Majorly in need of input - reapplicant, former smp-er

[prznpremed]

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okay, I'm going to be as brief as possible, but I would really appreciate some help because I have no idea whether to apply now (late) to some D.O. and M.D. schools or hold off till June. Here goes...

1st time applying -
graduated from UC with 3.4 science and overall
1st mcat 9b 10 10
ECs are 'ok' - lots of resesarch (no pubs), lots of community service, and a decent amount of clinical exposure (2 yrs)
Applied June of 2006 to mds --> 3 interviews, 3 waitlists

2nd time applying -
did the gtown SMP - during the year, no interviews whatsoever. applied with basically the same application with one added year of working as an RA

** PM me if you have questions about the SMP, I'd be happy to help out.

in addition, got sick at the end of the year and got C in one of my courses...not such a great move. The rest of my grades were pretty average.


3rd time (potentially??) -
Just took the MCAT, 11p 8v 12b ... no idea what happened with verbal, its usually my strong suit. Given that, do I retake it in Jan? Do I apply now, late? to some M.D. and D.O.s? Is the 8 a major red flag?? I heard its around the cutoff point these days.


Help? Thoughts? I'll take anything... I'm trying to avoid going back to my pre-med adviser after being graduated for 2 yrs 😳

 

[Carlsbad1919]

I would say wait just because, as I am sure you know, AMCAS will take another month to verify your application and many of the secondaries are due by November (some as early as late September). Also, if you really think you can improve your MCAT, you can retake it a little later and study a lot more (plus no tedious secondaries to fill out). A friend of mine got a 30 on the MCAT twice and a 37 the third time so I definitely believe that taking the MCAT three times can show a real improvement (although a lower score can be VERY bad). In regards to the SMP program, do you think it helped you or do you regret doing it? I am currently enrolled and would like some honest perspective (the only people I have really talked are those in the program or those who were in it last year and are now at Georgetown Med).

 

[BlinkUnquiet]

I would call the other schools why u were not accepted
Rare that an SMP didnt get an interview invite.
This admission process is a crapshoot. One guy i know applied as late as december and was accepted in march.
You can still apply to a limited amount of schools and see what happens.
Good luck with your application.

 

[dragonfly99]

I don't think you did that bad the first time around when you applied, probably the MCAT was neutral/slightly unhelpful and your GPA was unhelpful.

I WOULD go back to your premed advisor, even though you have graduated. He/she has the job of advising students like you, and probably likes helping them. They can give you a list of schools that have taken students from your school in the past, and give you frank advice about your chances.

What about the Georgetown SMP people? Do they want to help you? That C is going to hurt you some...but I don't think it would be insurmountable.

You need to do the full court press. Get any and all docs/MD's from Georgetown who liked you/you got an A from to see if they can help you out, if not @Georgetown them somewhere else.

I'm confused about last year? Did you not apply anywhere last year, or applied but didn't get in?

I would think that if you had a DO letter, then you would have a decent shot at DO schools...they tend to not be quite as strict about the "numbers" in some cases. I actually don't think it matters a ton which med school you go to, or whether MD or DO, unless you are set on doing dermatology or radiology or plastic surgery or something. most specialties you could still get into fine from a DO school, either at a DO residency or an allopathic/MD one, as long as you do well in school.

If you are just burned out and want to just get in to a school, then I would go for applying this year. Your GPA and the 8 on the MCAT probably will keep you out of the more competitive schools, but why not give a shot to the ones who waitlisted you before? I don't really think people get "negative brownie points" for reapplying...they probably won't even remember that you applied 2 years ago, or probably won't remember you next year if you reapply. If you don't even try you won't know if you could have gotten in this year...even if going to retake the MCAT I would go ahead and apply now, at least to a limited number of schools. Apply to your state school(s) and apply to places that place less emphasis on high GPA and MCAT.

 

[prznpremed]

I don't think you did that bad the first time around when you applied, probably the MCAT was neutral/slightly unhelpful and your GPA was unhelpful.

I WOULD go back to your premed advisor, even though you have graduated. He/she has the job of advising students like you, and probably likes helping them. They can give you a list of schools that have taken students from your school in the past, and give you frank advice about your chances.

What about the Georgetown SMP people? Do they want to help you? That C is going to hurt you some...but I don't think it would be insurmountable.

You need to do the full court press. Get any and all docs/MD's from Georgetown who liked you/you got an A from to see if they can help you out, if not @Georgetown them somewhere else.

I'm confused about last year? Did you not apply anywhere last year, or applied but didn't get in?

I would think that if you had a DO letter, then you would have a decent shot at DO schools...they tend to not be quite as strict about the "numbers" in some cases. I actually don't think it matters a ton which med school you go to, or whether MD or DO, unless you are set on doing dermatology or radiology or plastic surgery or something. most specialties you could still get into fine from a DO school, either at a DO residency or an allopathic/MD one, as long as you do well in school.

If you are just burned out and want to just get in to a school, then I would go for applying this year. Your GPA and the 8 on the MCAT probably will keep you out of the more competitive schools, but why not give a shot to the ones who waitlisted you before? I don't really think people get "negative brownie points" for reapplying...they probably won't even remember that you applied 2 years ago, or probably won't remember you next year if you reapply. If you don't even try you won't know if you could have gotten in this year...even if going to retake the MCAT I would go ahead and apply now, at least to a limited number of schools. Apply to your state school(s) and apply to places that place less emphasis on high GPA and MCAT.

Thanks for responding! I did apply while I did the smp last year, but apparently some people don't get much of a response during the SMP-year and are more successful in the following year. Our grades weren't in for the most part, so maybe that had something to do with it.

I definitely am a little burned out, which is why I'm thinking I should just apply to handful of schools MD and DO (I'm lucky to have a DO letter from research in undergrad) schools. Some schools (Drexel, NYMC, SLU) are more receptive to gtown SMP-ers. I, unfortunately, get not a lot of help being from CA... my state schools are pretty tough.

I think I'm leaning towards 'eh, why not?' regarding applying. And I might have some Gtown resources I haven't exhausted, or even tapped. Thanks for the advice 🙂

 

[dragonfly99]

I think you should apply to some California state schools also...due to the better tuition, etc. I know there are crazy hard to get in to, but you could give it a shot....nothing ventured nothing gained.

 

[alibai3ah]

I would recommend not retaking the MCATs, you have a fairly solid score and I don't think its the MCAT thats gonna keep you out. With your stats (which are very similar to mine), I would say do as much volunteer and clinical work (or research) until next June. Then apply VERY EARLY and broadly to many schools. I am also a cali resident and went to a UC. The schools here are incredibly hard to get into, but with your stats i wouldn't count yourself out for any of them. Especially davis and irvine which I have seen some people with our stats getting in. It is all about the interview really once you get it. You might want to ask your interviewers what the problem was, b/c you received three interviews which is pretty good. So you might wanna address other issues whether it is your interviewing skills or how you convey your experiences to adcoms during the interview. Hope that helps.

 

[eforest]

Maybe it's best to wait until next year rather than applying late. Then you can have all your ducks in a row when you start your application. You've already taken the MCAT twice, and your score is fine- don't put yourself through the torture a third time 🙂

And that's great you have a letter from a DO; that's a major plus if applying to DO schools

Good luck!

 

[prznpremed]

Just as an update, I did decide to put off applying until June... I've waited this long, I think I can wait another year and be totally prepared (and early!) and give it my best shot. Whatever happens at that point, I'll just roll with it.

🙂

 

[213965]

Just as an update, I did decide to put off applying until June... I've waited this long, I think I can wait another year and be totally prepared (and early!) and give it my best shot. Whatever happens at that point, I'll just roll with it.

🙂

That is a wise decision. I've actually decided to withdraw my applications from all but 2 schools this cycle for similar reasons. Except unlike you, I would be enduring this a third (and hopefully final!) time 🙁

 

[gman33]

This comment won't be too helpful, but why didn't you apply earlier this year. Applying late is a really bad move for reapplicants.

I'd probably just wait until next year. Normally I'd say apply now anyway, because all you have to lose is $$.
In your case, I'd say to wait. With a fairly average application, it's hard to get in applying late in the cycle. I don't think you want to be a 4th time applicant next year.

 

[prznpremed]

I didn't apply earlier because I finished grad school, took the MCAT in Sept, and I wanted to know the outcome before I sent off the primary. But, like you said, with normal-ish stats, it's best to wait.

 

[Blade28]

This comment won't be too helpful, but why didn't you apply earlier this year. Applying late is a really bad move for reapplicants.

I'd probably just wait until next year. Normally I'd say apply now anyway, because all you have to lose is $$.
In your case, I'd say to wait. With a fairly average application, it's hard to get in applying late in the cycle. I don't think you want to be a 4th time applicant next year.

Totally agree. Even those with a GPA and MCAT around the mean (3.65 and 30, respectively) should apply as early as possible to maximize their chances. No sense sending in a rushed app late.