Improved MCAT....chances? schools?

[fatty19]

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Hello all,

So I've been trying to finalize my application and my list of schools. I applied super late (late october) in the cycle last time around and didn't get any interviews 🙁 (only applied to 7 schools). Since then I've bumped my MCAT from 29M--->35P. My cGPA is 3.50 and sGPA is 3.48. My main EC was D1 athletics but I have some of the basic stuff too. My MDapps has the full story. How does my school list look? Do I have a shot this time? I know some of them are a stretch but my parents offered to help with $$. Thanks!!

 

[CyclistOK]

Athletics on a competitive level are fantastic extracurriculars, and will help you with regard to interviews. The GPA is the only worrisome thing, but once you get interviews, and with that 35 you're likely to get a few from the list on your MDapps, you should do fine.

 

[Mobius1985]

Congratulations on the amazing improvement on your MCAT score. Despite the slightly low GPA, I definitely think you have a shot this time around. Of course, I presume you'll apply early. With only four months of research on the application, you might consider rethinking the inclusion of the research powerhouses on your list.

 

[sarahl86]

Congratulations on the amazing improvement on your MCAT score. Despite the slightly low GPA, I definitely think you have a shot this time around. Of course, I presume you'll apply early. With only four months of research on the application, you might consider rethinking the inclusion of the research powerhouses on your list.

👍 What this guy said.

Great improvement on your MCAT!! I'd suggest tripling the number of schools you applied to: as a reapplicant you already know you don't want to do this to yourself a third time. Get everything in early!

 

[Stratego]

I'd agree that your list is too top heavy for the amount of research experience you plan. Having a couple of dream schools on the list is fine, but you should emphasize more realistic picks for the majority of your list.

 

[fatty19]

I'd agree that your list is too top heavy for the amount of research experience you plan. Having a couple of dream schools on the list is fine, but you should emphasize more realistic picks for the majority of your list.

Thanks for the input guys. I definitely don't want to go through this again. I am getting my application ready now so I can submit on or near June 1st. Any suggestions for schools to add or get rid of? I really enjoyed the research I did do but doing the athletics thing kind of killed any spare time I could have committed to research. I'm hoping one of the higher end programs might understand and be a little forgiving.

 

[medgirl85]

In my opinion your MCAT score plus ECs are solid enough that you should get in this year.
Your GPA is a little low, but you have a lot of clinical time/shadowing/volunteer work, and that can make a lot of programs more lenient.

Your biggest challenge I think will be the fact that you are a reapplicant, so be ready to answer questions about "what changed", "why should we take you this time," etc.

With 22 schools on your list already, I don't know about adding even more. The best bet is refining your list to have a few reaches, more that you are very competitive for, and a couple of fallbacks.

Good luck!

 

[fatty19]

In my opinion your MCAT score plus ECs are solid enough that you should get in this year.
Your GPA is a little low, but you have a lot of clinical time/shadowing/volunteer work, and that can make a lot of programs more lenient.

Your biggest challenge I think will be the fact that you are a reapplicant, so be ready to answer questions about "what changed", "why should we take you this time," etc.

With 22 schools on your list already, I don't know about adding even more. The best bet is refining your list to have a few reaches, more that you are very competitive for, and a couple of fallbacks.

Good luck!

Is there such a thing? I only have one state school and I'm well above average there but I feel that most schools that take more than 20% OOS get thousands and thousands of applicants 😱, but I think I will lose a couple of the reach schools.

 

[canjosh]

I think you've got a good shot at U of U! Your EC's are good, and your MCAT improvement is stellar...congrats. I think the late and narrow application is what killed you last year, not necessarily your stats. Now your stats are better, and you're presumably going to get that app in early this go around! Good luck, I'm sure you'll have a much better cycle this time!

 

[JJMrK]

Nice application. I think you're solid.