Medical Haven't received any interview invites - what should my plan be?

[TheBoneDoctah]

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Hi,

I've applied to 30 MD schools this cycle and so far, have 7 Rs, 4 pre-II holds, and 19 silences (no IIs). As much as I want to continue staying optimistic, I know that's not realistic. I'm really looking for advice on how I can strengthen my app (particularly GPA), which masters/SMP programs would be best for my specific situation, and if there's any hope left for me for this cycle. I'll include some stats and ECs below.

cGPA/sGPA: 3.4, 3.25 (from a T20, upward trend)
Major: Molecular & Cell Biology
MCAT: 515
NJ residency, ties to PA
Lots of research, 1 pub, 300+ volunteering hours, multiple club leadership positions, good LORs, decent amount of shadowing/clinical exposure (as told by multiple pre-health advisors)

I'm in a post-bacc program right now, have been getting As, and am in the process of sending updates to schools. I'm not sure if I've provided enough information for an adequate assessment of my candidacy for med school (MD, specifically), but I would really appreciate some insight.

Thank you so much.

Your problem is your GPA. You should have done a post-bac prior to applying. You are currently in a year-long post-bac right now? How are your grades? You really need to do well (3.8+) in this post-bac to prove to ADCOM you can handle medical school level courses. With a year-long post-bac with great performance, I think you would have a better shot on reapplication.

What are your ECs like? What did you do? Hours?

 

[GoSpursGo]

Yep I agree with above, it was fine to try your luck this cycle but it was a long shot with your current GPA. 6 months of 4.0 grades likely isn't going to be enough to move the needle, though by all means send any updates you have.

If you have a full year of 4.0 grades, I think you could give it a go next year without an SMP.

 

[Goro]

As a reinventor, you need to have DO schools on your list, as well as a strategic list. Your MCAT score alone will not remediate the low GPAs.

 

[TheBoneDoctah]

If you would have had DOs on your list this year you would have prolly gotten interviews.

 

[TheBoneDoctah]

Thank you all so much for your advice, I really appreciate it. @TheBoneDoctah that is correct, I started my post-bac in the fall and have a 3.85 in it as of now. I am thinking about also taking classes in the summer, just to further boost that undergrad GPA before formally enrolling into a masters program.

In terms of ECs: four research internships and still doing research (hundreds of hours), hospital volunteering in two departments (~250 hours), 5 clubs (~100 hours in 4 of them - community service/mentorship/tutoring-based with leadership positions, ~400 hours in the 5th volunteering/medical mentoring club of which I held several leadership positions over the years), and shadowing (~75 hours). Also have a pub and am in an honor society.

Do you, @Goro, or @GoSpursGo have any advice on which masters programs could be best for my situation? Should I finish this program before I re-apply or would it be okay to apply this upcoming cycle while finishing my post-bac/starting my masters and send in grade updates as they come?

Thank you so much!

You shouldn’t need a year post bac AND a SMP. I also don’t see much in terms of non clinical volunteering with groups less fortunate than you.

 

[Goro]

I don't give recommendations as to individual SMPs or post-bac programs, because they're pretty much a dime-a-dozen.. You should go for:

1) the cheapest tuition

2) a program given at a host medical school

3) is one year in length

4) has the best linkage deal.