Planning for no acceptance before even applying

[907914]

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I will be applying this coming cycle (2019-2020) to 20 schools. My stats at application will be cGPA/sGPA/MCAT 3.66/3.99/TBD and I plan on applying to 25 schools. Always seeking to be excessively over prepared in unfortunate circumstances, I'd like to know if this gap-year back up plan is sufficient for reapplication the following year:

Through the 2019/2020 school year, I will be continuing my non-clinical volunteering, clinical employment, taking upper division science courses, participating in a wet-lab based biotechnology series based around one student led research project. My cGPA would change to 3.725, my sGPA would change to 4.0 (3.992 to 3.995). There is also a paper that I am 3rd author being submitted in April...maybe published by next cycle as well? Assuming the MCAT is alright and all else equal, would these activities be sufficient to improve my app in one year for reapplication the following cycle (2020-2021)?

Beyond this, there is not much I can do to improve my app. Military, plenty of other research, clinical employment and volunteering etc. all boxes checked and then some.

I know I should pay attention to this coming cycle, and I definitely am, however I just want to make sure that I do not find myself trying to play catch up if come May 2020 I got nothin...

 

[chaim123]

know I should pay attention to this coming cycle, and I definitely am, however I just want to make sure that I do not find myself trying to play catch up if come May 2020 I got nothin...

If you come up empty, most people suggest you skip a cycle and really improve on your weak points. Get feedback from schools that rejected you, fill those holes, and apply after an extra year off. Everthing you stated keeps your app strong, but it won't drastically change it for the next cycle.

 

[907914]

If you come up empty, most people suggest you skip a cycle and really improve on your weak points. Get feedback from schools that rejected you, fill those holes, and apply after an extra year off. Everthing you stated keeps your app strong, but it won't drastically change it for the next cycle.

At this point, the only thing I can think of that would be the biggest weak point would be the cGPA (which isn’t even too terribly low). What are the sorts of things that can go wrong in an otherwise good app (Essays have been reviewed by many peers, interview skills good etc).

 

[chlorocruorin]

I'm sorry but would it make sense to go into a basketball game thinking, "what if I lose"... Have confidence in your application and you will get in. You ever heard of self-fulfilling prophesies? If you plan for all rejections then you won't put in your absolute best on your PS and experience section. And if you make it to the interview, they'll be sure to sniff out the doubt you have. Be confident in your decision to apply now. A trauma surgeon once told me, no matter if your decision is right or wrong, if you made one stick with it until the end. If you don't receive interviews by february/march or no acceptances by april then do what others have said and plan for an additional gap year

 

[907914]

I'm sorry but would it make sense to go into a basketball game thinking, "what if I lose"... Have confidence in your application and you will get in. You ever heard of self-fulfilling prophesies? If you plan for all rejections then you won't put in your absolute best on your PS and experience section. And if you make it to the interview, they'll be sure to sniff out the doubt you have. Be confident in your decision to apply now. A trauma surgeon once told me, no matter if your decision is right or wrong, if you made one stick with it until the end. If you don't receive interviews by february/march or no acceptances by april then do what others have said and plan for an additional gap year

Oh, I by no means have doubts about my application. I know it is solid in all aspects except that cGPA, but I make up for that with my ECs, sGPA, great interviewer, thoroughly prepared essays etc.(assuming a 510+ MCAT). I just know the application process inherently has hints of randomness too it and want to be prepared.

 

[Goro]

I'm sorry but would it make sense to go into a basketball game thinking, "what if I lose"... Have confidence in your application and you will get in. You ever heard of self-fulfilling prophesies? If you plan for all rejections then you won't put in your absolute best on your PS and experience section. And if you make it to the interview, they'll be sure to sniff out the doubt you have. Be confident in your decision to apply now. A trauma surgeon once told me, no matter if your decision is right or wrong, if you made one stick with it until the end. If you don't receive interviews by february/march or no acceptances by april then do what others have said and plan for an additional gap year

It's one thing to have a positive attitude, which is important.

But all applicants should consider themselves rejected until they have that acceptance email in their inbox and be planning for the next application cycle accordingly.

60% of all applicants get rejected.

All surgeons have a back-up plan in case something screws up once they enter the operating room as well

 

[LizzyM]

Right now, the big question is the MCAT score. Focus intently on that until you take it. At that point, you'll know where you stand for 2019-2020 cycle and if you do well enough (510) you should be golden.