Help for a potential reapplicant

[cpb80]

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Hi everyone-

First off, congrats to whoever has received an acceptance, and to those still waiting, hang in there!

I would really appreciate some of your advice. I’m applying this year- some interviews, a few waitlists, a lot of rejections, and zero acceptances. Therefore, I am planning for the worst- reapplying. Here's a brief bio:

Cornell undergrad, URM
BCPM 3.31, CUM 3.37, Other 3.4
MCAT 28Q (PS-11, BS-9, VR-8)
Good EC's
Currently ESL teacher to Hispanic immigrants (3 days/ wk)

I am planning on re-taking the MCAT this April, and I am also considering taking 1 science course (neurobio), maybe two (the second one would be genetics).

Here are my concerns:
I am pretty confident that I can make my MCAT scores more competitive if need be, but I would also like to bring up my science GPA. I spoke to an advisor who suggested that improvement in my science GPA would be most beneficial. I am torn. I want to improve my MCAT (I’m kinda stubborn) as well as my BCPM GPA, but I am worried that trying to accomplish this at the same time might be counterproductive, especially if I don’t make a dramatic improvement in MCAT score or at least somewhat improve my science GPA.

These are my options, which would you choose?

MCAT + part-time job + no upper level science courses (BCPM GPA 3.31)
- Negative: unimpressive to adcoms if no dramatic improvement in MCAT and obviously no improvement in BCPM GPA
- Positive: most time to study for MCAT, don’t have to finish science courses if accepted before they end

MCAT + part-time job + one course (either neurobio or genetics); (BCPM GPA 3.36 with an A)
- Negative: unimpressive to adcoms if no dramatic improvement in MCAT and less time to study for MCAT, no dramatic improvement in BCPM GPA, spreading myself thinner, have to finish course even if accepted before they end; don’t want a W on transcript
- Positive: decent amount of time to study for MCAT, some BCPM improvement

MCAT + part-time job + 2 courses (neurobio and genetics) (BCPM 3.4 with two A’s)
- Negative: even less time to study for MCAT- spreading myself very thin, have to finish course even if accepted before they end; don’t want a W on transcript
- Positive: best possibility for most improvement of app

MCAT + part-time job + 2 courses (neurobio or genetics and statistics). *Stats b/c I did poorly the first time and it would be included in the BCPM GPA
- Negative: less time to study for MCAT, spreading myself very thin, adcoms may not want me to retake STATS, have to finish course even if accepted before they end; don’t want a W on transcript
- Positive: possibility for most improvement of app, STATS is less time consuming than genetics, STATS would be factored into BCPM

Wasn’t the best at cost-benefit analysis in undergrad. Thanks for your time. 😉

 

[ByrnBabyByrn]

Don't know if this is possible for you but how about eliminating the part-time job for a little while? Wouldn't this help you improve your app the most? If this isn't possible, I would go with the first option because I think raising your MCAT a few points to a 31 would be more beneficial than raising your BCPM by .1. Good luck.

 

[eralza]

I'm feeling some of the same emotions right now. Similar GPA, scores, etc. Not bad, but just not quite over-the-top.
My recommendation (take it with a grain of salt) is that an increased MCAT would overshadow the grades a bit. In theory, it shows that you overcame some of the shortcomings. Boosting a 3.31 to a 3.36 just isn't that dramatic, but an increase of 3 points on the MCAT is.
Keep the part-time job. It is a good side diversion and makes the time you have for studying more urgent and focused.
Most importantly, don't be your own adcom and give up on this year. I've heard too many stories about 11th hour decisions. My girlfriend received her acceptance two weeks before class started.

 

[Law2Doc]

Hi everyone-

First off, congrats to whoever has received an acceptance, and to those still waiting, hang in there!

I would really appreciate some of your advice. I’m applying this year- some interviews, a few waitlists, a lot of rejections, and zero acceptances. Therefore, I am planning for the worst- reapplying. Here's a brief bio:

Cornell undergrad, URM
BCPM 3.31, CUM 3.37, Other 3.4
MCAT 28Q (PS-11, BS-9, VR-8)
Good EC's
Currently ESL teacher to Hispanic immigrants (3 days/ wk)

I am planning on re-taking the MCAT this April, and I am also considering taking 1 science course (neurobio), maybe two (the second one would be genetics).

Here are my concerns:
I am pretty confident that I can make my MCAT scores more competitive if need be, but I would also like to bring up my science GPA. I spoke to an advisor who suggested that improvement in my science GPA would be most beneficial. I am torn. I want to improve my MCAT (I’m kinda stubborn) as well as my BCPM GPA, but I am worried that trying to accomplish this at the same time might be counterproductive, especially if I don’t make a dramatic improvement in MCAT score or at least somewhat improve my science GPA.

These are my options, which would you choose?

MCAT + part-time job + no upper level science courses (BCPM GPA 3.31)
- Negative: unimpressive to adcoms if no dramatic improvement in MCAT and obviously no improvement in BCPM GPA
- Positive: most time to study for MCAT, don’t have to finish science courses if accepted before they end

MCAT + part-time job + one course (either neurobio or genetics); (BCPM GPA 3.36 with an A)
- Negative: unimpressive to adcoms if no dramatic improvement in MCAT and less time to study for MCAT, no dramatic improvement in BCPM GPA, spreading myself thinner, have to finish course even if accepted before they end; don’t want a W on transcript
- Positive: decent amount of time to study for MCAT, some BCPM improvement

MCAT + part-time job + 2 courses (neurobio and genetics) (BCPM 3.4 with two A’s)
- Negative: even less time to study for MCAT- spreading myself very thin, have to finish course even if accepted before they end; don’t want a W on transcript
- Positive: best possibility for most improvement of app

MCAT + part-time job + 2 courses (neurobio or genetics and statistics). *Stats b/c I did poorly the first time and it would be included in the BCPM GPA
- Negative: less time to study for MCAT, spreading myself very thin, adcoms may not want me to retake STATS, have to finish course even if accepted before they end; don’t want a W on transcript
- Positive: possibility for most improvement of app, STATS is less time consuming than genetics, STATS would be factored into BCPM

Wasn’t the best at cost-benefit analysis in undergrad. Thanks for your time. 😉

You also might consider pushing your timeframe out a bit (i.e. skip a year of applying). Then you could work part-time while exclusively studying for the April MCAT, and then continue working part-time (or maybe even up it to more hours) and take additional courses spread out over the following year (& preceding summer -- thus could be a total of 3 to 5 courses instead of 2, which will have a much bigger GPA impact, and some could be easier non-science classes). That way you'll have time to improve everything and when you apply again you can have all your ducks in a row... Just a thought.

 

[cpb80]

...how about eliminating the part-time job for a little while? Wouldn't this help you improve your app the most?

hmm... was considering that, but I really like this part-time job, and "It is a good side diversion". Guess I want to "have my cake and eat it too"

Quote by George Carlin: Ten things that Piss me-off
"4. When people say "Oh you just want to have your cake and eat it too". F@*$ off. What good is a goddamn cake you can’t eat? What, should I eat someone else’s cake instead?"

If this isn't possible, I would go with the first option because I think raising your MCAT a few points to a 31 would be more beneficial than raising your BCPM by .1.

[sigh] that's what I was considering.

... My recommendation (take it with a grain of salt) is that an increased MCAT would overshadow the grades a bit. In theory, it shows that you overcame some of the shortcomings. Boosting a 3.31 to a 3.36 just isn't that dramatic, but an increase of 3 points on the MCAT is.

ok 👍

You also might consider pushing your timeframe out a bit (i.e. skip a year of applying). Then you could work part-time while exclusively studying for the April MCAT, and then continue working part-time (or maybe even up it to more hours) and take additional courses spread out over the following year (& preceding summer -- thus could be a total of 3 to 5 courses instead of 2, which will have a much bigger GPA impact, and some could be easier non-science classes). That way you'll have time to improve everything and when you apply again you can have all your ducks in a row... Just a thought.

Great suggestion. I am getting restless w/ this whole process, but you're right. This would probably improve my app the most

I wonder how many other people are in the same situation- to those that are-I hope this thread helps, and to everyone else best of luck with this hellish process.