I graduated in May with a B.S. in Biology. I applied in early fall of '08 to about 13 allopathic schools and didn't get a single interview. I finished with a 3.37 cumulative and science GPA, 32M on the MCAT. I understand my GPA is below average, but I had two excellent academic years sandwiched in between poor freshman and senior years. My freshman year, I had difficulty adjusting to classes but really stepped up my game sophomore year and ended up going on a 3-semester 4.0 run. However, the summer before my senior year I had some serious personal problems which I did not deal with well, and my grades suffered because of it. I feel there were a few problems with my application last year..
1. I waited too long to apply and submit my secondaries.
2. I didn't apply to enough schools, and I realized later the list wasn't very realistic at all.
3. I lacked volunteer activities and significant research.
Since then, I did volunteer research two summers ago in an ecology lab, and this past summer I assisted with adult stem cell research in the Bioengineering department at my school. I also have some decent clinical exposure, as I worked as an Anesthesia Technician for about 4 months in a local O.R. However, I've really shot myself in the foot by waiting this long to apply. It's nearing the end of the application cycle, and a million things made me keep putting off the primary (re-writing my personal statement, submitting it to be professionally edited, getting caught up in a job search). I have been irresponsible and had a rude awakening as of late. I've just recently considered holding off to apply until the 2011 application cycle, as my application has barely improved since the last cycle (in fact, I hurt myself by my performance senior year). At this point, I don't really know what to do. A part of me wants to just submit it and rush my secondaries in, but if I get rejected again that would really hurt my case next year. I've been looking for research and am strongly considering re-taking the MCAT in the winter or spring. If you were in my situation, would you apply anyways or hold off? If I do hold off, I'm unsure as to where to proceed from there: research, post-bac, SMP, grad school, etc..? Thanks for any advice..
EDIT: On a side note, I feel that my personal statement is greatly improved this time around.
1. I waited too long to apply and submit my secondaries.
2. I didn't apply to enough schools, and I realized later the list wasn't very realistic at all.
3. I lacked volunteer activities and significant research.
Since then, I did volunteer research two summers ago in an ecology lab, and this past summer I assisted with adult stem cell research in the Bioengineering department at my school. I also have some decent clinical exposure, as I worked as an Anesthesia Technician for about 4 months in a local O.R. However, I've really shot myself in the foot by waiting this long to apply. It's nearing the end of the application cycle, and a million things made me keep putting off the primary (re-writing my personal statement, submitting it to be professionally edited, getting caught up in a job search). I have been irresponsible and had a rude awakening as of late. I've just recently considered holding off to apply until the 2011 application cycle, as my application has barely improved since the last cycle (in fact, I hurt myself by my performance senior year). At this point, I don't really know what to do. A part of me wants to just submit it and rush my secondaries in, but if I get rejected again that would really hurt my case next year. I've been looking for research and am strongly considering re-taking the MCAT in the winter or spring. If you were in my situation, would you apply anyways or hold off? If I do hold off, I'm unsure as to where to proceed from there: research, post-bac, SMP, grad school, etc..? Thanks for any advice..
EDIT: On a side note, I feel that my personal statement is greatly improved this time around.
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