Is this the best route?

[Luludarling]

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Hi everyone!

I have a choice to make that maybe you all could help me with.
Last year, I applied to MD schools and did not get accepted. I applied late in the cycle (September) with stats of:

undegrad GPA: 3.527
MCAT: 32
solid extracurricular/volunteer/research experience.

I applied to: Downstate, Stonybrook, NY Medical College, Mount Sinai medical school, Upstate, and a few others.

This year I applied to the Biomedical Masters program at Mount Sinai and was accepted. The deal with Mount Sinai is that if you graduate this program with a 3.6 and a 34 MCAT, you are guaranteed an interview with Mount Sinai medical school.

Should I go ahead and do this route? Or should I reapply this year earlier in the cycle?

Any advice is appreciated!

 

[iceman55]

Dude, I would reapply ASAP this cycle. They are only offering you an interview and you have to score a 34, and your wasting a year. Your stats are fine, you should get into one of the SUNYs if you apply early.

How many interviews did you get last cycle?

 

[Ismet]

If your application is ready to apply this year, then apply early (June - July) this cycle. What the above poster said is right...they're not offering you an acceptance, just an interview, which you can most likely get on your own without retaking the MCAT and wasting another year.

What is your sGPA?

 

[Geebeejay]

You need to post more information....what's your CV look like? Did you get any interviews?

I think this grad program is a waste of time if you don't plan on using the graduate degree. I think you should reapply EARLY (like now) and you'll be okay.

But if there are major holes in your CV than it might help to complete this program or work on getting some more clinical or research exposure before applying.

 

[Luludarling]

So I didn't get any interviews last year. Like I said, I did apply really late, September for primary and by the time I submitted secondaries it was mid November.

Here are more details:

cumulative GPA: 3.527
science GPA:3.3/3.4
MCAT 32S

Graduated with Honors from undergraduate

Preventable Admission Care Team,Mount Sinai Hospital
Volunteered with patient support and social work for 1.5 years

Neuroscience and Neurobiology department, Mount Sinai Hospital
Volunteered with patients for 1 year

Taught as an adjunct biology professor for two semesters at my alma mater

Undergraduate research assistant at two different colleges, including my alma mater as well as on a partnership with the Museum of Natural History in NY

topics included: diabetes grant proposal for NYC food dessert/stratification study
bioluminescence of dinoflagellates
soil analysis and quality differences correlating to economic inequalities in NYC
effectiveness of blue vs green roofs in Mayor Bloomberg's Green NYC 2012 initiative

total of 1 year of research experience

Coordinate complimentary community yoga therapy for cancer survivors and their families in my time working for lululemon athletica
1 year

Marine Biology study abroad (one semester) in Costa Rica

Philanthropy, Cultural, and Social chairs for my sorority

I don't know if I didn't get interviewed/accepted because I applied so late or because I did get a C+ in Orgo II and one failed precalculus class freshman year, which I retook, with a substantially better resulting grade.

Again, any advice is incredible helpful!

 

[Ismet]

So I didn't get any interviews last year. Like I said, I did apply really late, September for primary and by the time I submitted secondaries it was mid November.

Here are more details:

cumulative GPA: 3.527
science GPA:3.3/3.4
MCAT 32S

That's what I suspected. Your sGPA is quite low and combined with an extremely late app that did you in. I am not familiar with NY schools and it's been 2 years since I've seen an MSAR so I don't know the stat ranges for those schools, but I'd venture to say you're around the average on MCAT and below average for GPA. Does this program at Mt. Sinai help beef up your sGPA? If so, it *might* be worth it, but then you'd have to retake the MCAT and the point still stands that all you get is an interview.

Hopefully someone more familiar with NY schools can help you figure out your chances, but the sGPA is the problem.

 

[Geebeejay]

I don't know if I didn't get interviewed/accepted because I applied so late or because I did get a C+ in Orgo II and one failed precalculus class freshman year, which I retook, with a substantially better resulting grade.

Combination of these probably screwed you. I don't see any obvious holes in your app. Apply early this cycle and I think you'll have better results, but your sGPA may be the red flag.

 

[Long Way to Go]

So I didn't get any interviews last year. Like I said, I did apply really late, September for primary and by the time I submitted secondaries it was mid November.

Here are more details:

cumulative GPA: 3.527
science GPA:3.3/3.4
MCAT 32S

Graduated with Honors from undergraduate

Preventable Admission Care Team,Mount Sinai Hospital
Volunteered with patient support and social work for 1.5 years

Neuroscience and Neurobiology department, Mount Sinai Hospital
Volunteered with patients for 1 year

Taught as an adjunct biology professor for two semesters at my alma mater

Undergraduate research assistant at two different colleges, including my alma mater as well as on a partnership with the Museum of Natural History in NY

topics included: diabetes grant proposal for NYC food dessert/stratification study
bioluminescence of dinoflagellates
soil analysis and quality differences correlating to economic inequalities in NYC
effectiveness of blue vs green roofs in Mayor Bloomberg's Green NYC 2012 initiative

total of 1 year of research experience

Coordinate complimentary community yoga therapy for cancer survivors and their families in my time working for lululemon athletica
1 year

Marine Biology study abroad (one semester) in Costa Rica

Philanthropy, Cultural, and Social chairs for my sorority

I don't know if I didn't get interviewed/accepted because I applied so late or because I did get a C+ in Orgo II and one failed precalculus class freshman year, which I retook, with a substantially better resulting grade.

Again, any advice is incredible helpful!

Was your school accredited? Because I don't understand how any school would be willing to let you teach introductory biology without an advanced degree.

 

[Luludarling]

Was your school accredited? Because I don't understand how any school would be willing to let you teach introductory biology without an advanced degree.

Yepp definitely accredited. I taught the lab sessions. So what's your advice on the topic I posted about whether or not to take the masters route?

 

[armybound]

You applied late and probably not broad enough. Your numbers and activities should get you plenty of interest.

 

[Long Way to Go]

Yepp definitely accredited. I taught the lab sessions. So what's your advice on the topic I posted about whether or not to take the masters route?

OK, don't try to oversell yourself in your application. You were a lab TA; that's very different from adjunct-teaching a course.

It's your choice, but I would buckle down, do something serious and real-worldy this year, and reapply without going the Masters route. Include some DO programs as well.

 

[Luludarling]

OK, don't try to oversell yourself in your application. You were a lab TA; that's very different from adjunct-teaching a course.

It's your choice, but I would buckle down, do something serious and real-worldy this year, and reapply without going the Masters route. Include some DO programs as well.

Thanks for all of your advice everyone!