Help! Reapplicant Advice / Application Review (MA ORM, High Stat)

[biotechguru]

Hi SDN! I was hoping to get some advice on reapplication timeline, potential programs/experiences for the next couple years, and any potential red flags in my application from last year. I applied to 25 MD schools, mostly mid-tier and a few T25 schools, and unfortunately did not recieve any interviews throughout the cycle . I am not letting this discourage me, as I know that medicine is my passion and I will one day get into med school, but was hoping to hear some of your thoughts on my application!

I graduated from a medium sized private university with a biochem degree, 3.72 gpa, 3.66 sGPA, and got a 517 on the MCAT. I have strong research experience (~500hrs in two undergrad academic labs and ~1000 hours working full time at a clinically relevant biotech startup, no pubs though). Ive got around 50 shadowing hrs across multiple areas of medicine, 100 hours of clinical volunteering (patient transport/escort in a hospital) and have a very strong non-clinical volunteering record (camp for children with life threatening illnesses, syringe exchange, sports games for children with disabilities). The one thing that may stick out to me is no paid clinical work, however I have spent lots of time in the hospital and working with clinicians so its not like I dont know what being a physician is like... Here's the kicker (and why I think I didn't get any interviews) I have two institutional actions, both minor alcohol infringements.

Some of the feedback that I have gotten is to put time in between the institutional action and my application, which is why I am thinking about reapplying in 2023 rather than this cycle (2022), however some of the other feedback I have gotten is that these events happened 4+ years ago and if the rest of my app is good, I should have a good chance of getting in. That being said, I am in between getting an MPH in a related field to my current job (infection control startup), or doing a MAMS program.

Based on my stats, experiences, etc, would it be better to wait a cycle and apply in 2023 after the first year of a masters program? Which masters program would look more favorable, MAMS (my gpa is not bad so I feel like I dont need academic enhancement), or an MPH? Do I need paid clinical experience? Are you surprised I didn't get any interviews? Please help! Any and all advice is much appreciated.

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[chilly_md]

You do not need an additional degree or coursework. What likely held you back was low clinical experience. You will need more than 100 hours, so I would recommend waiting a year to apply.

How many hours of non-clinical volunteering did you have for each of the activities you mentioned? The IAs are not a major red flag, just ensure your explanation for it on AMCAS was about you accepting your mistake. Do not bring it up again in your personal statement or other essays. What was your school list?

 

[biotechguru]

Thanks for the advice @chilly_md, I think my plan is to wait a year to apply, the question is what to I spend the next year doing. I know I dont NEED an additional degree, but I hope to work at the intersection of public health and medicine, and think an MPH aligns well with my career goals as a physician. If I don't end up getting it next year, I will do it during med school, so why not get the ball rolling now, do well in the program, get some more good recs, and possible some publications? I've kind of hit the cieling in my current role at a biotech startup, and think its time for a change. I'm thinking about part-time scribing while doing the MPH to beef up my clinical hours and spend some more time in the clinic. Other option is just full time MA or Scribing full time, which would be a bit of a huge change of lifestyle for me...

Hours for non-clinical volunteering:
Camp for children with life threatening illnesses: (70) this is 5 days a summer i've been doing for the last couple years. (have 30 more projected this summer)
Sports games with disables children: 70 (once a week for two semesters in college)
Syringe Exchange: (30) with about 100 more projected over the next year (this wasnt on my app next year)
Tutor for underserved students in NOLA: 50

School list:
Einstien
BU
Hofstra
Emory
Dartmouth
GW
Georgetown
Harvard (very strong ties)
USC
Stony Brook
Tufts
Tulane
Umass
Michigan
Jefferson
Pittsburgh

I realize that this list was a bunch of low yield and difficult schools to get into, so when I reapply I should probably add some more and apply more broadly, any advice on which schools to add?

 

[chilly_md]

Gain more clinical experience through scribing or being an MA as you mentioned. The MPH is fine then if you would like it for your own career goals. The degree and grades will not add anything to your application though except for possibly George Washington.

If you can continue doing similar non-clinical volunteering, that would help. Perhaps something long-term again you can do with disabled children or the homeless shelter. Your activities were good but were just 140 hours at the time of your app. I would not categorize this as strong. With only 100 hours of clinical experience compared to 1500 hours of research, you seemed more of a PhD candidate.

You could apply to the following:

Einstein
BU
Hofstra
Emory
Dartmouth
GW
Georgetown
Harvard (if you want)
Quinnipiac
Tufts
UMass
Jefferson
Pittsburgh
Case
Ohio State
Cincinnati
Mayo
Albany
Creighton
Drexel
Temple
EVMS
VCU
Rochester
Miami
MCW
Vermont
USF Morsani
Wayne State
Western Michigan
Oakland
Hackensack
Nova MD


DO:
NYIT
PCOM
KCOM
Marian
KCU
DMU

 

[voxveritatisetlucis]

I’m not saying this to offend or anything but I think it’s important because our perceptions shape behaviors. Thus, the perception of one’s application strength dictates which schools one applies to.

3.7/517 isn’t really “high stat” anymore, especially in a state like Massachusetts.

Apply to more mid and low tier MDs and some DO