Need advice

[NEWHER]

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Ok,
Looks like I'll not get in this cycle - 1 reject, 1 waitlist out of 4 interviews that I had. I realize that chanses are really slim. I'm planning to apply next year - what is smart thing to do this year: go find job, go for Masters degree, continue my research?

Please advise!!!
Thanks!!!

 

[deleted248403]

Without knowing MCAT, GPA, ECs, anything....its pretty hard to comment.

 

[Catalystik]

You might call the school that rejected you, ask to make a phone appointment with a dean, and ask what you could do to improve your application.

We'd be happy to comment too, if you care to provide more detail.

 

[NEWHER]

33Q MCAT, 3.63 GPA,
ECs:
American Chemical Society D.U. Chapter Socials Chair
Circle K Vice President
PAWS volunteer
Dean's List
Cardiology Lab Volunteer
Atmospheric Chemistry Research


And thank you!!!!!

 

[startswithb]

33Q MCAT, 3.63 GPA,
ECs:
American Chemical Society D.U. Chapter Socials Chair
Circle K Vice President
PAWS volunteer
Dean's List
Cardiology Lab Volunteer
Atmospheric Chemistry Research


And thank you!!!!!

I'd say of your ECs, 1, 2, and 4 are pretty meaningless. You need more clinical (patient-centered) volunteering or work. Since you won't be in school, I'd try to get a job in a hospital so you will get enough hours. Or, get a research job with your degree and volunteer and shadow on the side. Also, make sure these committments mean something. Get something out of them like substantial accomplishments or narratives. Don't just do them to say you did them. Put some serious time and effort in.

 

[NEWHER]

I'd say of your ECs, 1, 2, and 4 are pretty meaningless. You need more clinical (patient-centered) volunteering or work. Since you won't be in school, I'd try to get a job in a hospital so you will get enough hours. Or, get a research job with your degree and volunteer and shadow on the side. Also, make sure these committments mean something. Get something out of them like substantial accomplishments or narratives. Don't just do them to say you did them. Put some serious time and effort in.

Thanks!

 

[Catalystik]

How many months did you work in the cardiology lab and how many hours total (at the time you applied)? Any physician shadowing? You have some leadership (I don't think they were worthless) and nonmedical volunteering (how many hours?), which is good. How long was the research experience?

 

[J ROD]

also, what is your state of residence?

 

[anfleisch]

How are you looking to next year with a waitlist and still to hear from 2 schools? Was the one school you were rejected from the only one you had a shot at?

 

[MiniMoo]

4 interviews - 1 rejection and 1 waitlist. What about the other 2? Still waiting to hear back? If so, you still have a chance.

 

[RookTookIt]

I'd say of your ECs, 1, 2, and 4 are pretty meaningless. You need more clinical (patient-centered) volunteering or work. Since you won't be in school, I'd try to get a job in a hospital so you will get enough hours. Or, get a research job with your degree and volunteer and shadow on the side. Also, make sure these committments mean something. Get something out of them like substantial accomplishments or narratives. Don't just do them to say you did them. Put some serious time and effort in.

This is correct. Other than clinical work, your application is pretty sound.

But, I think it's too early to give up hope for this cycle. It sounds like you are still waiting to hear from some places. And the waitlist might pan out.

 

[NEWHER]

Thank you all for the replies!
I'm NY resident. I voloteered in Cardiology Lab 2 hours / week for a year. I shadowed a physician during summer break for atotal of about 80 hours. I worked full time(40 hours/week) on the research during summer and steel working on it 5 hours/week. So, my question is - if I don't get in this year, should I look for some Masters Program or it is better to find a job somewhere in the medical field(just don't know if its possible with BS in Chemistry)?

If I'll not get in this year I'll definetly re-apply - just have to decide what to do with myself next year.

 

[NEWHER]

How are you looking to next year with a waitlist and still to hear from 2 schools? Was the one school you were rejected from the only one you had a shot at?

No, but it was my safety school. I'm panicking because I think that the classes are full by now. Also, just want to decide wisely on plnan "B"

 

[Catalystik]

So, at the time you submitted, you had:
clinical experience in cath lab=100 hours (low, but maybe adequate),
shadowing =80 hours,(good)
research=maximum of 3 months (the minimum)
nonmedical volunteering at PAWS (assuming it's an animal-related EC) hours=?
some leadership.

When you reapply, you will inevitably be asked, "In what way has your application improved since you last applied? What is the answer?

If I'll not get in this year I'll definetly re-apply - just have to decide what to do with myself next year.

Getting a job and getting in 4 hours per week as a volunteer somewhere is fine. If the job is not medically-related, you should do clinical volunteering. I'd also continue some nonmedical volunteering (with animals is fine). Your stats are fine (if the GPA is about the same, so no need to upgrade either in your off year.

 

[Morsetlis]

Cat's got it down. You should continue doing the things relevant to medical school and not get a job serving sushi.

 

[NEWHER]

Cat's got it down. You should continue doing the things relevant to medical school and not get a job serving sushi.

Thanks! Will start looking for the job soon!

 

[indianjatt]

Thanks! Will start looking for the job soon!

For the two schools you are still waiting to hear from and the waitlist school did you send the letter of interests? I am not sure it helps a whole lot, but some people believe it helped them display their interest in the specific medical school.

 

[Morsetlis]

There was a story of somebody who sent 6 consecutive LoIs every month until they got accepted.

 

[NEWHER]

There was a story of somebody who sent 6 consecutive LoIs every month until they got accepted.

I sent the updates with my fall grades in early January together with the LOI. Do you think its a good idea to send another LOI now? Just dont want to annoy them

 

[NEWHER]

So, at the time you submitted, you had:
clinical experience in cath lab=100 hours (low, but maybe adequate),
shadowing =80 hours,(good)
research=maximum of 3 months (the minimum)
nonmedical volunteering at PAWS (assuming it's an animal-related EC) hours=?
some leadership.

When you reapply, you will inevitably be asked, "In what way has your application improved since you last applied? What is the answer?


Getting a job and getting in 4 hours per week as a volunteer somewhere is fine. If the job is not medically-related, you should do clinical volunteering. I'd also continue some nonmedical volunteering (with animals is fine). Your stats are fine (if the GPA is about the same, so no need to upgrade either in your off year.

Catalystik!
Thank you very much for the advice. I'll start looking for a job sometime in April. Probably should find clinical voloteering already...

 

[Morsetlis]

I sent the updates with my fall grades in early January together with the LOI. Do you think its a good idea to send another LOI now? Just dont want to annoy them

Every month.

 

[NEWHER]

Every month.

Will do it right now! Thanks!🙂

 

[JonBonesJones]

Just to get a bit more info;

When were your secondaries complete? When did you interview? How many schools did you apply to, and were they only/mostly top 20, middle 60-20, etc.? Did you apply to OOS schools not friendly to OOS students (Washington, Hawaii, etc.)? Do you have an upper trend/downward trend to grades? Were your letters of rec from people very familiar to you, or semi-anonymous professors? Is your undergrad in the top 15 USNWR, top 30, etc.? Do you have any criminal/academic marks on your record? Did you dress in goth attire to your interviews?

It's hard for me to believe that someone with your stats, 3.6+33, will not be accepted somewhere. The only other thing I can add is that maybe you come off as a particularly generic candidate. Or maybe you didn't express a deep enough understanding of the modern medical profession at your interview? Grasping at straws here.

 

[deleted248403]

It's hard for me to believe that someone with your stats, 3.6+33, will not be accepted somewhere. The only other thing I can add is that maybe you come off as a particularly generic candidate. Or maybe you didn't express a deep enough understanding of the modern medical profession at your interview? Grasping at straws here.

Why is it hard to believe? The OP has weak ECs and didn't have a lot on paper (EC-wise at the time of applying)

 

[NEWHER]

Just to get a bit more info;

When were your secondaries complete? When did you interview? How many schools did you apply to, and were they only/mostly top 20, middle 60-20, etc.? Did you apply to OOS schools not friendly to OOS students (Washington, Hawaii, etc.)? Do you have an upper trend/downward trend to grades? Were your letters of rec from people very familiar to you, or semi-anonymous professors? Is your undergrad in the top 15 USNWR, top 30, etc.? Do you have any criminal/academic marks on your record? Did you dress in goth attire to your interviews?

It's hard for me to believe that someone with your stats, 3.6+33, will not be accepted somewhere. The only other thing I can add is that maybe you come off as a particularly generic candidate. Or maybe you didn't express a deep enough understanding of the modern medical profession at your interview? Grasping at straws here.

I applied to 20 schools. My secondaries were complete from 09/16 - 01/14(Loyola). My interview dates were 01/15, 01/19, 01/20, 02/04. I didn't apply to the top schools. I applied 2 out of state schools that are not friendly to OOS. My grades dropped sophmore year and then went up again. My LOR were from 2 professors that I know and 1 from semi-anonymous professors. I dressed well to my interviews.

I understand that its hard to beleive (I was sure I'll get in somewhere), but its true. The reason I think is that I applied a little late (my AMCAS was verified 09/15), I don't have amazing GPA and not enough clinical ECs.

The game is not over yet. I still have hope. Just thinking about plan "B"....