Possible 3x Re-applicant Advice

[Mushookie]

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Hi everyone!
I'm currently a 2nd time applicant on hold/waitlist for 5 schools post interview, and wondering how I should approach my next year assuming I don't get off of any waitlists, and whether or not an SMP is worth it. First time I applied, I had 1 II to my instate TN.

My stats are: 66 LizzyM
1300+ hrs ER scribing
100 hrs clinical volunteering
200 hrs research
100 hrs non-medical volunteering
50 hours shadowing
600+ hours in various other EC's (sports clubs, cultural clubs etc) in undergrad with leadership positions

My weak point I feel is my interviewing skills, along with my low-ish gpa. I did several mock interviews with friends, but looking back it probably wasn't enough. I had felt that my instate (TN) interviews had gone well, but was pretty disheartened when I was put on hold.

I'm currently wondering if I should:

1. Do a masters/post bac/some sort of academic enhancement for the 2018-2019 year (preferably not due to financial reasons) and then reapply MD/DO

2. Apply for the 2018 - 2019 cycle, work on improving my non-medical volunteering hours and get DO shadowing in order to apply to DO Schools (Is it too late to prep for applying to DO for 2018-2019? I'm afraid If i get last minute shadowing right now it might look rushed)

In either event, I'd retake the MCAT and work on my interview skills like my life depended on it.

I appreciate any advice SDN is willing to give, and thanks in advance!

 

[HomeSkool]

I'm surprised you didn't apply DO for this most recent cycle, but it sounds like you've already identified that particular goof. My advice:

1. Skip a cycle to build up your app.
2. Post-bacc to improve your GPA.
3. MCAT.
4. Increase your volunteering hours.
5. Get DO shadowing.
6. Get interview coaching and practice.
7. Apply widely to MD and DO programs in the 2019-20 cycle.

Good luck!

 

[Goro]

I'm surprised you didn't apply DO for this most recent cycle, but it sounds like you've already identified that particular goof. My advice:

1. Skip a cycle to build up your app.
2. Post-bacc to improve your GPA.
3. MCAT.
4. Increase your volunteering hours.
5. Get DO shadowing.
6. Get interview coaching and practice.
7. Apply widely to MD and DO programs in the 2019-20 cycle.

Good luck!

To my learned colleague's list add: Get LOR from the DO you shadow.

IF you live within driving distance of LMU, or the DO schools in the neighboring states, go visit them and chat up the DO faculty.

 

[Faha]

There will be a lot of wait list movement and acceptances after May 1st. With 5 interviews I would be surprised if you did not receive one acceptance.

 

[Magus5454]

I would say your interviews are definitely part of the problem as you said but hopefully come the end of the month you find your way off a wait list. Keep us updated. Hopefully you don't have to retake the MCAT I've been there

 

[calivianya]

Agree that you've got pretty good odds of getting off a waitlist.

However, if you're willing to go DO, you're fine for this cycle. You've already done some shadowing, just add one more physician, make that physician a DO, and ask for a LOR. Everything else is fine.

I had zero research, zero non-medical volunteering, and less than ten hours of shadowing - but a significant amount of clinical employment and I got plenty of interest from DO programs. DO schools like people who work in healthcare, and they like higher MCAT scores like yours.

I expect if you apply DO early with your ECs, assuming you can do the same or better on your MCAT retake, you may get IIs from 90%+ of DO programs you apply to.

 

[Wokemon]

Do you know about Tulane's ACLP postbacc that only accepts people who have been waitlisted at US MD or DO schools? Being a waitlisted candidate is a requirement for acceptance to this program. Most students who do extremely well in the program are admitted to Tulane med school the following year (and don't have to retake the coursework!).

I don't know much about it, so you should definitely do your own research before applying to it. The deadline for application is fast approaching.

 

[franklyMed]

Yup

 

[DrRedstone]

Your MCAT qualifies you for a nice 1st year scholarship at KCU. Throw some DO schools onto your next application and you should have an acceptance next year.