how to improve my application...

[dukeduke]

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here we go again...

i am applying this cycle with a 3.2 gpa, 3.2 science, 36q mcat...i thought the mcat might salvage the meteocre grades...but i still have no interviews...a couple preinterview holds and a couple rejections. i have decent EC's leadership in student run sports, volunteering, lab and clinical research but no publications, physical therapy aide work...currently working with developmentally disabled pre-schoolers...CP, spina bifida, hydrocephalus, downs snydrome, etc.

im afraid my LORs were too generic and didnt help my application...any advice on how to improve them should i apply again?

also, if i dont get in i think i should take some classes and boost my gpa...has anyone taken health policy classes for this cause? i am a bio major and did fairly well in upper level bio classes mostly A's and a few B's but my prereqs werent as solid...two C's in orgo. should i take orgo over? 😱

i know this is jumping the gun cause interviews are still being given out, but just a thought being so late in the season..

thanks

 

[dukeduke]

also, august mcat...so my app was complete late..

thanks again for any advice

 

[eulogia228]

Personally, I think your stats are just fine. Because this is SDN, you'll have anal-retentive pricks come on here and say, "A 3.2? What kind of GPA is that? Pack your bags, you're heading to the Caribbean! Don't forget your beachball!" But don't feel discouraged by the anal-retentive, queeny gunners. I think your stats are solid. However, you stated that you had "generic" letters of recommendation. I know that the "intangibles" are a very important aspect of the admissions process so you might want to develop a better rapport with professors to garner stronger letters. In addition, how did you feel about your essays? Also, I'm curious where you applied (both this cycle and in the last cycle). The GPA will definitely be a count against you at the top 10 schools but I don't see why you wouldn't be able to get into mid-tier schools or your state school with your current stats. At the very least, I think you should be getting interviews. A 36 is a really damn good score. Before tons of other SDNers barge in and scream, "It's not all about MCAT scores you poo-poo head!"...I'll just qualify my comment by saying that your MCAT should really boost the overall "package" that you present to the adcoms.

 

[DrDarwin]

Because this is SDN, you'll have anal-retentive pricks come on here and say, "A 3.2? What kind of GPA is that? Pack your bags, you're heading to the Caribbean! Don't forget your beachball!"

So true. This might be the funniest thing I have ever read on SDN. Well put, eulogia!

To the OP (for what it's worth): I agree that your MCAT is great, but your GPA will probably present some problems at certain schools. I have seen profiles of numerous applicants with fantastic MCAT scores and mediocre GPAs who were rejected at top schools. I think mid- to mid/upper-tier schools will look at you very closely, but your GPA may preclude from matriculating at a top 10 school. If you are totally fixated on attending a top school, I would suggest that you take a year off, enroll in some post-bac type courses, and acquire some cool life experiences. You will then improve your GPA, dintinguish your application, and gain a broader perspective that will benefit you both in the admissions process and in life in general.

 

[dukeduke]

the schools i have applied to are not top tier...but still no love, not even in state...

im from NY so upstate, downstate, stony brook, albany, nymc, gw, vcu, wake forest, penn state, uconn. already rejected from upstate and downstate, 2nd interview pool at wake, "may not interview everyone at your priority score" at vcu, otherwise no news...

i graduated in 2004..so this is my year off..i am working with developmentally disabled children and coaching competitive volleyball...and just relaxing for once 🙂

about the essays...i thought they were pretty solid. my ps just made the point that college was a growing experience - even though at the beginning my grades werent great they improved, also had a lot more research and clinical experience toward the end. also emphasized the fact that i like teaching/learning and am well rounded. in a nutshell - personal growth and a wealth of experience - specifically in ortho.

i the only secondary essays that may have been a little weaker were those about health care policy - i have a general understanding of the issues but wasnt able to go into as much detail as i should have.

 

[KosmoKramer]

Hey dukeduke, I had the same profile, basically. However, at least one of my LORs was pretty awesome from a decent name in biochem. I went to a top tier school, so my "low" gpa was actually decent considering the school. If you went to a big school, this may not be what's holding you back. However, if its your LORs or maybe your not so big name school, then I suggest a few things:
When I was freaking out because I had no interviews near the end of January, I started to look into alternatives for the year. If you're up for travel, I suggest some english teaching programs in the far east. You can get decent pay, see the world, live a lot, and maybe learn a new language. This was the option I set up for myself.
Otherwise, get a job in the states and do something for a year. Depending on your degree, there many jobs available that will expand your life experience and give you a spring board to med school. If you are not doing something health/social justice oriented, I suggest you do some projects or volunteer work in your year off.
Another alternative I looked into and got was to work for a test prep company. You can pick up a lot of different classes with an awesome MCAT, since you've broken the code of standardized tests.
Finally, you can always get some work at a lab doing research, although that was not my thing.
Oh, if your LORs are mediocre, work on getting a better relationship with your profs. Email them and set up a meeting to discuss whatever subject it is. Let them know you are taking a year to prepare for medical school, and would like to brush up on their particular subject. Make weekly/bi monthly meetings with them, and ask lots of questions, learn a lot, and most importantly, make sure they learn a lot about you. This is what I did, even though I didn't really know the profs when I actually took the classes, and it worked very well.
One last thing, keep your eye out for jobs, but also don't give up yet. I got my first interview at the very end of Jan, and my last in mid April. I got into all of the schools at which I interviewed, and got into a ranked school that happened to be one of my top choices. Good luck. Take care.

KosmoKramer

 

[virilep]

hey, the way most adcoms work is that they have GPA vague cut offs. like i met with the admissions director at vandy and he said the last person they accepted with below a 3.5 was a vietnam vet. so that kinda tells u how slim my chances were... 0%. it saved me the app fee 🙂. but i would think about doin a post bacc program or an MPH. that would be great. there are always way to pull up ur GPA. also, something they don't really publicize are programs that help u get into med school. like pre-med school admissions programs. i think drexel has one. look into it!. gluck

 

[dukeduke]

thanks

im a little out of luck with getting close to professors..since im already out of school. but should i have to take more classes i will make a point of it...

 

[lmnop]

if you do apply again, I'd add some schools too like EVMS and Drexel and MCO, perhaps creighton. Sounds like you've jumped through approx the right hoops. If I were you, I might try to get a few people to read my essay and secondaries and see if they thought I was highlighting my strengths adequately before I went off and did a postbac (expensive) or any other sort of big life change. I also have read about people on this site calling schools they had been rejected from and asking for advice for next year. I would definitely do that!

 

[efex101]

It was probably a combination of factors that "may" have played a part in your success. Next year apply EARLY for sure and try to get excellent LOR's not just okay ones. Remember that to be able to separate students adcoms have to use some sort of differentiating tool such as the LOR's. They *are* important , good luck.