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- Sep 10, 2018
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Hi all,
I'm wondering if some ADCOMs can weigh in on this, especially. I applied this cycle to 30 MD schools, received 2 IIs, and am sitting on 2 WLs. I am ORM female, a VA resident, with an AMCAs sGPA of 3.82 and a cGPA of 3.84. I am graduating next month with a BS in Biology. I minored in Chemistry and Psychology at a state public school. I have gotten all As in my classes with the exception of Organic Chemistry 1, which I got a C in, Organic Chemistry 1 Lab, which I got a B in, and Organic Chemistry 2, which I also got a B in. I got an A in that lab and then got an A in Biochem, so I think I improved on the tail end of that Chemistry minor. I think I will finish with the same GPA but receive a B in this Animal Physiology class I am taking.
I ended up taking the MCAT early June and getting a 505 (126/126/125/128) when I was projecting 510-515s on practice exams, and then I ended up taking it again August and getting a 510 (126 (I definitely freaked out during the first section and ran out of time)/127/127/130). I was projecting an average of 518 on practice exams before test day. My school list was definitely also more midtier/top heavy because of my practice scores, I think.
ECs/Honors are:
In the event that I do not gain acceptance, I was going to do a full AmeriCorps term over the next school year (many I've applied to are health-related and in large cities) and either CNA or medical scribe to get more clinical hours (looking at programs that allow this), and reapply for 2021. I was also going to find another organization to volunteer for (I was thinking something with LGBTQIA as I'm queer and where I live now didn't have really have any). I am also planning to apply more smartly to schools in range instead of projecting my MCAT, and submitting the primary on the first day instead of in August.
I really want to have an MD as I want the option to be able to pursue any specialty, such as surgery. I also want to have the option to practice in another country as a job opportunity someday (the UK, New Zealand, Canada). My personal statement was pored over by doctors, professors, pre-med advisor and supervisors, so I do not think it was that.
I thought I might have a rogue LoR because of paranoia when things were silent for a while in the cycle, but not sure it was that either because of the two IIs.
My questions for you all:
I would love all of your godly advice if you get a chance.
I'm wondering if some ADCOMs can weigh in on this, especially. I applied this cycle to 30 MD schools, received 2 IIs, and am sitting on 2 WLs. I am ORM female, a VA resident, with an AMCAs sGPA of 3.82 and a cGPA of 3.84. I am graduating next month with a BS in Biology. I minored in Chemistry and Psychology at a state public school. I have gotten all As in my classes with the exception of Organic Chemistry 1, which I got a C in, Organic Chemistry 1 Lab, which I got a B in, and Organic Chemistry 2, which I also got a B in. I got an A in that lab and then got an A in Biochem, so I think I improved on the tail end of that Chemistry minor. I think I will finish with the same GPA but receive a B in this Animal Physiology class I am taking.
I ended up taking the MCAT early June and getting a 505 (126/126/125/128) when I was projecting 510-515s on practice exams, and then I ended up taking it again August and getting a 510 (126 (I definitely freaked out during the first section and ran out of time)/127/127/130). I was projecting an average of 518 on practice exams before test day. My school list was definitely also more midtier/top heavy because of my practice scores, I think.
ECs/Honors are:
- Volunteering at local RMHC - 180 hours by end of this May, since January 2018
- Research Assistant in Psychology/Neuroscience lab, no pubs, 315 hours by end of this May, since January 2018
- Member of Omnicron Delta Kappa - National Leadership Honor Society
- 100+ shadowing hours across Family Practice, Cardiology, Orthopedic Surgery
- Tutor at School's Learning Center- Paid- 9-11 hours a week since January 2016
- TA my sophomore year for Freshman English courses
- on Executive Board for schools CMNH Dance Marathon (500+ of involvement since Sept 2016)
- Hospital Volunteer since high school (198 hours, 100 of them during undergrad)
In the event that I do not gain acceptance, I was going to do a full AmeriCorps term over the next school year (many I've applied to are health-related and in large cities) and either CNA or medical scribe to get more clinical hours (looking at programs that allow this), and reapply for 2021. I was also going to find another organization to volunteer for (I was thinking something with LGBTQIA as I'm queer and where I live now didn't have really have any). I am also planning to apply more smartly to schools in range instead of projecting my MCAT, and submitting the primary on the first day instead of in August.
I really want to have an MD as I want the option to be able to pursue any specialty, such as surgery. I also want to have the option to practice in another country as a job opportunity someday (the UK, New Zealand, Canada). My personal statement was pored over by doctors, professors, pre-med advisor and supervisors, so I do not think it was that.
I thought I might have a rogue LoR because of paranoia when things were silent for a while in the cycle, but not sure it was that either because of the two IIs.
My questions for you all:
- Do I have a shot at MD as a reapplicant if I make the changes above?
- Is it wise to only apply MD again?
- Is it better to do service for causes I'm passionate about or grab a research position (I've been told research isn't necessary but am afraid lack of a lot is bringing my app down)?
- Should I not rush studying this time and retake the MCAT (maybe did a month before the 505)? Will my 510 no longer be considered a decent score in the 2020-2021 application cycle? How will my 505 hurt me then?
- Is it better to scribe, or get that CNA or even an EMT certification for clinical experience? Is it okay to add more hospital/hospice/free clinic volunteering for clinical experience if I cannot find someone that'll take me for the other options during my service year? Otherwise, would it be okay if I started scribing/CNA-ing/EMTing after the service year ended in August 2020 after already submitting AMCAs?
I would love all of your godly advice if you get a chance.
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