I am trying to improve app for next year. Feedback?

[brotherbloat]

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Hi there,

I am currently applying for fall '05 but things look grim. So I'm just psyching myself up to reapply for fall '06, or, if things go well, start in the fall of '05.

Anyhow, let me briefly tell you my stats and what I have been doing since September to improve my app, and which will continue throughout the summer, or, if I have to reapply, through next year until fall '06.

Stats: August MCAT, 25Q. Overall GPA: 3.45 (English major). Post-bacc GPA: 3.7. Grad school GPA (art history): 3.0. Note: my post-bacc work included all the pre-med requiremtns I took for the first time, as well as anatomy and physio.

I am also 27 and married. Past career as artist.

Volunteering: low-income clinic--one semester, shadowed doctor, one semester, clinical research, one year.

So since the August MCAT, (starting Sept., here's what I've done to improve my app for '06):

1. Full-time job (40 hours per week) in hospital as clinical research assistant in surgery dept. My job is to interview patients prior to and after surgery, take vitals, and take data in the OR. Amount of time dealing with patients directly is 75% of my job. If I don't get in for this fall I will have 2 years of full-time hospital experience by the time I start med school.

2. Took anatomy and physio at night in fall semester--got A.

3. Preparing to re-take April MCAT (second try).

4. Volunteer on weekends tutoring inner city women in math and science.

5. This summer, will plan on taking either cell bio or orgo 2. Since I have to work full-time I can't take more than one class at a time, and this (spring) semester I didn't want to take anything so I can concentrate on the MCAT.

I know my MCAT is low, and I did study this past summer, but I was taking orgo I at the same time and getting married, so I had a lot on my plate. I think I can improve this time around.

Any suggestions for me? My job at the hosptial has shown me that medicine is definitely for me, and has helped more than any of my volunteer jobs.

Do you think I'm on the right track? Or will adcoms be very under-whelmed by my efforts?

Thanks so much,

BB

 

[kmnfive]

Hi there,

I am currently applying for fall '05 but things look grim. So I'm just psyching myself up to reapply for fall '06, or, if things go well, start in the fall of '05.

Anyhow, let me briefly tell you my stats and what I have been doing since September to improve my app, and which will continue throughout the summer, or, if I have to reapply, through next year until fall '06.

Stats: August MCAT, 25Q. Overall GPA: 3.45 (English major). Post-bacc GPA: 3.7. Grad school GPA (art history): 3.0. Note: my post-bacc work included all the pre-med requiremtns I took for the first time, as well as anatomy and physio.

I am also 27 and married. Past career as artist.

Volunteering: low-income clinic--one semester, shadowed doctor, one semester, clinical research, one year.

So since the August MCAT, (starting Sept., here's what I've done to improve my app for '06):

1. Full-time job (40 hours per week) in hospital as clinical research assistant in surgery dept. My job is to interview patients prior to and after surgery, take vitals, and take data in the OR. Amount of time dealing with patients directly is 75% of my job. If I don't get in for this fall I will have 2 years of full-time hospital experience by the time I start med school.

2. Took anatomy and physio at night in fall semester--got A.

3. Preparing to re-take April MCAT (second try).

4. Volunteer on weekends tutoring inner city women in math and science.

5. This summer, will plan on taking either cell bio or orgo 2. Since I have to work full-time I can't take more than one class at a time, and this (spring) semester I didn't want to take anything so I can concentrate on the MCAT.

I know my MCAT is low, and I did study this past summer, but I was taking orgo I at the same time and getting married, so I had a lot on my plate. I think I can improve this time around.

Any suggestions for me? My job at the hosptial has shown me that medicine is definitely for me, and has helped more than any of my volunteer jobs.

Do you think I'm on the right track? Or will adcoms be very under-whelmed by my efforts?

Thanks so much,

BB

i think if you got a little higher on the mcat you'd be fine. concentrate on where you fell short on certain sections. you'll get in this year

 

[Khenon]

It sounds like you're doing everything possible to improve your application for next year. Definitely study hard for the MCAT and take it in April, so you can apply early. Also, make sure you've got some solid LOR's . . . with all your experience this shouldn't be a problem. Don't bog yourself down with a ton of EC's and volunteering. I'm not saying to quit everything, but you want a balance, and you don't want to burn out. I'm 30, work full time, and am a mother, so I can't commit a ton of time to shadowing or volunteering. But I do try to get a couple of hours in a week to "stay in the game." You clearly have alot of patient contact, so you won't have alot to prove there. Good luck!

 

[ntmed]

1. Apply to medical on the first day possible, which is June 1st. Most schools select the people they will interview by early Sept, and leave only a few spots open for stellar applicants. Because you took the August MCAT this past year, you effectively eliminated yourself from consideration at many schools.

2. Taking additional classes is fine. But you've already demonstrated you can do well in post-bacc courses. You might want to start work on a master's degree in biology or a related field. You can start it now. If you get accepted in 2006, you can stop it. If you don't get in, then complete the master's degree and apply again.

 

[Ypo.]

Retake the MCAT in April of this year, then get your application in on June 1st-this really makes a huge difference. Also, ask the people who will be writing your letters of rec to compose a draft in June. That way, by the time you start getting secondaries, you will be able to send those letters out right away.

Your post-bac GPA that included your med prereqs is good. The main thing holding your application back is your MCAT.

I don't know how they will view the 3.0 you got in your grad school art program...

 

[megswinter82]

I am also preparing for the rejections during this cycle and am trying to improve my app for next cycle. For those of you who are volunteering in ER's or during clincal research in hospitals...how did you get involved in those activities? Did you just call the hospitals and ask? Or did you know people? I am from Ohio, so any info you could give me would be great!

 

[Dazed]

Volunteering at the hospital is great, but DON'T let that in any way get in the way of getting top grades & MCAT scores. Regardless of what anyone will tell you, numbers do speak louder than words & you need (with notable exceptions) good numbers to get you past the initial cut.

Dazed, MS4

 

[phdmed07]

To start volunteering in the hospital all you need to do is just go online and and look for a list of the residents in the ER. Email one and say you are applying to medical school and interested in doing some shadowing. There is not a doc in the world who wont let a premed shadow. After you shadow for a while and get to know the physician, GET A RECOMMENDATION from the doctor also. Best of luck

ECU MED 07

 

[2tall]

bloat...you've definitely covered all your bases.

The upper level bio courses are great. Schools want to know you're adequately prepared. They're more flexible than a Master's (IMO). If you're taking summer classes...I'd choose Cell Bio over Orgo 2. Cell Bio's more relative for med school. Orgo 2 would be good prep for the MCAT, but you'd have already taken it.

Apply early and refine your PS...research your schools...there are schools that'll love the fact that you're an artist.

What "style" of art...if you don't mind my asking?

 

[dr.z]

Only thing that needs a boost is your MCAT, and I'm sure you will be well prepared. You are on the right track. Apply early and broad range of schools including some DO schools as well. Good luck!

 

[uclabruin2003]

work on your personal statement....some schools really use it as a deciding factor. good luck.

 

[medtraveler]

Just a few thoughts...I would agree that bumping up your MCAT a few points would definitely set you up and as far as the personal statement, this one component of the application process is crucial and can't be underestimated. Also, last winter I traveled to Guatamala and worked at a satellite clinic for a couple months and at all five interviews I had, this one detail was brought up again and again. It was strange, I had two stem cell publications that I worked on for years and this wasn't even mentioned but that short experience in Guatamala really seemed to intrigue and cultivate their interest in me. Good luck.

 

[DAL]

1) retake the MCAT

2) talk to admissions directors at schools you're interested in that reject you this year and get advice on what to improve. It'll help you get your name in there so they remember you for next year and that you're trying your best to improve.

3) take more classes ONLY if you have time and can make A's.

 

[Eme-RG-ency]

bloat...

I agree with everything above.

1) Retake MCAT (with intent to improve weak areas... some schools will take the best section from each MCAT taken and count that as your total MCAT score)... talk to the admission office (at the C of M that you are interested) to see what their policy is on MCAT scores.

2) Call the Admissions office at a couple different schools, see if you can sit down with one of their admission councelors and ask them how "they" think you could improve your application. In the end, only what "they" say matters, NOT us. This will also help to get someone in the office on your side. Someone you can continually contact and update.

3) Apply EARLY!!! Don't cut yourself any slack on this. First possible date, your app has to be in the mail.

4) If you have recieved any interviews at any schools this year, write a letter to those schools, thanking them... tell them that it was "encouraging to make it so far in the process and you are excited to send out next years application." A little BS goes a long way. Everyone likes to say, "I dont want to kiss anyones a$$," But the bottom line is, you dont write the letter, you dont make the phone calls, and someone else does... they get in and you sit home. I little extra effort in making contacts and selling yourself goes a long way. Especially writing letters. Those will end up in your file for next year and can make a huge impact. Kind of reminds me of the interview question... What would you do if you dont become a doctor? There is only one right answer to that question. The right answer is: "I wouldnt do anything else, being a physician is the only profession that matters to me and I am going to keep working until I make it." Its the right answer because, you dont give it and someone else does... (all else being equal), the other person gets in and you stay home. If you say nurse or continue to work in a hospital... that sounds nice and all, but think of the difference from an interviewers perspective! Dont be afraid to suck up your pride, write letters, make phone calls, do what you have to do.

Good luck to you and keep us posted.

 

[Eme-RG-ency]

I am also preparing for the rejections during this cycle and am trying to improve my app for next cycle. For those of you who are volunteering in ER's or during clincal research in hospitals...how did you get involved in those activities? Did you just call the hospitals and ask? Or did you know people? I am from Ohio, so any info you could give me would be great!

Emailing a resident is a great idea as PhDmed said above. That would probably be much better than calling the volunteer dept of the hospital. You will get stuck in a lot red tape. In fact, I wish I would have thought about that years ago.

If you want to work in a hospital or anywhere for that matter... here is a tip. I am from Columbus, OH and worked as a tech at Riverside ER before medical school. I sent an application to the HR dept at Riverside, made a couple phone calls and left messages... and never got a call back. Three months later, I showed up in human resourses and asked to speak to the person that hires nurses and techs. (I had a 4 year degree and been a tech for a year and a half at another ER in SC). I told the guy, "Listen, I just want a job here, if you need someone to sweep floors and take out the garbage, I'll do it." I think that got his attention and he brought out a whole list of jobs that I qualified for and said, "OK, what do you want to do?"

You may want to try that approach... as long as you are willing to sweep floors. I was at the point that I would have done it. BTW, once I got to that point, doors really began to open up for me as far as medical school goes. (It took me 3 years to get into medical school). I didnt do anything drastic, but by the 3rd year, I was tired of sitting back and letting someone else decide my fate. I became very proactive, writing letters, making phone calls. I just made it clear to people that I wasnt going away. There is no getting around me or away from me, you had to deal with me. I could have saved myself a lot of time and money by doing that in the first place. Now a third year medical student, I am much more appreciative than those that breezed right through and I do great in school. I dont do a lot of complaining... I feel very fortunate to be where I am. I have great compassion for patients, I work extremely hard, and I know I am going to be an excellent doctor. Stay encouraged... its a tough road no doubt (1st 2 years of medical school are a bear), but I would definately do it again.

 

[cammy1313]

Your profile sounds amazing to me. I think the mediocre numbers are probably the barrier standing between you and an admission. I'm saying this because it's been my problem through this whole process. Even after a retake my MCAT store is still mediocre. But, one thing that I did to prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that I could hack it in med school was a formal post-bac. I took 1st year med classes at Boston U and made all As, one B+. That is more reassurance to adcoms that you'll succeed in med school then taking a gamble on an undergrad with a decent GPA. I know these programs aren't for everyone, especially due to the pricetag (I'm still reeling from how much I owe) but I had already tried everything else, I thought. I've essentially become the poster child for this mode of application improvement because I did well and I was accepted (by BU). Just something to think about.

 

[snaklee]

If the elite rats don't accept you, think of a carribean school. This isn't a criticism of oyu, I just think that if you really want to be an MD, go for it.

Just DON"T be left without a plan b,c,d,e,f,g. Otherwise you just waste time.