Need some advice on what to do while in masters program

[dedicated1989]

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Hello.

I just graduated with my BS in Biological Sciences from the University of Maryland Baltimore County with a 3.6 (overall) and 3.5 (major) GPA. My MCATs were really low 26N (11 PS, 7 BS, 8 VR). As that was my second time taking it, first time I got way lower due to some unexpected circumstances.

I sent applications to 10 schools and received no interviews as I am not surprised due to my low MCAT. I applied to two masters program that had an emphasis on pre-medical placements (UMDNJ-RWJ and Mt.Sinai School of Medicine) In the end I chose to enroll at Mt.Sinai. During this time I am really trying to strengthen my credentials to become a competitive applicant. I will only be re-applying next summer but I wanted to get some advice on what I should do during this year.

I have worked in a lab every summer since 2008 (3 summers have been in the same lab at the University of Baltimore Dental School). Have done a little bit of volunteering at the hospital, but nothing substantial that gave me a lot of clinical experience. I was having a hard time finding a doctor that really allowed shadowing.

To be granted an interview at Mt.Sinai I need to maintain a 3.6 GPA and receive a 34 on the MCAT (the MCAT is the score I'm more worried about)

I'm really just looking for any advice on how to strengthen my application. Also, any tips on how to get a good shadowing experience in the NY area.

Ideally I would like to be admitted to NYU or Mt.Sinai. I am from Maryland but UM and Johns Hopkins seem to be out of my league. Not sure what to do please help! Thanks!

 

[TheComebacKid]

Hmmm.. I think it's interesting that you chose to go the route of a masters program. Most post-baccalaureate/pre-medical masters programs are really meant to enhance your academic record i.e. improve GPA, show you can handle difficult science courses etc. Your overall GPA is competitive enough for US allopathic medical schools. You haven't posted your sGPA, so I can't really comment on that. But assuming that it's a 3.4+, I feel that the GPA component of your application is fine. The only thing that you really need to work on is your MCAT score, perhaps some more EC work. But I don't think you need to enroll in a masters program for that.

But regardless, congrats on getting into a masters program. I think going the route of post-baccalaureate/graduate education after a long undergrad career really shows your dedication to improving your credentials. It's just a matter of focusing now on what you really need to work on. To me, that's just your MCAT.

A 26 on the MCAT, while not competitive enough for most US MD schools, is not really horrendous. I think if you put in some really solid study time, you'll be able to get in the low 30's. Getting a 34 is definitely tough, but it can be done.

Regarding EC's, I would do stuff that you like to do. Mount Sinai is right around the border of Harlem which I know has many opportunities in terms of non-medical related community service. You can tutor inner-city kids, work for a community group that rebuilds parks, work at a shelter for runaway teenagers etc. The opportunities are endless, especially in NYC.

I would definitely get in more clinical hours at the Mount Sinai hospital. There will be tons of opportunities to help out, whether it's from patient transport, social services, etc. While shadowing is a good thing to have and will improve your application, I don't think it's as important as actual clinical volunteering. The dean of my SMP told me that it's really easy to walk around looking over a doctor's shoulder to see what they are doing. It's much harder to actually learn to engage with the patients and their loved ones. Mount Sinai is an outstanding hospital, so I would really take advantage of that.

If you apply broadly, get that MCAT to a 30+ and maybe add a few more EC's here and there, I would be surprised if you didn't land an acceptance during the next cycle.

Also, considering you are a resident of Maryland, you will be given priority at UM. I think you will have an easier time landing an acceptance at UM over NYU or Mount Sinai.

Best of luck, and keep us posted!

 

[dedicated1989]

Hmmm.. I think it's interesting that you chose to go the route of a masters program. Most post-baccalaureate/pre-medical masters programs are really meant to enhance your academic record i.e. improve GPA, show you can handle difficult science courses etc. Your overall GPA is competitive enough for US allopathic medical schools. You haven't posted your sGPA, so I can't really comment on that. But assuming that it's a 3.4+, I feel that the GPA component of your application is fine. The only thing that you really need to work on is your MCAT score, perhaps some more EC work. But I don't think you need to enroll in a masters program for that.

But regardless, congrats on getting into a masters program. I think going the route of post-baccalaureate/graduate education after a long undergrad career really shows your dedication to improving your credentials. It's just a matter of focusing now on what you really need to work on. To me, that's just your MCAT.

A 26 on the MCAT, while not competitive enough for most US MD schools, is not really horrendous. I think if you put in some really solid study time, you'll be able to get in the low 30's. Getting a 34 is definitely tough, but it can be done.

Regarding EC's, I would do stuff that you like to do. Mount Sinai is right around the border of Harlem which I know has many opportunities in terms of non-medical related community service. You can tutor inner-city kids, work for a community group that rebuilds parks, work at a shelter for runaway teenagers etc. The opportunities are endless, especially in NYC.

I would definitely get in more clinical hours at the Mount Sinai hospital. There will be tons of opportunities to help out, whether it's from patient transport, social services, etc. While shadowing is a good thing to have and will improve your application, I don't think it's as important as actual clinical volunteering. The dean of my SMP told me that it's really easy to walk around looking over a doctor's shoulder to see what they are doing. It's much harder to actually learn to engage with the patients and their loved ones. Mount Sinai is an outstanding hospital, so I would really take advantage of that.

If you apply broadly, get that MCAT to a 30+ and maybe add a few more EC's here and there, I would be surprised if you didn't land an acceptance during the next cycle.

Also, considering you are a resident of Maryland, you will be given priority at UM. I think you will have an easier time landing an acceptance at UM over NYU or Mount Sinai.

Best of luck, and keep us posted!

Thank you for responding so quickly. I'm sorry I listed my sGPA at major, but it was a 3.5

The reason why I chose to do a masters program 1) because I didn't want to reapply right away so I wanted to do something in the mean time that would enhance my credentials academically 2) I wanted to be in a program that was tailored for students wanting to go to medical school. The program has a prep course within the curriculum so that was also a plus. Also, I was hoping that going to grad school in NY would somehow increase my chances of getting into either NYU or Mt.Sinai.

Thanks for the the advice about volunteering! I actually just looked into some volunteering programs that Mt.Sinai has to offer and I'm going to go ahead with working on that!

Completely agree on the MCAT portion, I am going to plan to take it this coming April. I was thinking of starting to study right after labor day weekend hardcore which will hopefully get me to where I need to be!

Are there any other schools that you would recommend me taking a look at when applying? I understand that NYU and Mt.Sinai are going to be a lot harder to get into being out of state.

Thank you so much!

 

[TheComebacKid]

Just to make myself clear. I do think you have a shot at both NYU and Mt. Sinai. Especially if you get a 30+ on the MCAT. Both these schools are private institutions, so in-state and out of state applicants have the same odds of gaining acceptance (the SUNY schools on the other hand is a different matter).

I'd say that assuming you get a 30+ on your MCAT when you retake it, you would be a strong applicant. That being the case, apply broadly to maybe 12-15 schools (give or take depending on your financial predicament). Pick a handful of "dream schools", a handful of schools that historically accept students with your statistics, and a handful of schools that are "safety" schools. I would definitely apply to UM. And if you have any connections at Mt. Sinai while you go there, that would be a real help. Speaking of which, make sure to develop good relationships with your professors. I'm sure a strong LOR from a Mt. Sinai faculty member will definitely carry some weight for the Mt. Sinai adcom. I really hope you get an acceptance from Mt. Sinai because it is really a stellar place (I've done research over there during one summer). If only I had the credentials to apply there 🙁

Purchase the MSAR book to get an idea of the typical stats that you need at a medical school that you fancy.

 

[dedicated1989]

Hi -

its been a while since we last spoke but I just wanted to touch base with you and see any insight you could provide.

I ended up retaking my MCATs while in the masters program and went down 4 points (26 to a 22), bummer. It was very discouraging but Im still chugging through and plan on retaking it again this coming Jan to apply for next cycle.

At Sinai I was able to really take advantage of being in the hospital...i shadowed several doctors, volunteered on general peds floor, was a group leader for a medical student run summer camp for middle school students and landed a first author publication. My GPA coming out of the program was a 3.5 so Im at the same place again where all I really need to do is do extremely well on the MCATs.

However, my disadvantage now is that 1 a) this would be my fourth time taking it and b) Im not getting any younger.

I've set my hopes of getting into UMD for medical school but I plan on applying broadly and to DO schools...I was looking into getting some help from services known as inGenius, but what it comes down to is my ability to preform well on the MCATs. Is there any advice you could offer me?