Re-App Feedback: should I wait or not?

[sarahl86]

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I've been more or less littering the re-app/WAMC forums with questions and suggestions for my application, but realized that I missed a big point when failing to ask if people suggest I wait or go ahead for what seems to be a third consecutive cycle for med school applications. I'm not officially out this cycle but it doesn't look very good...

3.85 OA/3.73 Sci GPA
10 PS/12 VR/9 BS R
Lots of hospital volunteering
Fluent in American Sign Language
Work as CNA, health educator for Deaf patients
Other stuff: http://www.mdapplicants.com/viewprofile.php?id=11546

First cycle: 25R MCAT, one interview and rejection from Maryland
Second cycle: 31R MCAT, three interviews
- WL at UMaryland
- Interview at NYMC in late January, no news but wasn't in the bulk of the January acceptances
- Upcoming interview at Drexel, very very very late
**Note: I took the MCAT again in mid-August so I wasn't marked complete at most schools until September**

As for changes I've made since last submitting my AMCAS, I'm in a community orchestra (and will play Carnegie Hall in October if I don't get accepted this cycle, so that's a silver lining I suppose...) and started volunteering as a clinical research assistant in January. I may be able to get a job with the research company if things don't work out as well. I will have great LORs from my employer, probably from my PI, and possibly from an MD I work with as well (in comparison to just my UG committee letter in first and second cycles).

Do you think this was enough improvement? I'm getting my PS done now and asking for LORs so I am ready come June to get everything finished early.

Comments/suggestions welcomed 🙂

 

[Chuck's Right Foot]

It doesn't seem that you would need to wait a year IMHO. Be careful with UMD, I don't think they like re-apps... I applied 3x, never got an interview, but got into UIC as an OOSer...

I applied 3x in a row, and I think you are in better shape than I am... maybe your school list could be fleshed out to increase your chances....

 

[fahimaz7]

Don't take a year off. Apply early and at a lot of schools (unless your state school has an EDP option).

 

[Chuck's Right Foot]

Don't take a year off. Apply early and at a lot of schools (unless your state school has an EDP option).

EDP reqs are stringent even for IS students. She may not qualify with her MCAT score.

 

[sarahl86]

That, and although I work for Maryland, have lived in Baltimore for 5 years and interviewed here twice, know plenty of doctors here, blah blah blah...I want to try something different.

If I did EDP, it would be my third time applying to Maryland and honestly, its not worth the risk for me. I highly doubt they'd give me a ton of consideration with a 9 in BS and I'm not positive but I think a lot of schools have a two strike rule.

 

[sarahl86]

UPDATE (and I hope someone sees it):

I just found out I was accepted to JHU for a Master's in Health Science studying Biochemistry...I applied figuring it would maybe help out my application. Problem is its expensive as crap to do it, but its a public health degree from Hopkins of all places.

What do you all think?

 

[wapwap]

congrats! if you do the program will you need to retake your mcat if when you re-apply?

 

[dragonfly99]

Is it a one or two year program?
If it's one, I might just go for it, especially since it looks like you already live in the area.
If it's two years, I'm not so sure.
I feel like you have done enough to get yourself into med school, and would have a good shot next year. If you put yourself into a 2 year master's program, I think most adcoms won't look at your application next year, b/c they'll want you to finish your degree first. If you are independently wealthy, it's not a bad idea to do the master's, but most of us aren't.

I think the 25 MCAT very likely deep sixed your application the first time, and that you should have better luck with the 31 if you apply early. I also think having more and better LOR's this time around should help you. And it goes without saying that your personal statement needs to rock, and you need to proofread the hell out of the rest of your application.

It sounds like your state school, for whatever reason, has decided they aren't interested. That is all right...sometimes that happens and it can be mostly based on subjective stuff. I would not do EDP there - I'm not familiar with EDP for med school admissions b/c it didn't exist back when I applied, but if it delays your application to other schools at all, I wouldn't do it given your history with U of Maryland's med school. I guess there's no way you can move a short distance away, like inside of a different state like Virginia or something? It's just an idea. Also, apply to a crapload of schools. I mean like 35 or 40 or something. Try all those Midwest schools that people tend not to think of...Rosalind Franklin, St Louis U, ? Creighton, etc. I would cross-apply to MD and DO schools, too, or to MD schools and then to maybe 1 or 2 foreign schools like Israel, Ireland or Caribbean if you aren't getting enough interviews.

Finally, think you should push hard to get in this year. If you are on any wait lists, send a letter of intent to them, and get one of your LOR writers to call them, and see if you can get off the wait list. Do not give up on ANY interview or ANY wait list spot until/unless they have told you a definite "no". You may be right about being hosed for this year, but it can't hurt to try. Adcoms like people who are hungry.

 

[sarahl86]

Its a one year program, and no, I am not independently wealthy. At all 🙂 I think the cost is the sole reason I am probably not going to do the program because I can't justify quitting the job I have now to pursue a degree that will only prove as I did in undergraduate that I am good in scince. The main benefit was that it would be a degree from Hopkins, not my lousy state school.

I plan on getting LORs from my employer and PI for the coming cycle. This year I had a strong committee letter and later submitted a LOR from my boss to the schools I had later interviews at, hoping it will help at least a little bit.

For this year, I have already submitted LOIs to Maryland (who responded with a waitlist) and a LOIntent to NYMC. I just interviewed at Drexel yesterday and had a faculty interview that went atrociously because I lack lab experience and got stuck with a Ph.D immunologist after my original interviewer cancelled last minute. Needless to say, she didn't like when I stated my preference for working in a clinical environment because I enjoy interacting with patients. The half hour interview only lasted under 20 minutes...but the student I interviewed with seemed to like me okay. So all in all, I'm questioning if I should submit a letter there after how horribly things went over. Plus, the interview was reallllly late.

I don't plan to do EDP to Maryland because it will prevent me from applying early to other schools and is a gamble I am not willing to take with them because as you said, I just don't think they are very interested. I plan on applying to midwest schools and at least a few DO programs. I am hoping to shadow a DO in the coming month to help my chances at DO schools.

Thank you guys for all your advice. I never pictured myself in this position and applying to medical school what seems to be three times. Its been rough but having help along the way has been great from people who think I have a decent shot. I'm nervous about my MCAT score but with an early application hopefully things will work out.

 

[dragonfly99]

Your plan sounds all right.
You can probably still do the biochem master's later/the next year, if you decide you want to or you need to. I think taking the MCAT later and not having completed applications until September probably hurt you a lot.

I think you should apply to George Washington...it's kind of an anti-numbers school and they will probably like your diverse experiences. Try to find out which state schools take out of state applicants (Vermont used to take 1/2 out of staters, though not sure if that is still true).

 

[sarahl86]

I won't have to wait 🙂 I just got in to NYMC!

 

[Chuck's Right Foot]

Holy POO!

YAY!

 

[dragonfly99]

hooray! fantastic!
congrats!
This shows that persistence and improving the application pays off.

 

[eshlow]

I won't have to wait 🙂 I just got in to NYMC!

Congrats! 🙂

Been following your plight (from the Maryland thread).

 

[sarahl86]

Thanks guys! I'm really excited.

No choice but to wait about Maryland, but I'm going to be a doctor regardless 🙂

 

[dragonfly99]

It does not matter...both schools would be fine. Personally, I'd go to the state school if you get in...cheaper tuition.