Non-Trad Reapply?

[924782]

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Hey everyone, I can’t sleep. So I’ll post about my fears on SDN! Thanks for the help in advance.
Stats:
3.64 cGPA, 3.61 sGP. Biochem major.
512 MCAT (129,126,129,128)
Navy Vet. 18000 hours as a hospital corpsman.
350-400 hours research. Chemistry and molecular biology labs. No pubs. 4 poster presentations. Grant funding 30K for biodiesel project.
400 hours volunteering at free clinic as a supervisor and for natural disaster relief.
VP of PMA.
Tutor for 3 years. Biochem, Ochem, Gen chem.
Personal trainer. Amateur Bodybuilder: 2 competitions.
Worked multiple Jobs.

Status: (No MD acceptances, 2 DO)
Post interview WL at UC Davis, accepted at MSUCOM and RVUCOM. However, didn’t fully grasp the differences in DO lower residency competitiveness and international licensure until after applying. MSUCOM OOS tuition is a major drawbac Again, i failed to recognize this tuition before applying. Interviewing for GW post-bacc. Applying to other post baccs.

I’m interested in DWB or similar NGOs as an infectious disease or surgical asset. I aspire to leadership in some form.

Should I take MSU or RVU? Or reapply? Post bacc?? I’d like to be a general surgeon or infectious disease specialist. And I’d like to keep my future open for more specialization.

 

[Faha]

Where is your state of residence ? Which MD schools did you apply to ?

 

[924782]

California.

Schools:
UC Davis
UC Irvine
OHSU
Drexel
Temple
Icahn
Tulane
Emory
Loma Linda

I recognize this is a terrible list. Full of low yield schools. I didn’t know this when I applied.
In addition, my primary was verified in September. MCAT was taken mid august.
No pre-med advisors are at my school.

Many mistakes were made on my part. So I think I could do much better if I tried again. But maybe not.

 

[thedude001]

Reapply. Retake the MCAT and crush it (should be very doable given low CARS and P/S score). Have MCAT graded and AMCAS submitted early June. Do more research and create a better school list. Hopefully, you have continued doing all your volunteer/research throughout this cycle. You got this.

 

[KEPT]

You would give up two acceptances?

 

[thedude001]

You would give up two acceptances?

If I knew I could do better on the MCAT and get everything in early for the next cycle while being able to communicate what I’ve done to improve my application, yes, I would give up 2 DO acceptances. But that’s just me.

 

[KEPT]

Guess it’s just me but retaking a 512 and two acceptance for a chance at an MD seem highly risky and doesn’t sound like it would send the right signal to arcom. If OP score lower on the retake then his chance at med school is pretty bleak as well. But then again I would give up a few fingers and toes to get 512 and two acceptance haha

 

[Ad2b]

I would reapply day 1, pre-write all secondaries; shore up whatever went wonky in IIs because something there was amiss (in my opinion)

 

[924782]

Thanks guys. The only MD interview I had was Davis. And it was in March. So I think the wonkiness was how late it was in the cycle.

You would give up two acceptances?

Guess it’s just me but retaking a 512 and two acceptance for a chance at an MD seem highly risky and doesn’t sound like it would send the right signal to arcom. If OP score lower on the retake then his chance at med school is pretty bleak as well. But then again I would give up a few fingers and toes to get 512 and two acceptance haha

Hey thanks for saying all that. And I agree with you somewhat. I feel like an idiot for considering walking away from acceptances. But I know that I would always ask what would have happened had I reapplied. I will be reapplying to DO schools as well. The philosophy is great and I am completely for what the DO profession is trying to become. But I’d like to keep my options open if at all possible. And when you checkout residency availability for DOs in anything besides family, it seems slim. Obviously not always true. There are many anecdotes and I’ve known DOs in neurosurg. Or other specialities. But the numbers don’t lie. As well, I am very interested in global medicine. And I’d like to avoid hurdles to that career if possible.

I would reapply day 1, pre-write all secondaries; shore up whatever went wonky in IIs because something there was amiss (in my opinion)

Thanks!

 

[924782]

Reapply. Retake the MCAT and crush it (should be very doable given low CARS and P/S score). Have MCAT graded and AMCAS submitted early June. Do more research and create a better school list. Hopefully, you have continued doing all your volunteer/research throughout this cycle. You got this.

Thank you! Any suggestions on study material or companies? I used Kaplan books, Khan academy and AAMC last go.

 

[thedude001]

Thank you! Any suggestions on study material or companies? I used Kaplan books, Khan academy and AAMC last go.

I think it depends on how much time you have. If you want to take it by May, then focus on AAMC, especially for CARS, it’s the gold standard. Make sure you dissect each passage and test when reviewing and learn about your tendencies and eventually questions will begin to break down in front of you, also you need to build that stamina. Be sure you buy all the AAMC resources and do them multiple times, it’ll highlight weaknesses for P/S too, then you can use any resource to brush up. That’s my .02.

 

[Gurby]

I think withdrawing the DO acceptances and reapplying is the right call. You have a super strong application, just shot yourself in the foot by applying in October to a garbage school list.

I don't think you need to retake the MCAT - check the MSAR (which you should buy access to), but I think 512 is probably around the mean for MD matriculants? It's a disaster if you retake and don't improve significantly on it. Your score should be good enough, I think. Your new school list should be targeting mid/mid-upper tiers with only a few T20 reaches, and 512 is a perfect score for that range.

Future steps to take, IMO:

• Submit your primary application the day the cycle opens (June 1st or whatever).
  
• Post your school list on SDN so we can tell you it sucks and advise you on how to make it better.
• Apply to ~30 schools ideally. Applying to less than 20 would be a huge mistake IMO. Start scraping the money together now if you have to.
• Start pre-writing secondaries because it will be overwhelming.

 

[thedude001]

I think withdrawing the DO acceptances and reapplying is the right call. You have a super strong application, just shot yourself in the foot by applying in October to a garbage school list.

I don't think you need to retake the MCAT - check the MSAR (which you should buy access to), but I think 512 is probably around the mean for MD matriculants? It's a disaster if you retake and don't improve significantly on it. Your score should be good enough, I think. Your new school list should be targeting mid/mid-upper tiers with only a few T20 reaches, and 512 is a perfect score for that range.

Future steps to take, IMO:

• Submit your primary application the day the cycle opens (June 1st or whatever).
  
• Post your school list on SDN so we can tell you it sucks and advise you on how to make it better.
• Apply to ~30 schools ideally. Applying to less than 20 would be a huge mistake IMO. Start scraping the money together now if you have to.
• Start pre-writing secondaries because it will be overwhelming.

I agree, but if you know you can do better on the MCAT then that will open more doors.

I think withdrawing the DO acceptances and reapplying is the right call. You have a super strong application, just shot yourself in the foot by applying in October to a garbage school list.

I don't think you need to retake the MCAT - check the MSAR (which you should buy access to), but I think 512 is probably around the mean for MD matriculants? It's a disaster if you retake and don't improve significantly on it. Your score should be good enough, I think. Your new school list should be targeting mid/mid-upper tiers with only a few T20 reaches, and 512 is a perfect score for that range.

Future steps to take, IMO:

• Submit your primary application the day the cycle opens (June 1st or whatever).
  
• Post your school list on SDN so we can tell you it sucks and advise you on how to make it better.
• Apply to ~30 schools ideally. Applying to less than 20 would be a huge mistake IMO. Start scraping the money together now if you have to.
• Start pre-writing secondaries because it will be overwhelming.

I don't think it would be a disaster at all, as long as you improve, that's what matters. It would definitely make reapplying and giving up seats much easier.

 

[924782]

I’ve been in contact with an NAAHP advisor and he said I should take the DO acceptances. But if I choose not to, I don’t need to retake the mcat. So I’ll go with that! I was accepted to the GW GCATS and am waiting on some other post bacc/SMP’s.
I’ll just apply earlier and see what happens. If you guys are interested in reading my PS or helping me out with my app, I’ll be in touch on here!

 

[thedude001]

I’ve been in contact with an NAAHP advisor and he said I should take the DO acceptances. But if I choose not to, I don’t need to retake the mcat. So I’ll go with that! I was accepted to the GW GCATS and am waiting on some other post bacc/SMP’s.
I’ll just apply earlier and see what happens. If you guys are interested in reading my PS or helping me out with my app, I’ll be in touch on here!

Advisors really don't know anything at all from my experience. If you want to listen to anyone, have it be the med school reps themselves. Ask all of them for feedback on your app. In terms of MCAT, it's totally up to you, but another one would show what you've done to improve from the last application cycle, shows grit. If you go against his advice of taking the acceptances, make sure you are putting yourself in the best spot to succeed. Best of luck.

 

[Trollest]

I will invest in the 2019 MSAR and remember you are from California

I’ve been in contact with an NAAHP advisor and he said I should take the DO acceptances. But if I choose not to, I don’t need to retake the mcat. So I’ll go with that! I was accepted to the GW GCATS and am waiting on some other post bacc/SMP’s.
I’ll just apply earlier and see what happens. If you guys are interested in reading my PS or helping me out with my app, I’ll be in touch on here!

 

[thedude001]

I will invest in the 2019 MSAR and remember you are from California

Also, if you aren't willing to do the MCAT again why are you taking a whole year and $$$ for a post-bac? Won't you be taking the classes after you already applied?

 

[924782]

I will invest in the 2019 MSAR and remember you are from California

Definitely using the MSAR.

And considering the MCAT again as well. I’ve got a full plate in my last semester of undergrad, working, research, blah blah blah... I am confident if I had time to take off from everything and study I’d do better. But I’m independent and need to pay bills. So I may never be able to dedicate more than 3-4 hours a day to mcat prep again. I will let you know if I start prepping. I’ll take a practice test and see how it goes.

I’m enrolling in a post-bacc after applying, true. I’m banking on providing GPA update, extra curricular updates, research updates, etc. plus, I like school. I like learning. It’s a big investment for sure. But it’ll allow me access to better advisors and connections at a school that produces many more med school students than my undergrad does.

 

[924782]

At least... that’s what I hope.

You think I’m an idiot?! Lol.

I considered at one point just taking the mcat and taking a year off. But I am more nervous about that than about a year of tuition for a post bacc. When I end up doing mediocre jobs just to pay rent, I don’t think that’ll look good on my app.

 

[thedude001]

At least... that’s what I hope.

You think I’m an idiot?! Lol.

I considered at one point just taking the mcat and taking a year off. But I am more nervous about that than about a year of tuition for a post bacc. When I end up doing mediocre jobs just to pay rent, I don’t think that’ll look good on my app.

The advisor thing doesn't quite make sense to me considering this will be your second cycle already, and you're talking about advising for a 3rd cycle. If I were you I would try to get in touch with as many medical schools as possible to have this convo ASAP. I feel your pain, it's tough finding good advice, but you won't find it on SDN. The medical schools will give you the best advice I think, just try to hear from as many as you can to come up with a plan.

 

[Ad2b]

it's tough finding good advice, but you won't find it on SDN.

I disagree. Been here for many years and have seen excellent advice given, not always taken. Most of the people here have good intentions; many are already in med school who come back to help where they themselves got help and others are adcoms who could easily, spend their time doing things elsewhere but they choose to be here, helping. The last set are people like me who have been here long enough to see what works, what doesn't and are in the process themselves - first time, 2nd time, upteenth time...

 

[thedude001]

I disagree. Been here for many years and have seen excellent advice given, not always taken. Most of the people here have good intentions; many are already in med school who come back to help where they themselves got help and others are adcoms who could easily, spend their time doing things elsewhere but they choose to be here, helping. The last set are people like me who have been here long enough to see what works, what doesn't and are in the process themselves - first time, 2nd time, upteenth time...

My point exactly, OP take your advice from people currently in admissions at the schools you are interested in, good intentions doesn't equal good advice.

 

[Ad2b]

My point exactly, OP take your advice from people currently in admissions at the schools you are interested in, good intentions doesn't equal good advice.

Stick around a bit more than 1 week before you launch into negativity about what gets gained from SDN 🙂

 

[thedude001]

Stick around a bit more than 1 week before you launch into negativity about what gets gained from SDN 🙂

You know you can read posts without being a member, right...?

 

[Ad2b]

You know you can read posts without being a member, right...?

Yep ... been far longer than 2014 would indicate 😉

 

[thedude001]

Yep ... been far longer than 2014 would indicate 😉

But.... you... just argued for my point...

 

[Ad2b]

But.... you... just argued for my point...

I'm not arguing ... sensing someone hurt you badly either here or elsewhere with respect to med school admissions. For that, I am sorry.

 

[Gurby]

it's tough finding good advice, but you won't find it on SDN. The medical schools will give you the best advice I think

Funniest thing I read all week.

SDN is like 50% echo chamber, 40% trash, 9% memes, and 1% nuggets of wisdom that will change your life.

It takes some sifting and filtering and taking grains of salt, but there is good info on here that you won't find anywhere else.

The idea that a med school is going to give some random pre-med honest and accurate advice... is delusional, I think. They'll thank OP for applying, tell OP there were many qualified candidates and that they regretfully weren't able to offer him/her a spot, they will make some politically correct but ultimately unhelpful comments, and then wish OP good luck in their medical career.

But that's just my opinion.

 

[thedude001]

I'm not arguing ... sensing someone hurt you badly either here or elsewhere with respect to med school admissions. For that, I am sorry.

Nope, I'm great. Just trying to give the OP the best advice considering there is a lot of noise out there and especially on SDN. Best to get advice from the people that matter which is the current adcoms at his interested schools. Best not to listen to uninformed strangers on the internet. Best of luck in your journey!

 

[thedude001]

But that's just my opinion.

Definitely

 

[924782]

Funniest thing I read all week.

SDN is like 50% echo chamber, 40% trash, 9% memes, and 1% nuggets of wisdom that will change your life.

It takes some sifting and filtering and taking grains of salt, but there is good info on here that you won't find anywhere else.

The idea that a med school is going to give some random pre-med honest and accurate advice... is delusional, I think. They'll thank OP for applying, tell OP there were many qualified candidates and that they regretfully weren't able to offer him/her a spot, they will make some politically correct but ultimately unhelpful comments, and then wish OP good luck in their medical career.

But that's just my opinion.

Yea. Agreed. UC Davis does not offer advising. I don’t think the DO schools I got into would be excited about offering me advising.

Nope, I'm great. Just trying to give the OP the best advice considering there is a lot of noise out there and especially on SDN. Best to get advice from the people that matter which is the current adcoms at his interested schools. Best not to listen to uninformed strangers on the internet. Best of luck in your journey!

I do wonder if I need to do a post-bacc. It might be a good idea to not do it. But I have no idea what I’d do for a year tbh. and if I do, god forbid, need to apply a third time, a post-bacc will have been a year well spent.