Planning for the next cycle already...

[Thrillhouse]

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Hello all -

I know it is still very early in the 2014 cycle, but with my MCAT score and poor school choice prior (I selected school's and submitted before taking my MCAT) I am beginning to become doubtful of matriculation this year. I believe I still have a decent chance of interviewing at my home state schools as they have accepted lower and similar scores in the past, but I am not banking on an acceptance. I am not someone to snub from applying D.O. either I just ran out of funds for applying this cycle and will definitely consider next year if needed.

So my question is this: What do I need to do between now and a possible second gap year?

My cGPA: 3.53, sGPA: 3.75. I do not want to take more classes and would like to avoid an SMP. All of my science classes were A's and A-'s besides a B+ in Genetics and I have taken almost everything all other school's recommend. Plus, the expenses.

I currently work as a medical scribe, but that is only for 1 year, which I may be able to extend. I also work at research lab on campus, but I see that only continuing until January 2014. I am considering taking EMT courses and trying to find a job in that field. Any thoughts on this or should I try and extend scribing? Which would be more beneficial to my application? My biggest issue here is needing to earn some decent wages if I need to apply again and scribes do not make much.

I would definitely continue my EC's of working at the Free Clinic and Needle Exchange. Should I also take on more activities while I wait? I am thinking about volunteering at a Habitat for Humanity and local Hospice.

Edit: What about shadowing? Should I continue to shadow MDs even with 100+hours regular shadowing and 24 hrs/week scribing? I do plan on shadowing a DO to get a better sense of their approach.

Lastly, if any one has any recommendations on MCAT studying with a hectic schedule such as mine please let me know. I don't plan on beginning any "serious" studying until I have a for sure idea of where I will land this cycle, but it wouldn't hurt to for a little prep on my free time.


Thank you all for any help and advice. And I apologize if I sound neurotic , maybe I am just going crazy by over thinking this way too much.

 

[SN12357]

It sounds like you think your MCAT is the weakest part of your application, and if that's the case, then the best thing you can do for next year is improve it. Which probably means NOT piling on tons of activities. You don't want your most important improvable thing to be lost in the shuffle.

However, it's super early in the cycle and you are probably panicking prematurely.

 

[Thrillhouse]

It sounds like you think your MCAT is the weakest part of your application, and if that's the case, then the best thing you can do for next year is improve it. Which probably means NOT piling on tons of activities. You don't want your most important improvable thing to be lost in the shuffle.

However, it's super early in the cycle and you are probably panicking prematurely.

Yea I just didn't know if 2 years of the same activities vs a change in activities would look better. But I definitely agree improving my MCAT is my first priority. Any suggestions for studying for a retake? I don't have the time to fit in a prep class.

 

[Goro]

How did you do on your MCAT? Your numbers are fine; they're good for low-medium tier MD schools plu any DO program. Just don't aim for the Ivies and their ilk and you should be OK if you can score at least 30 on the MCAT (with balanced scores).

You do NOT need a SMP.

Your ECs are fine and it's definitely not needed to do any more MD shadowing.

We understand the need to make a living and so recognize that your volunteer work might be impinged by a real job. It doesn't need to be a health care job either.

Hello all -

I know it is still very early in the 2014 cycle, but with my MCAT score and poor school choice prior (I selected school's and submitted before taking my MCAT) I am beginning to become doubtful of matriculation this year. I believe I still have a decent chance of interviewing at my home state schools as they have accepted lower and similar scores in the past, but I am not banking on an acceptance. I am not someone to snub from applying D.O. either I just ran out of funds for applying this cycle and will definitely consider next year if needed.

So my question is this: What do I need to do between now and a possible second gap year?

My cGPA: 3.53, sGPA: 3.75. I do not want to take more classes and would like to avoid an SMP. All of my science classes were A's and A-'s besides a B+ in Genetics and I have taken almost everything all other school's recommend. Plus, the expenses.

I currently work as a medical scribe, but that is only for 1 year, which I may be able to extend. I also work at research lab on campus, but I see that only continuing until January 2014. I am considering taking EMT courses and trying to find a job in that field. Any thoughts on this or should I try and extend scribing? Which would be more beneficial to my application? My biggest issue here is needing to earn some decent wages if I need to apply again and scribes do not make much.

I would definitely continue my EC's of working at the Free Clinic and Needle Exchange. Should I also take on more activities while I wait? I am thinking about volunteering at a Habitat for Humanity and local Hospice.

Edit: What about shadowing? Should I continue to shadow MDs even with 100+hours regular shadowing and 24 hrs/week scribing? I do plan on shadowing a DO to get a better sense of their approach.

Lastly, if any one has any recommendations on MCAT studying with a hectic schedule such as mine please let me know. I don't plan on beginning any "serious" studying until I have a for sure idea of where I will land this cycle, but it wouldn't hurt to for a little prep on my free time.


Thank you all for any help and advice. And I apologize if I sound neurotic , maybe I am just going crazy by over thinking this way too much.

 

[Thrillhouse]

How did you do on your MCAT? Your numbers are fine; they're good for low-medium tier MD schools plu any DO program. Just don't aim for the Ivies and their ilk and you should be OK if you can score at least 30 on the MCAT (with balanced scores).

You do NOT need a SMP.

Your ECs are fine and it's definitely not needed to do any more MD shadowing.

We understand the need to make a living and so recognize that your volunteer work might be impinged by a real job. It doesn't need to be a health care job either.

Well I ended with a 27 (PS: 8, VR: 10, BS: 9). I'm not too sure what happened with this test. During my practice exams I was doing around 10-11 on my PS and 12-13 on my BS. I have been looking at different MCAT preps on SDN and I have the majority of materials for the SN2 (I think that's what its called), but that also requires a large daily commitment.

I would have liked to apply to a few DO schools locally and after reading their demographics I think I would have a fair chance. I just don't have the extra funds to apply at this point and I got rejected for the fee assistance, which is strange because I qualified for the AMCAS FAP...

I'm glad to have some extra assurance to avoid an SMP. Definitely something I don't want to pursue at this point.

Thank you for your help!

 

[Goro]

A 27 is not competetive for MD schools, so I suggest waiting for the next app cycle and in the meantime, strengthening what you need for an MCAT re-take. Keep in mind that a 27 is fine for any DO program, including mine.

Well I ended with a 27 (PS: 8, VR: 10, BS: 9). I'm not too sure what happened with this test. During my practice exams I was doing around 10-11 on my PS and 12-13 on my BS. I have been looking at different MCAT preps on SDN and I have the majority of materials for the SN2 (I think that's what its called), but that also requires a large daily commitment.

I would have liked to apply to a few DO schools locally and after reading their demographics I think I would have a fair chance. I just don't have the extra funds to apply at this point and I got rejected for the fee assistance, which is strange because I qualified for the AMCAS FAP...

I'm glad to have some extra assurance to avoid an SMP. Definitely something I don't want to pursue at this point.

Thank you for your help!

 

[cabinbuilder]

At 27 is FINE. Apply DO and be the doctor you want to be.

 

[Thrillhouse]

At 27 is FINE. Apply DO and be the doctor you want to be.

Thanks for the encouragement! I am definitely going to next cycle. If I was able to obtain funds to apply to one or two schools (most likely Pacific Northwest University and/or Touro University Nevada) do you think it would be too late in the cycle?

It's good to see quite a few students place into neurology residencies as that is what I am most interested in as of now, but who knows!

 

[MackandBlues]

I would try to come up with the money for DO applications for this cycle. Most DO secondaries are only $50 instead of the usual $100+ at MD (at least from the 8 DO schools I applied to).Make sure you research the DO schools you will apply to because of letter and class requirements. No need to throw away money.

 

[cabinbuilder]

Thanks for the encouragement! I am definitely going to next cycle. If I was able to obtain funds to apply to one or two schools (most likely Pacific Northwest University and/or Touro University Nevada) do you think it would be too late in the cycle?

It's good to see quite a few students place into neurology residencies as that is what I am most interested in as of now, but who knows!

September is very late. I did that one year. Applied Sept, had my interview in March, waitlisted and then rejected. I would not waste my money this year especially if you already are strapped for cash. I would work, save, apply June 1st and give yourself the best chance at acceptance.

 

[tchaiks4th]

This is a ways down the line, but also be aware of how much it will cost you to hold your seat if you do get accepted. I have to turn down TUCOM CA because they want $2000 within two weeks of their offer (tomorrow for me).

I would try to come up with the money for DO applications for this cycle. Most DO secondaries are only $50 instead of the usual $100+ at MD (at least from the 8 DO schools I applied to).Make sure you research the DO schools you will apply to because of letter and class requirements. No need to throw away money.

 

[solitarius]

Possibly consider doing some research and DO shadowing before next year's ACOMAS cycle.

 

[woltej1]

I am in the same boat. I applied late (got verified in october) with not the best stats in the world 29/3.94. The 29 was after retaking the exam. I know it's still early in the process, since I just got verified, but I feel everyone who applies around this time(with average stats) is either getting no II or wait-listed. I don't think I have the energy to retake this exam. I think I will just work on beefing up my ECs and applying early to both MD and DO programs next year.

If you get an II and they ask if you considered retaking the MCAT would you be willing to say you just didn't have the energy for it? I had the same mindset after getting rejected, then thought what would I do if I never made it into medical? So I dropped 2k on a Kaplan prep course and scored 6 points higher. You got an easy 6 months of prep time to retake the MCAT. I highly recommend Kaplan for mcat prep.