of volunteering, specifically with children due to my interest in pediatrics
*Shadowing Experience- added about 200+ hours of shadowing different doctors
*MCAT- went from a pretty bad MCAT score (60% percentile) to a decent one (83%)- thats the major criticism I faced applying last cycle so I'm hoping it will help!

So at this point, I'm unsure about where to go from here. I got into an EMT program for February and I could do that and hopefully work as an EMT to gain clinical experience OR I could try to find a research job (I have no research experience) OR I could do an SMP program. I just need some advice about what to do next. I have a 3.88 GPA and a 3.75 sGPA, a 510 MCAT.

How did those stats not land you a DO acceptance?!

 

[Tenk]

If you're thinking about emergency medicine at all, being a former EMT helps a lot for third year and away rotations. Quite a ways away for you but something to consider nonetheless. Good luck!

 

[pedgoro]

Just taking the course itself eats up time and money without providing you much of a useful EC.

 

[deleted659912]

How are your interview skills OP? The fact that you managed to get 3 interviews shows that they liked you enough on paper so maybe try some mock interviews. Did you have your new MCAT when you applied last time? Definitely don't do an SMP, your GPA is excellent.