How to spend my 2nd gap year

[redwingsfanatic]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hi,

I could really use some advice regarding my application and how to strengthen it. I applied to 25 MD schools this year and was rejected pre-interview at all U.S. Programs. I did have one interview at Sackler school at Tel Aviv University, but I'm still waiting for a decision. At this point, it looks like I need to reapply for next years cycle. I graduated last year (spring 2014) from university of Michigan with a 3.6 cum gpa, 3.35 sci gpa, 28 mcat (10 PS 9 VR 9 BS). Upward trend in gpa. I submitted most secondaries in August because I didn't receive my Mcat score until then. Majored in neuroscience and Spanish. Had plenty of extracurriculars all 4 years of college--leadership roles in clubs and fraternity, volunteering with underprivileged children, hospital volunteer, multiple research projects with 2 publications, shadowing of MDs...I've spent this gap year as a scribe at a neurovisual optometry office and I've done some tutoring on the side.

I plan to call admissions offices of schools that rejected me and see if theyll offer suggestions of what aspects of my application need improvements. Aside from that, what seems like the biggest flaw in my app? I was disappointed to see rejections pre interview from all 6 in state med schools. I'm worried about retaking the mcat bc its a new format and I haven't studied since graduation. Is it worth it to do a postbac to improve my science gpa and get me back in the mindset of school? I also plan to apply to both MD and DO programs next cycle, but I haven't done any DO shadowing yet. I've considered applying to CityYear or Americorps for next year because a program like that could interest me more than a postbbac. Please offer any suggestions of programs you would recommend or what you would do if you were in my position. Thanks!

 

[palatopharyngeus]

Hi,

I could really use some advice regarding my application and how to strengthen it. I applied to 25 MD schools this year and was rejected pre-interview at all U.S. Programs. I did have one interview at Sackler school at Tel Aviv University, but I'm still waiting for a decision. At this point, it looks like I need to reapply for next years cycle. I graduated last year (spring 2014) from university of Michigan with a 3.6 cum gpa, 3.35 sci gpa, 28 mcat (10 PS 9 VR 9 BS). Upward trend in gpa. I submitted most secondaries in August because I didn't receive my Mcat score until then. Majored in neuroscience and Spanish. Had plenty of extracurriculars all 4 years of college--leadership roles in clubs and fraternity, volunteering with underprivileged children, hospital volunteer, multiple research projects with 2 publications, shadowing of MDs...I've spent this gap year as a scribe at a neurovisual optometry office and I've done some tutoring on the side.

I plan to call admissions offices of schools that rejected me and see if theyll offer suggestions of what aspects of my application need improvements. Aside from that, what seems like the biggest flaw in my app? I was disappointed to see rejections pre interview from all 6 in state med schools. I'm worried about retaking the mcat bc its a new format and I haven't studied since graduation. Is it worth it to do a postbac to improve my science gpa and get me back in the mindset of school? I also plan to apply to both MD and DO programs next cycle, but I haven't done any DO shadowing yet. I've considered applying to CityYear or Americorps for next year because a program like that could interest me more than a postbbac. Please offer any suggestions of programs you would recommend or what you would do if you were in my position. Thanks!

damn, you got rejected from all 25 med schools without a single interview...? your numbers aren't great, but theyre also not horrible, so I have to ask: are there any red flags on your application? dui, criminal charges, bad LOR, etc.?

having said that, with a 3.6 cgpa/3.35 sgpa and a 28 mcat, I really do think DO schools are your best bet. if I were in your shoes, i would:
1. shadow a DO physician
2. take a few relevant classes to boost your science GPA (no need to waste time and money on an entire postbacc)
3. consider getting an enjoyable part-time job--in addition to above two activities--to demonstrate that youre keeping yourself sufficiently busy
4. apply to as many DO schools as you can next year

 

[redwingsfanatic]

No major red flags like convictions or anything. i worry that my LORs weren't very strong from my professors bc my school was so big and I didn't get to know them very well. I Appreciate your advice about applying and shadowing DO. For taking a few relevant classes, I can just register for them in a non-degree program? Will med schools even notice this since I wouldn't be starting fall semester classes until after I apply again? I will also apply much earlier next cycle.

 

[PlaqueBuster]

Apply DO and take the advice from above if you want to be a physician. Your numbers are at the bottom end for MD programs. That science GPA is low and MCAT is low. If you do not plan to apply DO, then think about retaking mcat (try to get 32+).

 

[palatopharyngeus]

No major red flags like convictions or anything. i worry that my LORs weren't very strong from my professors bc my school was so big and I didn't get to know them very well. I Appreciate your advice about applying and shadowing DO. For taking a few relevant classes, I can just register for them in a non-degree program? Will med schools even notice this since I wouldn't be starting fall semester classes until after I apply again? I will also apply much earlier next cycle.

does your school offer a committee letter? if they do, you should try to get that instead of individuals LORs

yes, you can just register for classes in a non-degree program at just about any university. med schools probably will not notice that youre signed up for these classes when you apply (assuming you apply in june, which you should), but you update schools throughout the admissions process with new classes/grades. plus you can mention it during interviews. some schools also allow you to make comments regarding stuff like this on their secondaries. but its not just about the gpa here...taking classes is also a way of filing up your time and showing schools that youre keeping yourself busy

having said that, you don't HAVE to take classes if you don't want to...if you apply broadly to as many DO schools as you can and interview well, you should be able to get in somewhere with your current gpa + mcat. don't forget to shadow a DO physician! I would recommend doing this ASAP, so that you can put it on you application.

 

[gapyearguppy]

Rejected pre-interview at all 25?
Yeah your numbers are on the low side but I have a feeling you didn't apply broadly enough.

 

[V5RED]

I feel bad for you, but I am not that surprised that you didn't get any interviews. Your science GPA and your MCAT are both approximately one standard deviation below average for MD matriculants based on the data punlished by the AAMC(if you are white or Asian, your BCPM and MCAT are both over one standard deviation below average and your cumGPA is half a standard deviation below average). A post bacc and MCAT retake would probably be needed for a shot at MD.

It is good that you are including DO this time since your numbers are approximately average for a DO matriculant. I would be surprised if you could not get into a DO school as long as you have no red flags and can act like a sane human in your interviews.

 

[redwingsfanatic]

ok so it sounds like an academic enhancer postbacc would serve me best. if I start applying to post bacc programs now, should i also apply to MD and DO schools this summer or hold off until next summer when i have finished the post bacc? it seems like a ton of effort and time spent on applying to various places this summer, and i just want to maximize my chances. can anyone give me advice about specific programs that seem appropriate for my situation? any additional info about linkage programs/ glide years would be helpful also bc i dont know if i fully understand the process. thanks for the tips

 

[PlaqueBuster]

I recommend you apply to DO schools and maybe low tier MD schools and focus on clinical activities (i.e. shadowing DO, job, research) during the next cycle. Your sGpa is low but not terrible for DO school. If you think you can raise your sgpa significantly (to 3.5) with a post-bacc then go ahead, but I think this will be a waste of time expecially if the lower grades are from feshman year and you mention there is upward trend.

If you really want to go MD, a post-bacc will not help as much because you cannot do grade replacement. But it may help, I am not sure. Look into SMP and do a mcat retake.

 

[redwingsfanatic]

what exactly is the difference between post bacc and SMP?

 

[PlaqueBuster]

SMP, as far asI know, are programs a medical school offers which provide those who excel a guaranteed admittance into the school's medical program. These programs are competitive and expensive