Post bacc student applying this cycle with few extracirriculars

[Heyigotnoclue]

Graduated from a T20 ungrad Econ, went on to do a postbacc. GPA 3.86 cumulative 3.97 science and MCAT 518. I've applied to about 30 schools, had one interview - rejected. No other interviews at this time. Hospital volunteering (300 hours total), non-clinical volunteering (100 hrs) and presently have a full time job (hands-on rehab position - 650 hrs), no research (impossible to find anything), strong leadership (over 1000 hrs as an RA in college- very involved UG), too few hours shadowing. Although I am currently continuing all EC's, I am certain it is my EC's that are hurting me. Any schools that are not as rigid with EC's I could apply to late in cycle?

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[Med Ed]

Extracurricular.

What is your state of residence?
What was your school list?
What were your 100 hours of non-clinical volunteering?
Casting your role as an RA as strong leadership may be overselling it.

It's November, better to plan for next cycle than waste more application fee money on this one.

 

[Heyigotnoclue]

New York
Various schools - good spread, UCONN, Quinnipiac, Indiana, Tufts, NYMC to name a few
100 hours non-clinical was cooking and distributing meals in a soup kitchen in a disadvantaged community/area with a lot of homeless and migrant population
RA at my school was an incredibly involved position (not like most schools where you never see the RA). Basically, along with 3 other RA's,monitored and mentored 100 undergrads.

 

[AJS59]

New York
Various schools - good spread, UCONN, Quinnipiac, Indiana, Tufts, NYMC to name a few
100 hours non-clinical was cooking and distributing meals in a soup kitchen in a disadvantaged community/area with a lot of homeless and migrant population
RA at my school was an incredibly involved position (not like most schools where you never see the RA). Basically, along with 3 other RA's,monitored and mentored 100 undergrads.

The non-clinical is a little low (150 is the minimum bar) but I don't think in your case it's necessarily a death sentence.

We definitely need to hear out your whole school list. UConn and IU for example are state med schools that favor their IS applicants.

Regardless, I don't think it's your ECs that are hurting you. It could be your writing, your school list, your LORs or just plain bad luck.

I'd still work on the ECs for now and just wait it out. Many IIs still left to be issued

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Feedback from your postbac faculty? How were they involved in your school list or evaluation letters? You haven't posted a WAMC as far as I can tell, but do you feel you made corrections based on feedback previously given you?

 

[Med Ed]

New York
Various schools - good spread, UCONN, Quinnipiac, Indiana, Tufts, NYMC to name a few
100 hours non-clinical was cooking and distributing meals in a soup kitchen in a disadvantaged community/area with a lot of homeless and migrant population
RA at my school was an incredibly involved position (not like most schools where you never see the RA). Basically, along with 3 other RA's,monitored and mentored 100 undergrads.

It would be helpful to have your full list. UConn was a donation for a non-CT resident.
100 hours sounds like a good start.
"Monitoring and mentoring" sounds a bit Orwellian. Not to diminish your experience, but in this context leadership usually describes organizing and directing others to accomplish one or more shared goals. It sounds more like you were doing a job.

 

[Goro]

If you're not an Indiana resident, that's also going to be a donation. You need to get in more hours of service to others less fortunate to yourself

 

[GoSpursGo]

Moving to wamc

Agree school list would help

 

[Heyigotnoclue]

School List:
University of South Carolina
Kentucky
Kansas
Emory
Louisville
Ohio State
Case Western
University of Michigan
FAU
George Washington
Brown
Stoney Brook
Zucker
NYU
Georgetown
Tufts
Albany
Creighton
Wake Forest
Darthmouth
UCONN
NYMC
Icahn
Cornell
Quinnipiac
Yale



At this point, I've got a feeling I will be reapplying, so any other school recommenadations would be appreciated.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Again, you have not listed your EC's in a proper WAMC format, so I suspect you have no EC's that are worth touting as meaningful... or at least that is the impression we are getting. Again, your postbac program should have an idea and a track record to suggest schools where you should be successful. You know you are deficient in all of your EC's, and I don't think your academics are an issue. Seriously, why medicine? It just sounds like you're following a checklist, or you're unwilling to consider expert advice.

Are you including all of your in-state options? I don't see Buffalo, for example.

 

[Med Ed]

At this point, I've got a feeling I will be reapplying, so any other school recommenadations would be appreciated.

There are only a handful of public schools that are friendly-ish to OOS applicants. VCU and Vermont come to mind, and maybe EVMS.

South Carolina, Kentucky, Kansas, Ohio State, FAU, and UConn were therefore donations.

Reach schools aren't inherently bad, but in applying to Emory, Michigan, Cornell, NYU, and Yale, you are telegraphing that you think your application is among the most competitive in the country.

As a NY resident you should apply to Upstate, Downstate, and Buffalo. If you think your app is solid the Rochester would be reasonable. Outside of NY, also consider adding Temple, Drexel, SLU, and MCW.

Completing the full WAMC template would be helpful, as well.

 

[candbgirl]

Here is the grid everyone is suggesting you fill out completely if you want good, professional advice.

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