Need some reapplication advice - my story

[bonoz]

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Hello SDN,

I have just finished a very gruesome and heartbreaking application cycle. I applied to more than 30 schools and only got 1 waitlist. I did not do so well on my MCAT. I took it twice and both times I was under 30. The second score actually went down two points. But my verbal went up. In the first one I had good science scores and in the second one I had good verbal. If you combine the two one could say that I can do well on the MCAT.

I have good non-science and science GPA (3.8ish). I have research experience, clinical experience (MD shadow, free clinic, hospital volunteer), and a bunch of other leadership/teaching/extracurricular activities.

I still want to become a physician but this time I want to diversify. Meaning that I want to apply to MD schools, DO schools, Caribbean schools, foreign schools (Poland?), etc. Should I also consider post-bac programs? Do I have any options right now which would be for programs starting next fall?

But I am very confused what to do now. AMCAS opens in a few days and you submit it then. I probably will have to retake my MCAT. Maybe shadow a DO doctor for DO schools. And continue to strengthen my application and ECs. What about letters of recommendation? Do I use previous cycle's premed packet? Would it apply for DO schools or not?

I'm not sure what to do and could really use some guidance and support. I'm sure there are many like me who are in the same boat.

Thanks

 

[rbnsafsadgf]

There's a big range in "under 30". What are the numbers?

Was this your first time applying? How many interviews did you get? Were the 30 schools you applied to a good fit for you?

When did you submit your applications?

How good were your PS and LORs?

Have you called up the schools and asked for exit interviews?

As a fellow re-applicant, I understand some of the pain. The path to medicine is long, but it is a marathon, rather than a sprint. Keep your head up. That wait-list spot could turn into gold still. They saw something they liked about you and your application.

 

[rbnsafsadgf]

I still want to become a physician but this time I want to diversify. Meaning that I want to apply to MD schools, DO schools, Caribbean schools, foreign schools (Poland?), etc. Should I also consider post-bac programs? Do I have any options right now which would be for programs starting next fall?

But I am very confused what to do now. AMCAS opens in a few days and you submit it then. I probably will have to retake my MCAT. Maybe shadow a DO doctor for DO schools. And continue to strengthen my application and ECs. What about letters of recommendation? Do I use previous cycle's premed packet? Would it apply for DO schools or not?

I'm not sure what to do and could really use some guidance and support. I'm sure there are many like me who are in the same boat.

Thanks

After those questions, here is some specific advice:

You need to improve your MCAT, if that really is your application's problem. Given that it will be your third try on it, you need to do really well. Can you study hard enough, and change your testing habits in a big way to apply to med school c/o 2015?

I think it would be very hard to study that hard in the next month, so I would consider sitting out a year, and waiting to apply later on. Get a job or something and enjoy your life while you spend a year studying and re-taking it. Did you do a prep course? Do you have standardized test taking problems in general?

You don't need a post-bac or SMP. You have a high uGPA.

And, unless this is your third cycle, stick to US MD and DO schools.

 

[tremulousNeedle]

And, unless this is your third cycle, stick to US MD and DO schools.

👍
Once you are ready to apply again. I would stick with MD and DO programs (unless it is your 3rd time around as stated above). As a graduate of a Caribbean or European medical school you will be considered an international medical graduate (IMG). IMG's, regardless of whether or not they are a US citizen, often have a more difficult time obtaining a US residency position (a requirement to practice in the US). In many people's opinion (including my own), a US DO is better than an international MD or MBBS when it comes to obtaining a US residency position.

 

[bonoz]

There's a big range in "under 30". What are the numbers?

I got a 27 (11, 6, 10) and then a 25 (7, 10, 8). I don't know what happened.

Was this your first time applying? How many interviews did you get? Were the 30 schools you applied to a good fit for you?

Yes it was my first. I only got 1 interview and got waitlisted there.

When did you submit your applications?

I submitted my primaries in July. I am planning on submitting mine within the first week. I'd do it tomorrow but I haven't sent in my transcripts as yet.

How good were your PS and LORs?

I got good feedback for PS. As for LORs, I chose the people that knew me best. I have no idea if they gave me a good or bad feedback.

Have you called up the schools and asked for exit interviews?

This is news to me. What are exit interviews?

As a fellow re-applicant, I understand some of the pain. The path to medicine is long, but it is a marathon, rather than a sprint. Keep your head up. That wait-list spot could turn into gold still. They saw something they liked about you and your application.

After those questions, here is some specific advice:

You need to improve your MCAT, if that really is your application's problem. Given that it will be your third try on it, you need to do really well. Can you study hard enough, and change your testing habits in a big way to apply to med school c/o 2015?

Is it not worth at least doing some practice to see where I am at and whether I can at least get a 30 on it this time around?

I think it would be very hard to study that hard in the next month, so I would consider sitting out a year, and waiting to apply later on. Get a job or something and enjoy your life while you spend a year studying and re-taking it. Did you do a prep course? Do you have standardized test taking problems in general?

You don't need a post-bac or SMP. You have a high uGPA.

And, unless this is your third cycle, stick to US MD and DO schools.

Thanks so much again.

 

[rbnsafsadgf]

I got a 27 (11, 6, 10) and then a 25 (7, 10, 8). I don't know what happened.

Yes it was my first. I only got 1 interview and got waitlisted there.

I submitted my primaries in July. I am planning on submitting mine within the first week. I'd do it tomorrow but I haven't sent in my transcripts as yet.

...

Have you called up the schools and asked for exit interviews?

This is news to me. What are exit interviews?

Is it not worth at least doing some practice to see where I am at and whether I can at least get a 30 on it this time around?

As you know, it is that 6 and 7 on the MCAT which is giving your grief.

I dunno if you should re-take the MCAT now or wait a year. You just need be damn sure that you can get a good score on your next re-take. Are you consistently getting 30+ on your practice tests? like 4 tests in a row with a good score? Having another "bad" MCAT re-take would look really bad. ADCOMs don't know how long you spent preparing for the test, they only see the final score, so you gotta not cut any corners and make sure you do well on this third take.

How have you been studying for the MCAT?? I would seriously consider sitting out a year, and doing a full Kaplan MCAT course (or some other brand), if you haven't already. That $1600 will be money well spent if it helps you get a 30.

However, you maybe could score some DO interviews with your existing MCAT, but even there that 6 is going to be a little trouble.

How did you choose those 30 schools? were they a good fit?

Call up the schools you applied to, and see which ones give exit interviews to non-interviewed candidates. The school where you are WL'd should also give you one. An exit interview is a half hour or so on the phone or in person with an admissions officer talking about *your* application and what they think of it, how you could improve, and a chance to ask specific questions.

 

[bonoz]

I took Kaplan and it really did not help me. The thing that works best for me is practice. What I need are lots and lots of MCAT tests updated to match the difficulty of the current MCAT.

That's what I'll try to do. Take practice tests before deciding if I should apply this cycle or not.

As far as AMCAS goes... what kind of changes should I make to my application? For example, to Personal statement, work/activities, etc. How should I update it? if it all? Do schools remember your personal statements? Because the one I wrote was good and I am still happy with it. Maybe I will make some minor changes. What do you think?

 

[rbnsafsadgf]

Good. It sounds like you have plan for improving your MCAT.

Check out the Re-app FAQ about re-writing the PS.

If you are going to wait a year, re-write (or update) your PS and activities with the stuff you do in that year! If you are going to apply again now, I dunno.

 

[sshashid87]

As a side note, if you do apply this year, look at some schools that take the highest in each section. I believe GWU takes the highest subsection scores, which would give you a 31. There's got to be at least a few schools that do this, but I don't know of any others off the top of my head. Good luck

 

[Forven]

your story is almost the exact same as mine, except my first MCAT was a 24.

what i did this year, and what you need to do is:

1-apply through AMCAS ASAP.

2-in your PS make sure you talk about why you still want to be a physician, and why your passion for medicine is the reason you are
spending an extra year pursuing a medical degree etc. talk about why you may have gotten bad MCAT scores, and explain the circumstances that lead to those scores without putting yourself down.

3-in the MCAT section tell them you will be taking another MCAT.

4-take another MCAT before the end of July and destroy it.

5-get your secondaries in way ahead of time. you already have most of the prompts from this year so start working on them as soon as your MCAT is over.

good luck!