potentially preparing for reapplication, would appreciate some advice (3.7/513, tx orm)

[greekyogurtluvr]

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hello sdn,

so, i applied to medical school for ey2026, and my cycle has not gone well so far. 2 ii (1 is, 1 oos) -> waitlisted at the oos school and waiting for match day for the tx school. fingers crossed i match, but i want to start preparing for reapplication in case i don't. i am so lost and the idea of having to go through this process again makes me wanna rip all my hair out LOL. if you have any advice/suggestions/criticism/etc. for me, i would greatly appreciate it. below are my application details:

background: female tx orm (s asian), graduated dec 2024 (1 semester early, 1.5 gap yrs)

gpa:

tmdsas: 3.72cgpa, 3.69sgpa
amcas: 3.69cgpa, 3.57sgpa

explanation/red flags: i got a bunch of b's my freshman yr cuz adjusting to college was hard. also, i got a C in biochem. i got covid during a critical time and it ended up rlly affecting my grade. i didn't explain this in my app cuz i didn't want to sound like i was making excuses, maybe i should've.

mcat: 513(129/128/127/128)

extracurriculars:

leadership:

300 hrs- social coordinator/social media manager for pre-health club for 2 years

70 hrs- organic chemistry tutor/mentor

research:

200 hrs- research assistant, mainly analyzing data/literature review. no pubs/posters/presentations

volunteering:

150 hrs- hospital volunteer in the cardiology unit

100 hrs- misc. volunteering with my pre-health club across 3.5 yrs

50 hrs (projected)- volunteering at a thrift store whose proceeds go towards a shelter for women and children who are victims of abuse. idt this rlly had an impact only my app since it was projected hours.

clinical experience:

180 hrs- emt. i worked at concerts and sporting events

1500 hrs- research tech at a clinical research company.

shadowing:

40 hrs- shadowed various physicians in oklahoma

30 hrs- neurologist

60 hrs- allergist and immunologist

awards:

dean's list for 3 semesters, tied it to how i struggled my freshman year and learned from my mistakes, so i was proud to make the list.

hobbies:

knitting/crochet

recommendation letters:

research pi
allergist i shadowed
trainer/supervisor at work
organic chemistry i prof who i also ta'd for

the only ones i imagine being strong are maybe my supervisor and allergist.

essays/secondaries:

i am really proud of my essays and secondaries. i think i am a pretty strong writer (liberal arts major LOL), and i feel like i made them very personal and unique. i could be biased but idk.

potential red flag: i did not write the optional essay for tmdsas or amcas.

school list:

all texas md schools
tulane
university of oklahoma (family ties)
drexel

i submitted my primary apps (both tmdsas and amcas) the day the app opened. i submitted all tmdsas secondaries around june-july, and all tmdsas secondaries around august.

i probably should've applied to more oos schools but i was delusional and thought my stats would be good enough to get multiple ii's in texas and didn't see the need to apply to other schools.

ideas for reapp and questions:

so, obviously one of my biggest red flags is the C in biochem. i could do an SMP or a diy post-bacc. i am really anti-SMP though bc i don't want to pay a lot of money and waste a year in school getting a useless degree. i am leaning towards doing a post-bacc, but i am confused on how many hours to take, what classes to take, etc. also, should i aim to take the classes this summer so that i have a post-bacc gpa ready by the time apps are due in may?

another weakness is my non-clinical volunteering. i think i need to focus on upping these hours for sure. how many hours should i aim for?

if you read through this novel of a post, thank u so much for taking the time. any advice/suggestions/criticism would be soo soo greatly appreciated. thank u in advance <3

 

[Rabbsters]

Is a single C really an obvious big red flag? I had multiple Cs in my undergrad days (and B's throughout). Only one or two schools asked me to explain any grades below a B on their secondary, and they never came up in open file interviews. I would recommend not trying to explain it unless asked, otherwise you're just drawing attention to it. I think you're overthinking that grade and potentially going down the wrong path to a successful reapplication. I don't think you need a post-bac or SMP, you have the pre-reqs and your grades are fine for many schools.

I don't know TMDSAS, but optional essays for AMCAS are optional and not a red flag.

I think your clinical exposure and volunteering are your biggest weakness. Frankly it might look like you only have 180 clinical hours as an EMT. A research tech doesn't sound clinical (but maybe I don't understand that activity). I would try and find something that works well with your schedule to try and get those numbers up. Volunteering wise I would say aim for 8-12 hours a week. If you have a clinical job, those volunteering hours should be non-clinical, if your job is non-clinical I would try and do a 75/25 split between clinical and non-clinical volunteering.

You might also look to add 4-5 more schools where you'd could be a good fit based on your personal statement and experiences.

Just my thoughts as a nobody.

 

[greekyogurtluvr]

Is a single C really an obvious big red flag? I had multiple Cs in my undergrad days (and B's throughout). Only one or two schools asked me to explain any grades below a B on their secondary, and they never came up in open file interviews. I would recommend not trying to explain it unless asked, otherwise you're just drawing attention to it. I think you're overthinking that grade and potentially going down the wrong path to a successful reapplication. I don't think you need a post-bac or SMP, you have the pre-reqs and your grades are fine for many schools.

I don't know TMDSAS, but optional essays for AMCAS are optional and not a red flag.

I think your clinical exposure and volunteering are your biggest weakness. Frankly it might look like you only have 180 clinical hours as an EMT. A research tech doesn't sound clinical (but maybe I don't understand that activity). I would try and find something that works well with your schedule to try and get those numbers up. Volunteering wise I would say aim for 8-12 hours a week. If you have a clinical job, those volunteering hours should be non-clinical, if your job is non-clinical I would try and do a 75/25 split between clinical and non-clinical volunteering.

You might also look to add 4-5 more schools where you'd could be a good fit based on your personal statement and experiences.

Just my thoughts as a nobody.

you are not a nobody!! your advice is really helpful thank you!!

i think you may be right about me overthinking the c in biochem, so i'll take your advice not to bring it up.

sorry i wasn't super clear about the research tech job. it is technically patient facing, because i work with patients who are taking investigational drugs (vitals, blood draws, etc.) this has been my job since graduating so i have like well over 5k hrs now. and i think you are right about the non-clinical volunteering hours, as well.

congratulations on your acceptance and thank you again for your time and thoughts!

 

[greekyogurtluvr]

Is a single C really an obvious big red flag? I had multiple Cs in my undergrad days (and B's throughout). Only one or two schools asked me to explain any grades below a B on their secondary, and they never came up in open file interviews. I would recommend not trying to explain it unless asked, otherwise you're just drawing attention to it. I think you're overthinking that grade and potentially going down the wrong path to a successful reapplication. I don't think you need a post-bac or SMP, you have the pre-reqs and your grades are fine for many schools.

I don't know TMDSAS, but optional essays for AMCAS are optional and not a red flag.

I think your clinical exposure and volunteering are your biggest weakness. Frankly it might look like you only have 180 clinical hours as an EMT. A research tech doesn't sound clinical (but maybe I don't understand that activity). I would try and find something that works well with your schedule to try and get those numbers up. Volunteering wise I would say aim for 8-12 hours a week. If you have a clinical job, those volunteering hours should be non-clinical, if your job is non-clinical I would try and do a 75/25 split between clinical and non-clinical volunteering.

You might also look to add 4-5 more schools where you'd could be a good fit based on your personal statement and experiences.

Just my thoughts as a nobody.

also, if you don't mind, could you share where you applied/got invites? you can pm me if you're comfortable with that

 

[wysdoc]

hello sdn,

so, i applied to medical school for ey2026, and my cycle has not gone well so far. 2 ii (1 is, 1 oos) -> waitlisted at the oos school and waiting for match day for the tx school. fingers crossed i match, but i want to start preparing for reapplication in case i don't. i am so lost and the idea of having to go through this process again makes me wanna rip all my hair out LOL. if you have any advice/suggestions/criticism/etc. for me, i would greatly appreciate it. below are my application details:

background: female tx orm (s asian), graduated dec 2024 (1 semester early, 1.5 gap yrs)

gpa:

tmdsas: 3.72cgpa, 3.69sgpa
amcas: 3.69cgpa, 3.57sgpa

explanation/red flags: i got a bunch of b's my freshman yr cuz adjusting to college was hard. also, i got a C in biochem. i got covid during a critical time and it ended up rlly affecting my grade. i didn't explain this in my app cuz i didn't want to sound like i was making excuses, maybe i should've.

mcat: 513(129/128/127/128)

extracurriculars:

leadership:

300 hrs- social coordinator/social media manager for pre-health club for 2 years

70 hrs- organic chemistry tutor/mentor

research:

200 hrs- research assistant, mainly analyzing data/literature review. no pubs/posters/presentations

volunteering:

150 hrs- hospital volunteer in the cardiology unit

100 hrs- misc. volunteering with my pre-health club across 3.5 yrs

50 hrs (projected)- volunteering at a thrift store whose proceeds go towards a shelter for women and children who are victims of abuse. idt this rlly had an impact only my app since it was projected hours.

clinical experience:

180 hrs- emt. i worked at concerts and sporting events

1500 hrs- research tech at a clinical research company.

shadowing:

40 hrs- shadowed various physicians in oklahoma

30 hrs- neurologist

60 hrs- allergist and immunologist

awards:

dean's list for 3 semesters, tied it to how i struggled my freshman year and learned from my mistakes, so i was proud to make the list.

hobbies:

knitting/crochet

recommendation letters:

research pi
allergist i shadowed
trainer/supervisor at work
organic chemistry i prof who i also ta'd for

the only ones i imagine being strong are maybe my supervisor and allergist.

essays/secondaries:

i am really proud of my essays and secondaries. i think i am a pretty strong writer (liberal arts major LOL), and i feel like i made them very personal and unique. i could be biased but idk.

potential red flag: i did not write the optional essay for tmdsas or amcas.

school list:

all texas md schools
tulane
university of oklahoma (family ties)
drexel

i submitted my primary apps (both tmdsas and amcas) the day the app opened. i submitted all tmdsas secondaries around june-july, and all tmdsas secondaries around august.

i probably should've applied to more oos schools but i was delusional and thought my stats would be good enough to get multiple ii's in texas and didn't see the need to apply to other schools.

ideas for reapp and questions:

so, obviously one of my biggest red flags is the C in biochem. i could do an SMP or a diy post-bacc. i am really anti-SMP though bc i don't want to pay a lot of money and waste a year in school getting a useless degree. i am leaning towards doing a post-bacc, but i am confused on how many hours to take, what classes to take, etc. also, should i aim to take the classes this summer so that i have a post-bacc gpa ready by the time apps are due in may?

another weakness is my non-clinical volunteering. i think i need to focus on upping these hours for sure. how many hours should i aim for?

if you read through this novel of a post, thank u so much for taking the time. any advice/suggestions/criticism would be soo soo greatly appreciated. thank u in advance <3

You do not need an SMP or Postbac.
Your area to improve & add to is the non-clinical volunteering. Your grades and MCAT are sufficient for the TMDSAS schools but that is one area they have become more focused on and that alone could keep you out.
Don't obsess on the C in biochemistry. Move past that. If you do need to write any essays on your grades or academics talk about adjusting to college as a freshman instead.

If you need to reapply on TMDSAS you will have a new essay to write (brief essay on being a reapplicant, - keep it focused on what you have added since last time & any insights on reapplying and being determined)
and also, please take advantage of the 3rd essay on TMDSAS, it can be about anything at all but it gives more color and personality to your application. Choose a positive topic that tells more about you.

Spend the time between now and May 2026 doing a lot (150 to 250 more) of community service, & next time apply to all the TMDSAS schools including DO and to OOS DO schools.

 

[greekyogurtluvr]

You do not need an SMP or Postbac.
Your area to improve & add to is the non-clinical volunteering. Your grades and MCAT are sufficient for the TMDSAS schools but that is one area they have become more focused on and that alone could keep you out.
Don't obsess on the C in biochemistry. Move past that. If you do need to write any essays on your grades or academics talk about adjusting to college as a freshman instead.

If you need to reapply on TMDSAS you will have a new essay to write (brief essay on being a reapplicant, - keep it focused on what you have added since last time & any insights on reapplying and being determined)
and also, please take advantage of the 3rd essay on TMDSAS, it can be about anything at all but it gives more color and personality to your application. Choose a positive topic that tells more about you.

Spend the time between now and May 2026 doing a lot (150 to 250 more) of community service, & next time apply to all the TMDSAS schools including DO and to OOS DO schools.

thank you so much for your reply! your advice gives me a really clear understanding of what i should focus on, and i know now what my next steps should be moving forward.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

What AMCAS optional essay are you referring to? Other Impactful Experiences? Institutional action/criminal history? Research?
What TMDSAS optional essay?

As noted, your service orientation activities hours is very light. Specifically your projected thrift shop hours, but you should also be more on the front lines if you can. You should have 150 hours minimum to avoid getting screened out at most schools. The two schools you interviewed at may still offer you, but you will be among peers with hundreds to thousands of hours in this category (food distribution, shelter volunteer, job/tax preparation, legal support, transportation services, or housing rehabilitation).

 

[wysdoc]

The Third TMDSAS essay is listed as optional but they really should just list it as expected.
Essay 1 is the personal statement
Essay 2 is called personal characteristics ( your character traits that make you suited for medicine)
Essay 3 can be a hardship essay, an explanation for a semester of low grades, an essay talking about positive things you have experienced that most others haven’t, about your culture, music or sports or art interests, really your choice

I assume the optional AMCAS essay means the “other impactful experiences “ one.

 

[greekyogurtluvr]

What AMCAS optional essay are you referring to? Other Impactful Experiences? Institutional action/criminal history? Research?
What TMDSAS optional essay?

As noted, your service orientation activities hours is very light. Specifically your projected thrift shop hours, but you should also be more on the front lines if you can. You should have 150 hours minimum to avoid getting screened out at most schools. The two schools you interviewed at may still offer you, but you will be among peers with hundreds to thousands of hours in this category (food distribution, shelter volunteer, job/tax preparation, legal support, transportation services, or housing rehabilitation).

yes, what @wysdoc said. based on the feedback i've received it seems like the amcas "other impactful experiences" essay is truly optional, while the tmdsas optional essay is not.

just for some clarification, when you say "front lines" do you mean working directly with the people i am volunteering for? like my thrift store volunteering isn't as impactful because i am not working directly with the victims?

thank you for your advice! if i end up having to reapply i will definitely work towards getting over 150 hours of meaningful non-clinical volunteering.

 

[Med Ed]

just for some clarification, when you say "front lines" do you mean working directly with the people i am volunteering for? like my thrift store volunteering isn't as impactful because i am not working directly with the victims?

Exactly. Medical schools are looking for people who will roll up their sleeves and work directly with those in need.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Adding on: I don't know who shops at your thrift store. I don't know how you interact with customers. The details are important. Having real conversations with those who benefit from the shelter is worth it, and it means being attentive to their needs, especially during the present time in Texas.