Preparing to reapply next cycle as TX resident, anything else I can do?

[alienbrain]

Hi all. I applied this cycle after graduating to most TX MD schools. However, I have not heard back from any schools yet. I'm really hoping to hear back from UHCOM, UTRGV (ties to region), and perhaps El Paso and McGovern. But given my stats and that I was a bit unprepared for secondaries and the application process as a whole, I'm feeling pretty uncertain in my application this cycle. I understand there is still plenty of time left, but I want to prepare for the worst case scenario and I'd appreciate some feedback on what I can do to improve my chances. I personally think that my main weaknesses are: Low MCAT, barely sufficient/ moderate shadowing/clinical experiences, and perhaps mediocre writing/ideas weren't fully fleshed out in my primary and secondaries.

I have already registered to take the MCAT in March, and have assessed that I can attack my weaknesses in content and largely focus on practice since I seemed to score about 70% on content questions and anywhere from 40-50% on reasoning and design questions in C/P, B/B, and P/S. I'm hoping for any score between a 512 to 518.

Recently got a job at a major hospital's research center where I will have the opportunity to work with physicians and residents. On top of that, I am looking for more shadowing experiences, perhaps in 2-3 more specialties, and will continue my non-clinical volunteer work. In regards to my writing, I will rewrite my PS in January, potentially reapply for a health committee review, and prewrite secondaries in Feb/Mar. Is there anything else I'm missing or should perhaps reprioritize to maximize my chances next cycle?

Side note: If my new MCAT score is high enough, I'd also like to expand my school list to include some CA schools next cycle as well since I have ties to CA, but not sure if that's a good idea as I've heard of TX bias and all. Top choices for now are definitely UHCOM, McGovern, and UTRGV. I've been told that my app is good enough for DO, but I strongly prefer MD, especially in TX given the fact that location is a major factor for me.

Current application stats:

• cGPA and sGPA
  • 3.70 (upward trend, had a rough 2nd year)
  • 3.55
• MCAT score(s) and breakdown.
  • 1st: 499 (124/124/125/126)
  • 2nd: 501 (126/122/127/126)
• State of residence or country of citizenship (if non-US)
  • TX
• Ethnicity and/or race
  1. Mixed race, Hispanic and SEA
  2. first-gen
• Clinical experience (volunteer and non-volunteer)
  1. 140 hours
     1. 100 hours, gen med hospital volunteer
     2. CNA rotations and training in hospice and memory care, 40 hours
• Research experience and productivity
  1. ~300-350 hours
     1. ~250 hours, Research assistant, neuroscience and behavior
     2. ~ 100-150 hours, Research trip abroad for one month, ecological
        1. This experience also included working with an underserved community and higher education/conservation advocacy.
• Shadowing experience and specialties represented
  1. 60 hours
     1. Pediatric pulmonologist, had opportunity to observe clinical research as well.
• Non-clinical volunteering
  1. 300 hours
     1. Child abuse center
• Other extracurricular activities
  1. MUN, leadership and personal fun (3 years)
  2. Pre-health org committee member, leadership (1.5 years)
  3. Campus Rep for graduate school outreach (2 years)
  4. Hobby: painting, personal
• Relevant honors or awards
  1. Dean's List (roughly 4-6 semesters)
  2. 4-year scholarship and learning abroad scholarship
• LOR's
  • Health committee packet
  • 2 science prof, 1 psych lecturer/research mentor, 1 physician, 1 volunteer supervisor

I apologize for the long post. Thank you for reading and I appreciate all feedback!

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[Mr.Smile12]

I would hold out hope a bit, but what did your prehealth committee say about your chances? If you grew up close to RGV, I might consider a check-in letter after prematches go out to make sure they know you're still out there.

On a reapp, without an MCAT retake, I would include the HBCU schools and perhaps the PR schools. We will see what an improved MCAT retake can get you, but depending on your journey and perspective, you might be a bit surprised what schools could take a longer look. Definitely include DO's.

 

[alienbrain]

I would hold out hope a bit, but what did your prehealth committee say about your chances? If you grew up close to RGV, I might consider a check-in letter after prematches go out to make sure they know you're still out there.

On a reapp, without an MCAT retake, I would include the HBCU schools and perhaps the PR schools. We will see what an improved MCAT retake can get you, but depending on your journey and perspective, you might be a bit surprised what schools could take a longer look. Definitely include DO's.

My prehealth committee gave me an overall rating of "Recommend." They told me that my EC's were well-rounded and my LOR's were great, but my grades from sophomore year raised a bit of concern and they'd need me to finish my last semester strong and have a high MCAT. I received all A's in my last 2 semesters which consisted of heavy bio/biochem courses but MCAT was lower than I was expecting :/

And thank you for the advice! I was definitely thinking of sending in a letter to RGV, and I was recommended to send in an LOI to UHCOM but unsure since there are so many conflicting opinions on the matter. I received my UHCOM secondary on 8/6 and turned it in on 8/19. UTRGV was turned in on 8/31. Also will definitely look into DO schools.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

My prehealth committee gave me an overall rating of "Recommend." They told me that my EC's were well-rounded and my LOR's were great, but my grades from sophomore year raised a bit of concern and they'd need me to finish my last semester strong and have a high MCAT. I received all A's in my last 2 semesters which consisted of heavy bio/biochem courses but MCAT was lower than I was expecting :/

And thank you for the advice! I was definitely thinking of sending in a letter to RGV, and I was recommended to send in an LOI to UHCOM but unsure since there are so many conflicting opinions on the matter. I received my UHCOM secondary on 8/6 and turned it in on 8/19. UTRGV was turned in on 8/31. Also will definitely look into DO schools.

At this point it's a bit over 4 weeks, so you would be okay with a check-in letter. Of course, there is the prematch announcement date coming up, so aside from finishing off any interviews for making prematch decisions, there's the administrative process to get those selections into TMDSAS by their announcement deadline. Keep that in mind if you do a check-in.

Also seeing if @wysdoc has any suggestions for reaching out.

 

[wysdoc]

There are 2 DO schools on the TMDSAS application, TCOM and SHSU.
Did you apply to either? Your MCATs of 499/501 are not competitive for TCOM though.
Writing an update letter is only going to be helpful if you have something new to add (not something you plan to do someday) since turning in your primary TMDSAS application.

If you reapply next year, your goals should be TMDSAS + AACOMAS. You could apply on AACOMAS without retaking the MCAT.
I don't think it's likely to jump up to an MCAT of 512+ on a 3rd test day, and you would need that kind of a score to apply to AMCAS schools.

 

[ijustwannasaveppl]

It's pretty hard to judge without a newer MCAT, so def update the post when you get it. I was able to jump 11 points on my mcat after doing a masters, so a crazy score increase is def possible! However, it wasn't enough for texas MD schools to over look my mid gpa and I only got 1 MD interview, then a rejection 🙁. Rn with your current scores and stats. I would say the odds are stacked against you for a texas MD,but you still have a great shot at DO if you also apply AACOMAS. With a slightly higher mcat you could still get into a great school like TCOM or SHSUCOM (current highest COMLEX pass rate!). You could even add a couple OOS DO schools now if you wanted, it's not too late. Also, it's still very early in the cycle. Study for your MCAT retake, but you could still get in at a school at an area you have ties to. My TX md interview wasn't until October! Don't give up 🙂