Preparing to Apply Advice

[Hydroflask10101]

Hello! I applied this cycle and I know there's some time left but being realistic I want to improve my app. I am an ORM graduated from a T15 currently doing an SMP program where I got a 4.0 the first semester and hoping to do the same this semester.
MCAT: 509 (planning on retaking)
GPA: 3.49 undergrad (upward trend)
Clinical Volunteering 100+ hours
Nonclinical Volunteering 100 + hours
Research ~500 hours
My clinical hours is low and with Covid this year and my living situation (elderly relatives) decided not to find any opportunities this year. I plan on doing something clinical next gap year because I also would want a LOR from a doctor to apply to DO schools. Was wondering if I should reapply this May or honestly even wait another year so I can be a bit prepared. I would like to matriculate into medical school as soon as possible but would rather wait another year than be a third time applicant.

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[Faha]

Where is your state of residence ? Do you have any physician shadowing hours ? Which schools did you apply to ? Any interviews or wait lists ?

 

[Blueprint Med School]

With the info you gave us, it looks like you didn't get in almost entirely due to GPA/MCAT. A 4.0 in an SMP will help significantly. I would only recommend retaking your MCAT if you're confident you can get something like a 513+. As for extracurriculars, you're right around the average for an accepted MD student. I think you're in good shape to apply this upcoming cycle.

Kevin W, MCAT Tutor
Med School Tutors

 

[Hydroflask10101]

Where is your state of residence ? Do you have any physician shadowing hours ? Which schools did you apply to ? Any interviews or wait lists ?

Illinois no interviews and about 30 hours of shadowing with 2 doctors. I think my LOR, PS, and secondaries were at least average I didn't rush them and always had someone else look t them

Virginia Tech

UIC

Hofstra University

Dartmouth

Temple

Rush

Rosalind and Franklin

Drexel

Tulane

Loyola

NYMC

PCOM GA

Geisinger

Rowan

TCU

Albany

EVMS

PCOM

Miami

SIU

 

[Hydroflask10101]

With the info you gave us, it looks like you didn't get in almost entirely due to GPA/MCAT. A 4.0 in an SMP will help significantly. I would only recommend retaking your MCAT if you're confident you can get something like a 513+. As for extracurriculars, you're right around the average for an accepted MD student. I think you're in good shape to apply this upcoming cycle.

Kevin W, MCAT Tutor
Med School Tutors

Thanks the smp is super helpful for B/B material and Im confident I could get a 513+ if I took my time to study and practice which is why I was considering waiting another year so I can study during the summer.

 

[Faha]

With your GPA of 3.49 you should also apply broadly to DO schools and I suggest these:
CCOM
DMU-COM
MU-COM
ATSU-KCOM
KCU-COM
TUNCOM
AZCOM
LECOM (all schools)
UNECOM
WVSOM
ACOM
CUSOM
VCOM (all schools except Monroe)

 

[Hydroflask10101]

With your GPA of 3.49 you should also apply broadly to DO schools and I suggest these:
CCOM
DMU-COM
MU-COM
ATSU-KCOM
KCU-COM
TUNCOM
AZCOM
LECOM (all schools)
UNECOM
WVSOM
ACOM
CUSOM
VCOM (all schools except Monroe)

Thank you so much for all your help! Would you recommend adding/removing from the MD list. I definitely plan on applying broadly to both MD and DO next cycle for sure.

 

[Faha]

From your list of MD schools you could remove Miami, Hofstra, Virginia Tech, Dartmouth, Geisinger, Rowan. You could add these MD schools:
Creighton
NOVA MD
George Washington
Seton Hall