Need some advice from you knowledgeable individuals!

[med55]

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Hello all! Please read through this long bio of mine, because I really need some direction and many of you seem to have a lot of experience with the post-grad, pre-med world. Crazy, crazy world that it is...


This cycle is my 2nd time applying to medical schools. I applied to about 20 M.D. programs, mostly to mid and low tier schools. I am from California so I applied to all the UCs which are the highest tier schools in my batch.

I have not been getting a good response. I have no interviews to date. Currently, I am on hold for an interview at three East Coast schools. I submitted most of my secondaries in early September, with the last few rolling out in late Sep/early October. Reason for the late submission was the wait for my repeat MCAT scores and working on long secondaries.

Note: In previous cycle, I got 2 interviews in East Coast and was put on the waitlist for both.

Stats:
UC Grad, Science major
3.5 science GPA, 3.6 cumm. GPA
MCAT: On my 3rd try last year... 32Q (10 VR, 11 PS, 11 BS)
The other 2 tries were both 29 and not well distributed.

ECs: Most recently.. ER volunteer (clinical work involved, underserved population), community clinic volunteer (getting patient vitals, sitting in on consultations and case discussions), physician shadowing (70+ hours in ER with same physician, received a great LOR). Almost 2 years back in uni.. Hospital volunteer (not hands-on), lab assistant for life science courses, Neuro research (tech work with MRIs, no publications), student health committee, short stint at campus newspaper as a reporter, 1 yr tutor for underserved kids, short stint with high school biology outreach group.

Work experience: Currently a research assistant for a clinical research group. Work involves processing of data, ensuring data is top quality (no mistakes, no holes), making fine-tuned adjustments to data collection techniques. Also conducting patient phone interviews. Not academically rigorous but I did contribute to the design of one of the studies- I will get my name in the publication when study is complete at end of this year.

Currently working and continuing with recent ECs.

What I need from you guys is some honest advice on which of the options below would be the best use of my time in the next couple of years.

1. SMP
2. Traditional 2 yr Masters in Science
3. Plugging up holes in the lower division science classes I did poorly in (Ochem II and Physics are the standouts)
4. Advanced clinical work (EMT certification, ER Technician, etc)

That's what I'm considering currently. Please let me know what you guys think, any advice is appreciated! Thanks! 🙂

 

[Agtongue]

Good on you improving your mcat. Your gpas should be fine to secure interviews.

As a similar CA applicant I can tell you that 2 years as an emt won't change your stars, but your gpa doesn't warrant an smp. How did your interviews go?

The late app probably hurt as well.

 

[med55]

The interviews were okay, but I don't think I was aggressive enough. When they asked if I had any questions about the school, I said no because I was so glad that I had made it through the interview all right. Looking back, I feel I could have done more to show I was interested in their schools.

 

[med55]

I'm thinking I might need to reapply, but nothing has really changed since the last application cycle, so I don't know how successful I will be.

I need to add something to my application, but I'm not sure what would be the best investment in terms of both time and money.

 

[deleted248403]

get your apps in EARLY

None of the secondaries are that long; I did 29, they suck but you just have to bust your butt to get them done. Get them out in August.

If you need to re-apply, think about doing a 2-week medical trip somewhere. Check out http://www.rcdpinternationalvolunteer.org/ for ideas.

 

[johnnyscans]

get your apps in EARLY

None of the secondaries are that long; I did 29, they suck but you just have to bust your butt to get them done. Get them out in August.

If you need to re-apply, think about doing a 2-week medical trip somewhere. Check out http://www.rcdpinternationalvolunteer.org/ for ideas.

Do you know anyone who has done one of those trips before? I'm researching activities for june of this year (between sessions) and have not seen that site before.

 

[DrMidlife]

This cycle is my 2nd time applying to medical schools. I applied to about 20 M.D. programs, mostly to mid and low tier schools. I am from California so I applied to all the UCs which are the highest tier schools in my batch.

Ah yes, the California dilemma. An app that would get you into a public school in AZ/MI/VT etc gets you nothing at home.

The UCs are wicked competitive, so lack of success there isn't a big surprise. With mid/low tier schools, I suspect you're applying to schools that get the most apps, such as GW, Gtown, Boston, etc. Unfortunately that pile of 10,000 apps is where all the average apps in the entire world land. Odds aren't helping you.

But I don't think that increasing your stats is the issue right now. I don't think that another year of 3.7+ undergrad, or an MCAT retake for 32+, would change your story that much. You may be what most 21-24 year olds are: immature and uninteresting. You might just need more bake time.

With a reapplication, you are on the hook to submit a different app. Schools are going to pull up your previous app(s), and look at everything when they review your new app. If it's the same app, plus or minus an EC or an MCAT score, why should the school change its mind about you? If your reapp looks like your last app, you look lazy. To be taken seriously in a reapp, imho you need:
1. A substantial new asset (discussed below)
2. An all new essay and all new EC descriptions
3. At least one new LOR

I don't see the above being possible without taking 2+ years between app cycles, unless at the time you apply you're already working on your reapp.

As a third time applicant, particularly at the UCs, you are not only competing with the other ridiculously qualified Californians, you're competing with your previous apps. Are you making a better impression than other candidates? Are you more believable and compelling now, than you were in your previous apps?

What I need from you guys is some honest advice on which of the options below would be the best use of my time in the next couple of years.

How about the Peace Corps? If that sounds interesting, go for it.

1. SMP

Sure. Very expensive option. Risky option, in that you must perform above the med student average in order to get results. If you do an SMP like EVMS or Cincinnati, and you do well, you slide straight into the host med school. If you do an SMP like Gtown or Drexel Inc., you have to peddle your wares outside the host school, just like you did twice already.

2. Traditional 2 yr Masters in Science

Sure. Plan on another MCAT retake (that necessarily beats your previous score), plan on publishing, and plan on doing as much public speaking, running of meetings, and taking of leadership and responsibility as you can.

3. Plugging up holes in the lower division science classes I did poorly in (Ochem II and Physics are the standouts)

If you got C or worse, yes, otherwise, no. A couple of retakes aren't going to affect your GPA at all.

4. Advanced clinical work (EMT certification, ER Technician, etc)

"Advanced" is an odd description of the most bland, generic clinical ECs you can do other than volunteering. Entry level clinical jobs can fill a lack of clinical exposure. They don't make you more compelling as a candidate.

Best of luck to you.

 

[deleted248403]

Do you know anyone who has done one of those trips before? I'm researching activities for june of this year (between sessions) and have not seen that site before.

Yeah, an MS-IV here did one. She recommended it to me.

Also check out:
http://andeanglobalstudies.org/
http://www.medlifeweb.org/upcoming-mobile-clinics/table.html

Not sure what you'll be able to do if you aren't an MS-I going into MS-II but check it out anyways just in case

 

[med55]

Thanks DrMidLife. I appreciate the feedback. I think you are spot-on. I took a look at my application for the current cycle... I did have a new physician letter that I did not have before. Also, a couple new ECs and a reworked personal statement. However, I don't think it made a great impact. I still come across as the same person, with a few bells and whistles thrown in this time.

There is certainly more "baking" that can be done, and I definitely have the time and the will to do it.

Also really need to apply early this time. One of my friends applied on June 1st as soon as the portal opened. She had a strong app but it was still amazing that she received so many interview invitations that she had to turn down a few. I doubt I'll get that strong a response but certainly it will help me secure some early interview spots if I apply in June next time.

 

[johnnyscans]

Yeah, an MS-IV here did one. She recommended it to me.

Also check out:
http://andeanglobalstudies.org/
http://www.medlifeweb.org/upcoming-mobile-clinics/table.html

Not sure what you'll be able to do if you aren't an MS-I going into MS-II but check it out anyways just in case

Woop. Thanks brotha.

 

[deleted248403]

Also really need to apply early this time. One of my friends applied on June 1st as soon as the portal opened. She had a strong app but it was still amazing that she received so many interview invitations that she had to turn down a few. I doubt I'll get that strong a response but certainly it will help me secure some early interview spots if I apply in June next time.

Thats what I did. I ended up withdrawing apps from about 20 of my 29 schools cos I'd already had 5 acceptances before Thanksgiving. Applying early makes the world of diff

Woop. Thanks brotha.

Np