Need some serious advice!

[Pharis]

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Hey guys,

I have gone through the AMCAS application cycle this year and have been mostly unsuccessful. It is very disheartening considering I have an undergraduate GPA of 3.84 (with a similar science GPA) and MCAT scores of 29Q and 33R. I've also done volunteer work at 3 hospitals, have 2 years of research experience, presented a poster at a symposium, and worked in the emergency room for a few months. I'm not sure what did me in, but maybe it had to do with the fact that I submitted my primary in October, which I guess is a little late. What would you guys advise me to do: go straight to the Caribbean, finding a job for one year while reapplying in June, or going for an MPH degree? I am leaning towards the latter, but I'm not sure if it would strengthen my application in any way (besides giving me more experience). I really need some advice on this, so any tips would be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much.

Pharis

 

[PescadoAmor]

I think you have great credentials- I think the only thing is apply much earlier this time.

 

[lsu8601]

I think you need to be doing something career-related in your year off, whether its MPH/research/etc. Earlier application next cycle + whatever extra experience you'll be getting should be enough to get you in, assuming you don't bomb interviews and have rampant typos in your PS.

 

[Goro]

Numbers and ECs are great. Are the MCAT scores balanced? MD programs like the "triple double" (10/10/10) minimum.



I have gone through the AMCAS application cycle this year and have been mostly unsuccessful. It is very disheartening considering I have an undergraduate GPA of 3.84 (with a similar science GPA) and MCAT scores of 29Q and 33R.

ECs look good, but how much? You should have >100 hrs patient contact experience (it doesn't all have to be in a hospital) and decent shadowing experience.

I've also done volunteer work at 3 hospitals, have 2 years of research experience, presented a poster at a symposium, and worked in the emergency room for a few months

It's a long interview cycle, so I don't think you were too late. Maybe you aimed too high? Next time, make sure you have some low-medium tier schools, plus all your state schools (if any). Also, try a few DO programs...you'd be an auto-accept there.

I am worried that you might have a red flag in your packet: bad LOR? IA? Any felony or recent misdemeanors? Try contacting the Admissions offices that rejected you and see if they can give any input to your rejections...I'm surprised you didn't get any interviews.

. I'm not sure what did me in, but maybe it had to do with the fact that I submitted my primary in October, which I guess is a little late.

Caribbean diploma mills will take you as long as you're breathing and can write an up front tuition check. You can do better.

What would you guys advise me to do: go straight to the Caribbean, finding a job for one year while reapplying in June, or going for an MPH degree?

I don't your problem is showing us that you can handle medical school. Something else is going on here.

I am leaning towards the latter, but I'm not sure if it would strengthen my application in any way (besides giving me more experience). I really need some advice on this, so any tips would be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much.

Pharis[/QUOTE]

 

[geoffreyy]

we were in the same boat dude. please do not go carib.

i was accepted there last year but decided to do smp instead.

friggin hard but worth it imo

dont give up

 

[loltopsy]

Submit primary in June (earlier the better). Finish all secondaries within a week of receiving them (they arrive late July to early August, don't be lazy or procrastinate or else you can say hello to another wasted cycle). Apply broadly (at least 20 schools, preferably closer to 30). Don't be a douche in interviews (you should have one in September). Take your god damn MD acceptance.


The earlier you submit, the higher your chance of interview and acceptance is. Every day longer you wait slightly reduces your chance. By October, unless you're Jesus, you have no shot at any school. That applies to secondaries as well.

 

[sbhav]

October? A little late? That is like arriving at the party after the food and beer are gone. By August 1st something like 95% of primary applications have been submitted.

You just came after the show was all but over, just chill and reapply

Agreed. Take a year off and do something productive with your time (research, clinical volunteering abroad, shadowing). Brush up your personal statement and activities if needed, and submit your primary application the first day that you can! That seemed to be your main problem.

 

[Goro]

Apply as early as possible. You fine for any DO or low-mid-tier MD program. You can do better than Carib diploma mills.

Hey guys,

I have gone through the AMCAS application cycle this year and have been mostly unsuccessful. It is very disheartening considering I have an undergraduate GPA of 3.84 (with a similar science GPA) and MCAT scores of 29Q and 33R. I've also done volunteer work at 3 hospitals, have 2 years of research experience, presented a poster at a symposium, and worked in the emergency room for a few months. I'm not sure what did me in, but maybe it had to do with the fact that I submitted my primary in October, which I guess is a little late. What would you guys advise me to do: go straight to the Caribbean, finding a job for one year while reapplying in June, or going for an MPH degree? I am leaning towards the latter, but I'm not sure if it would strengthen my application in any way (besides giving me more experience). I really need some advice on this, so any tips would be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much.

Pharis