How about another What to Do Thread?

[EWAustin]

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I initially posted this thread in a pm to RxnMan, who by the way is an SND god, and wanted to get some additonal imput and help.

I am a non-traditional applicant and have had the dream of being a physician for my entire life (cliche, but true). At the age of 28 I am married, have a two year old daughter, and am in my second application process, and preparing for a third.

First I will give you some AMCAS stats and then explain myself.

GPA:
BCPM, Other, Total

Freshman 1.32, 2.62, 1.84

Sophomore 3.54, 3.18, 3.44
Junior 3.76, 3.75, 3.76
Senior 3.80, N/A , 3.80
Cumulative Undergraduate 3.29, 3.17, 3.26

MCAT:
9/8/2007 VR:10 PS:10 WS:O BS:10 30O​

07/24/2007 VR:08 PS:10 WS:N BS:11 29N
08/19/2006 VR:05 PS:11 WS:N BS:10 26N

So, I began college in 1998 and failed out my first semester therefore recieving Fs in 14 Credit hours worth of remedial and introductory courses. Since returning to school I have done pretty well. I believe that I probably have pretty good recommendations, however I am in the position to get additional ones from a number of amazing cardiologists. I believe I have good ECs and have over a thousand hours of volunteer EMS (however I haven't volunteered for nearly two years), worked as a full time EMT-I during 2 years of undergrad, I have been employed full time as a Cardiology Tech for the past 14 months. I was the only individual coming from Mesa State College in Grand Junction, CO. to do undergraduate biology research. I applied for two grants (none awarded), presented at a scholars symposium, and had an overall good research project.

In my first round of applications I was applying with a 5 in VR so I wasn't competitive and was rejected outright. Through my second application process I have had a total of 4 interviews from a total of 12 applications. Two interviews including my home school (University of CO) and my neighboring school (University of UT) both rejected me post interview. I have a waitlist at Meharry, however I am not URM so I don't know if this will pan out. I am awaiting a response from SLU.

If I don't hear from either SLU or Meharry I am not entirely sure what I am going to do. I have applied to multiple special masters programs (Boston U, Georgetown, U of Cincinnati, Loyola...) and am awaiting responses. I have applied to and interviewed for St Georges but I don't know if I would be satisfied with the foreign MD. I believe I have everything needed to become an amazing physician, I just need someone else to believe me.

So my general question is what do you think about me getting into a MD school, or what do you think I could do to increase my chances? My weak points are of course my GPA, multiple MCAT scores, and likely my personal statement. I don't know what I should do about my MCAT. A 30O (after 3 attempts) isn't bad, but it isn't great either. I know I could do better but I don't have time to prep, take, and apply for the '09 season at this point. I believe I can do well in an SMP, but I don't know if this is a good choice either, I believe I have already illustrated the past three years I have scholastic capacity. I am going to begin writing a new PS but I am not completely confident with my writing skills, and I believe this could have been problematic in my prior applications. I plan to have several people proof read this time.

Well, at this point I am probably just rambling. If you have any advice or thoughts I would greatly appreciate them. Also if there is anyone who would be willing to give me suggestions on my personal statement or prior application it would be immensely appreciated.

Thank You Much
EwAustin

 

[hippiedoc13]

I think your best bet at the moment is to do everything in your power to get admitted to Meharry off the waitlist. If you have not already done so, you need to write a strong letter of interest to the Dean of Admissions at Meharry, explaining that you are still very interested in their school and would very much like to go there. Also include any positive updates about what you have been doing since you interviewed with them. Emphasize how passionate you are about becoming a doctor, and try to mention something specific that highlights your prior experience with medicine. Keep the whole thing to about one page, and have a couple of experienced people proofread it for you--preferably a pre-med advisor and/or an MD who really wants to see you do well. And you need to get this letter out ASAP--by the end of this week, or Monday of next week. I know that's a tall order, but in terms of getting admitted from the waitlist, time is of the essence.

If you are not successful this year, then it's time to critically re-assess your attack for next round, and work closely with an experienced pre-med advisor.

 

[RxnMan]

I sent you that PM - did you get it?

 

[EWAustin]

RxnMan,

I did get your pm, and as I said you should be imotalized as an SDN god. My only real concerns are that I am preparing for another application cycle where I have not substantially imporved what may be my largest flaws. I consider my GPA to be terrible, however I have a great upward trend and don't believe I can do much to improve it at this point. My MCAT is not the greatest, but again I don't believe I can improve it for this application cycle (however I know I can do much better). I am nearly finished with what I believe to be a pretty good Personal Statement, and am looking for people to offer opinions on this component. My clinical experience has been top notch, especially with my current position in Cardiology, however I was not lacking in clinical experience in my previous apps. I have asked a number of Cardiologists to review my personal statement but it has been greater than twenty years since any of them have had do deal with a PS. Well, I guess it is time to head to work. Let it be known that I will be going to medical school in 2009 at the latest (at least I hope)

Thanks Again

 

[RxnMan]

...I am nearly finished with what I believe to be a pretty good Personal Statement, and am looking for people to offer opinions on this component...

The Mods are starting up a PS critique thread (in pre-allo, I think). You could submit your's there. I'd also be willing to read over yours (though my opinion may not weigh much compared to who else you work on your PS with). Good job with checking with the cardiologists - can they reccomend anyone?

 

[gman33]

Any interest in DO schools?
Your stats would be a better fit.
I'd strongly recommend this route over Carib.
Do a search for more info if needed.

You probably need some more coursework to be a competitive app for MD schools. A SMP or just more upper level UG courses would work.
Each have their own +/-.

If you want to send me your PS, I'd be glad to look it over.

 

[TexasTriathlete]

Quit wasting your time, and add some DO schools to the mix. You are a pretty standard DO applicant, stats-wise. That's what I wish I had done the first time around. I'd be getting ready for step 1 right now.

 

[RxnMan]

Quit wasting your time, and add some DO schools to the mix. You are a pretty standard DO applicant, stats-wise. That's what I wish I had done the first time around. I'd be getting ready for step 1 right now.

🙄 If things had gone differently in my life, I'd be a few months from graduating residency. Instead of getting ready for Step I right now.

 

[Blade28]

Have you been taking post-bac classes to improve your GPA?

🙄 If things had gone differently in my life, I'd be a few months from graduating residency. Instead of getting ready for Step I right now.

If things had gone differently for me I'd...still be in residency.

🙁

 

[EWAustin]

No, I am currently employed full-time working in Cardiology. I haven't taken any courses since I graduated in May, 2007. I have thought about attending additional courses to help raise my GPA, however my GPA flaws all come from failed remedial courses greater ten years ago. If you look at my GPA trend, and transcripts, I believe you can see I have the academic capacity to maintain. I have remained on either the deans list or presidents list for the final three and a half years of my undergraduate and I have taken basically all of the difficult upper division courses offered at my institution.

 

[sunny1]

No, I am currently employed full-time working in Cardiology. I haven't taken any courses since I graduated in May, 2007. I have thought about attending additional courses to help raise my GPA, however my GPA flaws all come from failed remedial courses greater ten years ago. If you look at my GPA trend, and transcripts, I believe you can see I have the academic capacity to maintain. I have remained on either the deans list or presidents list for the final three and a half years of my undergraduate and I have taken basically all of the difficult upper division courses offered at my institution.

Why no DO schools? I think it's the obvious choice for you at this point. None of us are getting any younger. You've wanted to be a physician your entire life. Pursue your best options at this point to get you there, namely apply to DO schools this cycle.

 

[EWAustin]

If I have to apply again I am going to apply as early and broadly as entirely possible, DO schools included. Anyone have any suggestions about which osteopathic schools are the best choice for someone wanting to pursue a fellowship or competitive residency (Cardiology, Ortho).

Also for what it's worth I just heard that I am on SLU's alternate list. Anyone know exactly how to go about getting off it?

 

[a817]

nycom, pcom, umdnj, dmu, ccom have nice match lists, but it depends on you more. There plenty of schools, i would go through the osteo forums and look at different match lists and see which city you would like to live in. You can ortho as a DO if you do well in school. There are quite a few AOA ortho residencies.

I would apply to 5 to 7 DO school depending on if you apply to OOS unfriendly DO schools. I would also apply to a ton of allo schools. See what happens. The DO application is up.