Need some advice on applying to medical school

[rumlodlk]

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Hello everyone.

First off, a little bit about myself. I'm a Caucasian male who is currently about to graduate from a very small college in the middle of the bible belt. My school isn't exactly used to providing resources for students continuing on to medical school, so I was given absolutely no advice about how to apply and when. This is main reason I'm making this post.

I took the MCAT last summer in the last week of July. I did quite well on it, scoring within the range of 39 to 42 (I'm avoiding too much detail to remain at least somewhat anonymous). Unfortunately, I was not very educated on how the application cycle works, and submitted my primary application in the middle of October of last year. I applied to a total of five schools. Needless to say, I was rejected pre-interview at every single one. My GPA is definitely not at fault, as I have above a 3.9. Being rejected wasn't the worst thing in the world, as I had graduated in three years so I don't feel that I'm falling behind very much. However, I do have some worries about how I've done things after finding this site and spending some time reading threads.

Here are my questions:

• How much does timing have to do with how competitive someone's application is? If I submit on the first day of the application season this year can I reasonably expect to be accepted at least somewhere?
• Alternatively, how much does research have to do with how competitive someone's application is? I would've loved to participate in a program, but there were no opportunities at or near my school. Is it practical to apply to U.S. medical schools without any research whatsoever?
  
• Will schools know that this is my second application season without me telling them?
• How many schools should someone in my position try to apply to?

Thanks to anyone who takes the time to read this post!

 

[mct2762]

Hello everyone.

First off, a little bit about myself. I'm a Caucasian male who is currently about to graduate from a very small college in the middle of the bible belt. My school isn't exactly used to providing resources for students continuing on to medical school, so I was given absolutely no advice about how to apply and when. This is main reason I'm making this post.

I took the MCAT last summer in the last week of July. I did quite well on it, scoring within the range of 39 to 42 (I'm avoiding too much detail to remain at least somewhat anonymous). Unfortunately, I was not very educated on how the application cycle works, and submitted my primary application in the middle of October of last year. I applied to a total of five schools. Needless to say, I was rejected per-interview at every single one. My GPA is definitely not at fault, as I have above a 3.9. Being rejected wasn't the worst thing in the world, as I had graduated in three years so I don't feel that I'm falling behind very much. However, I do have some worries about how I've done things after finding this site and spending some time reading threads.

Here are my questions:

• How much does timing have to do with how competitive someone's application is? If I submit on the first day of the application season this year can I reasonably expect to be accepted at least somewhere?
• Alternatively, how much does research have to do with how competitive someone's application is? I would've loved to participate in a program, but there were no opportunities at or near my school. Is it practical to apply to U.S. medical schools without any research whatsoever?
  
• Will schools know that this is my second application season without me telling them?
• How many schools should someone in my position try to apply to?

Thanks to anyone who takes the time to read this post!

Hi! I graduated from a tiny baptist college in the bible belt also, so I feel your pain about the lack of resources. I have no idea why you were rejected. With that MCAT and GPA, there must be some other red flags. How are your EC's?

As far as research, it depends on the schools you are applying to. If you are applying to big research schools, then research exposure would help. If you are applying to more primary care geared schools, I don't think it matters. What I was told in my interviews is that lack of research doesnt hurt you, and having research looks good, but doesnt necessarily help. I did a 10 week summer research program in Texas, and also did a 2 year honors project at my school.

I feel like there must be some other red flags, though. Applying late will hurt you if your stats are average, but yours are so far above average that I dont see how it would hurt you too bad. I had a crappy MCAT, submitted my application the VERY last day, and still got some interviews. Also I would definitely apply to more schools.

 

[99445]

Your GPA and MCAT are stellar. Should've have several interviews despite the late submission. I sense red flags somewhere.

 

[bearded frog]

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[rumlodlk]

Thanks so much for all the help everyone. I'll try to provide some more details.

My Works/Activities section consisted of shadowing, three years of working as tutor for the sciences, a weekly outreach experience at a low-income housing unit for one year, a semester of volunteering at a nearby hospital, a year of leadership as a club president, a few scholastic awards, and playing in an amateur summer baseball league for three years. Is this a bit too sparse? If not I'm beginning to think either my Personal Statement or Letters of Recommendation were lacking. I don't think I have any "red flags" that I know of. I've never cheated in a class, committed a felony, or had any institutional action against me.

 

[Catalystik]

How many hours of shadowing? Which specialty?
One semester of clinical experience would be on the sparse side; did you continue it?
Any Teaching (TA, coach, mentor, tutor)?
Research isn't required, but if you applied top heavy to research-oriented schools, having none would work against you.
Do you have no other hobbies, quirky experiences, or artistic endeavors to make yourself look well-rounded and more interesting? Too bland an application works against you.
What have you added since you last applied? If the answer is, "Nothing" you will be seriously disadvantaged when you answer the common Secondary question, "What have you done to improve your application since last applying?"

 

[Goro]

Timing is everything! MD schools seem end their cycles by end of August. The DO cycle is longer, often stretching into January.

How much does timing have to do with how competitive someone's application is?

Yes!

If I submit on the first day of the application season this year can I reasonably expect to be accepted at least somewhere?

MD schools like research, but it appears to be a major factor for the research powerhouses.

Alternatively, how much does research have to do with how competitive someone's application is?

I suspect so. But apply broadly.

I would've loved to participate in a program, but there were no opportunities at or near my school. Is it practical to apply to U.S. medical schools without any research whatsoever?

Yes, they know from your AAMCAS ID #. It's not an issue except for the schools you applied to, who want ot see some improvement.

Will schools know that this is my second application season without me telling them?

It seems the typical applciant applies to 15-20 schools. I suggest contactign ten Admissions deans at some schools to see if you're competitive. Your numbers sure are.
How many schools should someone in my position try to apply to?

 

[hippocampus503]

Apply as early as you possible can. It is important to get your app in early in the cycle.

You can be accepted without research experience. It is not required and many schools are not considered research-heavy. Just buy the MSAR and get more info on individual schools.

Schools will know you are a reapplicant. You should not try to hide this fact.

Apply to as many schools as you can. And apply widely. Do your research on the schools (again, use the MSAR).

Good luck!

 

[rumlodlk]

Thanks to everyone for the advice!

How many hours of shadowing? Which specialty?

50 to 60 hours shadowing Family Practice doctors.

One semester of clinical experience would be on the sparse side; did you continue it?

I agree. I wanted to, but the hospital shut its volunteering program down after that semester so I was unable to continue. I estimate I spent about 80 hours volunteering there.

Any Teaching (TA, coach, mentor, tutor)?

This is the one category I actually have a lot of! I've tutored science courses for fifteen hours a week throughout my college experience, and I worked as the TA for my Cell and Molecular Biology class this last year, but that wasn't on last year's application of course.

Do you have no other hobbies, quirky experiences, or artistic endeavors to make yourself look well-rounded and more interesting?

I do, but I wasn't sure if I should put them on my application because they didn't seem directly related to medicine. If you don't mind, could you share your opinion on these?

• Drew a monthly cartoon series that was published in a local newspaper
• Whitewater kayaking
• Completed the NAUI Scuba Diver course and am registered as a Scuba Diver
• Learning Japanese (I can read quite well but have no speaking ability yet so I didn't feel that I could list it under the languages column)

What have you added since you last applied? If the answer is, "Nothing" you will be seriously disadvantaged when you answer the common Secondary question, "What have you done to improve your application since last applying?

Whoa, I hadn't considered that, thanks for the advice. The TA job and the kayaking are new, and drawing, Scuba Diving, and learning Japaneses weren't on my application last year, so I guess they could be considered as new.

 

[Catalystik]

1) 50 to 60 hours shadowing Family Practice doctors.
2) I agree. I wanted to, but the hospital shut its volunteering program down after that semester so I was unable to continue. I estimate I spent about 80 hours volunteering there.
3) This is the one category I actually have a lot of! I've tutored science courses for fifteen hours a week throughout my college experience, and I worked as the TA for my Cell and Molecular Biology class this last year, but that wasn't on last year's application of course.
4) I do, but I wasn't sure if I should put them on my application because they didn't seem directly related to medicine. If you don't mind, could you share your opinion on these?

• Drew a monthly cartoon series that was published in a local newspaper
• Whitewater kayaking
• Completed the NAUI Scuba Diver course and am registered as a Scuba Diver
• Learning Japanese (I can read quite well but have no speaking ability yet so I didn't feel that I could list it under the languages column)

1) Perfect!

2) You might consider getting in another healthcare environment experience this summer, maybe at a skilled-level nursing home, hospice, rehab center, home healthcare agency, etc. If you have started the experience, you can enter duties and planned hours and update schools later via Secondary essays, update letters where allowed, and interview conversations.

3) If you are particularly strong in another field of endeavor it can helps schools overlook a lack of research. For you, teaching might do the trick. Looks good.

4) Hobbies and Artistic Endeavors are your chance to stand out from other applicants and be memorable, so include them all. They also show you have mechanisms for stress relief, which you'll need in med school. They can be grouped or stand alone if you have enough to say. A link to some of your cartoon can be included if you want to showcase them (assuming they are something you'd show your grandmother).

 

[Plecopotamus]

Whoa, I hadn't considered that, thanks for the advice. The TA job and the kayaking are new, and drawing, Scuba Diving, and learning Japaneses weren't on my application last year, so I guess they could be considered as new.

The prompt is specifically going to ask you what you've done since the last cycle to improve your application. Listing activities you engaged in previously but didn't put on your AMCAS is not an adequate answer. You really need to have an answer that targets what you suspect was the weak link in your app -- being better prepared and submitting early is part of it, but you ideally really should have some more medically related ECs since that area of your application is pretty sparse.

OP, where did you apply? What were the 5 schools?

OP, how do you know your PS is on target? Who gave you feedback? In this environment that is not familiar with med school apps, how do you know their feedback was good enough?

 

[rumlodlk]

You might consider getting in another healthcare environment experience this summer, maybe at a skilled-level nursing home, hospice, rehab center, home healthcare agency, etc.

Awesome advice. I'm definitely going to attempt to get some clinical experiences this summer!

The prompt is specifically going to ask you what you've done since the last cycle to improve your application. Listing activities you engaged in previously but didn't put on your AMCAS is not an adequate answer. You really need to have an answer that targets what you suspect was the weak link in your app -- being better prepared and submitting early is part of it, but you ideally really should have some more medically related ECs since that area of your application is pretty sparse.

I hadn't thought of that, that's a great point. I'll work on improving my application as much as possible between now and the time I submit.

OP, where did you apply? What were the 5 schools?

Refer to this post.

OP, how do you know your PS is on target? Who gave you feedback? In this environment that is not familiar with med school apps, how do you know their feedback was good enough?

Great points. I've actually been working on my Personal Statement today and am planning to have more objective people look it over.

Thanks so much for the help, you guys have no idea how useful this site has been so far.

 

[mvenus929]

Thanks so much for the help, you guys have no idea how useful this site has been so far.

Bottom line, you need to apply to more schools. I was a 3.98 (4.0 Sci) 36 MCAT person who only got 4 interviews the second time I applied (I applied to 10 schools). Applying early will definitely help you. One of my friends on the admissions committee at my school said that it's easy to offer an acceptance to early interviews (think September), but they really have to justify it to those who get interviews later on (and thus the selection for those interviews is much more stringent). Applying in October means you were probably verified in November or December, which means that most schools had probably already given out the majority of their interview invites.

Also, be sure to look at where students at the schools come from. If you're applying to a state school, and aren't a resident of that state, you may be fighting an uphill battle to get accepted there.

Keep up the clinical experience improvements, and stay on top of your other activities, and apply early. That should get your foot in the door most places.