Plan B after failed application cycle

[MDBankai]

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Hi everyone,

Though my first post, I have been following the forums for a while now and I extend my gratitude to all who give their time to post amazing counsels, direct criticisms or riskily harsh remarks to serve this community's purpose. I am looking for some of the following on my own situation:

Summary:
Ugrad GPA: 3.75
MCAT: 26 (10 PS, 10 BS, 6 VB!!!)
strong clinical and community service ECs (+700 hrs), international volunteer (200 hrs), laboratory research (2 and a half years), medical internships + cosmetic chemistry internship

Currently running in 2nd year after undergrad. Work experience as teaching assistant for developmentally disabled children, front desk medical office and a possible new position as medical/research assistant in a dermatology practice.

Despite knowing the odds due to my low MCAT, I took the advice (foolishly so) of my premed advisor (he writes my institution's committee letters) who told me that I have a chance at US MD schools. "How many applicants can speak 4 languages, 2 local dialects, come from a third world country as a US college student etc etc" As advised, I applied broadly but have either been rejected or not contacted at all for the coming fall med cycle. It is not so much of the prestige debate of MD vs DO but rather for own personal reasons that may influence my future practice is what prevented me from considering DO schools (I know, stupid).

I feel lost in figuring out my next plan. I know the most obvious is to def retake the MCAT by extensively working for verbal. My english is strong but as it is, verbal is the hardest section of the test. Then reapply to MD and DO schools.

Question is: should I reapply immediately for the Fall 2012 even though the only difference from my previous application would (hopefully) be a stronger MCAT and a new statement. Or, should I wait another year before applying and have a much more developed resume along with a good MCAT? If I consider route B, that puts me 2 years after my rejection cycle and 4 years out of school after undergrad. Yes, I am 'building' myself, but I am seriously bouncing around the idea as to whether I should start med school at 26, or just go to one of the top caribbean schools this fall, come back at 26 and work butt hard for the USMLEs.

Or, should I consider a one year masters that 'guarantees' interviews for students who do well with a possible linkage to their med school.

Thanks guys. Any feedback to help me feel "less lost" is much appreciated.

 

[Sesom]

Being 26 and in med school is acceptable. duh
. I would just apply again and work on any aspects of your app that are dragging. Also contact the schools and find out what they think your weaknesses are.

 

[aSagacious]

First and foremost, I think an MCAT retake is in order.

 

[deleted357625]

Hi everyone,

Though my first post, I have been following the forums for a while now and I extend my gratitude to all who give their time to post amazing counsels, direct criticisms or riskily harsh remarks to serve this community's purpose. I am looking for some of the following on my own situation:

Summary:
Ugrad GPA: 3.75
MCAT: 26 (10 PS, 10 BS, 6 VB!!!)
strong clinical and community service ECs (+700 hrs), international volunteer (200 hrs), laboratory research (2 and a half years), medical internships + cosmetic chemistry internship

Currently running in 2nd year after undergrad. Work experience as teaching assistant for developmentally disabled children, front desk medical office and a possible new position as medical/research assistant in a dermatology practice.

Despite knowing the odds due to my low MCAT, I took the advice (foolishly so) of my premed advisor (he writes my institution's committee letters) who told me that I have a chance at US MD schools. "How many applicants can speak 4 languages, 2 local dialects, come from a third world country as a US college student etc etc" As advised, I applied broadly but have either been rejected or not contacted at all for the coming fall med cycle. It is not so much of the prestige debate of MD vs DO but rather for own personal reasons that may influence my future practice is what prevented me from considering DO schools (I know, stupid).

I feel lost in figuring out my plan B. I know the most obvious is to def retake the MCAT by extensively working for verbal. My english is strong but as it is, verbal is the hardest section of the test. Then reapply to MD and DO schools.

Question is: should I reapply immediately for the Fall 2012 even though the only difference from my previous application would (hopefully) be a stronger MCAT and a new statement. Or, should I wait another year before applying and have a much more developed resume along with a good MCAT? If I consider route B, that puts me 2 years after my rejection cycle and 4 years out of school after undergrad. Yes, I am 'building' myself, but I am seriously bouncing around the idea as to whether I should start med school at 26, or just go to one of the top caribbean schools this fall, come back at 26 and work butt hard for the USMLEs.

Or, should I consider a one year masters that 'guarantees' interviews for students who do well with a possible linkage to their med school.

Thanks guys. Any feedback to help me feel "less lost" is much appreciated.

yes do it and good chances you will make it and apply broadly like the first time and add some D.O schools

 

[Owlch]

in case your retake isn't successful, you'll have dropped a lot of $ for nothing. if $'s not a problem, find out if those schools you want to apply to have certain policies/attitudes on reapplicants (EinsteinSOM doesn't allow you to apply more than 2 times I think). go all out on your retake. you also have room for improvement in bio and phys sciences as well. No need to spread yourself thin and also do a masters/postbacc since those are more for low-GPA applicants. In fact, it's probably less effort to dedicate 2 months of your summer to prepping than spending a whole year in another program. You just need a "simple fix"... easier said than done of course. GL

 

[MDBankai]

Being 26 and in med school is acceptable. duh.

Sure it is, but not when you have to counter family who view life as childhood -> teenager -> college -> career/professional studies -> marriage -> work till retirement
Any scramble in the order is unacceptable and each has its specific time in life (some of you may know well of my reference). Heck, for them a Caribbean degree (that doesn't make me 'waste' more time now) and a gambling shot at residencies is better than 'wasting' time now and reapply. I know guys, its my life and I suffer or enjoy the consequences of my decisions but family pressure is straining.

An mcat retake is definitely in. The other concern is whether I should apply immediately or for the subsequent cycle? Torshi (thanks) says to apply again this year, but with unchanged ECs (since I had regularly updated the schools of my recent activities) and (again hopefully) higher mcat, would I yield a more favorable application cycle as opposed to having a full year's worth of stronger activities/development before I reapply? Google search articles mention that the latter is a better option and while it requires grit to swallow the fact that you will have more than a year's gap, patience pays off eventually. Yay, anyone?

 

[xanthomondo]

Hi everyone,

Though my first post, I have been following the forums for a while now and I extend my gratitude to all who give their time to post amazing counsels, direct criticisms or riskily harsh remarks to serve this community's purpose. I am looking for some of the following on my own situation:

Summary:
Ugrad GPA: 3.75
MCAT: 26 (10 PS, 10 BS, 6 VB!!!)
strong clinical and community service ECs (+700 hrs), international volunteer (200 hrs), laboratory research (2 and a half years), medical internships + cosmetic chemistry internship

Currently running in 2nd year after undergrad. Work experience as teaching assistant for developmentally disabled children, front desk medical office and a possible new position as medical/research assistant in a dermatology practice.

Despite knowing the odds due to my low MCAT, I took the advice (foolishly so) of my premed advisor (he writes my institution's committee letters) who told me that I have a chance at US MD schools. "How many applicants can speak 4 languages, 2 local dialects, come from a third world country as a US college student etc etc" As advised, I applied broadly but have either been rejected or not contacted at all for the coming fall med cycle. It is not so much of the prestige debate of MD vs DO but rather for own personal reasons that may influence my future practice is what prevented me from considering DO schools (I know, stupid).

I feel lost in figuring out my plan B. I know the most obvious is to def retake the MCAT by extensively working for verbal. My english is strong but as it is, verbal is the hardest section of the test. Then reapply to MD and DO schools.

Question is: should I reapply immediately for the Fall 2012 even though the only difference from my previous application would (hopefully) be a stronger MCAT and a new statement. Or, should I wait another year before applying and have a much more developed resume along with a good MCAT? If I consider route B, that puts me 2 years after my rejection cycle and 4 years out of school after undergrad. Yes, I am 'building' myself, but I am seriously bouncing around the idea as to whether I should start med school at 26, or just go to one of the top caribbean schools this fall, come back at 26 and work butt hard for the USMLEs.

Or, should I consider a one year masters that 'guarantees' interviews for students who do well with a possible linkage to their med school.

Thanks guys. Any feedback to help me feel "less lost" is much appreciated.

Man, I can't imagine why they wouldn't be willing to overlook a 26 with an otherwirse stellar app. Have you contact any deans of schools to ask where your application went wrong? If they all have the same consensus and cite your MCAT, then kill yourself studying and take it again.

I wouldn't even think about going to the Carribean. Did you get any interviews?

 

[MDBankai]

Man, I can't imagine why they wouldn't be willing to overlook a 26 with an otherwirse stellar app. Have you contact any deans of schools to ask where your application went wrong? If they all have the same consensus and cite your MCAT, then kill yourself studying and take it again.

I wouldn't even think about going to the Carribean. Did you get any interviews?

Nope. Failure sucks,dude. I know that the Caribbean will narrow my options before I can even start anything so I need to consider all options and build a concrete plan. Thanks all for your input.

 

[xanthomondo]

Nope. Failure sucks,dude. I know that the Caribbean will narrow my options before I can even start anything so I need to consider all options and build a concrete plan. Thanks all for your input.

True, it does suck. I was rejected round 1 of my med school application too. I worked full-time for a year and it turned out to be the best thing for me in the end. So don't get too down on yourself.

 

[WeAreNotRobots]

Are you a US citizen?

 

[MDBankai]

Are you a US citizen?

For half a year now.

 

[MDBankai]

True, it does suck. I was rejected round 1 of my med school application too. I worked full-time for a year and it turned out to be the best thing for me in the end. So don't get too down on yourself.

Did you reapply for the next cycle after rejection or did you wait to get some work experience in? I appreciate the support.

 

[WeAreNotRobots]

For half a year now.

Was this change in status indicated properly in your apps? It is tremendously more difficult to get in for noncitizens...

 

[xanthomondo]

Did you reapply for the next cycle after rejection or did you wait to get some work experience in? I appreciate the support.

I reapplied the next cycle. I completely overhalled my entire application - every work section/EC activity was edited, I added what I was doing/was going to do over the next year, and I changed my PS. I also applied to more schools (I only applied to 12 the first time and then 20 the second time). I don't know exactly which ones you applied to, though.

I would definitely contact some deans and set up meetings to see where they think you can improve. You may be surprised. I had deans tell me that I needed more medically-related volunteering (all my volunteering was non medical and involved inner-city kids, but they said it was nice but irrelevant). Even if they only say you need a higher MCAT, you might be showing them true interest in their school and maybe you'll get a last-minute invite.

If you don't mind me asking, what 4 languages do you speak? And what country are you from? You could definitely play that card in your personal statement to come out with a really solid one.

 

[MDBankai]

Was this change in status indicated properly in your apps? It is tremendously more difficult to get in for noncitizens...

Yes, the status change was indicated.

 

[Malice]

I don't know how you do "applications," but always make sure you use a condom safely. Then there's no need for Plan B.

 

[Ignatius M.D.]

I don't know how you do "applications," but always make sure you use a condom safely. Then there's no need for Plan B.

He's quite right. "No glove, no love" as my grandmother always said.

I'm sure the only thing holding you back is the MCAT. Even if you just get it to 28/29 you will increase your chances tremendously. Don't get too down on yourself. This is a tough process. Good luck sir.