So here's my story. I applied this cycle, received 4 interviews resulting in one deferred, one waitlist, one rejection, and one decision pending. It's coming down to the wire and at this late in the cycle, I'm not too hopeful I will get in somewhere and have come to accept I would have to reapply after much dread and reluctance. I don't think I'm ready to reapply this upcoming cycle and will wait until 2015. I graduated last year and there's nothing I can really change about my stats - 3.7 cgpa with a slightly lower sgpa (~3.65), 33 MCAT balanced. My problem is that I had an upward trend from sophomore year onwards and it toppled during the last semester of senior year (made a B- in one of my classes). I submitted my app late July and was completed at all schools mid-Sept to early Oct. I only applied to schools along the Northeast and my list consisted largely of mid to low tiers. I know I possibly made the mistake of not broadening my school list and an earlier app could have helped. I'm a NY resident. I'm mostly torn about what else I can do to improve. I know my extracurriculars were weak/ cookie cutter from the start and below is a breakdown of what I applied with:
Tutoring elementary students, working with the disadvantaged for a year ~ 350 hrs
Basic lab research for two years - a semester in one lab, switched to a new lab mid-semester and spent one summer and 1.5 academic yrs there, no publication ~800 hrs
Hospital volunteering - summer in the ED ~ 200 hrs and throughout one school yr ~ 75 hrs
Shadowing ~50 hrs over the summer, two doctors
Library assistant ~ 300 hrs one academic yr
During the gap year, I've been trying to get more clinical /research experience. Most of the activities I began last fall.
Tutoring elementary students in math ~ 5 hr/week
Part-time employment in a doctor's office ~ 15 hrs/wk, patient interaction / shadowing
Hospital volunteer ~ companion to patients ~6 hrs/wk
Research ~ 20 hrs/wk, currently working with a grad stud and will start on an independent project
I know I have no non-clincial volunteer position and I'm in the midst of looking for one of interest to me. I have yet to call the admissions office to get feedback and will definitely do that. I'm really hoping to get advice on what I can do to strengthen my app and ensure that I've covered all bases for a reapplication. I don't think my letters were as strong as they could be. The only real control I feel I have right now is my ECs. I understand there's a certain stigma in being a reapp and I am not sure how I can demonstrate that I've significantly improved my app by the time I reapply. Should I retake the MCAT or just work on strengthening my extracurricular activities? Am I missing anything? I appreciate any help and advice! Thank you for reading!
Tutoring elementary students, working with the disadvantaged for a year ~ 350 hrs
Basic lab research for two years - a semester in one lab, switched to a new lab mid-semester and spent one summer and 1.5 academic yrs there, no publication ~800 hrs
Hospital volunteering - summer in the ED ~ 200 hrs and throughout one school yr ~ 75 hrs
Shadowing ~50 hrs over the summer, two doctors
Library assistant ~ 300 hrs one academic yr
During the gap year, I've been trying to get more clinical /research experience. Most of the activities I began last fall.
Tutoring elementary students in math ~ 5 hr/week
Part-time employment in a doctor's office ~ 15 hrs/wk, patient interaction / shadowing
Hospital volunteer ~ companion to patients ~6 hrs/wk
Research ~ 20 hrs/wk, currently working with a grad stud and will start on an independent project
I know I have no non-clincial volunteer position and I'm in the midst of looking for one of interest to me. I have yet to call the admissions office to get feedback and will definitely do that. I'm really hoping to get advice on what I can do to strengthen my app and ensure that I've covered all bases for a reapplication. I don't think my letters were as strong as they could be. The only real control I feel I have right now is my ECs. I understand there's a certain stigma in being a reapp and I am not sure how I can demonstrate that I've significantly improved my app by the time I reapply. Should I retake the MCAT or just work on strengthening my extracurricular activities? Am I missing anything? I appreciate any help and advice! Thank you for reading!