I am not giving up!!!

[bty564]

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Hi everyone,
I have come to the realization that I need to reapply for med schools next year. I think the biggest problem for my applications this year was that I applied too late (I turned in my 2ndaries in late Nov and early Dec). Please look at my stats and comment on my credentials, I would love to hear about ways that I can improve. (The ones in red are the things that I am doing to improve my application) Thank you!!

cGPA 3.95
sGPA 3.94
MCAT 29 (ughhhh...I am so ashamed of this score, and I know this is going to be the weakest part of my application. But to be honest, I am SCARED of the MCAT, and I know for a fact that if I retake it I'll do even worse)
EC: Shadowed 2 family docs, 1 ob/gyn, and hopefully one more doc from another field=35 hours in total
Volunteer at local hospital=~60 Hours
Volunteer at cancer clinic=~100 Hours
Volunteer at local hospice=~40 hours
Volunteer at local elementary school=2 winters
Research on Rock Mountain Spotted Fever causing bacterial
species=~1.5 yrs
Research on insecticide resistance=0.5 yr
Sorority (Service and Social Chairs)=3 yrs
Diversity Leadership Restreat
OSU Scholar's Programs=4 yrs
Summer Enrichment Program for Premed Students (I'll find out if I am
accepted or not within this week)
Many job experiences (started working since I was 15)

 

[dragonfly99]

Hmmm...yes...MCAT seems to be the main weak area in your application right now. Can you tell us the subsection scores?

Also, like you were planning to do, I recommend you continue with the clinical volunteering. Is there a physician (or if not possible, a head nurse, etc.) at the cancer clinic who could write you a LOR in a few months? I think it really helps the adcoms to know/believe the magnitude of your volunteer experience, and how many hours you spent there, etc.

You know yourself, and if you are pretty confident you wouldn't increase your score if you retook it, maybe better to stay away from the MCAT. Are you generally not a great standardized test taker?

I do think it sounds like you applied really late, so fix that and that might be enough.

Who wrote your LOR's. Are they from science professors and physicians? Is there a premed office @your university that can help you with your application?

I would say just apply broadly next year and you should have a shot, unless there is one section of your MCAT that is horrible or something. Part of this also depends on your state of residence...if you are in one with only 1 state med school, sometimes that makes it hard, particularly if they have a certain profile of student that they want, that you don't fit into.

 

[bty564]

My subscores are BS 10 PS 10 VR 09
My recommendations are from my science professors and one from my advisor. I just graduated from college so I might still be able to ask my advisor about my application since we know each other very well, but as far as a premed committee, my college doesn't have one. I am pretty sure I can get a recommedation from my supervisor from the cancer clinic since I am volunteering there alot.

Can you explain what you meant by apply broadly? The schools that I will apply to mostly have MCAT scores between 30 to 31, do you think that's OK?

Btw I am from Ohio, I am actually being waitlisted by Cincinnati, but I am not putting much hope on that...

thanks!!

 

[GonnaHappen]

EARLY. Dont make the same mistake twice. Start getting everything in order for this coming cycle so you can submit your apps as soon as possible. Your grades/EC are good and I dont think your MCAT score will hold you back too much. Just apply early.

 

[dragonfly99]

OK, so that is a balanced MCAT score. Not too low in one section.

I think if you apply early this year then you'll have a decent shot. For me, my MCAT score was one of the better things about my app. so it's hard for me to judge how things go for someone with lower range MCAT score. You say you don't want to retake it right now, and I think that's reasonable.

Yes, talk with your advisor. Make sure you are selling yourself in the best way possible.

I agree with getting a LOR from the place you are volunteering. Can wait a couple months, if you want. Would give the person writing it a copy of your personal statement and a CV or resume. Explain to them you got wait listed last year, applied late, are really pulling out all the stops to get in this year, etc.

I mean apply to a lot of schools. I'd apply to at least 15-30. 20-30 would be better...you want to make sure you get in. Apply to every med school in your state, including private schools and state supported ones. Try other Midwestern schools...St Louis U and Rosalind Franklin, any other nearby private schools that take out of state people. Check and see if Creighton and U of Vermont take out of state folks, etc.

If you are on a wait list now, try everything to get off of it. Can you get one of your LOR writers to call and put in good word for you, or perhaps someone @your volunteer job?